In a world where 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 corporate world.
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 by impact and integrity.
The Foundation: A Journey Rooted in Service
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 leadership philosophy grounded in empathy and human connection.
“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.
The cadence of her 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, young Akanksha 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 professional approach.
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 her career trajectory took its first significant turn.
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 will uplift the lives of those around 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 her leadership style in the corporate world.
Today, Akanksha leads with the conviction that every experience, every move, conversation, and challenge has prepared her to serve with empathy and purpose, one thoughtful action at a time.
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 reimagine her approach entirely.
“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, and build genuine connections.
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 intentional connections in a digital age.
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 even in a hybrid world.
Recognition: Excellence in Banking and Capital Markets
Akanksha’s commitment 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 yielded remarkable results.
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 collaborative impact she strives for on every project.
“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 become a hallmark of her leadership style.
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 current professional endeavors.
The Philosophy: Leadership as Service
What distinguishes Akanksha 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 fuels progress.
“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, and leave a legacy of meaningful change.
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 connects with her extended family every fortnight. She learned that proximity isn’t the only measure of closeness, demonstrating how modern leaders can maintain meaningful relationships across geographical boundaries.
Learning Edge: Growth Through Vulnerability
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 value of strategic focus.
“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 the most significant difference.
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, and grounded in empathy.
The Vision: Inspiring Future Leaders
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
As Akanksha 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 and organizations for generations to come.
In Akanksha 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 lasting positive change in an interconnected world.
