“Believe in yourself. Set your goals high and be ready to create the path and work your way to the top.” Sapna Rathi, Executive Director, Windsor Shelters
In an industry of cement and concrete, it is not easy and common for a lady to break the proverbial glass ceiling. But Sapna Rathi doesn’t believe in commonalty. A management degree holder majoring in marketing, a commerce graduate, a Google-certified digital marketer, a diploma holder in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as well as a certified nutritionist, Sapna heads the HR and administration functions, while also lending support to the marketing and safety departments at the Pune-based real estate company.
How have you maintained synergies between professional and personal life?
I dedicated most of my early years of married life to the family and stepped into the corporate world as recently as 2014. Despite the demands of both the profession and family person, I tend to go about my tasks with gratitude in heart for being blessed with a family that encourages me to go for higher pursuits. I have made peace between my professional and personal lives through meticulous time management and planning.
Wat are some of the career achievements that are close to your heart?
I was instrumental in skilling and recruiting the first batch of thirty women as masons for one of the projects of my company. It was making of history for the industry and an achievement that is close to heart. Also, as a committee member of Pune CREDAI Metro, I am in-charge of the labour welfare activities.
What are the general perceptions about women in your field of career and how have you handled them?
Being modest about one’s success in the otherwise male-dominated real estate industry makes it sound easy for others. The industry always welcomes and recognizes women who are willing to accept greater responsibilities and take on bigger challenges. Women are now contributing to every aspect of the construction process and are proving to be a major force in the growth of the sector.
I am exploring the idea of creating co-working spaces and a hostel for working women so as to encourage them shed their inhibitions. I dream to start a restaurant and develop a chain of enterprises as well as a foundation dedicated to social service while taking the company’s CSR activities to the next level.
