Akanksha’s initial fascination with architecture revealed the profound influence of environment on human emotion and connection. As she pursued her Master’s in Design & Innovation and User Experience, Akanksha’s vision evolved: “I realized I wanted to design not just spaces, but experiences that make people feel truly seen, heard, and valued,” she reflects. This shift from architecture to human-centered strategy was never a deviation, rather, it marked the natural emergence of her curiosity and commitment to purposeful impact.

Her diverse journey across sectors spanning healthcare, technology, and financial services fortified her conviction that lasting innovation begins and ends with people. Each role, from practitioner to strategist, educated her in the pivotal importance of centering human needs in every solution. Even as she advances academically, pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Management and now a PhD in Business, Akanksha remains a passionate lifelong learner.

Today, as a Senior Consultant 2 at Deloitte, she seamlessly blends analytical rigor with empathetic leadership. She drives transformation by championing solutions that are not only strategic but also authentically human at their core.

“True leadership lives at the intersection of empathy, courage, and continuous learning,” Akanksha asserts, a conviction forged as much by navigating setbacks as by achieving success. Her journey, far from linear, is a testament to the extraordinary heights that can be unlocked by purpose, persistence, and authenticity.

A Defining Milestone: Leading with Purpose and Diversity

Among the many achievements that punctuate Akanksha’s career, one milestone especially embodies her leadership values: guiding a multicultural team through the reinvention of a global digital experience for a marquee client. This challenge was never just technical. It required a nuanced understanding of cultures, behaviors, accessibility needs, and the diverse expectations of users across continents.

Akanksha was resolute in her guiding principle: “Design with, not for, the user.” She led her team to abandon inherited assumptions, immersing themselves in the realities of end users via co-creation workshops, ethnographic research, and discovery sessions anchored in storytelling.

Her inclusive approach not only catalyzed a vastly improved digital product that resonated more deeply with users and elevated engagement, but also ignited a cultural transformation within the client organization itself. Empathy-led decision-making became embedded, and diverse voices found celebrated expression.

For Akanksha, the true mark of success was not just the product, but the ripples we left behind: a revived spirit of curiosity, open-mindedness, and collective courage that continues to propel the organization forward.

As she reflects, “Innovation flourishes when authentic stories and diverse perspectives take the lead.” This conviction lies at the very core of her leadership philosophy, inspiring all who work alongside her.

Shaping the Future of an Evolving Industry

Akanksha stands at the heart of an industry on the verge of profound transformation. The convergence of artificial intelligence, rising user expectations, and the imperative for accessible, inclusive experiences are fundamentally redrawing the boundaries of possibility. For Akanksha, tomorrow’s leaders will not be defined solely by their embrace of new technologies, but by their ability to fuse innovation with trust, purpose, and a deep sense of ethical responsibility.

She is convinced that the next stage of digital evolution demands a bold departure from one-size-fits-all solutions. “We need adaptive ecosystems, ones that are hyper-responsive and attuned to real human needs and nuances,” Akanksha explains.

She is quick to highlight Deloitte’s commitment as more than just technological. Deloitte’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for this transition, anchoring innovation in practical insight, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a meaningful duty to society.

Akanksha’s vision is clear: “We are committed to redefining progress so that technology elevates, rather than eclipses, what makes us human.” Her focus remains on creating value that transcends commercial impact, shaping an industry that transforms the broader human experience, prioritizing empathy as much as efficiency.

A Message to Aspiring Leaders

Akanksha’s guiding advice to emerging leaders and change-makers is powerful and resonant:

“Embrace the courage to lead with curiosity and conviction, especially when the path is unclear.”

She encourages emerging change-makers to lean into discomfort, ask challenging questions, and stand unwaveringly for what truly matters, even when it is inconvenient or unpopular. Lasting impact, she believes, rarely comes from certainty or the safety of consensus. Instead, it is forged by navigating ambiguity, challenging assumptions, and fostering environments that allow collective growth to thrive.

“Choose meaning over milestones. Build relationships more intentionally than reputations. Seek out those who celebrate thoughtful dissent,” Akanksha advises.

At the core of her philosophy is a steadfast belief: authenticity and inclusion are not just values, but powerful differentiators in a world often driven by external validation. The most profound transformations, she emphasizes, happen at the intersection of empathy, curiosity, and courage.

Ultimately, she measures a leader’s legacy not by the applause they receive, but by the growth, confidence, and inspiration they cultivate in others.

A Leader Inspiring Human-Centered Change

Akanksha’s journey is a testament to the impact of purpose-driven leadership and boundless curiosity. From spearheading global innovation initiatives to nurturing the next generation of talent, she exemplifies a vision of leadership that is bold, empathetic, inclusive, and unmistakably human.

Her feature in the 2025 Frontier 100s edition celebrates not only her accomplishments but also her steadfast belief that genuine progress always begins with people. For Akanksha, transformational change is possible only when empathy leads the way, creating environments where every voice is valued and innovation is fuelled by a profound respect for human experience.

Through her work, Akanksha continues to illuminate a path forward, inspiring leaders everywhere to put people at the heart of progress and reminding us that when we lead with empathy, fundamental transformation will always follow.