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Intellecap CEO, Nisha Dutt on Women’s Empowerment

By

Ruel Enriquez

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International Women’s Day may be over, but it reminds us that every day is an opportunity to recognise the milestones – whether grand or minute – that women have crossed.  

Today, we are privileged to share excerpts of an interview with Nisha Dutt, CEO of Intellecap as she shares about both her personal journey as a female leader and the work that she leads at Intellecap which supports women every day. Not only has she unlocked personal success, but she has also taken the helm to spur other women forward.

Please share with us one or two recent initiatives that Intellecap has driven to empower women.

Dutt: In collaboration with ANDE, we started Creditree, which is about “simplified access to finance for women entrepreneurs”. Many of them need capital to scale their businesses but do not know how to get started or find any convenient method to do so. Currently a part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative, Creditree allows women entrepreneurs to browse and compare financial products, most suited to their business. The platform also enables women to access loans from multiple banks or use our panel of experts when making purchases.

As an organisation, Intellecap Group believes in equal opportunity, diversity and inclusiveness. We have an above industry average gender percentage and an inclusive, flexible environment, which allows our women to deliver their best. Whether it be flexi maternity plans, developmental opportunities or work exposure across three continents, we empower our women and make them true leaders. We take pride in the fact that a lot of women join our group because of such positive workplace ethos. We aim to do more as we grow to empower women who are a part of this ecosystem, be it for our employees, customers or key stakeholders.

We are extremely inspired by your success story and vision for the future that you shared on YourStory. On the flip side of the coin, however, were there times when you faced gender discrimination during your line of work? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?

Dutt: Sometimes, the obstacles we face are not overt. There may not be a direct discrimination, but it could be an undercurrent.

In my case I do believe that one must take the situation at hand by the horns and not to take it for granted. At the end of the day, your performance and your ability to speak up will help you grow as a leader. One must speak up if one feels discriminated, regardless of the role or the industry. It is important to confront the situation at hand, have a mentor who can guide, and seek help if it is affecting work or overall performance. The best way to overcome an obstacle is to face it.

What motivates you to do what you do? Where does your passion come from?

Dutt: As I work on some of the most pressing challenges of low income communities and entrepreneurs, I see incredible opportunities in them. It is gratifying to see ideas come to life and the positive impact of the work that I do. The impact one can deliver in this business is of a significant social magnitude and to be a part of that is truly motivating.

We are all here to create something larger and better, and this work offers us all an opportunity to do so in its truest essence. 

Of course, it’s also great that I get to work with a brilliant team! Each and every one had left their mainstream work behind and decided that, together, we would work on some very intractable problems. These people have kept me inspired and motivated to do my best. 

What are some of the thoughts you would like to share through your participation as a speaker at the AVPN Conference?

Dutt: As a speaker to the AVPN Conference, I am excited on the perspectives I will be able to share on women’s entrepreneurship. I look forward to sharing ideas and innovations that help disrupt the market and how women entrepreneurs can benefit from it. Coupled with insights on gender neutral workplaces, what true empowerment entails, and experiences from the ground, I intend to make the session lively, insightful and fun. The conference is also a great opportunity to learn new things and I am looking forward to that as well.

Nisha Dutt will be speaking on the Women Entrepreneurship Panel, 9th June, 11:30am – 1:00pm.

References

A. Environmental Stewardship
To protect the environment, we organize programmes like mangrove nursery and Reforestation, Coastal and River Clean-Up, Community Based Environmental Solid Waste Management, Environmental IEC Campaign and Eco-Academy

B. Food Security and Sustainable Livelihood
To ensure a sustainable livelihood for the community, eco-tourism include Buhatan River Cruise Visitor Center Buhatan River Mangrove Boardwalk are run by the community. Others include Organic Vegetable and Root crops Farming, Vegetable and Root crops Chips and by-products Processing and establishing a Zero waste store.

C. Empowered Communities
To empower the community, we provide product and Agri-Enterprise Development Training, Immersion and Learnings Exchange Program, Earth Warrior Training and Community Based Social Entrepreneurship Training

Author

Ruel Enriquez

Ruel Enriquez is a Assistant Manager at AVPN, leveraging his extensive expertise in website maintenance, content and project management. With a keen focus on delivering high-quality information to the public, Ruel plays a vital role in strengthening AVPN's online presence and managing related microsites. With over 20 years of experience in IT, Ruel possesses a deep understanding of software development, support, and project management. During his extensive tenure at Texas Instruments, spanning nearly a decade from 2009, Ruel honed his skills in spearheading IT-related projects with exceptional proficiency. Operating within fast-paced environments, he demonstrated his ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ruel's expertise in workflow optimization and project execution proved instrumental in achieving successful outcomes. Prior to joining Texas Instruments, Ruel held notable positions as a Mainframe professional, where he played a critical role in overseeing the daily activities of the production support team and provided invaluable technical mentorship. He successfully implemented bi-monthly production releases and actively participated in post-incident reviews, contributing to the ongoing enhancement of processes and systems. Ruel's professional strengths have been recognized through the CliftonStrengths assessment, highlighting his adaptability, ability to win others over (woo), effective communication, strategic thinking, and unwavering positivity. These qualities further solidify his value as a versatile and impactful team member. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ruel finds joy in embracing the concept of being a "flâneur," akin to someone who joyfully wanders through a bustling city, discovering new scenes and experiences along the way. Additionally, he seeks solace and rejuvenation through visits to the serene beaches of La Union, where he nurtures his aspiration to surf someday. His adventurous spirit and eagerness to embrace new experiences continually inspire him to explore and appreciate the diverse offerings life has to offer.

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