From Legal Retainer to Leader: A Rise Story

“I’ve always believed in earning my growth through hard work, consistency and persistence.”

I began my professional journey in 2022 as a Legal Retainer with Mahindra Rural Housing Finance, primarily handling BD cases. Those early years helped me build a strong legal foundation and deepened my understanding of recovery strategy and compliance.

In 2024, I transitioned into the role of Litigation Officer at the Nagpur branch, handling BD and NPA cases across the region, along with OPs and OCC matters for Maharashtra.

It felt less like continuing a role and more like stepping into much larger expectations.

As a woman working in a field-oriented, male-dominated profession, the challenges were real. Late-night returns from villages, difficult recovery visits and handling sensitive cases demanded resilience and confidence every single day.

What made the difference was trust.

My leaders gave me space, not pressure. Instead of questioning my capability, they trusted my decisions. Instead of limiting my field exposure, they encouraged me to lead from the front.

One moment stands out.

In 2025, I was given the opportunity to act as SLM for MH2, leading eight TLMs across the Vidarbha region. My senior Jagdish Mahale Sir simply said, “You can handle it.” There was no doubt in his voice, only belief.

That belief strengthened my confidence. It gave me the courage to lead, take ownership and contribute strategically.

Under my leadership, we focused on stronger legal handling, minimising NPAs and delivering top collection performance through litigation across the region.

My journey has always been driven by effort. But in that defining phase, what helped me move forward was mentorship, trust and guidance from a leader who believed in me.

Sometimes leadership is not about giving instructions. It is about giving someone the confidence to rise.