Deciding whether to pursue a career or stay at home, or to choose between parenthood and professional dreams, are dilemmas faced by women of all ages and backgrounds, across the board.

Radhika Gupta, the managing director and CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management Limited, shares her experience.

Radhika, who has an almost two-year-old son, has been outspoken about these issues and advocates for women to voice their concerns in the workplace.

As the only female CEO of asset management companies in India, she embarked on motherhood at the age of 39.

She found the story of former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, which gave her confidence and hope that if she could do it, so could Radhika.

Busy building her venture ‘Forefront Capital Management’ during her 20s, Radhika went through two miscarriages, which she kept to herself.

“The social stigma attached to miscarriage is so bad that I didn’t tell a soul in office. I didn’t even tell my boss. I was back at work the next day and went through that pain alone, which I regret,” she shared on the same podcast.

In June 2022, she welcomed her son Remy into the world. However, postpartum depression hit her hard. Despite this, she returned to work after just six weeks, as her professional identity had been a significant part of her life for over 17 years.

She even brought her son to work, with many feeling this as a privilege accorded to her because of her position.

To this, she says that a woman is going to be judged for whatever you do. “Never ever let yourself feel guilty,” says Radhika.

“Whether you join work early, or take a break, you will be judged. Whenever I go to an event, I would be asked who is looking after the baby. I think the judgement is tremendous. I know that my son is my joy and I’m doing the best for him. We just have to drown out what the world says,” adds Radhika.

She also urges women to speak up if on matters of maternity, miscarriage, or just asking for what they deserve. “My boss told me that motherhood is a big part of your life, and six months is just a small part of your career,” she adds.

To women confused about how to manage work and home or when to have a baby, she says, “Do not fall for the debate, and do things as per your time and will. If you can, you can always freeze your eggs, which gives you an option of having kids later.”

“My mom gave me the best piece of advice on motherhood. She told me that no mother is a bad mother. You can be poor, rich, educated, uneducated, working, not working, but not a bad mother. By definition, a woman goes through a second birth to have a child. No mother wants less than the best for her child. So stop telling yourself that you are a bad mother,” she shares.

As she shares on LinkedIn, a working mother’s story is full of smiles and sacrifices, trump and tears, magic and madness.

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