"World of marketing and advertising is ever-evolving"- Kavya Dutta, Koppr

Koppr was established with a mission to help young adults in India achieve financial freedom. Helping young adults ‘Make Smart Money Moves, All the Time’ is the aim of Koppr. An all-in-one expert-led, community-driven platform that offers personalised financial advice to millenials and young adults in India at every step of their financial journey is our Unique Offering. Kavya Dutta, Head of Marketing, Koppr talked about herself in the Women Power column in DQ Channels. 

The challenges of being a woman executive in a top role

One of the biggest challenges we still face as women being in a top executive role is asking for Equality not only in pay but also in sharing ideas or thoughts. Being in a male-dominated role, it is easy to run campaigns when it comes to asking for Women in Leadership roles but is harder in execution when it comes to real-life boardrooms. While building alliances comes naturally to me, I believe and rather urge that women take the stand, no matter what the role and speak up. Speak up when you disagree with your peers, speak up if you do not like how you’re being treated- we do not give enough power to women to speak up but now is the time to take the power and not wait for it to be given to you and more importantly, trusting your own voice.

Educational Background

I am a software engineer by education but have been in marketing for almost a decade now. I had my start-up very early since I was in college. I graduated from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai and did my Brand Communication and Marketing from London Business School.

Family Background

I come from a family of working parents. Most of my family members including my husband are working in the field of Finance. My mother is a PhD holder and is a businesswoman while my father has been a Banker and is currently retired but has his own firm which is into financial and banking consultancy. We are three siblings and I am the middle child. My elder sister and younger brother are working as Investment bankers.

Working in the Male-dominated field of IT. Does a Glass ceiling exist?

A glass ceiling exists no matter the industry. We, as women, have been working towards an Equal working environment for as long as I can remember. As I always say, I work to build opportunities and a World where we no longer have to discuss ‘women’ leaders but can be recognised as ‘leaders’ together!

Hobbies

I love exploring new cafes and restaurants for sure! Currently, I am into watching different genres of movies, especially the ones that got the Oscars. I am an avid reader and am currently into sci-fi.

Future plans

Personally, I would love to incorporate more of taking the time out of my day to get some mind exercises in.  We focus so much on physical wellness that we forget mental and emotional wellness. I am learning new techniques of meditation and would love to make it a habit. Professionally, I am enhancing my skills in the field I am in because the World of marketing and advertising is ever-evolving and you always need to stay up to date.

High-Five: 

• Your Fitness Mantra

As much as I love taking care of my mind and emotions, I am also working towards strengthening my body. I love exploring different kinds of workouts instead of sticking to one as they add in the much-needed interest so that I do not be bored and also, help constantly challenge myself.

• Your De-stressing Mantra

Everybody who knows me knows my love for coffee, hence I cannot start my day without one. It’s like I am a different person before and after caffeine! Apart from coffee, I love listening to music and talking to family and friends that help keep me sane.

• Where do you like to shop?

I love the ambience of in-store shopping. I feel nothing beats the experience. But, given the after-effects of the pandemic, I do not mind online shopping as well.

• Your favourite holiday destination

I do not have a favourite yet because I am still exploring but love Singapore as of now.

Five things you cannot live without

My family, friends, coffee and my collection of perfumed body lotions!

Workday:

1. Morning activities: Since we are working remotely as of now, it mostly includes getting my coffee and a little walk in before I start my day.
2. Ist half in the office: I usually start my day at work as early as 8 am- it gives me the much-needed space to sort my day out early and then catch up with the team.
3. Post Lunch: On a busy day, it mostly includes meeting the teammates or cross-departmental meetings but on days I have some time, I love to explore new ideas and creative solutions with the team apart from the ones we are already working on.
4. How you spend your evenings: I try and get in some sort of workout in the evening, be it walking around the house, which is one way that helps me clear my head before I prepare to shut my mind off work or I do love reading the news or a novel while listening to some Jazz.

Read Women Power Interviews HERE

Read more from Ankit Parashar here