This year’s International Women’s Day theme is Accelerate Action – a call for individuals and organisations worldwide to double down on strategies that help women in all countries advance and succeed.
To celebrate, we’re championing some of the extraordinary women at Interpolitan, and today, it’s Maansi Visrolia’s turn. A bright, dedicated member of the client relations team, Maansi is a problem-solver, finding practical solutions to our clients' most complex challenges.
Here, she shares what’s shaped her career so far, and what she believes still needs to be done to boost equality in the workplace.
1. Have the opportunities in your career differed from those available to your mother or grandmother?
My grandmother was born in Kenya and emigrated to the UK as a young woman. Career opportunities were very limited for her: in addition to the language barrier, there was a cultural expectation that she’d stay at home and look after the family. In those days, men were expected to have jobs, while women weren’t.
Nevertheless, she did work – in fact, she became quite successful. She ended up landing a role at the Home Office, which was a significant achievement. She even ran a catering business on the side, juggling multiple responsibilities while raising a family.
For my mother, the opportunities were quite different. She was born in the UK, so she had more access to education and career prospects. She was able to go to university, work while studying, and has since built a solid career as an optician. That being said, I think there is still a challenge in balancing work, household responsibilities and raising kids.
Nowadays, the focus has shifted. There's a strong emphasis on building a career first before thinking about marriage or other commitments, and my family is very supportive of that. It’s great to see how opportunities have evolved over generations, allowing women to prioritise their careers in a way that wasn’t always possible before.
2. Can you share a challenge or experience that shaped your growth or professional life?
Many people go to university before stepping into the world of work – but I didn't take the traditional route. Instead, I went straight from college into the workforce.
At Interpolitan, I started in client services, then transitioned into payments and treasury. One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating these transitions – taking on new responsibilities and learning different aspects of the industry that I might have otherwise learned at university.
My current role is quite different from my previous one. It’s moving away from working with numbers and demands more strategic thinking. This has pushed me outside my comfort zone, but I enjoy the challenge. Networking has also become a key part of my role, and that’s something I’m focusing on more, especially in the context of events like International Women’s Day.
What excites me most about strategy in my current role is looking at a client’s needs and identifying what more we can offer them to make sure they’re completely satisfied and that we’re building strong relationships.
3. What do you think still needs to be done to level the playing field for women in business?
I think we’re gradually making progress, but there’s still work to be done. It’s a difficult question to answer, but I feel that unconscious bias still exists in some workplaces. Here, we have strong female representation in leadership, with two female directors and lots of women in every department. But at many other companies, leadership is still very male-dominated.
In my view, workplace culture plays a huge role in shaping opportunities for women. In some environments, there can be an expectation of working around the clock, with less emphasis on work-life balance. Women in leadership roles can help create a more inclusive culture – one that acknowledges the need for a balance between work and home life.
Ultimately, I think it’s important to continue increasing female representation at the top because this brings a more diverse perspective to leadership. I think we’re doing this at Interpolitan.
4. What is the most important piece of advice you would give to young women starting their careers?
So, I have two or three big pieces of advice, based on my own experience. First, believe in your abilities and don’t doubt yourself. When I first started, I often questioned whether I was meeting expectations, even though I was actually doing really well. Self-doubt can hold you back, so it’s important to trust in your skills and potential.
Second, don’t be afraid to take on more than what’s expected of you. Stepping up and taking on new challenges can ramp up your growth and help you stand out. Also, don’t be afraid to speak up for opportunities, fair pay or recognition. If you don't ask, you don't get!
Finally, seek out the right guidance and mentorship. Having the right support system can play an enormous role in building confidence and building a successful career. Imposter syndrome isn’t just something that affects people at the top: it can creep in early on. So, surround yourself with mentors and supporters, give yourself a pep talk when needed and remember that you deserve to be where you are.
Walk your own path to success
Huge thanks to Maansi for talking with us about her career – a wonderful reminder that there’s no one set path to success. Her journey is a great example of how different experiences can shape strong, capable leaders, and we're proud to have her on the team.
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