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This edition celebrates visionary leadership, resilience, and impact. This edition highlights Akanksha’s remarkable journey of purpose-driven innovation, her
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Akanksha S Gulia - Most Inspiring Leader Making A Difference In 2025.pdf
- 1. ISSN: 2998-8535 The Evoluon of Strategic Consul ng in Banking From Tradi onal Advisory to AI-Driven Insights INDUSTRY INSIGHTS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Driving Innova on in the Tradi onal Banking Sector Open Banking Ini a ves LEADER MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN 2025 MOST Akanksha S Gulia Senior Consultant 2 Deloi e S GULIA Leading with Empathy in a Digital Age AKANKSHA www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
- 2. REGISTER NOW BECAUSE YOURSTORY DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT THE UPCOMING EDITION OF SCAN THE QR CODE GET FEATURED IN INSIGHTS SUCCESS MAGAZINE
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- 5. -Alaya Brown n everyera, there emerge individuals who redefine Iwhat leadership truly means—not through titles or power, but through purpose, action, and the ability to inspire others.As we step into 2025, the world continues to face evolving challenges that demand leaders who can combine vision with empathy, courage with resilience, and innovation with authenticity. It is in this spirit that Insights Success proudly present The Most Inspiring Leader Making a Difference in 2025, featuring the remarkable Akanksha S Gulia. Akanksha’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of determination and conviction. Her work goes far beyond professional success; it reflects a deeper commitment to uplifting people, creating opportunities, and shaping environments where growth and inclusion flourish. At a time when many leaders focus solely on outcomes, she stands apart by focusing on impact —measured not just in milestones, but in lives touched and communitiestransformed. This edition celebrates her vision and dedication, while also spotlighting the broader message she embodies: leadership is not about leading from the front alone, but about empowering others to rise with you. Her story is a reminder that inspiration is contagious, and true leadership resonatesacross borders, industries,andgenerations. As you explore the pages of this edition, we invite you to reflect on how leaders like Akanksha redefine success in today’s interconnected world.Their journeys encourage us to ask ourselves how we, too, can contribute to making a difference,howeverbigor small. Here’s to celebrating inspiration, resilience, and the extraordinaryindividualsshaping2025andbeyond. Happy Reading! Redefining Leadership, Inspiring Change
- 6. 08 Akanksha SGulia Leading with Empathy in a Digital Age THE SIGNATURE STORY
- 7. 18 22 From Traditional Advisoryto AI-Driven Insights The Evolution of Strategic Consulting in Banking INDUSTRY INSIGHTS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Open Banking Initiatives Driving Innovation in the Traditional Banking Sector
- 8. Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Visualizer Art& Design Head Co-designer Business Development Manager Marketing Manager Business Development Executives Digital Marketing Manager Technical Head Research Analyst Circulation Manager Merry D'Souza Alaya Brown Eva Miller Michael Warner Donna Claus Yasmin Nasser Sherin Rodricks Jenny Jordan Reem Almasoud, Sheldon Miller Isabel Barnes Phil Simon Helena Smith Finn Wilson [email protected] Copyright © 2025 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success. Corporate Office RNI No.: MAHENG/2018/75953 ISSN: 2998-8497 Follow us on : www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ www.x.com/insightssuccess August, 2025 We are also available on : Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-859-2600 Email: [email protected] For Subscription: www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
- 10. S GULIA Leading withEmpathy in a Digital Age AKANKSHA The Signature Story Senior Consultant 2 Deloitte
- 11. Most Transformational LeaderMaking an Impact in 2025
- 12. In a worldwhere leadership is often measured by metrics and benchmarks, Akanksha S. Gulia represents a different paradigm—one where courage, compassion, and intentional action are highly valued. Her journey began in Indian military camps, where the disciplined pace of life taught her to adapt, listen, and embrace differences from an early age. Challenges that might have become obstacles instead became her initial lessons in compassion, flexibility, and building strong interpersonal relationships. These formative experiences ultimately shaped her into a mentor for the next generation of leaders and a respected voice in the corporateworld. She is a story of twists and reinventions, continually transforming challenges into opportunities for growth, whether entering the field of architecture, reimagining design-driven innovation, navigating the uncertainty of a global pandemic, or contributing as part of Deloitte. Akanksha operationalizes her belief in leadership as service in her role as Senior Consultant 2 at Deloitte, fostering cultures where both individual and collective creativity can thrive. Her voice resonates with young people far beyond the corporate realm, inspiring them to lead with heart, courage, and curiosity. Rather than following well-trodden paths, Akanksha forges her own, measuring success byimpactandintegrity. TheFoundation:AJourneyRooted inService Akanksha’s story begins not in boardrooms or startup garages, but in the disciplined halls of military bases across India. Born into a family where three generations served in the Indian Defense forces, she absorbed the values of discipline and resilience as naturally as breathing. What truly sets her apart, however, is how she transformed these military virtues into a leadershipphilosophygroundedinempathyandhumanconnection. "My story is not one of straight lines”, her voice carrying the quiet confidence of someone who has navigated uncertainty and emerged stronger. “It is a tapestry woven from movement, service, and the quiet strength of family.” she reflects. My appetite for business has never been about following a well-trodden path. It's about forging my own, fueled by curiosity and a desire to architect solutions that elevate human experience. 10 www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
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- 15. The cadence ofher childhood was set by the rhythm of change: new cities, new schools, and new faces, each an invitation to listen, adapt, and embrace the unfamiliar. The constant relocations inherent in military life became her greatest teacher. Where others might have seen disruption, youngAkanksha discovered opportunity. This early exposure to India's vast cultural landscape taught her to read the unspoken language of empathy, to value the wisdom in her grandfather's story as much as the curiosity in a classmate's question. From the rush of cross-country running to the precision of piano (earning recognition from the Royal School of Music, London), from the discipline of achieving a blue belt in karate to representing her heritage through cultural dance for Foreign Naval delegations, Akanksha’s formative years were a masterclass in versatility. Her state rank of 11th in Science and Maths Olympiads in 2005 showcased her academic prowess, while her athletic achievements demonstrated the physical and mental fortitude that would later define her professionalapproach. The Pivot: From Architecture to Human-Centered Innovation Originally drawn to architecture, Akanksha discovered that her true calling lay not just in designing physical spaces, but in creating environments where human dignity and connection could flourish. "I realized that spaces could be vessels for dignity and connection," she explains, describing the moment when hercareertrajectorytookitsfirst significantturn. Her undergraduate years in architecture revealed a profound truth: every line drawn and every space imagined carries the potential to foster connection, dignity, and belonging. This realization sparked a fundamental question that would become her professional compass: "What can I create that willupliftthelivesofthosearound me?" This question propelled her beyond the traditional boundaries of architecture into the dynamic realm of design thinking and user experience, blending creative vision with strategic clarity. As her understanding deepened, she began to see creativity and strategy not as opposing forces, but as partners in driving purpose, a philosophy that would later distinguish herleadershipstyleinthecorporateworld. Today, Akanksha leads with the conviction that every experience, every move, conversation, and challenge has prepared her to serve with empathy and purpose, one thoughtfulactionatatime. The Crucible: Pandemic Resilience and Professional Growth The COVID-19 pandemic presented Akanksha with perhaps her greatest professional challenge yet. Having just completed her master's degree in the United States, she found herself at the threshold of her career just as the world seemed to pause overnight. Traditional pathways to growth were suddenly obscured, but rather than retreat, she chose to reimagineherapproachentirely. "The pandemic taught me that survival is not about waiting out the storm, but embracing discomfort, nurturing relationships, and continuously reinventing oneself." she reflects. Her strategy was elegantly simple yet powerfully effective: invest in growth, embrace uncertainty as a catalyst, andbuildgenuineconnections. She immersed herself in upskilling, taking on internships, remote projects, and certifications that kept her attuned to evolving industry trends. When she joined Deloitte in 2022, onboarding remotely presented another layer of complexity. Yet it was here that she discovered the transformative power of intentionalconnectionsinadigitalage. One moment particularly stands out in her memory: during a virtual team meeting, her colleagues surprised her with a welcome note and stories about their own journeys, making her feel instantly at home despite physical distance. That simple gesture reminded her that empathy and connection transcend screens, and that authentic relationships can flourish eveninahybridworld. The pandemic taught me that survival is not about waiting out the storm, but embracing discomfort, nurturing relationships, and continuously reinventing oneself. August 2025 13
- 16. Recognition:ExcellenceinBanking and CapitalMarkets Akanksha'scommitment to human-centered leadership found its ultimate expression in her work at Deloitte, where she specializes in Banking and Capital Markets. Her approach blending creative vision with strategic rigor while consistently placing people at the heart of progress has yieldedremarkableresults. In January 2025, she was honored with the prestigious 'Our Finest Hour' Award for exceptional contributions in the Banking and Capital Markets industry. This recognition represents more than individual achievement; it reflects the collaborativeimpactshe strivesfor oneveryproject. "I remember walking into my first team meeting, surrounded by experts who spoke a different professional language. Instead of retreating, I leaned in, listening, asking questions, and embracing the discomfort of being a beginner again." she recalls about her entry into an unfamiliar sector. This willingness to be vulnerable while maintaining confidence has becomeahallmarkofherleadershipstyle. Her recent recognition among the top 10 participants in Deloitte's Spring Challenge, where she ran 70 miles, demonstrates how she applies the same dedication and resilience that marked her early athletic achievements to her currentprofessionalendeavors. ThePhilosophy: Leadershipas Service What distinguishesAkanksha in today's leadership landscape is her fundamental belief that authentic leadership sparks positive change not just in strategy meetings, but in the hearts and lives of people. As a human-centered leader specializing in strategy while prioritizing people, she creates environments where individuals thrive and collective purpose fuelsprogress. "My appetite for business has never been about following a well-trodden path. It's about forging my own, fueled by curiosity and a desire to architect solutions that elevate human experience." she explains. This philosophy drives her to see business as a platform to amplify impact, inspire courage,andleavealegacyofmeaningfulchange. Her approach to balancing professional demands with personal relationships offers a masterclass in intentional living. Despite the physical distance her career has sometimes required, she maintains daily video calls with family and connectswithherextendedfamilyeveryfortnight. My story is not one of straight lines”, her voice carrying the quiet confidence of someone who has navigated uncertainty and emerged stronger. “It is a tapestry woven from movement, service, and the quiet strength of family. 14 www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
- 17. She learned thatproximity isn't the only measure of closeness, demonstrating how modern leaders can maintain meaningful relationshipsacross geographicalboundaries. LearningEdge: GrowthThroughVulnerability Akanksha's willingness to acknowledge her growth areas sets her apart in a business culture often resistant to showing vulnerability. She openly discusses her tendency to take on too much out of enthusiasm and desire to contribute traits that initially led to overextension but ultimately taught her the valueofstrategicfocus. "Sometimes I juggled multiple projects, believing I could manage it all, only to realize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing what truly matters." she admits. This experience taught her the courage to say 'no' when necessary, ensuring her energy is invested where it can make themostsignificantdifference. This approach to learning and growth reflects her broader philosophy that the best business leaders remain students of the world open to new ideas, unafraid to challenge the status quo, andgroundedinempathy. TheVision: Inspiring FutureLeaders For aspiring leaders, she offers wisdom distilled from her multifaceted journey: "Lead not to command, but to cultivate collective brilliance." Her advice emphasizes authentic connections over hierarchies, lifelong curiosity as a strategic imperative, and the balance of bold vision with measured resilience. "In an era where disruption is the norm, harness creative adaptability as your greatest ally," she counsels, drawing from her experience navigating high-stakes transformations. "View challenges as canvases for innovation, pivoting with agility while anchoring decisions in the well-being of your teams." The Legacy:Impact Beyond Metrics AsAkanksha continues to shape the future of human-centered leadership, her message resonates with relevance in our increasingly digital world. "Real growth begins at the edge of comfort where curiosity dares to meet uncertainty." she reflects on her journey from military beginnings to corporate boardrooms. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that in an age of artificial intelligence and automation, the most valuable leadership skill remains profoundly human: the ability to connect, inspire, and elevate others. Through her commitment to championing others to rise alongside her, Akanksha is not just achieving professional success, she's redefining what success means in the modern business landscape. "Success is not a destination, it is the impact you create through each purposeful action you take." she concludes, embodying a philosophy that promises to influence leaders andorganizationsfor generationstocome. InAkanksha S Gulia, we see not just a leader for our times, but an architect of the leadership paradigm our future demands one where empathy drives strategy, where human connection fuels innovation, and where authentic leadership creates lastingpositivechangeinaninterconnectedworld. August 2025 15
- 20. The banking sectorhas historically been founded on vision, confidence, and accuracy. Banks used to heavily depend on expert consultants to handle intricate issues like compliance with regulatory matters, risk governance, customer maintenance, and market growth. In recent times, however, the needs of an interdependent economy, as well as innovative technology, have altered the roleof consultants. Banking strategic consulting today has changed from the conventional advisory models to a highly data-dependent,AI- driven profession that enables institutions to take quicker and moreinformeddecisions. Conventional Advisory: Banking's Early Dependence on HumanAcumen In its formative years, banking strategy consulting was the domain of personal contact and reasoned judgment. Consultants were close advisors and dear friends of top executives, poring over balance sheets, evaluating risk, and writing long reports. Their worth lay in decades of institutional knowledge and benchmarking best practice across institutions. During this time, the major emphasis was on compliance with regulations, efficiency in operations, and expansion planning. The consultants would guide the banks to new markets, streamline in-house operations, and achieve compliance with intricate regulations. This classic model placed human experience at the forefront of decision-making, with hardly anytechnologyinvolvement. Globalizationand theFirstSigns ofTransformation With banking opening up local confines and onto the global stage, consulting's horizon also widened. Banks started dealing with international competition, technology disruption, and better-educated customers. Consultants reformed their practice, integrating market intelligence and technology-driven analysis to remain relevant. Strategic consulting in banking slowly evolved from being so-called compliance work to guidance on digitalization, customer- drivenmodels,andhigh-ticketmergers andacquisitions. 18 www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
- 21. This was aperiod when consulting companies also diversified their staff. They were followed by technology, analysis, and economics specialists, marking the slow merging of old advisory with new capabilities. Technology-assisted solutions may still have depended on human interpretation, but consulting started making incursions onto technology- basedplatforms. The AI Revolution: Data-Driven Consulting Comes into Its Own The new times envision a revolutionary shift. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics are a part of contemporary consulting practices that cannot be separated. Banking strategic consulting is not gazing at the past in the present; it's looking into the future and prescribing actionablestrategies. AI has enabled consultants to predict the customers' behavior with accuracy, enabling banks to create products and services tailored to them. AI has revolutionized risk management through detection of fraud patterns in real time and enhancing credit assessment accuracy. Operations have also gained as automation discourages human error and accelerates process, and AI-driven compliance solutions enable institutions to make real-time adjustments in line with constantly evolving rules. The consultant's function has evolved from that of an analyst in hindsight to one of translating advanced observations from data, enabling banks to create plans that are scalable as well as future-proof. The HumanTouch inaTechnology-DrivenWorld Despite the fast pace ofAI adoption, the human touch of bank strategic consulting cannot be replaced. Machines can identify patterns and recommend outcomes, but human consultants provide judgment, emotional intelligence, and contextual awareness. For instance, in times of geopolitical conflict or economic pressures, experienced consultants are able to consider cultural, ethical, and emotional considerationsthatcomputerscannot. Trust is likewise the fundamental pillar of the consultant–bank relationship. Banks continue to appreciate consultants who can take AI-produced reports and formulate actionable strategies aligned with their long-term objectives. To a large extent, the future of consulting does not reside in substituting human expertise with AI but in using the two for equilibriumanddecision-makingsynergies. EmergingTrends Shaping the Future Banking strategic consulting will further change in the future as a response to emerging drivers of the finance industry. ESG goals and sustainability are taking center stage in banking strategy, and there is growing pressure on consultants to integrate them into institutional infrastructure. Fintech collaborations and open banking are creating new possibilities, and customers need advice on how to create partner-centricandcustomer-centricecosystems. Cyber security is also among the fields in which consulting has expanded significantly, as online payment exposes banks to increasing threats. As much as hyper-personalization of banking products—through the use of AI—is about being delicate in advising how to balance innovation and anonymity of clients, the dynamic global regulatory environment at the same time also means that consultants will be crucial in assisting banks to change at a fast pace without jeopardizing competitiveness. Conclusion The evolution of banking strategic consulting is finally one of resilience and adaptability. From its inception in human, relationship-based advisory, it has evolved as an evidence- driven, AI-facilitated practice with sharper analysis and foresight. It does not leave behind the human factor, though, as it must ensure that decisions are not just effective but ethical, feasible, and committed to the institution's greater purpose. As banks are faced with the challenges of tomorrow—digital disruption to sustainability—strategic consulting will be the key catalyst, driving the industry to resilience, innovation, andsustainedgrowth. August 2025 19 From Traditional Advisory to AI-Driven Insights
- 24. The traditional bankingindustry has served as the pillar of economic activity for decades across the globe. Banks across centuries have contributed to providing financial security and stability through the holding of deposits and business growth assistance. Now, the industry is at the crossroads. The tsunami of digital revolution, fueled by changing customer needs and frenzied technologies, is remodeling bankings mode. Institutions once demarcated by geography and personal interaction are being forced to balance demands for speed, convenience, and customization in an age when customers' experiences are growing ever more digital. EmbracingtheShift inCustomerExpectations The modern-day customer has new parameters for banking experiences compared to the past. Competitive interest rates or widespread branch coverage are no longer sufficient. Individuals desire that services be available around the clock and anywhere, and tailored to meet specific needs. Mobile apps, digital wallets, and online banks have set a new standard of convenience, compelling the conventional banking industrytore-evaluatecustomerservice. This change, though, does not make traditional banks obsolete. Instead, the trust, credibility, and regulation that traditional banks have built up over decades provide them with an advantage. The challenge is to use these built-up strengths in a new technology-driven era where customer engagement becomes progressively more technologically influenced. TheRoleofTechnologyinReinventing Banking Technology is now at the forefront of change. Banks can read customers through artificial intelligence so that they can offer them individual financial guidance and easier fraud prevention. Blockchain technology enables safer and more open transactions and reduces the need for expensive intermediaries. Cloud computing, however, enables banks to move infrastructure, reduce expenditures, and enhance servicesmuchmoreeasily. These are not futurespeak—the solutions that follow are not hypothetical, but many banks are beginning to adopt them. The stodgy banking industry can blend the strength of traditional institutions with the versatility of new technology toofferstableandinnovativeproducts. 22 www.insightssuccessmagazine.com DRIVING INNOVATION IN
- 25. CollaborationInstead of Competition Itsstrongest change strategy has been fintech partnerships. Fintechs possess innovation for customers, speed, and creativity, while banks possess deep regulatory knowledge, long-standing relationships, and solidity. Each can enhance the other to create financial ecosystems that take advantage of thebestofboth. This culture of partnership has already been bearing some fruits in the form of instant transfer, in-app budgeting facilities, and electronic cashless transactions. These collaborations do go to prove that innovation does not always necessarily involve wheel reinvention, but gentle tweaking of whatexists. Ensuring theHumanTouch While the banks become digital, they need to take care that they do not shed that human touch. Bankers by temperament, they continue to be relationship and trust individuals. The voice assistants and the chatbots can deal with the low-level queries, but there are several customers who need to be assured by the warmth of human contact with an advisor when thereisacomplexissue involved. The conventional banking industry needs to balance automation with personalization. Neither should replace human touch but both leverage technology to enhance it. By introducing empathy into digital channels and surfing the wave of human contact, banks can deepen customer loyalty in amoredigitalworld. OvercomingTransformation Phobias Innovation comes with its set of challenges. Legacy systems are still present with most banks, which are difficult to support with solutions today. Compliance with regulation also adds complexity in taking on new solutions. Cultural resistance in organisations also has the impact of slowing down digital take-up. In order to thrive in overcoming these challenges, the banks must create an agile culture. Empowering staff with the authority to adopt new tools, dismantling silos across functions, and undertaking change management training is needed. Innovation does not refer to new technology; it refers tochangingmindsetstoadoptandenablechange. Innovation with Responsibility In the current era, innovation has to be coupled with responsibility. Consumers would want their banks to contribute towards solving universal problems like environmental destruction and social injustice. The conventional banking industry can make this desire a reality by providing finance to eco-friendly projects, providing eco- friendly investment opportunities, and showing ecologically friendly business practices. By coupling innovation with social responsibility, banks are able to establish sustainable valuefor consumersandsociety. The RoadAhead Hybrid models will define the future of the traditional mainstream banking industry through the use of the stability of the traditional institutions and the pace of the digital-born rivals. The future is not abandoning the past but a refinement of it. Banks that have their customers first in all that they do, use technology cautiously, and stay rooted in tradition will not justsurvivebutthrive. Conclusion: Buildingthe FutureTogether Banking innovation is not a tech revolution; it's a strategic and a cultural one. Banking, fintech, regulators, and customers must all get together and design the future of financial services. With innovation with trust intact and human touch preserved, the industry can be the keystone of economic stability—better, more enlightened, and more inclusive than ever.” August 2025 23 Open Banking Initiatives
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