A person’s grit to succeed takes him from rags to riches. A person’s zeal to make it big in life shapes him from a very early age. It gets instilled in them that they want to provide well for their family, which is barely trying to make ends meet. Such kids take the leap of faith, work and study hard to bring about a significant change in their financial status. Not to show it to society, it is an internal hunger to come out of the misery to take a breath of fresh air.
Majida Ansari is a living example of possessing a courageous zest. Hailing from the ‘city of dreams, Mumbai’, she recalls holding her father’s hand in the city’s chaos while having big dreams in her eyes. This was a significant period when the Bombay riots began, hinting towards a time of economic instability. Like all families, hers had to bear the burden of the losses too, which she believes was the turning point of her dreams to build a new home in the city again.
Raised in a modest slum household, she committed 12 years to her education despite overwhelming challenges, at times relying on a single bulb’s light outside her house, learning to concentrate amid constant noise and distraction. Although her family had no precedent in higher education, she cultivated a powerful ambition to change their circumstances and that ambition became her guiding force which turned into unrelenting desire to elevate her family from poverty., she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce, choosing a path that promised value with minimal investment. By funding her education through tutoring and part-time jobs, she pursued a singular purpose — to become capable, independent, and successful. In doing so, she became the first woman in her family to achieve this milestone, blazing a trail for future generations of girls in her family to pursue higher education and ambitious careers.
Her journey led her to become a Chartered Accountant, opening doors to valuable opportunities and experiences. Yet, she never stopped learning, continuously upskilling through certifications and encouraging the same in her teams.
In 2021, she faced a period of profound personal upheaval, grieving the loss of a loved one, enduring a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and stepping into motherhood. Amid this, she found focus and strength in enrolling for the ACCA, channeling her energy into study and self-growth.
Soon after, while preparing for her final exams, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the emotional and physical toll, she remained determined, studied through treatment, and passed her exams with distinction, becoming an ACCA member. During chemotherapy and radiation, she received and accepted an offer to relocate to the UAE as Head of Accounting, stepping into the role while still undergoing treatment.
Her journey reflects extraordinary resilience, a relentless commitment to growth, and the belief that adversity can be a powerful driver of transformation. Today, she leads with strength shaped not just by success, but by every challenge she chose to rise above.
The Number Game
Majida Ansari was always fascinated by numbers. Inspired by the idea of achieving greater returns with lesser investment, opting for finance as a career worked well for her. The era of the 2000s was of adapt to social and economic changes that had a big impact on her. She had to choose between fields like Doctor, Engineering, or the most respected career of Chartered Accountant; she was clear in her mind. Accounting and finance were fields that played a specialized role in the growth of companies, no matter their operational size. It demands both strong analytical skills, combined with ethical responsibility, which is her work ethos. Aligning closely with these values, she was motivated to create a substantial impact while achieving success in this industry.
Significant Achievements
An expert in the field of banking and finance, she made herself eligible to work with esteemed organizations. She has exerted herself across multiple domains, each of which has contributed to her personal and professional growth. Challenges with every position equipped her to thicken her skill set and shape into an all-round individual.
While working at a small accounting firm, it helped her built her technical skills and was principled about work ethics. It helped her gain insights about accounting principles and practices. The smaller setting allowed her to opt for a variety of roles.
Her progress helped her transition to multinational banks and captive units that exposed her to the broader financial market dynamics. This helped her transition to working on complex financial projects and regulations, which boosted her strategic thinking.
She takes immense pride in her journey as she began from a grassroots level despite numerous obstacles since childhood. Her grit and family legacy were her silent supporters. Her experiences have also paved the way for her professional path while reinstilling resilience and commitment to excellence.
Striking the Right Balance
Majida Ansari believes each experience provides valuable learning opportunities during different phases of one’s career. Being close to technical advancements is essential to success. A balance between meeting professional demands and demonstrating empathy towards one’s team is an ongoing responsibility for her.
One of the most challenging periods of her life was during her younger daughter’s birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. To add to it, she suffered a major hemorrhagic event, surviving with minimal odds, and also had to face the loss of her mother-in-law. This emotional trauma caused her to slip into depression. That’s when she decided to channelize her energy by enrolling into the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exam, for her first attempt during maternity leave.
While resuming her career, it was initially difficult for her to play the roles of a mother and a professional simultaneously. Again, a year later, she was diagnosed with cancer, which was a turning point in her life. Managing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation while maintaining her professional responsibilities tested her limits, but ultimately reinforced her resilience and dedication to growth.
Innovation with Inclusivity
Innovation is essential to professional growth, and she has learned to approach work with creativity and structure. Once challenged by the organization, she now begins each day with a clear task list, using prioritization and delegation to drive efficiency and results.
In her role, she leverages strategies such as impact-based task prioritization, the use of automation tools, and fostering collaboration through regular team engagement. Encouraging open communication and aligning on clear, measurable goals have helped her team stay focused and adaptable.
She also emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, recognizing that well-being is key to sustaining both productivity and innovation over the long term.
Shaped by Experiences
Majida Ansari believes personal aspirations and ambitions are crucial in one’s career trajectory. Outsiders try to pull one down, challenging your capabilities, while trying to demoralize. She has encountered similar situations that made her rock-solid in being decisive about her aspirations.
The initial accounting role taught her technicalities in work and cultivated a strong work ethic. It helped her get insights about comprehensive principles of accounting and best practices in the industry.
As she witnessed career progression, she accepted positions within multinational banks and captive units, expanding her horizon to the diverse financial market. It allowed her to actively participate in sophisticated financial projects while partnering with a broad spectrum of stakeholders. In her current tenure at a multinational bank, she has encountered advanced challenges and significant opportunities for achievement that have consistently fostered her professional growth. Also, opting for CA and ACCA certifications has been critical in empowering her.
Strategic Perspective
AsMajida Ansari’s career progressed, her methods and priorities evolved, but core values like adaptability, continuous learning, and a positive mindset toward change remained constant. Recognizing that a CA qualification alone wasn’t enough for long-term growth, she pursued ACCA accreditation to stay aligned with global industry standards and the demands of automation and innovation.
Early in her journey, she focused on honing her technical accounting skills. Over time, her perspective expanded to include strategic thinking and a broader understanding of business impact. Today, her approach is guided by principles such as integrity, accuracy, and a strong commitment to ethical standards.
She actively embraces change and fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging her team to adopt new tools and think creatively. For her, leadership also means practicing empathy and clear communication, supporting both the technical and emotional needs of her team. These values continue to shape her professional success and ability to navigate complex challenges.
Adaptability with Networking
For Majida Ansari, consistent learning and ambition are constant. To bring out the best version of herself, she stresses healthy competition while focusing on self-improvement. Being faithful to ongoing learning and knowledge acquisition will work wonders, she believes.
Being adaptable inculcates an ability to pivot and adjust strategies in response to evolving market conditions or organizational changes is invaluable. Embracing lifelong learning and staying abreast of industry trends ensures that she remains competitive and capable of tackling emerging challenges.
Professional network also plays a key role for her. Establishing meaningful connections with colleagues, mentors, and industry leaders has given her opportunities for partnerships, mentorship, and career development. Such professional networks have been instrumental in her professional journey, which offers guidance, support, and new perspectives.
She also acknowledges the significance of ethical conduct and integrity in all professional dealings. Endorsing high ethical standards builds trust and credibility, which are foundational to building a reputable and successful career. Confirming honesty, transparency, and accountability has helped her establish a solid professional reputation and cultivate prolonged professional relationships.
Commitment to the Profession
In the coming years, Majida Ansari envisions her personal and professional contributions through a comprehensive strategy revolving around continuous learning, innovation, and leadership. This is defined by continual learning, innovative thinking, exemplary leadership, ethical conduct, and adaptability. Through these commitments, she is optimistic about her ability to make a significant and enduring contribution to the advancement of the field.
She plans to place a strong emphasis on the current education and skill development. Her commitment to lifelong learning will keep her at the forefront of the latest industry trends. Enrolling for advanced certifications and actively participating in relevant workshops, seminars, and conferences will open avenues to refine her technical skills and gain perspectives on emerging best practices.
She has long been driven by a desire to move her field forward — not only through her own expertise, but by creating spaces where ideas can be shared and expanded. She envisions her contributions reaching beyond the workplace, whether through publishing thoughtful articles, speaking at public forums, or mentoring the next generation of professionals. Her passion for leadership and mentorship fuels her ambition to take on roles where she can guide, motivate, and support others. Through this journey, she strives to strengthen her credibility while nurturing meaningful relationships with colleagues and future leaders alike.
Even amid daily struggles and continuing challenges, she lives by a simple yet powerful mantra: keep moving forward. Each day, she searches for reasons — however small — to smile, believing that joy is both an act of courage and a source of strength. Rather than surrendering to adversity, she draws power from it, reshaping setbacks into lessons and obstacles into opportunities. In doing so, she finds a sense of balance and growth where others might see only hardship, proving that resilience can transform even the harshest circumstances into stepping stones for a brighter future.
Lastly, she acknowledges that adaptability is essential in a rapidly evolving field. By remaining open to change and proactively responding to new developments, she will be able to navigate industry complexities and sustain meaningful contributions.
