CA Sangeeta Sumesh - Motherhood and Marathon Running

Managing Career, Motherhood and Marathon Running

 

My name is Sangeetha Shankaran Sumesh. I am a Chartered Accountant by education.  I woke up at 5.00 am today  to head to the Anna University to train for the December Wipro Marathon to be held at Chennai next month and I was determined to recollect my life to do my blog as a Woman CA that Sripriya Kumar was constantly calling me for, not to forget the subtle face book hints on my delay. 

 

I had so much to say and 600 words seemed to short.  As I run now, I am reminded of the twists, turns and the complete excitement life has had to offer to me as full time professional, happy parent and now this marathon madness.   I had read the other blogs on inspiring women CA’s and here is mine. I hope it helps you.  Feel free to reach out to me.

 

I was what you would call an above average student a fun loving and chilled kid.  It was a bit of surprise to all that I eventually nurtured an ambition to become a Chartered Accountant. I apprenticed with Price Waterhouse and on qualifying I was very clear that I wanted to work for a few years, get married and then retire in my early thirties as a full time parent and perhaps study some more.  It is with an utter sense of thankfulness that I acknowledge that the Divine had made other plans for me!

 

I completed my CA and ICWA while the proverbial love blossomed with a fellow CA.  I worked with Alstom followed by Tupperware. Marriage with Sumesh took me to ‘Africa’s well-kept secret: Botswana’. The stint of 8 years in Botswana, again with PwC, not only exposed me to various industries and managing different portfolios but also groomed me professionally and paved way for a brighter future!

 My first option to quit came with my first child.  I was unwell and was advised a break.  But I decided that being at home was far too boring and that I would continue to work through the term and my son was born.  The nine months were terrible and the only thing that kept me going was my work that had something new to offer every day. While I was enjoying the new status of being a mother, the 3 months of maternity leave got me a bit bored mentally and I realised that I was bitten by the working bug again.

 I decided to go on with my career till I could manage and two and a half years years later, my daughter was born. This pregnancy too was similar to the first. I was rushed for my delivery straight from my office as she was born a week earlier than my due date. My colleagues teased saying, had I delayed further, my boss would have had to be my the doctor.

Raising 2 small kids, sleepless nights clubbed with handling multiple clients and teams, meeting deadlines at work was indeed a testing time, but the thought of being at home full time didn’t appeal to me especially as I am the kind of person who had to be engaged always! Being the only child, my parents’ wish for me to have a successful career also had an impact on me. And by this time, had almost given up the idea of pursuing studies again as many years had passed.

We relocated to Chennai in 2007 and I joined a French multinational Thales to head the Finance division. I loved my job that involved setting up internal controls, processes and procedures and streamline the companies’ finances. My job took me to Paris and London. In 2011, I moved to Dun & Bradstreet Technologies and Data Services ( where I presently work ) as the Vice President / CFO. Under the guidance of my boss, support from team and of course, the undeniable  Divine grace, the shareholders’ returns maximised and the net worth multiplied. The company declared dividend for the first time since inception.

In the midst of all this, I also managed a few accolades including “Leading Women Chief Financial Officer” at the women leaders in India awards and was also ranked as one of “India’s most influential women in Finance” by rediff.com, “Innovator in Finance” award by International Women Leaders Forum, “Jewel in the crown” by Punjab Association etc. I was also invited to speak in various forums, professional bodies and colleges.

On my personal front, I continue my practice of Art of Living (which I had learnt in Botswana) and pursued many courses in it. This helps me not only to de-stress but also energises me. In my younger days I had never played any sport! A thirst arose to satisfy this need & was inspired by my husbands’ passion for long distance running. Hence gradually started running and now I am a half marathoner (21 kilometres). I also had an urge to complete a triathlon and so completed 1.5 kilometres of swimming, 40 kilometres of cycling and 10 kilometres of running at a stretch, which was a gift for myself on my 40^th birthday!

I realise that  life is an endlessly exciting journey.  Parenting, working , running are all a part of it.  Thank you God !