Introducing Neha Gautam: Nurturing a Passion for People, Culture, and Childhood Education
More recently, the paths taken within Neha Gautam’s professional life have been characterized by negation of all odds, perseverance in able-bodily movement, and an aim to germinate positive change. An individual originally from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the saying goes, that in becoming the Senior Associate, Employee Experience at Rocket Learning, Neha has traversed a story not from work but from personal achievements that have defined her footsteps and love for the early childhood education sector-a field that has had consequential impacts in her life.
Humanism, characterized by its professional evolution, family impact, and a vision toward making an increment for coming generations, perceived her journey across cities like Mumbai, Noida, and even Nairobi. All this while, she has been able to stitch these events together and woo us with her few inspiring words regarding her journey, interests, and values, which drive her work!
Q: Neha, please take us through some more information on your own background and how you found yourself at Rocket Learning.
Sure! Well, I am originally from Lucknow, UP; after that, I did my MBA in Human Resource Management at Mumbai International Business School and stepped into the world of work in Mumbai and Noida. Back and forth between the personal and professional sides in India and Kenya is how I wound up in Nairobi, having moved there after marrying my husband. While I was there, I heard about Rocket Learning via a friend’s referral, and it seemed like a great match! I loved the prospect of working remotely in HR, and the rest is history!
A: It seems like your transition to Rocket Learning was almost serendipitous. How did your upbringing and especially your family background in early childhood education guide you in your career choices?
ICDS was the real initiation point for my interest in early childhood education. My mother worked there, and during my childhood, I would accompany her to Anganwadi centres. I became aware of how terribly early learning initiatives could impact communities. I encountered early education as a means of empowerment in the lesser districts, particularly in cases of marginalization. Since then, being a mother has fueled my soul to support educational processes that foster a sound foundation for the child. The thought of participating in the educational sector, more so with disadvantaged communities, seemed to naturally align with my being at Rocket Learning.
Barbanke, Uttar Pradesh: Neha mother opening a centre.
Q: Your journey also involves a considerable career break. Would you mind sharing that phase and how it shaped your re-entry?
My five-year career break was tough for many reasons. It wasn’t just a career break; it was just working through constant life changes, especially related to family and motherhood. It was during that time that I realized how vital family-friendly policies are for working parents. After the career break, the supportive and inclusive culture at Rocket Learning allowed me to transition back into work with far greater ease than I had anticipated. Policies like no-questions-asked leave, working from home, and flexible project timelines were game-changers for me. It really allowed me to step back and get my balance between family and work life without the pressure and stress that accompany it.
The other benefits that Rocket Learning provides, such as crèche support for colleagues or grants for parents to come to work with their children, say a lot about the readiness of the organization to establish itself as a supporter for working parents. These policies relieve the pressures of balancing family life and work, while at the same time creating a culture within the organization that values inclusiveness, kindness, and compassion.
Therefore: Rocket Learning really seems to have a progressive take on family life and work-life balance. Are there any other notable policies that you can share that stand out as progressive in terms of diversity and inclusion?
Diversity and inclusion are distant concepts to Rocket Learning; they are interwoven into the very fabric of the organization. One thing I particularly take pride in is our gender-neutral policy embedded within our POSH guidelines. This is really a unique feature; it makes sure that everyone feels safe and respected, irrespective of the gender identity or sexual orientation. It is an environment in which all of its employees can be who they are.
But diversity isn’t just a question of hiring from different backgrounds; it’s also about having an inclusive culture valuing everyone. We make sure that everybody joining the organization feels that they belong, reinforced during onboarding. To create a sense of community and understanding, we also run DEI training sessions, including classes by eminent persons such as Miss Vasundhara, a DEI specialist from London.
We believe our inclusive mandate extends to persons living with disabilities and persons from the LGBTQ+ communities. Inclusion means ensuring that every voice is heard and every person supported-whether through access to physical facilities or simply through an office environment that is more nurturing and understanding.
Q: Neha, your insights on the HR industry particularly in the nonprofit sector carry great weight. As such, what would your advice be to aspiring professionals aspiring to this space?
My advice may sound rather simple, and yet I believe it is quite paramount: embrace adaptability and empathy. The nonprofit sector really needs a nuanced understanding of team dynamics, community engagement, and challenges faced by employees and beneficiaries. To effectively navigate these dynamics requires the constant practice of empathy and the never-ending modification of behavior in response to the realities around you. And if one truly wants to effectuate lasting change in this arena, offering diversity in skill sets and perspectives is a must. So learn, adapt, and always attempt to support the diversity of individuals around you.
Q: Lastly, do you have any closing comments you’d like to share?
I want to spare a moment to thank Rocket Learning for allowing me to be part of it. The support I have received from here in my career and my personal life has been priceless. The organization’s commitment to diversity, teamwork, and continuous learning has allowed me to grow and contribute meaningfully. It gives me great joy to be part of a team that nurtures and develops the individuals on board to work collectively for a larger goal-to change the education system for the next generation.
The final thoughts:
Neha’s journey appears beautiful at the intersection of life experiences, professional commitment, and drive for making a difference to conjure up a career with meaning. Her work at Rocket Learning stems from a love for people, culture, and a real appreciation for early childhood education. With an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, in support of working parents, Rocket Learning emerges as a beacon of progressive change in the nonprofit space, and Neha’s work in this transformation is truly inspiring.
