I am a Professor and Researcher in Finance and Accounting, and a qualified Chartered Accountant. I teach Accounting and Finance in a private business school in France, an experience that allows me the luxury of having in-depth discussions with students from different cultures and profiles, about life and things that matter in life. In the light of my own struggles against rigid gender roles and patriarchy in an Indian family, I am passionate about women empowerment – not only in huge strides, but also in small, day-to-day successes. Making choices about one’s own money is one of them. I have witnessed first-hand, the financial submission of women in my family, who often considered themselves ‘not skilled enough’ to either earn, or use money. As times have changed, financial independence among women is on the rise.
One of my areas of research, financial behaviour in women, ironically highlights that even today, most working women consider themselves unskilled or less capable of managing their own money, often depending upon their partners/ husbands for financial decision making. While this may not be a bad arrangement, research has shown that women differ significantly in their financial goals and outlook on money, compared to men. This may mean that letting men choose for us, may result in outcomes that are unaligned with our personal financial goals. For instance, on average, women are more far-sighted than men (implying long-term vision in financial choices), higher tendency to save (especially if they have children), and have a higher intrinsic need for philanthropic spending. This is where I aspire to make a difference – in giving women the confidence that if they can earn money, they can certainly manage it, guided not only by their financial goals, but also by their values.
Why I started Coaching/ My Story
My inclination to join academia has stemmed from my desire to make a difference in people’s lives, one class at a time. The real turning point in my teaching journey came when I started teaching Accounting to Executives (working professionals), who would often come and see me after class. Each meeting would turn into an intellectual discussion about life and its stressors, and one of these seemed to stand out – money. These discussions taught me about the different relationships people hold with money. Yes, each of us has an individual and unique relationship with the purchasing power we hold. Deep-rooted assumptions and cultural conditioning play a more profound role in influencing our spending and saving habits, than we can consciously observe. Led by my desire to help people understand their financial habits and question their utility, I completed the Associate Coaching Certificate (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation. As a financial coach for women, I offer a unique mix of technical skills in Finance and Accounting, and the soft skills of good and non-judgmental listening, and the personal experience of raising a 12-year old on my own. I would love to interact with you, whenever you think the time is right.