International Women’s Day often focuses on representation. But behind the statistics are individual stories of learning, opportunity, and growth.

At Ally, many of the leaders shaping our research, data, and people functions began their journeys in junior roles and have progressed into leadership positions as the company has grown.

To mark International Women’s Day, we spoke with four women across the business about their career journeys, what they’ve learned along the way, and the advice they would give to the next generation starting out in their careers.

Growth through opportunity

For many of the women at Ally, career progression has come through stepping into new opportunities, often before feeling completely ready.

Anamika, now Head of Data & Research, joined Ally as a Research Analyst in 2021 and has since progressed rapidly through the organisation.

She reflects on a journey shaped by both trust and responsibility:

“Sometimes you may feel you are not fully ready, but those opportunities are often where you learn the most.”

Similarly, Charvi Ginwala, Director of Research, describes how her role evolved alongside the business itself.

“What started with a focus on research gradually expanded into broader responsibilities across teams and functions. It’s been a rewarding journey of learning and building teams.”

These stories highlight something important about career development that progression rarely follows a perfectly defined path. Instead, it often comes through curiosity, adaptability, and the willingness to take on new challenges.

The value of diverse perspectives

Across the conversations, one theme appeared consistently: diverse teams create stronger outcomes.

Anushka Mittal, Head of Human Resources at Ally, believes gender balance plays an important role in shaping effective organisations.

“When organisations bring together individuals from different genders, cultures, and geographies, it encourages broader perspectives, stronger collaboration, and more thoughtful decision-making.”

At Ally, where a significant proportion of the team are women (roughly 85%), this diversity is visible across leadership, research, and operational functions.

Confidence, voice, and learning

Another recurring piece of advice was about confidence, particularly the importance of speaking up and sharing ideas.

Sakshi Shirsilla, who leads Research and Learning & Development initiatives, encourages young professionals to trust their capabilities.

“Never underestimate your voice. Be confident, speak up for your ideas, and don’t hesitate to take on challenges.”

Many of the leaders also emphasised the importance of continuous learning and resilience, recognising that growth often happens outside of your comfort zone.

Advice for the next generation

When asked what advice they would give their younger selves, there was a consistent message across all our team…

• Be curious and keep learning
• Step into opportunities before you feel fully ready
• Speak up and share your ideas
• Support the people around you

Perhaps the most powerful theme was the importance of lifting others along the way.

As Sakshi notes:

“When women uplift each other, everyone grows stronger.”

Looking forward

While International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on progress, it is also a reminder that strong organisations are built by creating environments where people can learn, contribute, and grow.

At Ally, that growth continues to be shaped by the talented individuals across the team, many of whom are building the next generation of leadership within the business.