The Kahani Of: Neha Singh, Co-founder of SALUTE
A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to speak with Neha Singh, co-founder of SALUTE (South Asian Ladies Unite To Empower) — a private, professional network dedicated to creating impactful connections between South Asian women. After hearing more about Neha's journey, it's clear that there is truly nothing that she won't face head on. From studying international affairs at The George Washington University to leading up marketing teams, she’s stepped foot into many many different areas and industries. As young women in the early stages of our careers, we were eager to hear Neha’s advice. Let’s dive in!
As an early graduate of George Washington University, Neha initially planned to take the extra time to study for the LSATs, but the economy had other plans. The economic downturn coupled with a market oversaturated with lawyers pushed Neha to pause on the law path, and find a job. Without any formal marketing education, she was able to land an entry-level marketing role with a non-profit organization in Chicago, Interfaith America (formerly known as Interfaith Youth Core), where she quickly learned the ropes and honed her marketing skills. It was here that Neha was lucky to have a manager who believed in her capabilities, and pushed her to pivot to explore digital advertising and roles at agencies like OMD in New York City.
Even early on in her career, Neha didn't shy away from switching jobs frequently, despite the old wives' tale that job security is found in staying at a company for multiple years and not switching every 1-2 years. Every job she transitioned to posed a new challenge and taught her either about a new vertical or allowed her to deep dive into a different marketing function. It’s this diversity of experience that got Neha her first offer as head of marketing at a Boston-based, VC-backed, Series C startup, with $92 million in funding. After this, she was completely immersed in the startup world, leading marketing teams, consulting for various startups as an interim CMO, and building the marketing division for a startup-focused PR and marketing agency. Each new job presented unique challenges and opportunities to learn, leading to her current role as J.P. Morgan’s Commercial Banking marketing strategy lead for the innovation economy.
However, Neha’s professional growth didn’t stop the feelings of imposter syndrome from creeping in. With Neha’s drive and ambition, she moved up the ladder fairly quickly at a young age, and as a result, she was faced with the question, "What else do you want? You're already at this level at your age.” This, coupled with the fact that she was a South Asian woman, made the comments implying she should be happy with what she’s been given, regardless of her performance, even more frustrating. It’s an interesting sentiment to face — who is anyone to put a limit on our goals and what we are capable of?
It’s embedded in us from a young age that we should just keep working harder and our time will come, but the reality is, it often does not. While we know internally that we deserve the same chances regardless of race or gender, we constantly work harder in hopes of earning those chances. In Neha’s case, it led to her being called “too passionate” when it came to her work ethic. But passion doesn’t need to be a negative nor should it be a detriment when striving to excel at your job.
In Neha's experience, there is a preconceived notion about young Asian women in the workplace. They are often perceived as hard workers who won't ask for more opportunities, support, or monetary advancements. This sentiment and environment can cause individuals to leave, contributing to the lack of diversity in high-level roles. Neha was careful to point out though, that it’s not an us vs. them situation. There are plenty of lessons to learn in the workplace that are completely valid and part of the growth process.
Another thread that Neha has noticed is that we unknowingly and, at times, knowingly work against ourselves. Instead of women, and especially South Asian women, advocating for each other, there is a sense of competition amongst us. Either we’re the first person to look like us at the executive table, or we’re so focused on pushing forward individually that we don’t think about bringing others up with us, or we simply don’t know how to do it in the best way. Existing professional communities felt too narrow, while others felt too broad. From this need for a supportive, members-only community for South Asian women professionals, Neha co-founded SALUTE with Era Ray. For both co-founders, their personal experiences and the stories they’ve heard from other women have validated two things: South Asian women should be the norm, not a token, in leadership, and our identity can be integrated into our professional lives without being the sole focus.
SALUTE is built by South Asian women who support, advocate, and stand up for one another in the professional sphere. Everyone is welcome to apply, and SALUTE regularly hosts networking events, fireside chats, panel discussions, coaching sessions, wellness workshops, and more for its members. We’re so excited to see all that SALUTE has in store, while growing their ability to provide women with an empowering space to better themselves, learn more, and connect with others.
We asked Neha to leave us with a few words of wisdom. Here are her truth bombs:
As my grandmother said, “honesty is great, but tact is key.” Don’t be afraid to say what is on your mind or showcase your knowledge, but how you package it is what makes all the difference.
Pay it forward. Someone, somewhere, helped you get to where you are. It might have been resume advice, a connection that led to a job, or even tough, constructive feedback. Even if it’s something small, it can change someone else’s life down the line. Just like there might be someone in your career pushing you forward today, remember that you have the opportunity to do that for someone else.
You’ll find what works for you, but it can take time, and there will be bumps along the way. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and push yourself to approach situations with a sense of fearlessness and resilience in every part of life.
Just like you take vitamins and eat healthy food for your physical, remember to do the same for your mental health. Work can take its toll, so whether it’s going for therapy, taking medication, or exercising, find what helps you feel like your best self.
We sometimes focus so much on what needs to change and how we aren’t achieving it that we forget that there is actual work that goes into it that requires time and effort. It’s okay to reassess and reframe what change looks like. Do you have the time to make that change? Does that change need to wait? Do you need to approach it differently?
Interested in learning more about SALUTE? Here’s where you can find them:
Site: https://salute.community/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salute.community/