As Global Capability Centers continue to evolve into strategic engines for global enterprises, leadership is increasingly defined by how effectively organizations build and scale future-ready talent.
In GCC Pulse’s International Women’s Day Leadership Series, aligned with the theme “Give to Gain,” Sailaja Josyula, SVP and Global Head, GCC Service Line at Cognizant, shares why sponsorship must move from intent to institutional practice.
For Sailaja, “Give to Gain” is not just a theme. It is a leadership mindset. In fast-scaling GCCs, organizations that invest early in sponsorship, skills, and exposure ultimately build stronger leadership pipelines.
When people feel trusted and empowered, they challenge assumptions, bring fresh ideas, and drive innovation.
A core focus area is active sponsorship. This means giving emerging leaders real ownership, advocating for them in key forums, and ensuring visibility with senior stakeholders. This approach enables individuals to move beyond execution roles into positions where they can influence decisions and drive impact.
Through structured initiatives such as the Shakti framework and programs like Propel and RISE, Sailaja highlights how organizations can go beyond supporting careers to accelerating leadership journeys, particularly for women.
In a rapidly evolving GCC ecosystem, this multiplier effect, where leaders actively create more leaders, is critical for sustaining long-term growth.
Building Stronger Women Leadership Pipelines
Sailaja emphasizes that the structural shift required is clear. Organizations must move from mentorship to active sponsorship.
While India’s GCC ecosystem has a strong pool of capable women professionals, the gap often lies in access to high-impact opportunities such as transformation programs, strategic mandates, and decision-making exposure.
Embedding sponsorship into succession planning and leadership development ensures that high-potential women are consistently positioned for advancement. Alongside this, continuous upskilling must be treated as an ongoing commitment, particularly for those navigating non-linear career paths.
When organizations institutionalize sponsorship and invest in continuous development, they do not just build capability. They build confidence and a resilient, future-ready leadership pipeline.
Part of GCC Pulse’s ‘International Women’s Day 2026 Leadership Series’, featuring insights from women leaders across the GCC ecosystem on the theme “Give to Gain.”
