With nearly two and a half decades of experience in capital markets, including a significant tenure at Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, Kurian’s journey exemplifies resilience and dedication. From her early days as an economist to her current leadership role, Kurian’s trajectory reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence in finance.

Throughout the interview, Kurian delves into the theme of “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” emphasizing the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth and societal advancement. Drawing from her own experiences, she advocates for mentorship and mutual support among women in finance, highlighting the importance of empowerment and inclusivity. Moreover, Kurian offers practical advice for aspiring women traders and investors, encouraging them to pursue their goals with confidence and diligence. She addresses common misconceptions and roadblocks faced by women in finance, advocating for greater financial literacy and debunking myths surrounding women’s capabilities in investment.

Overall, Shibani Kurian’s insights underscore the transformative potential of women in finance and serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals in the field. Edited excerpt

My journey into capital markets has been nothing short of fascinating, spanning ~24 years and three organizations including the last 16 years at Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund. I started in May 2000 as an economist and research analyst straight out of business school. Over the years, my career has seen me covering vast sectors in the BFSI and technology arena.

I took over the role of Head of Equity Research at Kotak Mahindra AMC in 2015 and finally moved on to a fund manager role in 2018. I believe that my journey does not end here, and I look forward to what the years ahead have in store for me.

Q) Do you feel that capital markets are something you always wanted to do?

I was drawn to the capital markets very early on. Despite being among the school toppers in my 10th Board exams, I decided to pursue economics, math, and accountancy in XI and XII. As I embarked on my career in finance, there were many eyebrows raised. Today, I believe I have come far, cementing my place in the capital markets, managing equity funds at Kotak Asset Management, and leading a team of senior research analysts, who are friends, colleagues, and well-wishers.

One of the youngest Indians to make a podium finish for an individual event at the Olympics, PV Sindhu said “The greatest asset is a strong mind. If I know someone is training harder than I am, I have no excuses.”

I believe that there is no other way of proving your critics wrong but with hard work day in and day out leading to consistent and superior performance.

Q) “Invest in women: Accelerate progress” is the theme for 2024. What does it mean for you?

This year’s theme is very apt: “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. A woman’s contribution is crucial to building a strong and vibrant nation. Come to think of it, women are leaders everywhere you look – from the CEO to the housewife who raises her children and runs her household. Women are surely gaining their rightful place on the global map and leaving footprints for the younger generation to follow. One factor for success that is often overlooked is mentorship.

They should support each other. In the words of Indra Nooyi, “The glass ceiling will go away when women help other women break through that ceiling.”

Q) Many women traders have also joined the party on D-St, especially after Covid. What would you advise them?

As we celebrate each other, I want to use this opportunity to encourage all the young women out there who are budding equity analysts and fund managers and those wanting to make a mark in the capital markets.

A young woman starting out may wonder if an exciting but demanding career in Finance means sacrificing family life. My answer is that it completely depends on you. I believe women can have it all – Work hard but work smart, learn from the experiences of others. Believe in yourself, stay disciplined, follow your dreams and the sky is your limit.

They should consider diversified investment portfolios to mitigate risks and optimize returns over the long-term keeping in mind their investment objectives. Diversification across asset classes, geographies, and sectors can help cushion against market volatility.

This approach aligns with the principle of not putting all eggs in one basket, thereby securing investments against unforeseen market downturns. Investing through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) benefits investors by instilling discipline, offering the advantage of rupee cost averaging, and allowing the flexibility to start with small amounts. SIPs make it easier to commit to long-term financial goals and can be particularly advantageous in building wealth gradually without the pressure of timing the market.

There is a growing need for women to understand asset allocation including investing in equities. Investing in equities is often considered alien to women. That I believe is a myth that needs to be broken. In fact, to the contrary, women naturally embody the very characteristics needed to be a successful equity investor, balancing risk and reward.

The increasing presence of women in the financial industry has indeed made a significant impact. Women supporting women creates a much larger impact encouraging others to join the path to financial freedom. Women often bring diverse perspectives and innovation to investment strategies, contributing to more holistic and balanced decision-making.

Their growing influence also promotes gender diversity and inclusivity, which can lead to more tailored financial products and services that cater to a broader range of investors.

Financial freedom is of utmost importance for women helping them take control of their destinies and lead lives of empowerment and independence. Financial freedom is not possible without investing for the future while at the same time securing a life with a term insurance product.

Women can work towards building a robust retirement portfolio by starting early, making informed investment choices, and consistently reviewing and adjusting their portfolios to align with changing financial goals and market conditions.

Emphasizing investments in a mix of equities, fixed income, and other asset classes, depending on risk tolerance and time horizon, is key to building a retirement corpus that can withstand inflation and provide stability in the golden years. Mutual funds play a pivotal role in building financial knowledge and securing a stable financial future for women. They offer a simplified entry point into the investing world, allowing women to benefit from professionally managed portfolios. MFs also provide educational resources that can help demystify the investing process, making it more approachable for beginners.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)