INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
The Evolu on of Strategic Consul ng in Banking
From Tradi onal Advisory to AI-Driven Insights
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Driving Innova on in the Tradi onal Banking Sector
Open Banking Ini a ves
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN 2025 MOST
Akanksha S Gulia
Senior Consultant 2
Deloi e
www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
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In every era, there emerge individuals who redefine
what leadership truly means—not through titles or power,butthroughpurpose,action,andtheabilityto inspireothers.Aswestepinto2025,theworldcontinuesto face evolving challenges that demand leaders who can combinevisionwithempathy,couragewithresilience,and innovationwithauthenticity.ItisinthisspiritthatInsights Success proudly present The Most Inspiring Leader Making a Difference in 2025, featuring the remarkable AkankshaSGulia
Akanksha’s journey is a testament to the transformative powerofdeterminationandconviction.Herworkgoesfar beyond professional success; it reflects a deeper commitment to uplifting people, creating opportunities, and shaping environments where growth and inclusion flourish. At a time when many leaders focus solely on outcomes, she stands apart by focusing on impact —measurednotjustinmilestones,butinlivestouchedand communitiestransformed.
This edition celebrates her vision and dedication, while also spotlighting the broader message she embodies: leadership is not about leading from the front alone, but about empowering others to rise with you. Her story is a reminderthatinspirationiscontagious,andtrueleadership resonatesacrossborders,industries,andgenerations.
Asyouexplorethepagesofthisedition,weinviteyouto reflect on how leaders likeAkanksha redefine success in today’sinterconnectedworld.Theirjourneysencourageus to ask ourselves how we, too, can contribute to making a difference,howeverbigorsmall.
Here’s to celebrating inspiration, resilience, and the extraordinaryindividualsshaping2025andbeyond.
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Leading with Empathy in a Digital Age
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Senior Consultant 2
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The Signature Story
In a world where leadership is often measured by metrics and benchmarks,AkankshaS.Guliarepresentsadifferentparadigm—one where courage, compassion, and intentional action are highly valued. Her journey began in Indian military camps, where the disciplined pace of life taught her to adapt, listen, and embrace differences from an early age. Challenges that might have become obstacles instead became her initial lessons in compassion, flexibility, and building strong interpersonal relationships. These formative experiences ultimately shaped her into a mentor for the next generation of leaders and a respected voice in the corporateworld.
Sheisastoryoftwistsandreinventions,continuallytransformingchallenges into opportunities for growth, whether entering the field of architecture, reimaginingdesign-driveninnovation,navigatingtheuncertaintyofaglobal pandemic,orcontributingaspartofDeloitte.Akankshaoperationalizesher beliefinleadershipasserviceinherroleasSeniorConsultant2atDeloitte, fosteringcultureswherebothindividualandcollectivecreativitycanthrive. Her voice resonates with young people far beyond the corporate realm, inspiring them to lead with heart, courage, and curiosity Rather than followingwell-troddenpaths,Akankshaforgesherown,measuringsuccess byimpactandintegrity
TheFoundation:AJourneyRootedinService
Akanksha’s story begins not in boardrooms or startup garages, but in the disciplined halls of military bases across India. Born into a family where three generations served in the Indian Defense forces, she absorbed the valuesofdisciplineandresilienceasnaturallyasbreathing.Whattrulysets her apart, however, is how she transformed these military virtues into a leadershipphilosophygroundedinempathyandhumanconnection.
"My story is not one of straight lines”, her voice carrying the quiet confidenceofsomeonewhohasnavigateduncertaintyandemergedstronger. “It is a tapestry woven from movement, service, and the quiet strength of family.”shereflects.
My appetite for business has never been about following a well-trodden path. It's about forging my own, fueled by curiosity and a desire to architect solutions that elevate human experience.
The pandemic taught me that survival is not about waiting out the storm, but embracing discomfort, nurturing relationships, and continuously reinventing oneself.
The cadence of her childhood was set by the rhythm of change: new cities, new schools, and new faces, each an invitation to listen, adapt, and embrace the unfamiliar The constant relocations inherent in military life became her greatest teacher. Where others might have seen disruption, youngAkankshadiscoveredopportunity.Thisearlyexposure to India's vast cultural landscape taught her to read the unspoken language of empathy, to value the wisdom in her grandfather's story as much as the curiosity in a classmate's question.
From the rush of cross-country running to the precision of piano (earning recognitionfrom the Royal School of Music, London),fromthedisciplineofachievingabluebeltinkarate to representing her heritage through cultural dance for ForeignNavaldelegations,Akanksha’sformativeyearswere amasterclassinversatility.Herstaterankof11thinScience and Maths Olympiads in 2005 showcased her academic prowess, while her athletic achievements demonstrated the physical and mental fortitude that would later define her professionalapproach.
The Pivot: From Architecture to Human-Centered Innovation
Originally drawn to architecture, Akanksha discovered that hertruecallinglaynotjustindesigningphysicalspaces,butin creating environments where human dignity and connection could flourish. "I realized that spaces could be vessels for dignityandconnection,"sheexplains,describingthemoment whenhercareertrajectorytookitsfirstsignificantturn.
Herundergraduateyearsinarchitecturerevealedaprofound truth:everylinedrawnandeveryspaceimaginedcarriesthe potential to foster connection, dignity, and belonging. This realization sparked a fundamental question that would become her professional compass: "What can I create that willupliftthelivesofthosearoundme?"
Thisquestionpropelledherbeyondthetraditionalboundaries ofarchitectureintothedynamicrealmofdesignthinkingand user experience, blending creative vision with strategic clarity As her understanding deepened, she began to see creativityandstrategynotasopposingforces,butaspartners indrivingpurpose,aphilosophythatwouldlaterdistinguish herleadershipstyleinthecorporateworld.
Today, Akanksha leads with the conviction that every experience, every move, conversation, and challenge has prepared her to serve with empathy and purpose, one thoughtfulactionatatime.
The Crucible: Pandemic Resilience and Professional Growth
TheCOVID-19pandemicpresentedAkankshawithperhaps her greatest professional challenge yet. Having just completedhermaster'sdegreeintheUnitedStates,shefound herselfatthethresholdofhercareerjustastheworldseemed to pause overnight. Traditional pathways to growth were suddenly obscured, but rather than retreat, she chose to reimagineherapproachentirely
"The pandemic taught me that survival is not about waiting out the storm, but embracing discomfort, nurturing relationships, and continuously reinventing oneself." she reflects. Her strategy was elegantly simple yet powerfully effective:investingrowth,embraceuncertaintyasacatalyst, andbuildgenuineconnections.
She immersed herself in upskilling, taking on internships, remote projects, and certifications that kept her attuned to evolving industry trends.When she joined Deloitte in 2022, onboarding remotely presented another layer of complexity. Yetitwasherethatshediscoveredthetransformativepower ofintentionalconnectionsinadigitalage.
Onemomentparticularlystandsoutinhermemory:duringa virtual team meeting, her colleagues surprised her with a welcome note and stories about their own journeys, making her feel instantly at home despite physical distance. That simple gesture reminded her that empathy and connection transcend screens, and that authentic relationships can flourisheveninahybridworld.
Akanksha'scommitmenttohuman-centeredleadershipfound its ultimate expression in her work at Deloitte, where she specializes in Banking and Capital Markets. Her approach blending creative vision with strategic rigor while consistently placing people at the heart of progress has yieldedremarkableresults.
In January 2025, she was honored with the prestigious 'Our Finest Hour' Award for exceptional contributions in the Banking and Capital Markets industry This recognition represents more than individual achievement; it reflects the collaborativeimpactshestrivesforoneveryproject.
"I remember walking into my first team meeting, surrounded by experts who spoke a different professional language. Instead of retreating, I leaned in, listening, asking questions, andembracingthediscomfortofbeingabeginneragain."she recalls about her entry into an unfamiliar sector This willingness to be vulnerable while maintaining confidence hasbecomeahallmarkofherleadershipstyle.
Her recent recognition among the top 10 participants in Deloitte's Spring Challenge, where she ran 70 miles, demonstrates how she applies the same dedication and resiliencethatmarkedherearlyathleticachievementstoher currentprofessionalendeavors.
WhatdistinguishesAkankshaintoday'sleadershiplandscape is her fundamental belief that authentic leadership sparks positivechangenotjustinstrategymeetings,butinthehearts andlivesofpeople.Asahuman-centeredleaderspecializing in strategy while prioritizing people, she creates environmentswhereindividualsthriveandcollectivepurpose fuelsprogress.
"My appetite for business has never been about following a well-trodden path. It's about forging my own, fueled by curiosity and a desire to architect solutions that elevate human experience." sheexplains.Thisphilosophydrivesher to see business as a platform to amplify impact, inspire courage,andleavealegacyofmeaningfulchange.
Her approach to balancing professional demands with personal relationships offers a masterclass in intentional living.Despitethephysicaldistancehercareerhassometimes required, she maintains daily video calls with family and connectswithherextendedfamilyeveryfortnight.
My story is not one of straight lines”, her voice carrying the quiet confidence of someone who has navigated uncertainty and emerged stronger. “It is a tapestry woven from movement, service, and the quiet strength of family.
Shelearnedthatproximityisn'ttheonlymeasureofcloseness, demonstratinghowmodernleaderscanmaintainmeaningful relationshipsacrossgeographicalboundaries.
Akanksha'swillingnesstoacknowledgehergrowthareassets her apart in a business culture often resistant to showing vulnerability. She openly discusses her tendency to take on toomuchoutofenthusiasmanddesiretocontributetraitsthat initially led to overextension but ultimately taught her the valueofstrategicfocus.
"Sometimes I juggled multiple projects, believing I could manage it all, only to realize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing what truly matters." sheadmits. This experience taught her the courage to say 'no' when necessary,ensuringherenergyisinvestedwhereitcanmake themostsignificantdifference.
This approach to learning and growth reflects her broader philosophy that the best business leaders remain students of theworldopentonewideas,unafraidtochallengethestatus quo,andgroundedinempathy.
For aspiring leaders, she offers wisdom distilled from her multifacetedjourney: "Lead not to command, but to cultivate collective brilliance " Her advice emphasizes authentic connectionsoverhierarchies,lifelongcuriosityasastrategic imperative, and the balance of bold vision with measured resilience.
"In an era where disruption is the norm, harness creative adaptability as your greatest ally," she counsels, drawing fromherexperiencenavigatinghigh-stakestransformations. "View challenges as canvases for innovation, pivoting with agility while anchoring decisions in the well-being of your teams."
AsAkankshacontinuestoshapethefutureofhuman-centered leadership, her message resonates with relevance in our increasinglydigitalworld. "Real growth begins at the edge of comfort where curiosity dares to meet uncertainty." she reflectsonherjourneyfrommilitarybeginningstocorporate boardrooms.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that in an age of artificial intelligence and automation, the most valuable leadership skill remains profoundly human: the ability to connect, inspire, and elevate others. Through her commitment to championing others to rise alongside her, Akanksha is not just achieving professional success, she's redefining what success means in the modern business landscape.
"Success is not a destination, it is the impact you create through each purposeful action you take." she concludes, embodying a philosophy that promises to influence leaders andorganizationsforgenerationstocome.
InAkankshaSGulia,weseenotjustaleaderforourtimes,but an architect of the leadership paradigm our future demands onewhereempathydrivesstrategy,wherehumanconnection fuels innovation, and where authentic leadership creates lastingpositivechangeinaninterconnectedworld.
The banking sector has historically been founded on vision, confidence, and accuracy Banks used to heavily depend on expert consultants to handle intricateissueslikecompliancewithregulatorymatters,risk governance, customer maintenance, and market growth. In recent times, however, the needs of an interdependent economy, as well as innovative technology, have altered the roleofconsultants.
Banking strategic consulting today has changed from the conventionaladvisorymodelstoahighlydata-dependent,AIdrivenprofessionthatenablesinstitutionstotakequickerand moreinformeddecisions.
In its formative years, banking strategy consulting was the domain of personal contact and reasoned judgment Consultants were close advisors and dear friends of top executives, poring over balance sheets, evaluating risk, and writing long reports. Their worth lay in decades of
institutional knowledge and benchmarking best practice acrossinstitutions.
Duringthistime,themajoremphasiswasoncompliancewith regulations,efficiencyinoperations,andexpansionplanning. The consultants would guide the banks to new markets, streamlinein-houseoperations,andachievecompliancewith intricate regulations This classic model placed human experience at the forefront of decision-making, with hardly anytechnologyinvolvement.
With banking opening up local confines and onto the global stage, consulting's horizon also widened Banks started dealing with international competition, technology disruption, and better-educated customers Consultants reformed their practice, integrating market intelligence and technology-driven analysis to remain relevant Strategic consulting in banking slowly evolved from being so-called compliance work to guidance on digitalization, customerdrivenmodels,andhigh-ticketmergersandacquisitions.
Thiswasaperiodwhenconsultingcompaniesalsodiversified their staff. They were followed by technology, analysis, and economics specialists, marking the slow merging of old advisory with new capabilities Technology-assisted solutions may still have depended on human interpretation, but consulting started making incursions onto technologybasedplatforms.
TheAI Revolution: Data-Driven Consulting Comes into ItsOwn
The new times envision a revolutionary shift Artificial intelligence,machinelearning,andpredictiveanalyticsarea part of contemporary consulting practices that cannot be separated. Banking strategic consulting is not gazing at the pastinthepresent;it'slookingintothefutureandprescribing actionablestrategies.
AIhasenabledconsultantstopredictthecustomers'behavior withaccuracy,enablingbankstocreateproductsandservices tailored to them. AI has revolutionized risk management throughdetectionoffraudpatternsinrealtimeandenhancing credit assessment accuracy Operations have also gained as automationdiscourageshumanerrorandacceleratesprocess, and AI-driven compliance solutions enable institutions to make real-time adjustments in line with constantly evolving rules.
Theconsultant'sfunctionhasevolvedfromthatofananalyst inhindsighttooneoftranslatingadvancedobservationsfrom data,enablingbankstocreateplansthatarescalableaswellas future-proof.
DespitethefastpaceofAIadoption,thehumantouchofbank strategic consulting cannot be replaced Machines can identify patterns and recommend outcomes, but human consultants provide judgment, emotional intelligence, and contextual awareness. For instance, in times of geopolitical conflict or economic pressures, experienced consultants are able to consider cultural, ethical, and emotional considerationsthatcomputerscannot.
Trust is likewise the fundamental pillar of the consultant–bank relationship. Banks continue to appreciate consultantswhocantakeAI-producedreportsandformulate actionablestrategiesalignedwiththeirlong-termobjectives. To a large extent, the future of consulting does not reside in
substitutinghumanexpertisewithAIbutinusingthetwofor equilibriumanddecision-makingsynergies.
Bankingstrategicconsultingwillfurtherchangeinthefuture asaresponsetoemergingdriversofthefinanceindustry ESG goals and sustainability are taking center stage in banking strategy, and there is growing pressure on consultants to integrate them into institutional infrastructure. Fintech collaborations and open banking are creating new possibilities, and customers need advice on how to create partner-centricandcustomer-centricecosystems.
Cyber security is also among the fields in which consulting hasexpandedsignificantly,asonlinepaymentexposesbanks to increasing threats. As much as hyper-personalization of banking products—through the use of AI—is about being delicateinadvisinghowtobalanceinnovationandanonymity of clients, the dynamic global regulatory environment at the same time also means that consultants will be crucial in assistingbankstochangeatafastpacewithoutjeopardizing competitiveness.
Theevolutionofbankingstrategicconsultingisfinallyoneof resilience and adaptability From its inception in human, relationship-based advisory, it has evolved as an evidencedriven, AI-facilitated practice with sharper analysis and foresight.Itdoesnotleavebehindthehumanfactor,though, as it must ensure that decisions are not just effective but ethical, feasible, and committed to the institution's greater purpose.
Asbanksarefacedwiththechallengesoftomorrow—digital disruption to sustainability—strategic consulting will be the key catalyst, driving the industry to resilience, innovation, andsustainedgrowth.
The traditional banking industry has served as the pillar of economic activity for decades across the globe. Banks across centuries have contributed to providingfinancialsecurityandstabilitythroughtheholding ofdepositsandbusinessgrowthassistance.Now,theindustry isatthecrossroads.Thetsunamiofdigitalrevolution,fueled by changing customer needs and frenzied technologies, is remodelingbankingsmode.Institutionsoncedemarcatedby geography and personal interaction are being forced to balancedemandsforspeed,convenience,andcustomization inanagewhencustomers'experiencesaregrowingevermore digital.
The modern-day customer has new parameters for banking experiencescomparedtothepast.Competitiveinterestrates or widespread branch coverage are no longer sufficient. Individualsdesirethatservicesbeavailablearoundtheclock and anywhere, and tailored to meet specific needs. Mobile apps,digitalwallets,andonlinebankshavesetanewstandard of convenience, compelling the conventional banking industrytore-evaluatecustomerservice.
This change, though, does not make traditional banks obsolete. Instead, the trust, credibility, and regulation that traditional banks have built up over decades provide them with an advantage. The challenge is to use these built-up strengths in a new technology-driven era where customer engagement becomes progressively more technologically influenced.
Technologyisnowattheforefrontofchange.Bankscanread customersthroughartificialintelligencesothattheycanoffer them individual financial guidance and easier fraud prevention. Blockchain technology enables safer and more open transactions and reduces the need for expensive intermediaries.Cloudcomputing,however,enablesbanksto move infrastructure, reduce expenditures, and enhance servicesmuchmoreeasily
These are not futurespeak—the solutions that follow are not hypothetical, but many banks are beginning to adopt them. The stodgy banking industry can blend the strength of traditionalinstitutionswiththeversatilityofnewtechnology toofferstableandinnovativeproducts.
Its strongest change strategy has been fintech partnerships. Fintechs possess innovation for customers, speed, and creativity, while banks possess deep regulatory knowledge, long-standing relationships, and solidity Each can enhance theothertocreatefinancialecosystemsthattakeadvantageof thebestofboth.
This culture of partnership has already been bearing some fruits in the form of instant transfer, in-app budgeting facilities, and electronic cashless transactions These collaborationsdogotoprovethatinnovationdoesnotalways necessarilyinvolvewheelreinvention,butgentletweakingof whatexists.
While the banks become digital, they need to take care that theydonotshedthathumantouch.Bankersbytemperament, they continue to be relationship and trust individuals. The voiceassistantsandthechatbotscandealwiththelow-level queries, but there are several customers who need to be assuredbythewarmthofhumancontactwithanadvisorwhen thereisacomplexissueinvolved.
The conventional banking industry needs to balance automation with personalization Neither should replace humantouchbutbothleveragetechnologytoenhanceit.By introducing empathy into digital channels and surfing the waveofhumancontact,bankscandeepencustomerloyaltyin amoredigitalworld.
Innovationcomeswithitssetofchallenges.Legacysystems arestillpresentwithmostbanks,whicharedifficulttosupport with solutions today Compliance with regulation also adds complexityintakingonnewsolutions.Culturalresistancein organisations also has the impact of slowing down digital take-up.
In order to thrive in overcoming these challenges, the banks must create an agile culture. Empowering staff with the authority to adopt new tools, dismantling silos across functions, and undertaking change management training is needed.Innovationdoesnotrefertonewtechnology;itrefers tochangingmindsetstoadoptandenablechange.
In the current era, innovation has to be coupled with responsibility Consumers would want their banks to contribute towards solving universal problems like environmental destruction and social injustice The conventionalbankingindustrycanmakethisdesireareality byprovidingfinancetoeco-friendlyprojects,providingecofriendly investment opportunities, and showing ecologically friendly business practices. By coupling innovation with social responsibility, banks are able to establish sustainable valueforconsumersandsociety
Hybrid models will define the future of the traditional mainstreambankingindustrythroughtheuseofthestability ofthetraditionalinstitutionsandthepaceofthedigital-born rivals.Thefutureisnotabandoningthepastbutarefinement ofit.Banksthathavetheircustomersfirstinallthattheydo, usetechnologycautiously,andstayrootedintraditionwillnot justsurvivebutthrive.
Bankinginnovationisnotatechrevolution;it'sastrategicand a cultural one. Banking, fintech, regulators, and customers must all get together and design the future of financial services. With innovation with trust intact and human touch preserved, the industry can be the keystone of economic stability—better, more enlightened, and more inclusive than ever.”
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