As part of our 'Allies for inclusion' campaign, we asked Vermeen Kapoor, Managing Director, CIO - Impairments, Head of India Engineering Gr. Finance & Consumer Credit Risk, to tell us what allyship means to her. Here's what she had to say.
“Allyship, to me, means to actively support others in the context of diversity, equity and inclusion in every form. An Ally can be anyone , if you put in time and effort, recognize your own privilege, and use it to voice for the under-represented. It means being there for others and supporting them in our collective journey towards equity. It also means challenging biases, active listening, always learning, being empathetic and taking meaningful actions.
Growing up in the Defense Services background amidst a lot of diversity, I experienced the power of allyship every day seeing the community always supporting each other.
As I got on with my career journey, I have benefited from some very strong allies in my bosses, peers and even teams. My allies have at different times taken on different roles from advocating for me, being my sounding board, encouraging me to sign-up for more.
On the home front, there is allyship in the form of unwavering support at home. Thanks to my spouse’s allyship, I navigate with more resilience and determination. Together we manage both public and personal spheres which helps me give my 100% at work.
Over the years, I've come to recognize my own privileges and understanding how I can use it to support colleagues around, which has become a powerful motivator for allyship to me. Being part of several forums both in-house and externally, I have constantly tried put myself in another’s shoes, which helps me empathise with others. Focus on building relationships and interacting with colleagues from different backgrounds, which gets me firsthand insight into the challenges we face and that helps me reflect on where I can offer support.
To understand Allyship, be a learner, an empathetic learner actually…everything else will follow. Understanding Allyship is crucial for fostering an inclusive and supporting environment and imperative for the next generation as they navigate an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. I’m so proud of the culture we have at Barclays and the programmes available for colleagues. I would encourage colleagues to make the most of it by investing in comprehensive DEI related trainings available, collaborate and network to understand diverse backgrounds, join an ERG etc. It’s a journey worth taking. It’s our responsibility and in the dynamic landscape of leadership, the call for authenticity resounds louder than ever. I’m still learning every day and may not have it all figured out but that’s the human part of the journey which has only boosted my belief and understanding in the role Allyship plays. So be a learner, an empathetic learner."
Thank you for your kind support! when we work together as a diverse & inclusive community, we can all be #gamechangers ❣️