IWD22 Ramona Guha-Thakurta

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day started for me in school when I was told it is a day of celebrating my mum and all the mums in the country. Later on I understood that all women are celebrated for being women, their beauty, their souls, their strength and for the gifts they bring to the world. The fact that it is a celebration at the beginning of spring makes it more special as if all women bring the renaissance of the season with them along with spring.

This year’s theme is "breaking the Bias", what will you do differently this year to help break the bias?

I will try to help and support my friend Alena in Ukraine who has chosen to stay in Kiev and fight for her country. The women in Ukraine break the bias this year by choosing to fight for their country alongside soldiers and men. Their incredible bravery, strength and courage is worldwide inspiring and at the same time so dangerous. They have so much human dignity.

Who has been most influential woman in your life?

There hasn’t been a particular woman but more women who have been a positive influence in my life and I know I can turn to on days that I am struggling.

What one thing would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I come from Transylvania from Dracula’s land and I cook Indian food : ))

How did you get into your role; did you always know you wanted to do this?

No – my younger self wanted to be a lawyer but my Dad stopped me, then a journalist and a ballet dancer until I kept on trying things with an open mind. I followed my instinct and wanted to work internationally so that was my number one driver and secondly a keen desire to learn from other people and businesses.

Is there any advice you would give to past, current, or future self, or to other women?

Never stop believing in yourself,  it doesn’t matter if you fail. It matters what you do after and that you stand up again. Every single woman is much more powerful than we give credit to ourselves.