Radhika Gupta, a Pakistani-born CEO, leads the Rs 1 lakh crore company Edelweiss Mutual Fund. She faced numerous rejections and low self-esteem, but now advises women to ask for what they deserve in their careers and not worry about rejections.
India’s youngest CEO, Radhika Gupta, runs Edelweiss Mutual Fund, a Rs 1 lakh crore enterprise. She was born in Pakistan and spent her early life on four continents as her father was an Indian diplomat. Radhika had complications at birth which ended her having a broken neck for a lifetime, which she denotes as a “weird tilt” to her head.
“My neck was twisted from birth. If that wasn’t enough, my dad was a diplomat and I was always the new kid at school. I lived in Pakistan, New York, and Delhi before Nigeria. She told Humans of Bombay that my Indian accent was assessed and they named me ‘Apu’ from The Simpsons.
The 39-year-old said she had low self-esteem because she was frequently compared to her mother in school.
Despite her struggles, she won a scholarship to study computer science engineering, economics, and management and technology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2005, she received Summa cum laude, the highest honor.
Despite her stellar academic performance and internships at top corporations, seven consulting firms rejected her for placement.
Radhika was devastated and attempted suicide at 22 when the seventh firm said no.
I’d hide my insecurities… After my 7th job rejection at 22, I stared out the window and stated, ‘I’ll jump.’ My friend requested aid! I was taken to a mental institution and diagnosed with depression. She stated they let her go because she remarked, “I have a job interview—it’s my only shot.”
She survived and worked on Wall Street in the US for four years. She quit and moved to India to become an entrepreneur at 25. She and her spouse and buddy founded an asset management firm that was acquired by a reputable company. She said in an interview, “A few years later, Edelweiss MF acquired our company—I climbed the corporate ladder. I wanted to raise my hand for opportunities as a saree in a suit room. I hesitated when Edelweiss MF started hiring a new CEO, but my husband said, “You’re the best person for the job,” she said.
After success, Radhika Gupta became Edelweiss Asset Management Co.’s youngest CEO aged 33 in 2017. Her company flourished rapidly in a few years. Mint reports that when she joined, the investment company had assets of ₹9,128 crore, which increased to ₹1,01,406 crore in January 2023.
From her vast experience, she advised ladies.We must eventually demand what we deserve. Women don’t ask enough. Be responsible for your career. Do not worry about rejection. I believed I was qualified and deserved it. To my surprise, I got the job after asking. Even after this, I demand my way. Sometimes I don’t receive what I ask for, but asking is crucial, stated the CEO.
Conclusion
One of India’s youngest CEOs, Radhika Gupta runs Edelweiss Mutual Fund, a Rs 1 lakh crore enterprise. She was born in Pakistan with a lifelong fractured neck due to birth problems. Despite her challenges, she won a scholarship to study computer science engineering, economics, and management and technology at Penn. After being rejected by seven consulting firms, she worked at Wall Street in the US for four years before becoming an entrepreneur. Edelweiss Mutual Fund purchased her asset management firm, which she founded with her husband and friend. In 2017, she became one of India’s youngest CEOs at 33 and the fund house developed tremendously. Gupta teaches women to ask for what they deserve without worrying about rejection. Her experience taught her to constantly ask for what she wants, even if it’s what she deserved.
