Interview with Isha Baheti | Leader | Chartered Accountant | Vice President at Leading Global Investment Bank

At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Isha Baheti for an exclusive interview with us. Isha is a Leader, Chartered Accountant and Vice President at Leading Global Investment Bank. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!

 

Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Isha:

Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?

My journey has been one of evolution, exploration, and self-discovery. Interestingly, during my school years, I aspired to become a neurosurgeon and pursued science and biology with that dream in mind. However, life had different plans, and I eventually shifted paths to become a Chartered Accountant.

I have now spent over 13 years building my professional career as a Chartered Accountant, working with one of the world’s largest investment banks. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across banking and technology-driven environments, gaining exposure to diverse teams, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches. I currently work with a leading global investment bank and am based out of Bangalore.

On the personal front, I’ve been married for 11 years to the love of my life — we met during our Chartered Accountancy journey — and we have a six-year-old son. I’ve always known about myself that operating at a bare minimum was never enough for me.

What truly brings me contentment is exploring my potential, challenging myself, and growing beyond defined roles. Today, I consciously strive to balance my professional responsibilities, personal life, and my passion for sharing my journey and learnings with others.

How did you discover your passion?

Discovering my passion has been a continuous and evolving journey rather than a single moment of realization. Over time, I began speaking at different forums and consistently received feedback that my words carried influence and resonance. People shared that my experiences and perspectives helped them reflect and navigate their own journeys better.

That feedback made me pause and think — perhaps this was a space where I could add value. I wanted to share the lessons I had learned through my career, motherhood, leadership roles, and personal growth, especially to help other women see things from a broader, more empowering lens.

Alongside this, I’ve always had a keen interest in fashion — not just as clothing, but as a form of expression. I started sharing how grace, subtlety, and confidence can be reflected through what you wear. Gradually, this evolved into conversations around executive presence — how you carry yourself at work, your mindset, your confidence, your communication, and the impact you leave behind.

What started as fashion and styling naturally grew into deeper discussions around mindset, self-awareness, leadership, and presence. Today, this platform allows me to share what I’ve learned as a manager, as someone who has worked with diverse teams, and as a woman constantly evolving and understanding herself better.

Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?

I strongly believe that everything in life happens for a reason, and how you interpret those experiences defines how far you go toward your vision. Success has little meaning without failure — and what I once perceived as my biggest failures turned out to be some of the most defining and successful phases of my life.

One such moment was during my maternity break. At that point, I genuinely felt I had lost faith in my ability to return and operate at the same level professionally. However, when I showed up at work post-maternity, that year became one of the most successful years of my career. I returned with intent — to learn, to prove myself, and to grow through that challenging phase — and it transformed my trajectory.

I deeply believe in hard work and consistency. When you keep showing up with honesty and effort, results eventually follow — sometimes in ways you don’t expect. I also believe in manifestation, not as a vague idea, but with scientific grounding: when your thoughts align with your actions, behaviour, and intent, outcomes begin to shift. Belief alone is not enough — it must translate into action.

Trusting your journey, avoiding comparison, and believing that you are bigger than any obstacle are principles I live by. Every phase passes, and I truly believe that the best is always yet to come.

What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?

The first and most important lesson I’ve learned is the value of a strong support system. Having a supportive partner and help at home creates the foundation that allows you to step out and chase your ambitions freely.

I’m grateful to have a husband who is my emotional safe space — someone I turn to on my weakest days, knowing he stands firmly behind me. That emotional security gives me the mental freedom to grow, explore, and achieve.

The second lesson is embracing an abundance mindset. Many of us operate from fear — fear of missing out, fear of being overshadowed, fear that success is limited. Over time, I’ve learned that success is not scarce. If someone else succeeds, it doesn’t take away from your journey. There is space for everyone who is willing to work hard. Appreciating and respecting others’ success only expands your own possibilities — it always comes back in some form.

The third lesson is respecting your mental and emotional space. We often talk about mental health, but truly honouring it is different. When you are emotionally overwhelmed or mentally cluttered, you lose the capacity to think clearly, creatively, and expansively.

Prioritising emotional well-being, self-love, gratitude, and family connections creates the inner clarity needed to grow — both personally and professionally.

In your opinion, what are the keys to success?

For me, success begins with accepting and truly loving yourself. When you operate from self-respect, everything else aligns more naturally. Having gratitude and an abundance mindset is equally important — trusting that your journey is unfolding exactly as it should, without constant comparison.

Kindness and respect towards others matter deeply. Everyone is fighting a battle we may not see, and how you treat people says a lot about who you are. I also believe in constantly challenging yourself — stepping out of your comfort zone, even when it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. No one prepares you for that phase, but that’s where growth truly happens.

Above all, trusting your journey is key. Consistency, hard work, and smart work go hand in hand. Hope alone doesn’t create results — effort does. When belief is backed by action, progress becomes inevitable.

What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?

I genuinely admire the generation entering the workforce today. Gen Z professionals are more aware, exposed, and confident about questioning systems and decisions — and that curiosity is a strength. My advice would be to continue questioning and seeking clarity, not to challenge authority, but to understand things better.

Be curious, stay grounded, and never underestimate the value of hard work. Shortcuts may seem tempting, but they rarely build sustainable careers. Healthy competition is good — it pushes you forward — but it’s important to focus on your own growth rather than constantly comparing yourself with others.

If you can identify your strengths early in your career, it becomes much easier to take a long-term view and make informed choices. Today’s young professionals are far more open to discussing growth, roles, and compensation — and that’s a positive shift. Every situation is different, and asking the right questions helps you navigate your path with clarity and confidence.

Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying or exciting?

What excites me the most is the impact. Knowing that something I’ve shared has helped someone reflect, make a decision, or feel less alone is incredibly fulfilling. When people tell me they’ve drawn strength or clarity from my experiences, it makes everything worthwhile.

While I do hope my platform continues to grow, it’s not about numbers, money, or validation. The real joy comes from reaching the right people and connecting heart to heart. Sharing what I’ve learned — especially the things I wish I had known earlier — feels meaningful, even though I know every experience was necessary to shape who I am today.

The most satisfying part of my journey is knowing that I’m going beyond what’s expected of a conventional life. I’m maintaining a career, nurturing my personal life, and still creating space to influence, learn, and exchange perspectives. That balance — and the ability to make an impact while evolving myself — is what truly excites me.