Ever since independence, women in India have come a long way and have risen to great heights in society through education and hard work. A state which boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the country, Goa too has produced several women achievers who have carved their paths to success through sheer dedication and grit.
One among these many successful women is Akshaya Shivkumar, an international diplomat who currently serves as head of the Institutional Strategy program at the Universal Postal Union (a United Nations agency specializing in the post and logistics sector) in Switzerland. She holds over 13 years of experience in governance and strategy and has served at several esteemed organizations like the World Bank. Through the course of her career, she has collaborated with several high-level leaders, managed strategy development processes, and cultivated a strong network of professional relationships globally. She has garnered acclaim for her contributions in all organizations she has served at and is known for her adeptness in engaging stakeholders, exhibiting leadership amidst ambiguity, and devising inventive approaches to achieve outcomes.
This Women’s Day, we delve into the life and glorious career of Akshaya.
Early Years and Influences
Akshaya was born to Prof. V. Shivkumar and Dr. (Mrs.) Kamal Shivkumar. Her father, Prof. V. Shivkumar, has been associated with Goa University for more than 20 years and has served in the past as its Acting Vice-Chancellor as well as its Dean. He is also the Founder-Director of the UGC Centre for Latin-American and International Studies. Her mother, Dr. (Mrs.) Kamal Shivkumar is an esteemed academician. She holds a PhD in Indian philosophy and has done a lot of research on the Indian diaspora.
Being individuals deeply rooted in academia, Akshaya’s parents had a strong influence on her life and career choices. “My father being in the field of Latin American and International Studies, and my mother being an academician really shaped my worldview and my ambitions’’ says Akshaya. “We always had a home environment filled with visits from many ambassadors, diplomats, professors, musicians and artists from different parts of the world. And I think that it was this multicultural environment that I grew up in which really inspired me to get into this field of International Relations” she says.
School Life
Akshaya did her schooling at Ezekiel Methodist School, Bambolim, Our Lady of the Rosary High School, Dona Paula and Our Lady of the Rosary Higher Secondary School, Dona Paula. She says that her teachers at school have played a huge role in shaping her into who she is today.
Throughout her school years, Akshaya was heavily involved in leadership activities particularly in student government, literary arts, and public speaking. She founded two clubs during her school days to encourage youth to pursue various talents and literary aspirations.
She was also an ardent writer of poems. Several pieces of fiction and poetry written by her have been published in multiple Goan newspapers in the past. She also received appreciation from the then President of India, Shri A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, for her poetry. Furthermore, she secured the highest marks in English in the state at the SSC examinations, and secured an All-India Rank 10 in the NDTV Scholar Hunt Journalism Exam, where she anchored for NDTV during a short segment. Akshaya has directed and acted in multiple plays, been an ardent student of Carnatic music, and a strong advocate for social service.
The Start of Her Professional Journey
Akshaya initiated her professional journey while she was pursuing her B.B.A at Saraswat Vidyalaya’s Sridora Caculo College of Commerce & Management Studies, Mapusa. She was ranked highly in all her years, and also went on to win the Goa Management Association’s Best Management Student Award in 2009. After completing her graduation, she researched emerging markets in Latin America, which helped her gain greater understanding of international affairs.
In 2011, Akshaya went to France to pursue her MSc in Marketing at the prestigious École des hautes études commerciales de Paris (HEC Paris). The institution is one of the top-ranked business schools in Europe and counts multiple French Presidents and Prime Ministers among its notable alumni. During her course of study at HEC Paris, Akshaya led multiple business consulting project teams that worked with prominent companies like P&G and L’Oréal. She and her project teams crafted various analyses and business growth strategy models for these companies.Some of their work was also implemented by a few of the companies.
After completing her Master’s degree, Akshaya moved to San Francisco, USA and joined a recruitment startup to lead their marketing program. In this position, she established an international presence for the company. Her work led to an increase of $2MN worth of opportunities generated and represented 57% of the startup’s closed deal revenue.
Akshaya thereafter returned to India, where she worked with startups to advise their CEOs and founders in the planning and implementation of business growth and marketing strategies.
The UN Journey Begins
Akshaya’s journey with the United Nations began in March 2015 when she was selected to serve as a Strategy Expert at the Universal Postal Union, a specialized agency of the United Nations with 192 member countries. In this position, Akshaya worked in the Executive Office of the Director General of the organization and handled matters related to strategic planning, governance and stakeholder management.
Akshaya’s notable achievements in this high-pressure job include her extensive experience in implementing innovation. Some of the highlights of her stint included initiating and leading the implementation of a corporate business plan for the first time in the history of the organization and playing a key role in implementing organizational reform initiatives after nearly four decades. In addition, she was instrumental in ensuring the collaborative development of the future strategy of the organization in close coordination with 192 member countries. Her leadership roles are marked by her orchestration of 15+ high-profile global events, such as CEO Forums, Ministerial Conferences, Strategy Summits, and Regional Strategy Forums, demonstrating her adept coordination with multiple countries.
Akshaya excels in collaborating with high-level leaders, showcasing a remarkable ability to distill intricate information into impactful and concise messaging tailored for decisive decision-making. Her proficiency extends beyond individual contributions as she has forged a robust network of stakeholders spanning diverse hierarchies, functions, sectors, regions, and development levels.
Furthermore, her commitment to organizational excellence is evident through her active involvement in over 20 selection panels, where she played a crucial role in hiring motivated and diverse staff. Beyond recruitment, Akshaya is also actively engaged in mentorship and management and has successfully guided multiple staff members and aspiring UN staff in their professional growth.
Impact at the The World Bank
In 2021, Akshaya moved to Washington D.C. and joined the World Bank’s Global Partnership for Education (GPE) as a Board Operations Officer. The GPE is the world’s only partnership and fund focused on providing quality education to children in lower-income countries.
The 40-member board of the GPE comprises education ministers from lower income country governments and all development partners: donor countries which provide financing, private sector and foundations, civil society organizations and other multilateral organizations and regional banks.
Guiding governance under the leadership of prominent figures like Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of Australia, Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania, and Dr Susan Liautaud, LSE Council Chair, Akshaya led the project cycle for organizing meetings, advised Committee Chairs, and managed external relations with key stakeholders. Her impact is notable in her role as the focal point for developing country partners, donors, and other partners for governance policy advice and clarifications, particularly related to the Committees and supporting the Board overall.
Working closely with the Deputy CEO and Head of Governance, Akshaya played a key role in the successful implementation of Governance Reform via a revamped Board and newly structured Committees, showcasing her proficiency in change management and project leadership.
Her Current Role At The Universal Postal Union
In 2022, Akshaya received an offer from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to lead its Institutional Strategy Program, a team she had previously served on as a strategy expert. Despite stiff competition, she secured the position, a rarity for someone her age. In her new role, Akshaya oversees strategic planning, advises representatives of member countries and manages governance processes at a high level. She has led multiple strategic cycles for the UPU and coordinates with various stakeholders, both internally and externally, with UPU’s 192 member countries.
Akshaya says that one of the greatest moments for her while serving at the UPU came in September 2023 when she was selected to represent her organization at the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Akshaya attended the general debate as well as the SDG Summit at the UNGA and interacted with world leaders like António Guterres, Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau, and many others.
Apart from this, Akshaya’s knack for fostering collaboration shone brightly through the recently-held UPU Strategy Summit 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she led the important strategic event in close coordination with multiple Ministers, CEOs, leaders of the sector as well as the host country.
Things She Misses About Goa While Working Abroad
Akshaya says that while working abroad, she misses almost everything Goa has to offer – the refreshing air, the beautiful sunshine, the swaying coconut palm trees, the delicious food and the Konkani language. More than anything, she misses the kindness and genuine warmth of people in Goa. She considers herself very fortunate to call Goa home and to be Goan. “Wherever I have been to till date, be it at the UN General Assembly or any of the 35 countries I have visited, I have always told people that I am a Goan and I am an Indian, and I am very proud of that”, she says. “And I think that representing India in these kinds of fora is an immense honour for me” she adds.
Words of Advice
Akshaya strongly encourages people, especially young women to join the field of international relations and diplomacy. She advises individuals aspiring to work in organizations like the UN to keep themselves aware of global affairs. She suggests that such individuals should read quality journals and newspapers from both, India and abroad. In addition to awareness, she says that it is important to take tangible steps towards achieving one’s goals. “This can be done by participating in various talks, seminars, and conferences as a first step”, she says. She also emphasizes the importance of having a strong commitment to societal betterment. She says that there are times when employees at organizations of the UN may have to work for long hours. “This requires a genuine commitment to endure the demands of the role and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission,” says Akshaya.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Akshaya actively engages in volunteer activities and board memberships. She serves as a Board Member at the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. – School of Business, focusing on Transformational Leadership. Additionally, she was elected as a representative on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce during her tenure at the World Bank. Akshaya’s commitment to social change is further demonstrated through her leadership in social initiatives in India under NSS, Indian Red Cross, Rotary Club, where she directed street plays to raise AIDS awareness in rural India and led the organization of rural health camps.
Akshaya is a passionate aficionado of art, nature, and travel. In addition, she enjoys photography, music and movies, and actively seeks opportunities to make a positive difference. Her insatiable curiosity is fueled by the rich tapestry of her experiences.
Conclusion
Akshaya Shivkumar’s journey from a childhood dreamer to a trailblazing diplomat exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance, education, and familial influence. Her unwavering commitment to her aspirations, coupled with her dedication to serving humanity, serves as a source of inspiration for women worldwide.
As we commemorate Women’s Day, let us celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals like Akshaya, whose indomitable spirit and resilience continue to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable world.
By Steve Antao
