Navigating the complex landscape of her professional journey, Jayatri Dasgupta has evolved from a Senior Consultant to her current role as CMO of PayNearby and Business Head of Digital Naari, embodying resilience and determination. Throughout her career, she has encountered numerous breaks and challenges, yet she emphasises the critical importance of establishing a robust support system for women charting their own paths today.
Understanding that roadblocks are a natural part of the journey, she underscored that societal norms take time to transform and stresses the need to be prepared for this reality. Her insights serve as a reminder that success is not just about individual effort, it also involves fostering a network of support to navigate the inevitable challenges along the way.
In a conversation with Marketing Mind, Dasgupta said, “Reflecting on my journey so far, I consider myself fortunate to have entered an industry that, at the time, was still in its infancy but had a progressive outlook on growth. When I began working in digital back in 2003-2004 with Google India, digital was a largely misunderstood concept in the country.”
She went on to say that this period of transition significantly contributed to her personal and professional growth. However, being a woman also came with its own set of challenges due to societal norms. Like many other women, Dasgupta also faced the need to take breaks in her career due to life events such as marriage and motherhood. These experiences are part of the journey for many women, and she was no exception.
“What truly shaped my career, however, were the mentors who guided me and the leadership roles I was entrusted with at a young age. By my late twenties, I had become a team sales officer for a young brand, an opportunity that doesn’t come easily but was made possible by being in a unique and high-potential sector. For women navigating their own careers today, I believe it’s essential to build a strong support system, as roadblocks will inevitably arise. Societal norms don’t change overnight, and it’s important to prepare for that reality,” she said.
“Developing a support network and honing your skill set are crucial. Even today, when you walk into a room, you might find yourself as the only woman at the table. In such moments, being highly skilled is key to ensuring that your voice is heard, even if you aren’t the loudest one. Knowledge and expertise are what will make you stand out. So, focus on continuously developing your skills and let them guide you. Never compromise on your work ethic or your skill set, these will be your guiding lights,” she added.
When asked how she balances the dual roles of CMO and Business Head, along with managing her professional and personal commitments, Dasgupta said, “Maintaining a work-life balance is something I’m still working on. It’s a constant challenge, especially with my daughter being so young and her education requiring attention. Like I said, societal changes don’t happen overnight, so much of her upbringing naturally falls on me. At the same time, I manage two significant verticals in my professional role.”
Furthermore, she went on to say that the key, however, is learning to prioritise and build a reliable team. Delegation is essential, though that skill develops over time. It’s important to surround yourself with trustworthy people, delegate effectively, and identify which tasks need your personal involvement, Dasgupta said.
“Equally crucial is making sure you carve out at least one to two hours of quality time with your family every day. Without that balance, it’s hard to fully focus on your professional life. Having a strong support system and open communication with your partner is vital to ensure that family time remains non-negotiable, as it truly serves as your lifeline,” she added.
When asked about the ongoing conversation around empowering women in the workplace, and her opinion on one meaningful change that could significantly impact creating more leadership opportunities for women, as well as how PayNearby is fostering this change within the organisation, Dasgupta shared her thoughts, saying, “At PayNearby, our commitment to women and women leadership is evident through the creation of a separate organisation solely for that channel. We focus not just on individuals like you and me who have had the privilege of good education, upbringing, and support systems, but also on those in rural areas who lack these advantages. We work to build an ecosystem that empowers them to earn a livelihood. This philosophy forms the core of our organisation and extends to everything we do at the corporate level.”
She added that PayNearby is highly conscious of ensuring its sales team isn’t male-dominated, making sure women are well-represented in that space. Similarly, across their corporate office, including marketing and other functions, one will find a significant presence of women. A homogenous workforce doesn’t make sense because diversity balances the ecosystem.
“While I’m not one to conform to gender stereotypes, such as women being naturally more empathetic, I believe in giving women the flexibility to express themselves however they choose. If she wants to be empathetic, that’s great, but if not, she can lead however she wishes. Women bring unique perspectives and fresh approaches to problem-solving, and this is reflected in our workforce,” Dasgupta said.
“We consciously work to create more opportunities where we might be lacking. However, it’s important to remember that in the corporate world, especially in professional roles, you’re not judged by gender but by skills. There’s no shortcut to building those skills, and the only way to bring more women into the workforce and public life is by providing them with the education and skills they need. As women leaders, none of us are asking for different treatment, we’re all seeking an equitableground. For every young woman out there aiming to build a career, my advice is to focus on getting the right education and developing the necessary skills. Don’t cut corners, because those skills are what will take you wherever you want to go,” she added.
She emphasised that the challenge many mid-career women face is the tendency to drop out, which directly impacts leadership representation. As a society, we need to build a stronger support system to prevent these career breaks, something many women, including Dasgupta, have experienced.
Often, when a woman doesn’t reach her full potential in her career, it’s not due to a lack of opportunities or skills, but because she had to step away for personal reasons. Addressing this is crucial, she said.
“Additionally, in traditional structures like the boardroom, the “old boys club” can be dominant. You may not always have the loudest voice or the ability to speak over others, but it’s vital to stay grounded and be well-prepared. The key is to continuously develop your skills throughout your career,” Dasgupta said.
“The learning process should never stop. When you eventually sit at the table, you’ll not only be representing yourself but also countless other women who haven’t had the same opportunity. It’s essential to be equipped with the right tools to make the most of that chance and sustain your position in that room,” she added.
When asked what advice she would give to her younger self starting out in the industry, given her extensive experience, and if there’s anything she would do differently, Dasgupta emphasised that she has taken multiple career breaks.
“In hindsight, I believe I could have managed my life better during those periods. I want to clarify that not all women face the same challenges as I do, these are unique to my personal experience. One significant challenge for me has been talking about my work. I’ve always believed in letting my work speak for itself, which has been a core part of my integrity,” Dasgupta said.
“However, I’ve realised that this approach doesn’t always suffice. It’s important to learn how to effectively communicate what you’re doing, and that’s something I’ve struggled with. While this may not be an issue for every woman, for me personally, it’s been a challenge. I’ve always focused on working hard and keeping my head down, but sometimes, I haven’t communicated my contributions as well as I could have. I now see that this has probably affected my team too, if I had spoken up more, they might have benefited as well. This is definitely an area I need to improve on,” she added.
