Scholar Spotlight - Shreya Bothra

Shreya Bothra, Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, is driving change by advocating for gender equality.
Scholar Spotlight - Shreya Bothra
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Shreya Bothra, Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, is driving change by advocating for gender equality. 

I am a brand marketing professional with over 8 years of experience – 5 out of which were as an entrepreneur. I started and scaled a fashion brand before pivoting to marketing consumer products. I also run a website (www.thinkingwoman.in) as an advocate of gender equality. 

I came across the Laidlaw Scholarship while applying to Said Business School and while I was eligible to apply, I did not dream of securing this prestigious scholarship. Getting a 100% scholarship was a dream come true and it means that I can truly focus on maximizing the Oxford MBA and continue working on my website parallelly.  

What is the biggest life challenge you have overcome and what did you learn from it?

In 2019, I filed for a divorce from my husband of 6 years. After years of living without any autonomy, I assumed that I would finally regain agency over my life when I got divorced. To my surprise and dismay, my decision was meted with intimidation, coercion and retaliation. I had to fight to be free and had to leave behind the business I had started and grown. I was suddenly required to begin a new career journey and leave the city I had lived in all my life. It is safe to say that despite the challenge, I experienced most growth during this period. It has taught me the importance of self-reliance especially in a woman’s life, and I hope to help this cause through a mentorship platform for women in India. 

What is the most useful/impactful piece of advice you have been given in your life?

Making the wrong decision is not the problem. Living in indecision is.

Conversely, what is the WORST piece of advice you have been given?

Make practical decisions. It is not easy for a woman to be independent. 

What are your top 3 leadership tips?

  1. Work harder than your team. Lead by example.
  2. Have strong boundaries. For yourself and those you lead.
  3. Help people be the best versions of themselves.

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

Being a Laidlaw scholar is not only a matter of prestige but also of immense innate pride. Having gone through a rigorous selection criteria, I can safely say that ‘I made it’. The kind of events that we get access to, the sisterhood that exists between all the scholars and the responsibility of carrying forward the Foundation’s mission, all make me feel terribly privileged and humbled at the same time.  

Which leaders inspire you the most and why?

Jacinda Ardern – For her clarity and bravery. Her decision to step down from her post was the most brave thing I’ve seen a politician do. 

Describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

I strive to create a future where women are given equal opportunities and grow up with an innate confidence in their abilities. In my opinion, this can be made possible by having more women in leadership and influential roles. A) It allows women’s interests and challenges to be represented; and b) by making role models of such women, it enables and encourages young women to believe in themselves and strive for the same.

 


Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: 

House of Cards 

📚 My top book recommendation: 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

🎶 My anthem: 

Gamesofluck - Parcels

🎙️ Current Podcast Obsession:

Think Fast, Talk Smart

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently:

Sitting on the grass on a sunny day! 

Check out www.thinkingwoman.in – Shreya's website where she writes about feminism and philosophy!

 


 

Shreya Bothra is a Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University's Saïd Business School. You can find Shreya on LinkedIn.

The Laidlaw Women's Business Education Scholarship aims to help build a pipeline of future women leaders through access to best-in-class education, resources and global networks by providing full and half scholarships to women who would not otherwise be in a position to reap the benefits of attending an outstanding school. 

🔦 Discover more Scholar Spotlights: 

⚡️ Patrícia Gonçalves, a Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, on navigating the crossroads of public and private sectors and championing a sustainable, equitable future.

⚡️ Lucy Nyamaah, a Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, on pushing past gender norms and envisioning a female-led future in the Energy sector.

⚡️ Juliana Ruseva, a Laidlaw Scholar at London Business School, on volunteering, helping women break the glass ceiling and tackling issues step by step.

⚡️ Adebusola Adegbuyi, a Laidlaw Scholar at Saïd Business School, on facing challenges with optimism and empowering young women to begin careers in technology.

⚡️ Aya Hammad, a University of York Laidlaw Scholar, on understanding the origins of cancer, promoting equality in healthcare, and learning to be adaptable.

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