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 Neelam Raina for an exclusive interview with us. Neelam is a Certified Image Consultant, Life Coach, Corporate Trainer, and Founder at Sharpnerr Empowerment Ltd. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Neelam:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My professional journey has been an enriching blend of banking, corporate training, digital transformation, and governance, driven by a constant desire to learn, grow, and create impact.
Starting in 2007 with Wipro as a Customer consultant and Trainer, I learned the art of customer centricity and operational excellence. Soon after, in 2008, I joined IDBI Bank, where over 15 years I worked across retail and corporate banking, wealth management, trade finance, and credit risk, eventually becoming a Corporate Consultant.
I spearheaded large-scale digital transformation projects, including the Finacle core banking rollout, and led training initiatives that strengthened leadership pipelines and service quality across the organisation.
In 2023, I transitioned to IDFC First Bank as Assistant Vice President, where I combined my banking expertise with cutting-edge digital tools like Salesforce Data Cloud and Financial Services Cloud to enhance customer experience and team capability. These milestones gave me a deep understanding of how people, processes, and technology converge to drive sustainable growth.
After an immensely fulfilling corporate stint, I followed my instinct to create a larger impact and embraced freelancing as a full-time corporate trainer and consultant. Over the last year, I’ve partnered with Fortune 500 companies, government bodies, and universities, training more than 1,00,000 professionals across leadership, risk management, ESG, AI, Salesforce, and financial excellence. From mentoring senior bankers to empowering women leaders at SUDA, every assignment reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of learning.
Along this journey, I was privileged to be appointed as an Independent Director of a reputed Limited Company, where I contribute to governance, ESG integration, and strategic oversight. This boardroom exposure complements my training experience, enabling me to bring a holistic perspective to organizational growth and compliance.
What truly defines my career is the cross-pollination of ideas across industries — banking, finance, telecom, education, cybersecurity, EdTech, manufacturing, and public governance. Each chapter has strengthened my resolve to inspire excellence, help organisations unlock potential, and build future-ready talent pools. I believe my story is not just about roles or designations; it is about resilience, curiosity, and the passion to empower others.
Who are you as a person in your inner circle? Tell us more about yourself and the other avenues you are known for.
At my core, I am someone who believes life is richer when you keep learning — not just in boardrooms, but in every experience. My friends and family describe me as grounded, curious, and full of energy. I love meaningful conversations, celebrating small wins, and encouraging people to see the best in themselves.
I’m also an avid traveller, and my work as a trainer has taken me to almost every corner of India and many countries around the world. There have been countless nights spent at airports, railway stations, or in cars between sessions — and I treasure them, because they let me meet new people, embrace diverse cultures, and enjoy long drives that clear my mind. Travel constantly reminds me how much we all have to learn from one another.
Away from professional commitments, I’m a trained dancer and fitness enthusiast. Yoga, Zumba, and wellness are integral to my routine, and I enjoy running wellness packages in universities, helping students build a healthy balance between mind and body. Movement keeps me centred and fuels the enthusiasm I bring to my work.
Another part of me that gives deep meaning to life is my commitment to supporting underprivileged students. I quietly channel a portion of my earnings toward helping those who can’t afford to study, so they, too, can dream bigger and build fulfilling futures.
Altogether, I strive to blend ambition with empathy — to live fully, give generously, and stay curious about people, places, and possibilities. That balance between achievement, adventure, and contribution is what defines me beyond my titles.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going, even in the most demanding phases, is the deep conviction that transformation — for individuals and organisations — begins with courage.
A year ago, I made one of the boldest decisions of my life: leaving a secure, high-paying leadership role in banking to start from scratch as an independent consultant and trainer. I stepped away from the comfort of a monthly hefty paycheck and relied solely on my credibility, experience, and the relationships I had built over 16+ years. It was a leap of faith, and it taught me that growth always lies on the other side of calculated risk.
Challenges still arise — new markets, evolving client expectations, balancing multiple roles, or the uncertainty that accompanies freelancing. But I draw strength from the purpose behind my work: helping people and organizations unlock potential, adopt innovation responsibly, and achieve sustainable success. Every time a leader discovers clarity through my workshop, or a team gains confidence to navigate disruption, I am reminded why I chose this path.
I also lean on discipline and continuous learning. Whether it’s mastering AI tools, exploring governance as an Independent Director, or mentoring first-time managers, I treat every challenge as an invitation to expand my own horizon.
Most importantly, I believe in resilience and ethical ambition — creating success that uplifts others. The trust of clients, the breakthroughs of my participants, and the chance to model possibilities for young professionals keep my energy high even on difficult days. To me, perseverance isn’t just about weathering storms; it’s about staying aligned to a mission larger than myself.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) Discovering growth beyond stagnancy – Early in my career, there was a phase where work felt repetitive and I stopped investing in my own development. That stagnancy created a quiet void — I felt capable, yet unfulfilled. It pushed me to seek challenges that stretched me, from leading digital-transformation projects to earning advanced certifications. The lesson was clear: continuous learning is the antidote to complacency, and growth begins the moment we decide to move beyond our comfort zone.
2) Misread ambition shaped authentic leadership – At one point, I was labelled “too ambitious” and “overly self-assured.” Initially, it stung, but reflection revealed that ambition itself wasn’t the problem — how I channelled it mattered. I learned to pair drive with empathy, to let confidence be grounded in listening and collaboration. That shift turned potential criticism into a compass for becoming a more balanced, people-centred leader.
3) Courage in the face of doubt – When I spoke openly about my dream to leave a secure, senior banking role and build a new career as an independent trainer, some people laughed. Their scepticism could have been discouraging, yet it became fuel to prove that conviction and perseverance can turn vision into reality. Today, every client I serve and every participant I empower reminds me that dreams deserve protection — especially from doubt.
Together, these experiences taught me that growth requires curiosity, ambition needs humility, and dreams flourish only when we defend them with courage. Below are three is my biggest precepts I received in life.
First, resilience is the foundation of growth. Life and career rarely move in a straight line — I have faced moments of uncertainty, from major transitions in banking to taking the courageous step of leaving a highly paid corporate role to start afresh as an independent trainer. Each time, resilience taught me to stand tall, adapt quickly, and turn challenges into learning opportunities.
Second, trust in yourself is non-negotiable. The decision to rely solely on my own credibility, expertise, and industry relationships was a leap of faith. Believing in my capabilities, even when the path was unclear, has been my biggest strength. That inner trust allows me to take bold risks and create meaningful impact for the people and organisations I work with.
Third, passion gives work its soul. My unwavering passion for training, mentoring, and helping others evolve continues to energise me every single day. Whether I’m facilitating a boardroom strategy session, empowering women leaders, or coaching fresh graduates, I feel a sense of purpose that transcends routine — it’s about inspiring excellence and shaping futures.
Together, these lessons remind me that success is built on grit, faith in one’s own potential, and the joy of doing work that truly matters.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
For me, success has been the result of clarity, courage, and consistency.
a) Clarity of purpose has always guided my choices — from building a solid foundation in banking to following my instinct to step out of a high-paying leadership role and start afresh as a corporate trainer. Knowing why I wanted to create impact through learning kept me focused even when the path was uncertain.
b) Courage to take bold steps has shaped every milestone: leaving the security of a monthly salary, trusting my credibility and experience, and proving that I could build something meaningful on my own. That willingness to back myself has opened doors to remarkable opportunities, including my appointment as an Independent Director.
c) Consistency and resilience have kept me moving forward. Whether delivering programs for Fortune 500 companies, mentoring women leaders at SUDA, or training young graduates to be corporate-ready, I’ve learned that steady effort — even on difficult days — turns ambition into reality.
d) Finally, passion for sharing knowledge is at the heart of everything I do. Training isn’t just a profession; it’s a way to empower others to grow, lead, and believe in their own potential. When you love the impact your work creates, success becomes a natural by-product.
e) In my journey, these elements — purpose, courage, perseverance, and passion — have been the true keys to success.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
The first thing I would tell anyone starting their career is:
Invest in yourself before expecting results from the world. I invested my 3-month salary in honing my skills after leaving the job. Build strong fundamentals, sharpen your communication skills, and stay curious about new technologies and market trends. Learning doesn’t stop after a degree — the most successful people are those who stay teachable.
Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Some of the most rewarding chapters of my journey — from leading digital projects in banking to leaving a senior role to become an independent trainer and board director — came from stepping outside my comfort zone. Growth rarely happens in safety; it thrives in spaces where you challenge yourself.
Value integrity and relationships. Your credibility and the trust you earn will often speak louder than any CV. Be dependable, work with sincerity, and treat people with respect; these qualities create opportunities long after skills alone would.
Resilience is your greatest ally. There will be rejections, criticism, and periods of doubt. Keep your focus on the bigger picture, learn from every setback, and never let temporary failures define your long-term potential.
Finally, choose work that excites you and adds value to others. When you align your career with purpose — whether it’s solving problems, mentoring people, or building businesses — you’ll find energy even on challenging days. A career isn’t just about titles; it’s about building a life of impact, learning, and fulfilment.
What is your future goal and aspiration? Where do you see yourself in the next decade?
Looking ahead, my aspiration is to continue evolving as both a global trainer, motivational speaker, mentor, and boardroom strategist, shaping not just individuals but also institutions. Over the next decade, I see myself building a larger ecosystem of learning — one that blends leadership, finance, digital transformation, and wellness — to create future-ready professionals across industries.
On the governance side, I aim to strengthen my role as an Independent Director, contributing to boards where innovation, ESG, and ethical governance are at the forefront. I want to be a catalyst for organisations to balance profitability with responsibility, particularly in sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and digital transformation.
Personally, I envision expanding my wellness and empowerment initiatives, reaching more universities and underprivileged communities, so that young people not only gain knowledge but also the resilience and balance to thrive in life.
Most importantly, I want to remain a lifelong learner and traveller — exploring cultures, ideas, and technologies that will keep me relevant and inspired. Ten years from now, I see myself leading conversations on global platforms, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and leaving behind a legacy of empowerment, courage, and meaningful change.
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