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Inspiring Leaders - Dr Shailaja Gada Saxena, an inspiration to many!

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Name: Dr. Shailaja Gada Saxena
Who’s she: Head - Molecular Medicine and Regenerative Medicine , Reliance Life Sciences
Her leadership mantra:  “Leadership is not wielding authority; it's empowering others. Also, When you are passionate about whatever you are doing ,  nothing can stop you from being successful.”
How She executes: Trust people. build leaders within your team. Train them well and then let them perform. Inculcate ownership mindset.
Her Tip for work home balance:  Tough to do. Easier said than done. Stay focused, work hard. Do whatever you are doing wholeheartedly and happily, whether it is attending an executive management meeting or attending your child’s PTM or be it is cleaning utensils at home.
Biggest challenge faced and how did she overcome that: “Everyday life is full of challenges, sometimes on work front, sometimes on home front.  One of the biggest challenges was pursuing PhD with a demanding job and 2 years old daughter. Staying focused, being determined and enjoying every minute of what I was doing helped me succeed. Never let the setbacks faced along the way demotivate me.”
Shailaja, a very humble, down to earth personality has so much talent hidden under that sweet, pleasing, friendly and welcoming persona.
A gold medalist MMBS, let go of her practicing medicine to be part of the corporate world. She doesn’t fear taking chances and doesn’t regret a bit. She heads Molecular medicine and Regenerative Medicine verticals at Reliance life sciences.
Reliance Life Sciences was her first job soon after she returned from London after completing her Masters. She is associated with Reliance for more than 18 years now and she had seen RLS grow. 
She did her MBBS from MGM Medical College, Indore with a gold medal and distinction. “Being the daughter of a renowned IVF specialist, everyone thought I would take after my father. In the final year though, I got to know of a particular course offered by a university in London that interested me. I discussed it with my father and to my pleasant surprise, he asked me to take a chance. All my friends and relatives tried to convince me to practice medicine,  but research was my true calling. That is when I pursued my MSc in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine from University College London”, says Shailaja.


Years later, she pursued a PhD from Mumbai University as part of continued educational program and completed it while on the job.

Talking about family support, especially the men in her life, she says “ Absolutely they are a blessing! First it was my father who taught me to take chances and never regret for not trying. My husband encouraged me to take on bigger challenges.  He was the one who pushed me to enroll for the PhD in spite of our daughter being just 15 months old then. He was always there to share responsibilities when I was juggling a full time job, a toddler, a home and writing thesis that often went on till 4 in the morning.”
Her mantra to success in her own words – “Each person is different. You can’t have the same expectation from everyone. Identify your strengths and use that to your maximum advantage. It’s easier to do things yourself than to get it done from someone, but you cannot do everything on your own. It is important to delegate. Groom people, make them shoulder additional responsibilities, give opportunities and stand by your team through thick and thin. Build feeling of oneness in the team. Instill confidence in them and make yourself approachable.”
Her advise to women just starting out:  “Be confident and do your best, whether at home or work. There could be struggle, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Our personal life – getting married, having children, and our professional life will go hand in hand, thus plan your priorities. Do not give into the pressures of your surroundings but take your own decisions, when you are ready for them.”
Shailaja, was featured as one of the R –adhya Stalwarts and the write up above is an extract from her interview on that magazine.
A strong personality, humble to core is an aspiring and inspiring person of values. Team downtowndoodlers wishes her all the very best in all her future endeavors.






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