An inspiring anthology co-authored by Falguni Desai and Dr. Amit Nagpal, ‘Sheroes Amongst Us- Real Women, Real Stories’, presents the extraordinary stories of 32 trailblazing women who have broken barriers and redefined success.
With stories spanning leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and social impact, this book offers inspiration, guidance, and reassurance to anyone seeking mentorship or navigating uncharted paths. These are just a few of the extraordinary stories that illuminate the pages of this book.
Each narrative offers a glimpse into struggles, breakthroughs, and unwavering dedication to making a difference.
‘Sheroes Amongst Us’ celebrates women who have embraced their own potential while powering through adversity to weave their own stories of success. The authors have carefully curated stories built on grit, transformation and dreams. The stories not only bring to light the accomplishments of these incredible women, but also the paths that they have transverse to reach where they are today. Each story will serve as an inspiration for aspiring women leaders of tomorrow to learn from the journeys traced in these 32 stories. This book is a call to action from the authors to awaken the Shero within you.
With over two decades of experience in IT leadership, Falguni Desai has successfully navigated the corporate world, leading digital transformation initiatives and guiding organizations to leverage technology for business success. She has held senior leadership roles across industries, driving large-scale technology implementations, optimizing business processes, and fostering innovation.
Falguni Desai
As an independent technology consultant, she specializes in IT strategy, project execution, and mentoring startups in their tech journeys. Her expertise spans cloud computing, AI-driven solutions, and enterprise architecture. Beyond her professional life, she is a firm believer in mentorship and knowledge-sharing, encouraging the next generation to embrace careers in emerging fields.
A well-regarded leadership coach and storytelling expert, Dr. Amit Nagpal specializes in helping professionals build personal brands and craft compelling narratives. His extensive experience in coaching and consulting has enabled many individuals to find clarity in their career paths and leadership journeys.
Dr Amit Nagpal
In order to delve deeper into the book, especially on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Sonakshi Datta of GoaChronicle posed a few questions to the authors Dr Amit Nagpal and Falguni Desai.
What major factors do you think become barriers in the paths of women who want to realise their dreams?
One of the biggest barriers for women in realizing their dreams is internalized doubt and societal conditioning. From a young age, women are taught to be accommodating, put others first, and seek approval before making big decisions. This leads to hesitation in taking bold steps—whether it’s asking for a promotion, starting a business, or making career-defining choices.
Another major challenge is guilt. Women constantly feel guilty—whether it’s for prioritizing their careers, spending time away from family, or even taking time for themselves. There’s an ingrained belief that they must ‘do it all’, and if something falls short—whether at home or work—it’s seen as their failure. This guilt often prevents women from taking on new opportunities, stepping into leadership, or even just investing in their own growth without feeling like they are neglecting something else.
Then there’s lack of support—both at home and in the workplace. Many women let go of opportunities—international postings, leadership roles, or high-growth career moves—because they feel they won’t be able to ‘do justice’ to both work and family.
Instead of an equal division of responsibilities, they end up carrying the larger burden, making personal sacrifices in the process. The challenge of visibility and access is another factor. Leadership positions, investment opportunities, and high-impact projects are often dominated by networks where women have limited representation. Without the right mentors, sponsors, and access to key decision-making circles, many women struggle to find the opportunities they deserve.
And finally, the burden of perfection—women often feel they need to be 100 percent ready before they take a chance. They hesitate to step into leadership roles or start new ventures unless they feel fully prepared, whereas men are more likely to take risks and learn along the way.
The way forward is to challenge these mindsets, let go of guilt, seek strong support systems, and own ambition without hesitation. Success isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about taking that first step, learning along the way, and pushing forward despite the barriers.
What is the one most important lesson that each story of wisdom and hard-work in your book highlights for the readers to learn from?
The most important lesson from Sheroes Amongst Us is this: Believe in yourself—because others will only believe in you if you do first. A common thread across all these stories is that self-doubt and external skepticism are inevitable—but what truly matters is how you respond to them. Many of the women featured in this book walked into rooms where they weren’t immediately accepted. They faced imposter syndrome, societal expectations, and the constant need to prove themselves. But instead of stepping back, they pushed forward, upskilled, and showed resilience in the face of challenges.
These stories are not just about success; they are about courage, perseverance, and the determination to own your journey. Each woman had moments where she could have given in to doubt—but she chose to keep going. That is the real takeaway: there is no perfect path, no easy way forward, but when you believe in yourself, you create your own opportunities. For anyone reading this book, the message is clear: Aspire to be one of them. Learn from their experiences, draw strength from their struggles, and know that if they could overcome obstacles, so can you.
What is the best way to find the required clarity in career paths for both men and women?
There is no fixed career path that we can plan for the next 5 to 10 years—things are evolving too rapidly, and change is inevitable. The first step in finding clarity is accepting this reality. Instead of trying to create a rigid long-term plan, it’s better to focus on a shorter horizon—set a direction for the next couple of years, explore options, and be willing to pivot as you learn along the way.
Career clarity doesn’t come from just thinking about it—it comes from experiencing, learning, and adjusting. Often, we don’t truly know what we enjoy until we try it. Speaking to people in your industry, seeking mentors, taking up side projects, or even switching roles within your organization can give you real insights into what excites you. Exposure is key—learning from others and trying different things will help you discover your strengths and interests.
At the same time, it’s important to choose a career that aligns with your passion, not just one that offers stability. Too often, people pick a path based on financial security alone and end up feeling stuck and frustrated. Passion fuels long-term success. As 3 Idiots perfectly puts it: “Don’t run behind success, chase your passion, and success will follow.” Finding your passion takes time, but it’s worth the effort.
Taking action is just as important as planning. Overthinking can lead to paralysis, and waiting for the “perfect” opportunity can hold you back. Instead, take small steps in a direction that excites you. Even if it’s not your final destination, every experience will bring you closer to understanding what truly drives you.
The world is changing rapidly, and so should you. Stay curious, keep learning, and be open to evolving your career goals as you grow. The key is to keep moving forward, trust yourself, and remember that it’s okay to take time to figure it out.
What kind of perspective do you reckon should people move forward with, during times of trials and tribulations, in order to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face?
During times of trials and tribulations, the most important thing is to have a perspective that keeps you grounded, clear-headed, and resilient. Challenges will come, and some will feel overwhelming—but the way you approach them will determine how you come out on the other side.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to always have a strong support system. When things get tough, you need people who will listen without judgment—whether it’s family, friends, or mentors. Sometimes, just talking things out helps bring clarity. And remember, you’re not alone. When we get stuck in our problems, we often feel like no one else has been through this—but that’s rarely true. If it feels too much, take a break. Step away from overthinking, clear your mind, and come back to the problem with a fresh perspective.
Another thing that has helped me is breaking down problems into smaller steps. When we look at challenges as one big mountain, they feel impossible to climb. But if you take it one step at a time, focusing on what you can solve in the moment, things start to feel more manageable. Finally, don’t let doubt or fear of failure stop you. No one has it all figured out. The most successful people aren’t the ones who never struggled—they’re the ones who kept going despite the struggles. Trust yourself, trust the process, and remind yourself that every tough moment is temporary, but the lessons you gain from it will stay with you forever.
