Wisdom From The Women Leading The Quantum Computing Industry, With Mehak Kalsi of RSM US

Strive to work together and in harmony but don’t be a doormat.

Teamwork is a general term that has been around as long as corporate America has. This is because it’s a principal tenant required for success in the workplace for teams but also individuals. We all need support at work at some point which is where working together becomes crucial. The saying “many hands make light work” comes to mind. As vital as working together and in harmony is, avoiding groupthink is equally as critical. I have on several occasions taken stands at work where I felt an injustice was occurring or an idea would lead to more churn and strife than benefit. Work together but if something is wrong, be courageous and say something. You may be the only one strong enough to say something, but I guarantee there are others thanking the universe that you had the courage to say what they were thinking.

As a part of my series about “Women Leading The Quantum Computing Industry”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mehak Kalsi.

Mehak is a Subject Matter Expert in Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, and CMMC at RSM US LLC and in the greater Technology industry. She is an insight-driven, multi-faceted, solution-oriented professional with a proven track record of successfully developing holistic, 360-degree cybersecurity strategies and project roadmaps that effectively anticipate and mitigate information security risks on a global scale. Prior to working in the exciting world of Consulting, Mehak worked at Lockheed Martin Corp. in the Missiles and Fire Control division. Her primary areas of focus included audit and compliance, data analysis, change advisory, and Information Assurance Management (IAM) on missile and fire control products and IT systems.

Mehak holds Professional Certifications from Stanford University in Cybersecurity and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Quantum Computing. She also holds a Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management and Bachelor of Science focused on hard sciences both from the University of Florida. Mehak has industry recognized certifications including a CISSP, CISA, and CMMC-RP along with several others.

Mehak is co-Chair of the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Quantum Safe Security (QSS) Working Group (WG) which was formed to address key generation and transmission methods and help the industry understand quantum‐safe methods for protecting their networks and their data. She authors the monthly editorial for the CSA QSS WG newsletter and participates in other initiatives, publications, etc. Recently, she helped develop and finalize a first-of-its-kind countdown clock for Quantum Computers to show a quantum advantage. Since its release, the countdown clock has been referred to in several industry presentations including DEF CON 30 and a number of industry articles. Connect with Mehak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehakkalsicisspcisa/

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?

I grew up in a family that valued education and high achievement while also living life to the fullest. We traveled the world where I got to see how beautiful the world was but also saw its difficulties. What I saw helped me understand that no matter what I did with my life, I wanted to help people. As we know, there are many paths to do this; I chose to explore the path utilizing technology. This started a journey through many areas of technology that lead me to Cybersecurity and subsequently Quantum Computing. Through the support of my late grandparents, parents, sister, and brother-in-law, I am successful today.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

I have a love of reading that started early in my life. I was a true book worm and used to read at least one book every day. So, you can imagine, there are many to choose from, but I’d have to say that the one I refer to the most is “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. I first heard of this book during my graduate school studies from a professor who encouraged us to read it to help us be successful in our future careers. I picked it up sometime later and it changed the way I interacted with everyone I had professional and personal relationships with. The book helped me understand my love languages and those of the people around me as it related to how they like to give and receive information, feedback, and most importantly, appreciation. This book helped build part of the foundation of my leadership style on top of which I have added other leadership methods along with my own personal touch.

Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?

A life lesson quote I live by is one that my father shared with me many years ago; “People will always take the time to complain, be the person who takes the time to praise.” He said this in relation to those who provide you with exceptional service or support regardless of where that may be — in a restaurant, at your doctor’s office, and also where you work. He stated that when people are upset due to a lack of service or level of support they were expecting, they always take the time to lodge a complaint but rare are those who take the time to let those in charge know when someone did exceptionally well. Appreciation is key for human development and general happiness which is something he profoundly understood and ensured that I did as well. I have always followed this life lesson and am sure to take the few minutes to ensure everyone I encounter in my personal and professional life get the recognition they deserve for a job well done. In my professional life, I provide “praise” using internal recognition systems, awards, positive evaluations, and support for promotions. I recently nominated an extraordinary employee at work for a prestigious company award which this employee went on to win. This resulted in the employee gaining recognition at the firm and a reward of their choice. Their sheer joy in being recognized and rewarded for their excellent work was the goal and I’m glad I had the opportunity to make it a reality.

Is there a particular story that inspired you to pursue a career in the Quantum Computing industry? We’d love to hear it.

I was exposed to Quantum Physics and Quantum Computing early on during my undergraduate and graduate studies. However, I really leaned into Quantum during the COVID pandemic. While working from home, I wanted to continue using my evenings and weekends to cultivate my technical skills. I had recently obtained several professional and industry related certifications and I was looking for my next big challenge. I found it in the MIT Quantum Computing professional certification. I had the background to understand Quantum Computing since I hold University degrees in the hard sciences and technology with an understanding of the mathematics required to comprehend the foundations of Quantum Computing so studying the topic made a lot of sense to me. The most exciting part though was that for the first time in my life, I was able to combine my love of the hard sciences and technology and build a career with them as the main focus. Soon after receiving the MIT Quantum Computing certification, I started working with the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Quantum Safe-Security (QSS) Working Group of which I am now the co-Chair. Additionally, I have been integrating my knowledge of Quantum Computing for the benefit of my Consulting clients and encouraging them to be forward thinking for what the future is quickly bringing to their professional and even their personal lives.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this fascinating career?

That has got to be the work I have helped develop and deliver with the CSA QSS Working Group. One specific story that comes to mind is directly related to the Y2Q Countdown Clock; Y2Q being synonymous with “Y2K” of the late nineties. The Y2Q Countdown Clock has been referenced in a number of industry specific articles and conferences. Specifically, while at DEF CON 30 in August of 2022, I was sitting in the Quantum village watching a presentation by one of the organizers of the village. When he began his presentation, he started with the Y2Q countdown clock stating that the CSA felt strongly that the date of April 14, 2030 is when Quantum Computers would show a Quantum advantage. This presentation was being delivered to an audience of which the majority were not familiar with Quantum. Seeing the work that I had helped develop and deliver with the CSA being referenced on such a large stage was humbling. Further, it made it clear that the Cybersecurity and greater Technology industry was taking Quantum technology seriously. Bringing awareness to society about Quantum Computing and its impacts is the whole purpose of the CSA QSS Working Group and I could see that the work I was doing was being used to make a difference.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Let me set the scene. It was a beautiful clear Florida day with blue skies, the sun was shining, and there was a light breeze in the air. The perfect day to go outside to take a break and grab some lunch. This is while I worked in a secure facility with a large defense sub-contractor to the government. I headed towards the on-site lunchroom in an adjacent office building. There was a 7-foot high metal turn-style outdoors that required badge access in between the two buildings. I scanned through, bought my food, and started to make my way back to my desk with my tray of food. As I scanned my badge to pass through the turn-style, I started to push the turn-style while carefully balancing the tray. What I didn’t know is that if you don’t go through the heavy metal turn-style fast enough, it will push you backwards and require you to re-badge. Long story short, it took me 3 tries and I sacrificed all of my sauces and soup which did not have lids to the concrete sidewalk. To top it off, a number of my colleagues saw (it was lunch time after all) and as with any secure facility, there were a number of cameras with humans behind them that saw all of this go down as well. That’s the day I learned to always get lids on my food and pack it up nice and tight if I’m eating the food anywhere but where it’s being served. Or, the other option is to not get the lids and bring some light to the day of those around you by gifting them with a good laugh. Whatever floats your boat. All I can say is that I laughed off the entire fiasco at the time and it still brings a smile to my face today.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I absolutely agree that none of us achieve success all on our own. In my case, it’s not a particular person but a group of people; my family. More specifically, my late grandparents, parents, sister, and brother-in-law are the reason for my success. They are my Board of Directors for life and professional matters. If there’s something I’m thinking about and can’t come to a decision or need guidance of any kind, I go to them to be my sounding board. They always make the time to talk me through whatever it is I need help with. There are many examples of them supporting me in this way to choose from but one in particular comes to mind. After successfully completing my undergraduate degree, I was at a crossroads to select my next step. Should I pursue a medical career or a one in technology? At the time, I made the decision to pivot towards my medical aspirations and started my graduate studies to pursue those goals. Early on, there were a number of circumstances that arose where I needed to once again make a decision on whether to continue pursuing my medical career ambitions or pivot to technology. After several discussions with my family, I took some time to process and think through their viewpoints and suggestions. In the end, I made the decision to pivot to technology and suffice to say, I am extremely happy with that decision. It led me down an entirely different path than what I had envisioned but in the most positive way possible. It has allowed me to have financial freedom at a far younger age and time with my loved ones that would have otherwise been sacrificed in pursuit of my medical career ambitions. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made plenty of sacrifices for the life I have now, but it is less than what would have been required if I had continued with medicine. Thank you to my family a.k.a. my Board of Directors for always having my back and giving me your unbiased viewpoints and suggestions. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

Yes! I’m doing a lot of work with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) which DoD sub-contractors need to be compliant with in the near future. The field of Cybersecurity in general, including DoD subcontractors, will need to adapt to the quickly approaching reality of a post-Quantum world. In no other space is being Quantum ready more important than in national security. In support of this impending future state of Quantum Cybersecurity, I am continuing to work to build my current employers CMMC practice. Recently I helped my firm, RSM US LLC, successfully achieve ‘CMMC Certifying Body’ status which positioned the firm as the largest CMMC Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) in the United States. In support of this newly gained certifier status, I organically expanded the CMMC practice by developing CMMC collateral/templates to supplement sales, marketing, and engagement success efforts. Additionally, I built an agile team to research and source a CMMC engagement tool which is currently in the implementation phase. This work is in support of safeguarding our way of life in America by securing the defense industrial base from bad actors and nation states who mean us and our way of life harm. I am excited to be a leader for CMMC at my current firm but also in the general Technology industry.

Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. The Quantum Computing industry, as it is today, is such an exciting arena. What are the 3 things that most excite you about the Quantum Computing industry? Can you explain?

There is so much to be excited about with Quantum Computing and its ability to support advances for humankind. Quantum Computers will provide a more accurate solution to whatever they are used for all while getting to that solution exponentially faster. Keeping all of that in mind, the top 3 things that excite me the most, in no particular order, are the following.

1. Advances in the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries: Through the use of Quantum Computers, we’ll have the potential to help create medications and vaccines faster. Our current processes require scientists to develop molecules to interact with other molecules and then testing is conducted to gather results. This is an iterative process to gather enough interactions to confidently state which set of molecule interactions is optimal. Though the process is revolutionary as a whole and part of the basis of modern medicine, you can imagine that this is a slow process that can only be sped up so much. Most recently, we saw this with the novel coronavirus vaccines. Though development of the vaccines in the United States was no doubt amazingly quick, Quantum Computers may be able to help expedite the process. This would be done by simulating molecules on Quantum Computers that would open the door for more precise simulations of interactions as compared to what we have now allowing us to come to a more optimal solution (in this case a vaccine or medication) for use faster.
2. Weather Patterns: There is the potential for Quantum Computers to predict the weather better than any classical computer in existence to date. There are times when classical computers currently in use can take more time to predict the weather than the natural evolution of the weather itself. As someone who has been through a number of hurricanes and is far too familiar with the “spaghetti model” of predicting the path of the hurricane, this would be an amazing use of Quantum Computers. It would allow for more targeted evacuations rather than large areas to accommodate the spaghetti models. Additionally, there is the potential to save lives when the hurricane may take a path that was not predicted, or one that had a low chance of occurring. A good example of this is Hurricane Irma in 2017 that was predicted to directly hit off the coast of Florida in Tampa. At the time, I was living in Tampa and evacuated 80 miles east to my parents’ home in Orlando which was predicted to be hit but not quite as severely. Or so the weather models predicted. By the time hurricane Irma chose its path, it no longer hit Tampa with the level of devastation predicted but instead pivoted and impacted Orlando far more severely than was originally projected. Quantum Computers have the potential to make weather forecasts, especially heavily destructive ones like hurricanes and other natural weather disasters, more accurate which can save lives, prevent excessive damage due to consolidated efforts to fortify disaster impact areas, and minimize the level of uncertainty currently in weather forecasts.
3. Transportation Logistics: In logistics, the best route is often the least complicated route. Optimization problems in Quantum Computing are some of the most important. Put those two facts together and what do you get? A solution that will revolutionize transportation logistics. So, you want to know the best route from start to finish for the manufacturing and delivery of a product? Give a Quantum Computer your parameters and the correct inputs in terms of where items will be coming from and going to and they will be able to help finalize the optimal route for the items to create a consolidated product. Ideally all of this works hand-in-hand with other technologies such as AI to consider inputs such as traffic patterns, weather, and other important considerations to get the items to where they need to be. At a base level though, optimization problems running on a Quantum Computer will become paramount in helping logistics become more efficient and effective.

What are the 3 things that concern you about the Quantum Computing industry? Can you explain? What can be done to address those concerns?

This a great question and one that I have more than 3 answers for but I’ll limit myself to those that you won’t likely find with a quick search on the internet. Of course there is huge concern with Quantum Computers from a Cybersecurity and Privacy perspective running Shor’s algorithm and “breaking the internet”, more specifically, public key encryption. This would expose quite literally a world of data to anyone and everyone with a Quantum Computer that can run Shor’s algorithm. Then there’s always a discussion to be had about the government and private financial funding of Quantum Computing in the USA as compared to other countries. Most notably, it’s the shortfall in government funding in the USA as compared to a country like China. Besides this, there are other topics that are being discussed but not on a large enough scale which I would like to highlight as the 3 things that concern me about the Quantum Computing industry.

1. Quantum Artificial Intelligence (AI): This is my main concern and one that has a lot of moving parts to consider. With that said, I will do my best to keep it concise for our discussion today since there is a lot to unpack with Quantum AI. Consider this, AI running on a computer that is faster than anything we have them running on now. The ability for the AI to learn and then execute actions based on what was learned increases by an order of magnitude never seen before. That, is a major consequence of running AI on Quantum Computers. To start, there is the obvious impact to certain career paths for humans that may be limited and/or eliminated entirely due to Quantum AI. Then, there are the issues with the privacy of data about the general public, issues with cybersecurity for organizations, along with even better deep fake videos than we have now. Let’s not even get into the impacts to governments as they relate to challenges with national defense and autonomous weapons systems. Even politically, a country’s abilities related to Quantum AI will likely dictate where power is held globally and by whom. Not to add more to the pile but there’s also the side effects we haven’t even thought of yet or may be too scared to think about. So, how do we mitigate this myriad of potential issues and threats? To start, we need address all types of risks when an organization or government is planning to run AI, or purchase AI that runs on a Quantum Computer including ethical risk, technical risk, risk to people, compliance / regulatory risk, etc. Of course this path to mitigate risk only considers the use of Quantum AI by law abiding organizations. What about nation states, criminal groups, and other bad actors? That, is a longer conversation and one that will always circle back to a country’s technological development and prowess with Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and how the two work together.
2. Slow Adoption of Quantum Safe Technologies and Practices: Recent surveys conducted by global Consulting firms have painted a clear picture that in the absence of regulatory and compliance requirements, most enterprises will not be prioritizing Quantum security initiatives. What these organizations are missing when they state this is that Quantum Computing isn’t just coming, it’s here. If organizations do not start preparing now and implementing Quantum safe initiatives in the next few years, it will be too late. To address this aversion by enterprises to being Quantum ready, governments around the world need to work with leaders in the Quantum Computing industry and Cybersecurity professionals to create Quantum Computing specific regulatory and compliance requirements for industries. Without this level of external pressure, it’s clear that large organizations will not be incentivized to make any changes.
3. Quantum Computing Skills Gap: In the fall of 2022, I attended DEF CON 30 in Las Vegas. I spent a good amount of time in the Quantum Village and sat in the back watching the presentations but also observing the attendees. When the presenters would ask questions about the audiences’ level of understanding of Quantum Computing and the basic building blocks of the technology, a handful of attendees, including myself, would raise our hands. Initially, I was shocked at how few of us in the crowd knew the basics of Quantum Computing. What this made clear to me was that I lived in a microcosm of other professionals who prioritized Quantum Computing, however, the reality in the wider world of Cybersecurity industry professionals was far different. What was commendable and gave me hope is knowing that the reason the attendees were there in the first place was to learn. We all have to start somewhere and this was their “somewhere”. The problem is that there are still not enough people in the Cybersecurity industry learning about Quantum Computing and its potential impacts on life as we know it. Part of it is the sheer complexity and level of vagueness that one must be comfortable with to work in Quantum Computing. Wrapping ones head around the concepts and what’s going on can be difficult. Additionally, a background in the hard sciences, technology, and math are required to truly understand Quantum Computing. Bridging this skills gap will require Cybersecurity professionals, global enterprises, and our educational systems to buckle down and upskill the current personnel in the workforce while educating the next generation in the sciences, math, and technology. This is the key for us as a society to not just survive in a post-Quantum world but also thrive.

Are you currently satisfied with the status quo regarding women in STEM? What specific changes do you think are needed to change the status quo?

This is an interesting question. We as a society have made a lot of headway in the recent past in terms of increasing the number of women in STEM. However, as with most things requiring a positive change, more work is needed. A shift is needed in the way science, technology, engineering, and math is presented to children in schools, the media, and in society as a whole. There are a lot more shows and media out there portraying women as leaders in STEM fields and we need to keep that going. Of course, this is in addition to actually having women in STEM leadership roles at organizations. The main point here is, if girls and women don’t see someone like themself working in STEM related careers, they may not pursue it either. In addition, if we don’t show our boys and men that women can work in STEM and in STEM leadership positions, they will believe it to be a novelty rather than the norm. We need to show diversity in STEM fields at all levels but especially in leadership roles. We also as a society need to remove the barriers for girls and women to study in STEM related fields and then also pursue those careers. Making girls and women feel welcome in STEM from the time they start school all way through their careers will make a world of difference.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women in the quantum computing industry that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts? What would you suggest to address this?

There are still inherent biases that people hold questioning the credentials and qualifications of a woman to be working in any field that is male dominated. There is a lot of “the only one” that happens to me and other women working in STEM fields but especially in Quantum Computing. To elaborate, “the only one” often means being the only woman in the meeting, the only woman on the team, the only woman in the leadership position, etc. which can make women feel like they’re on an island even when surrounded by their colleagues and peers. This won’t happen to our male counterparts since they are in the majority. The first step to remedy this is for men to become allies and advocate for and support the women in their professional careers towards the success they rightfully deserve. Male allies can help break glass ceilings with the women that they support. Additionally, women and male allies are encouraged to bring women with them into these meetings, onto the team, and be in those leadership positions so that the women who are already there are no longer “the only one”. To all the women and male allies out there already doing this, thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a woman in STEM or Tech, or the Quantum Computing industry. Can you explain what you mean?

The myths at the heart of all of this as it relates to women in STEM, Technology, and the Quantum Computing industries are that women aren’t either interested in STEM, that men are better in STEM fields, or that women cannot succeed in STEM fields. Women have already proven that we can’t just succeed but we can thrive in all professional fields so the myth that we can’t is just that, a myth. There may be fields of STEM, Technology, and Quantum Computing where we are under-represented, but the key is here is that there is some representation. With time and the appropriate societal and professional support, this representation will increase until one day it will dispel the myth that these fields are “not for women” or that “women just aren’t interested in them”. Additionally, having the support of male allies promoting women in STEM, Tech, and Quantum Computing is important and needed in our educational system and professional spaces in addition to the high number of women doing this for women and girls in these fields already. We’ve already done so much together as men and women to dispel these myths and with all of us continuing to work together, I have faith that one day there will no longer be any “myths” to dispel about women in STEM, Tech, and Quantum Computing.

What are your “5 Leadership Lessons I Learned From My Experience as a Woman in STEM or Tech” and why. (Please share a story or example for each.)

Another great question! I’ll try to keep it brief but I make no promises.

1 . Define your boundaries and make sure to be in control of your boundaries.

It’s important to set your boundaries when it comes to your career. So, if you like to take lunch every day from 12 pm — 1 pm, make sure your teams and your leadership are aware of this. You can also take the additional step of blocking your calendar at that time so that anyone looking to put time on your calendar knows that you are not available. Now I share this lesson with you with the caveat that just because you have a boundary, doesn’t mean you have to state it far and wide. There are times when you’ll be willing to make an exception to a boundary and you don’t want that decision to be taken away from you because of the boundary being considered as set in stone. So, let’s stick with the example we’ve been talking about above. There may be times when you are willing to take your lunch break a little later or perhaps even a little earlier in order to accommodate an important meeting or client engagement. Ask those who you work with regularly to consult with you if they or a client would like to have time with you during your blocked off time. This leaves the decision in your hands rather than giving that power to others. So, go ahead, share your boundaries with the teams you work with but always hold the power with yourself to be flexible as needed so you don’t miss opportunities that you wanted to be a part of.

2 . Lead with empathy, everyone is going through something.

This is extremely important for any leader to not just know but execute as well. As leaders in our organizations, we’ve been given the unique opportunity to make work as pleasant as we can for those for whom we are responsible. This is not to say that there won’t be bad days at work for anyone on the team, but we can take the initiative to do the best we can to create a positive working environment. For example, one of the members on my team has had a rough few months with the death of many close family members and friends. This team member has needed time to attend funerals, make arrangements, console themselves and their loved ones, etc. through these difficult times. I never once questioned why they needed the time off to grieve or how long they needed. All I did was ask how they were feeling, how I could support them best, and assure them that I was there if they needed anything. This level of empathy can get lost sometimes when projects and deadlines are frequent and tight as was with the clients we were delivering together. However, if your team cannot handle the emergency of one team member, it’s not a very functional team to begin with. So, always lead with empathy. In this case I knew what was happening but more often than not we won’t know (i.e. a fight with a spouse, trouble with the children, the declining health of parents) so make sure to treat everyone with kindness and understanding.

3 . Always give the benefit of the doubt to the other party.

This aligns well with the statement above about leading with empathy. Whether it be clients, your teams, or even in your daily life, give the benefit of the doubt to whomever you are working with. In my line of work, sometimes clients will say and do things out of the ordinary. Instead of reacting with anger, I give them space and then reach out to touch base with them. Much of the time, they admit the statement had nothing to do with me but their own personal and professional struggles at the time. Sometimes it was pressure from their bosses and other times personal situations at home causing them stress. Once this is out in the open, more often than not, an apology for what was said would soon follow along with a retraction of their statement as being untrue. In my experience I have found that the majority of the time, all someone needs is a bit of understanding and space. Once that is given, next steps can be taken and we can all move forward together.

4 . Pick up the phone and just talk to them.

In today’s world where many tend to disproportionately prefer written communication (i.e. emails, text messages), it’s important to understand when a phone call may be beneficial. This is not to say that written communication is not useful. Often times it’s required; but suffice to say it can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or confusion that can be solved with a simple conversation. A rule of thumb from one of the leaders I’ve worked with is that if there’s more than one email back and forth or if the message received seems too out of the ordinary, pick up the phone and talk it out. This is some of the best advice I’ve been given to date and I utilize it regularly with immense success in terms of resolving whatever the issue at hand is. So, go ahead, pick up the phone and have a quick chat. You can still send that email or message but hash out the nitty gritty on a call. Plus, you’ll build a better relationship with whomever you’re talking to making future communications a lot easier.

5 . Strive to work together and in harmony but don’t be a doormat.

Teamwork is a general term that has been around as long as corporate America has. This is because it’s a principal tenant required for success in the workplace for teams but also individuals. We all need support at work at some point which is where working together becomes crucial. The saying “many hands make light work” comes to mind. As vital as working together and in harmony is, avoiding groupthink is equally as critical. I have on several occasions taken stands at work where I felt an injustice was occurring or an idea would lead to more churn and strife than benefit. Work together but if something is wrong, be courageous and say something. You may be the only one strong enough to say something, but I guarantee there are others thanking the universe that you had the courage to say what they were thinking.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Women and girls make up half of the world, therefore, the education of women and girls needs to be equal to those of our male counterparts. I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in 2 countries, the USA and India, where education is at the forefront for both genders and for the most part, available to both genders equally. However, that is not the case in many countries around the world. Oftentimes, the education of a girl is sacrificed for the education of a brother, male cousin, etc. Sometimes this is due to lack of family funds to pay for the education and other times it’s the government imposing restrictions on access to education based on gender. If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ll have seen ample examples of the latter in several countries globally. Regardless of the reasoning, the lack of education for women and girls significantly hinders their ability to support themselves and their families in an ever evolving world. This further leads to destitution and reliance on others for their own basic survival needs. Education is the foundation upon which successful women like myself and others have been able to support ourselves and our families. Through our expertise and skills we continue to provide benefit to the economies and countries in which we reside. Economies and countries that tap into the potential of women and girls are made stronger when they are included and empowered in knowledge-based jobs and careers which are what help economies and countries grow. This is because by including women and girls, there’s just a sheer increase in those contributing to the economy and country’s success as whole. Suffice to say, the educational rights of women and girls are worth fighting for and the benefits of equal education for all people regardless of gender and the subsequent utilization of that education is beneficial for all of society, not only women.

We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-)

There are quite a few people with whom I would love to share a meal, however, if I had to choose just one I would love that meal to be with the former CEO of Pepsi Co., Indra Nooyi. I have had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Nooyi once several years ago and would absolutely love to have the opportunity to share a meal with her. She paved the way for women of color like myself to aspire to top level positions in the world. She did it at a time when she herself didn’t necessarily see someone who looked like her in the position of CEO of a Fortune 500 company in the United States of America. However, she persisted and made her dream, and the dream of so many others coming up in her wake, a reality.

Thank you so much for the time you spent doing this interview. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success.