THE SHE.E.O EFFECT

Imagine walking away from a 25-year investment banking career, where you dealt in millions, to proudly call yourself a "cabbie".In Episode 11 of THE SHE.E.O EFFECT , Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Vandana Suri, the fierce and unapologetic Founder of TaxShe . Triggered by the horrific Nirbhaya case and an Uber incident in Delhi, Vandana decided to channel her anger into action, literally turning the #metoomovement into a revolutionary business model.In this episode, Vandana breaks down how she built an army of female drivers, primarily single mothers looking for financial independence and an escape from domestic abuse. Together, they have completed over 1.2 million abuse-free drives for children. She also reveals how a devastating pandemic pivot forced her to launch TaxShe Break Free, an initiative that has now trained over 3,500 women to drive their own cars.From her hilarious metric for measuring psychological safety in her cabs, to why we need to start teaching our daughters how to run businesses, Vandana is proving that safety isn't just a policy, it’s a revolution."The next generation should be laughing at us... it should be the history book gone and buried."#thesheeoeffect #womensafety #socialentrepreneurship #taxshe #femalefounders #feminism #womenleaders #careerpivot

What happens when you take an Indian Air Force pilot who lands on the world’s most dangerous runways and drop her into the corporate pressure cooker of Amazon? In Episode 10 of THE SHE.E.O EFFECT, Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Wing Commander Jaya Tare. Jaya is an IAF veteran, former Amazonian, Analog Astronaut, and the CEO of New Horizon Space. She has built a career entirely out of owning spaces where women were historically told they did not belong.In this incredible masterclass, Jaya breaks down how to translate military-grade risk mitigation into corporate leadership. She reveals the raw psychological realities of being isolated for up to 20 days on an analog Mars mission , why every Amazonian has the DNA of an entrepreneur , and how female leaders can turn their intuition and empathy into an undeniable boardroom advantage.""The blues can go out of you, but you never come out of it. Your blood becomes blue." If you want to know what extreme resilience actually looks like, this is the episode. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at the concepts from her highly anticipated upcoming book, Daughters of the Blue Sky!

A 10th Grader Challenges 3 Powerhouse Women on Gender, Leadership & The FutureWhat happens when a 10th grade student walks into a room with three powerhouse women and says "I'm not here to take notes. I'm here to question whether the system you built is fit for the future we're stepping into."Episode 9 is unlike anything we've done before.Smriti Kaushik, a 16-year-old from Vidyashilp Academy, sits across from Vijayashree, Aditi Shrivastava (CEO, Pocket Aces), and Aahika Harlalka and leads one of the most honest, multi-generational conversations we've ever had on this show.They go deep on:→ Gender stereotypes that still exist and who actually designed them→ Why women's achievements are still labeled women's achievements→ What millennials, Gen Z, and the generation before them get wrong about each other→ Myth-busting Gen Z stereotypes: Lazy? Entitled? Distracted? They answer it all.→ Building the future of women's leadership - literally, with LegoAnd the closing line from Smriti?"Women rising to the top isn't the effect. The effect is having the ability to define what the top even means."This one will stay with you.🎙️ THE SHE.E.O EFFECT — new episodes bi-weekly! Like, subscribe, and share with a woman who needs to hear this today.

"If that's what they think, let them think. I come with my drama."The wait is finally over! Episode 8 of  THE SHE.E.O EFFECT is officially LIVE, featuring Aditi Shrivastava, Co-Founder & CEO of Pocket Aces. This is a deeply special episode, as Aditi is the one who originally "sowed the seed" for this podcast.In this unfiltered conversation, Aditi shares her journey from working at a quant hedge fund at Goldman Sachs in New York to leading a digital media company where the average employee age is 24.In this episode, we dive into:🏓 The Boardroom "Kitchen": Comparing pickleball to investor meetings, Aditi explains why you must be patient, provide detailed answers, and get the ball in their court without being aggressive.🤖 Gen Z vs. AI: Why her young audience and creators often regard AI-generated content as "fake", and why the company is pivoting to raw, authentic content like videos on unemployment.⚖️ Work-Life Fusion: How she and her husband intentionally chose "work-life fusion" over traditional balance, which has allowed them to take work calls from a cruise ship in Antarctica or read scripts in the Maldives.🛑 Owning Your Choices: The realization that having children is simply a "yes or no question," and the power of unapologetically owning the choice to be childfree despite societal expectations.🧠 The Reality of Vulnerability: Why society's expectations make vulnerability—and escaping from it—much harder for men because they are expected to be "strong and chill".🔥 Rapid Fire Revelations: From her most "Bollywood" moment walking the red carpet at Cannes to celebrating big wins with a MacD burger.If you are building a business, leading a young team, or trying to navigate the high-stakes world of modern media, this episode is your masterclass.🎧 Watch, listen, and subscribe for more conversations with India's boldest women leaders!

16 years a homemaker. A former paratrooper. Now, the woman launching the world's lightest satellites with NASA and ISRO. 🚀In this episode of THE SHE.E.O EFFECT , host Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Dr. Srimathy Kesan, the founder of Space Kidz India . Known affectionately as "Space Mom," Dr. Kesan shares her incredible transition from a conservative South Indian household to leading 12,000+ students from 108 countries in space missions.Dr. Kesan opens up about the "Sword to Spatula to Space" journey - how she went from commanding parades with a sword to managing a home, and eventually building satellites in her kitchen. We discuss her controversial yet heartwarming take on asking for "permission" in marriage, why she believes Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the best generations yet, and her bold stance on why India should focus on human intelligence over AI.In this episode, we cover:- Reframing "Permission" in marriage: Why it’s about respect, not slavery.- The 64g Satellite: How she cracked a NASA competition from her kitchen.- Failure & Resilience: The emotional story behind the SSLV/AzadiSAT launch.- Why Dr. Kesan believes AI shouldn't replace human jobs in India.- "Sword to Spatula to Satellite": Overcoming imposter syndrome after a 16-year career gap.- Mission ShaktiSat: Rallying 12,000 girls from around the globe.If you think it's too late to start your dream career, or if you are navigating the balance between tradition and ambition, this episode is for you.🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from women changing the world!

In Episode 6 of THE SHE.E.O EFFECT , we sit down with Shukla Bose, founder of the Parikrma Humanity Foundation - one of India’s most impactful education leaders.Shukla Bose speaks with clarity and conviction about what triggered her journey:- Why dissatisfaction must turn into action- The reality of 274 million children needing quality education- How Parikrma is not just about schooling, but about mindset transformation- Why she believes children themselves are the true “brochure” of impact- Why women must never be limited by societal rolesThis is a powerful conversation on leadership, courage, and building institutions that change lives.🎙️ Listen to the full episode now.Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping India’s future.#thesheeoeffect #educationindia #womenleaders #socialimpact #leadershippodcast #purposedrivenleadership #nonprofitleadership #indianeducation #parikrmahumanityfoundation

What does it really take to take charge in a room where you’re not expected to lead?In this episode of  THE SHE.E.O EFFECT host Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Fancy George - architect, founder of Pause and Breathe and Founding Board Member of WiREnet World, for a candid, no-filter conversation on leadership, power, and breaking industry norms.With over three decades in India’s real estate and workplace design ecosystem, Fancy shares how she learned to stop waiting for permission, command rooms dominated by hierarchy, and challenge gender bias by building systems instead of seeking validation.This episode dives into:- Why leadership is about respect, not titles- How to “take charge and move on” without overthinking- Breaking the boys’ club by showing up differently- Why women don’t need softer leadership—but clearer authority- What Gen Z gets right about flat structures and ownership- How vulnerability, empathy, and healthy conflict actually strengthen leadership- Why inclusion must start with culture, not complianceIf you’ve ever felt minimized, unheard, or sidelined in a professional space, this conversation gives you a blueprint to lead with conviction, clarity, and self-respect.🎧 Watch till the end for a powerful rapid-fire round on confidence, hierarchy, and authentic leadership.

What does leadership look like beyond medals, titles, and safe careers?In this episode of  THE SHE.E.O EFFECT  host Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Deepti Bopaiah - former banker, athlete, and former CEO and current Boardmember of the GoSports Foundation, to unpack what it truly takes to build excellence in Indian sport.From walking away from a high-growth corporate career in retail banking to building one of India’s most impactful sports ecosystems, Deepti shares the decisions, doubts, and discipline behind a decade of nation-building work.This is a conversation about:- Choosing purpose over predictability- Why India needs systems, not just medals- Building athletes, para-athletes, and sporting ecosystems from the ground up- CSR as nation-building, not charity- Leadership without gender labels- The real cost of consistently showing up- Why excellence matters - even when medals don’t comeDeepti has supported athletes who have gone on to win 33 Arjuna Awards and 10 Khel Ratna Awards, helped redefine para-sports from sympathy to performance, and played a pivotal role in making sport a serious industry in India.This episode is not about winning.It’s about building what makes winning possible.Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell icon 🔔 to join our community of leaders and changemakers!🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Follow us on: 📹: https://www.youtube.com/@the.she.e.o.effect📷: https://www.instagram.com/the.she.e.o.effect?igsh=MTk2MGJkbDJuOGZ5YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 🎵: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qftOAB5f5EgVMJSig0eml?si=aoQACJfwTbmowKq23lIvsw 🍎: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-she-e-o-effect/id1856256497 00:00 – Opening: Leadership Beyond the Boardroom02:10 – From Athlete to Banker to Changemaker05:05 – The Olympic Moment That Changed Everything08:15 – Why Indian Sport Needed a System, Not Sympathy11:40 – Scaling GoSports Foundation15:10 – CSR, Corporates & Nation Building Through Sport18:30 – “Beyond the Medal” Philosophy Explained21:45 – Women, Leadership & Gender-Free Excellence25:10 – The Cost of Always Showing Up28:40 – Para Champions Program33:05 – Working With Gen Z & the Future of Leadership37:40 – Sport as an Industry in India41:00 – Rapid Fire: Leadership, Failure & Excellence45:30 – Final Reflections & What India Needs NextMUSIC:Song: Flowing EnergyComposer: Keys Of MoonWebsite: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusicLicense: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com#thesheeoeffect #leadershippodcast #indiansports #movement #newindia #womeninleadership #excellence #gosportsfoundation #india

What does it really feel like to become CEO - when the self-doubt is louder than the wins?In this episode of THE SHE.E.O EFFECT - Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Mithila Saraf, CEO of Famous Innovations, for one of the most honest leadership conversations we’ve had so far.Mithila speaks candidly about the moments she thought she was failing as a CEO, navigating aggressive boardrooms, decoding herself through therapy, and building resilience in an industry obsessed with perfection. From leadership bias and Gen Z realities to consistency, micromanagement, creative excellence, and the idea of being “powerful but soft,” this episode goes far beyond surface-level inspiration.This is a conversation about leadership when:– Confidence wavers– Results stall– Pressure turns inward– And showing up anyway becomes the real workIf you’ve ever questioned your place at the table - this episode will resonate.🎙️ Guest: Mithila Saraf, CEO - Famous Innovations🎧 Host: Vijayashree Parameswaran, Founder - Alcor Consultancy🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered leadership conversations.

In this episode of THE SHE.E.O EFFECT host Vijayashree Parameswaran sits down with Shraddha Thanawala - CEO of Remiges Technologies, a leader who never chased the spotlight, but built her path one bold, purpose-driven choice at a time.Shraddha calls herself an "Accidental CEO." Her journey from finance into deep tech was fuelled by the chaos of the dot-com crash and 9/11. She didn’t freeze; she responded with curiosity and grit, doing whatever the moment demanded - from cold calling to tech delivery to radically rebuilding her organizational culture.This is the ultimate masterclass in Adaptive Leadership and Organizational Transformation.In this raw, honest, and purpose-rooted conversation, we dissect:-What an accidental career teaches you about leadership- The power of tough feedback and the story behind the transformative Project Shakti- How the ethos of Open Source inspired her leadership style: sharing knowledge for the larger good- Why she refuses the label of "woman leader" and leads as a human being first- How curiosity beats expertise in high-stakes leadership- The untold truth about working with Gen Z in high-pressure tech teamsThis is leadership without theatrics, it is raw, honest, and rooted in purpose.👉 Episode 2: The Accidental CEO - now streaming. Subscribe, share, and join the ripple.

The SHE.E.O Effect kicks off with a story that rewrites what resilience, clarity, and conviction look like in leadership.In our first episode, Varna Bhat — Founder & CEO of House of Blisswater (Rahasya & Yaksha) — breaks down the real playbook behind building a profitable alcohol-beverage brand in one of India’s toughest and most regulated industries.Long before she built award-winning products, Varna learned her earliest lesson on leadership by quite literally driving backward uphill. That moment became the foundation for how she approaches doubt, pressure, and high-stakes decisions today.In this conversation, we get into:- Decoding Critics: How she turns external fear, noise, and judgment into strategic clarity.- Building Profit First: Why she refuses vanity metrics and chooses conviction-led growth in a sector driven by burn.- Standing Her Ground: The mindset needed to fight industry systems, protect cultural integrity, and stay authentic when the ecosystem pushes back.This episode isn’t about inspiration — it’s about how real leaders think, make decisions under fire, and build businesses that outlast trends.If you're a founder, operator, second-generation entrepreneur, or someone building from conviction, this one sets the tone for everything The SHE.E.O Effect stands for.Subscribe and follow for more conversations with India’s most impactful women leaders.#womeninleadership #varnabhat #leadershippodcast #founderstories #THESHEEOEFFECT