My Story: Ekta Soni

by Ekta Soni

They say the strongest steel is forged in fire — mine was forged in Bhilai, India’s steel city. Growing up in a small town taught me resilience, ambition, and the belief that big dreams don’t need a big postcode.

My journey from Bhilai to London has been anything but linear — more like a transformation roadmap (with plenty of “scope changes” along the way 😉). I’ve led complex programmes, guided organisations through divestments, scaled businesses, and built high-performing global teams. But behind every milestone was one goal: making change not just about delivery but about culture, collaboration, and ensuring every voice was heard.

London gave me wings to test these capabilities on a global stage. It challenged me to navigate regulatory waters, digital overhauls, and governance redesigns — all while embracing diversity of thought and perspective. Along the way came recognition: Top 100 Tech Women (2022) and the Most Influential Women in UK Tech Longlist (2024 & 2025). Humbling, yes. But what truly fuels me is creating pathways for other women to step into leadership and thrive.

Of all milestones, my proudest is personal: raising my daughter, who has carved her own extraordinary path as a national-level chess player, competitive swimmer, and author of three books. She reminds me daily that grit, creativity, and bold moves can change the game — on the chessboard and in life.

Beyond boardrooms, I’ve poured energy into causes close to my heart: advocating for gender equality as a UN Women UK delegate, driving sustainability initiatives (strengthened by studying an executive online course at Harvard Business School), and now pursuing a Doctorate in management — because transformation begins with ourselves too.

Becoming a TechWomen4Boards finalist is more than recognition; it’s a responsibility. A reminder that you don’t have to be from a big city to make a big impact. Sometimes, the strongest steel is forged in smaller towns with bigger dreams.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s this: when you bring diverse voices into the boardroom, you don’t just change strategy… you change society. And that, to me, is the ultimate checkmate. ♟️✨