‘Make equities part of your portfolio’

On choosing to work in financial services: I studied engineering and finance at Wharton, which is one of the best finance schools in the world. I grew to love this industry over time. I spent four years on Wall Street, where I saw the highs of 2006-07, followed by the lows of 2008. At the age of 24, I founded Forefront Capital in India, which was perhaps India’s first registered Category III fund. We sold Forefront to Edelweiss. I then joined Edelweiss to keep running the same business. In 2016, Edelweiss Mutual Fund acquired the business of JP Morgan Mutual Fund and I was tasked with looking after the merger. I became CEO of Edelweiss Mutual

Fund at 33.

On women being good savers, not investors: Unfortunately, there is truth in this stereotype. Saving comes naturally to women, but investing is something a lot of them shy away from. I recently met employees of a large tech company. A lot of women said they would not like to get involved as they don't come from a Finance background. But just as you don't need to be a Michelinstarred chef to cook in your house, the same way you don't need to be a Warren Buffett to manage your own money.

On positive changes she has observed: Younger women are gradually becoming more knowledgeable, and more aspirational. They work hard and want more from their money. They ask a lot of Finance-related questions, which is a positive sign.

On investing for long-term goals: Start saving and investing early. Don't outsource this job to the men in your life. Be goaloriented. So long as you are on track to achieve your goal, you are doing well. Be aspirational and make equities a part of your port f o l i o.