From Finance to Women’s Advocate: Raina B. Gandhi on Helping Women Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Thrive
An Interview by Natalie Ruiz
Raina B. Gandhi, Founder and CEO of Rising Tide Consulting, is on a mission to empower women to overcome limiting beliefs and achieve their fullest potential in the workplace. With over 25 years of experience across investment banking, consulting, and higher education, Raina combines her extensive knowledge with a deeply personal journey of career reinvention.
Her work centers on helping professional women align their positions and income with the impact they can make, fostering greater productivity, collaboration, and inclusion. Through her consulting practice, Raina provides career clarity, guidance on managing transitions, and tools for overcoming challenges such as imposter syndrome. Her passion for elevating women’s voices and contributions in leadership reflects her belief in the transformative power of women thriving in spaces where decisions are made.
Thank you so much for connecting with me and sharing your story. I’m so excited to get started! Tell me about what you do professionally:
As a leadership coach, I activate professional women to overcome limiting beliefs because when women align their position and income with their impact, everyone wins — women thrive in rooms in which decisions are being made, and organizations benefit from increased productivity, fairness, and collaboration. I have 25+ years of experience in investment banking, consulting, nonprofits, and higher education, including trading in a promising career in financial services to take a career hiatus, after which I relaunched my career into senior leadership roles. I leverage these experiences to meet my clients where they are along their unique journeys and provide guidance on career clarity, managing transitions, leading teams, and overcoming limiting beliefs (imposter syndrome, inner critic, etc.)
How did you get into this?
I started my career in investment banking in NYC, then took a year to work in microfinance in India, returned to banking, and then went to graduate school. In 2003, I graduated with an MBA from the Wharton School and worked for a French bank in NYC. Between 2004 and 2006, my husband, daughter, and I moved three times (NYC to Memphis to Nashville to Winston Salem) in support of my husband’s medical fellowship training, during which time I stayed at home to raise our baby. In 2007, we had our second daughter and I stayed at home with both girls and didn’t return to work for several more years. When I was finally ready, as you can imagine, there wasn’t a huge market for investment bankers in Winston Salem, and I’d been out of the industry for 11 years (!) so I didn’t feel particularly confident or hireable at the time. In 2015, the Wake Forest School of Business took a chance on me, and thus began my career journey into the higher education industry. A few years later, we moved our family in the middle of the academic year so I could pursue a fantastic job in DC. I thrived in that role, made lifelong friends, and moved on four years later because I didn’t have the support or resources to accomplish what was needed to do my job well. I got two offers on the same day. The first offer was a higher title and more pay than the second one, and I chose the latter to stay closer to home. The good news is I was learning new skills and creating deep relationships with several of my colleagues who became dear friends. Unfortunately, however, I got bullied by a colleague, and while she had the reputation of being a bully, I spoke up and defended myself. I tried to offer solutions on how we could work together (I had lots of tools given my certifications in change management and as a facilitator in both CliftonStrengths and Strength Deployment Inventory), but she became more relentless. She would gatekeep information, preventing me from doing my job. HR reported into her, so there was really nothing I could do except look for another job. She beat me to it, and ultimately I was the only member of the leadership team who got riffed.
How did someone strong enough to stay at home to raise her kids for 11 years get bullied by a colleague?I am not easily threatened and have a nonthreatening disposition. I am kind and fair and not soft. And how is it that so many senior leaders saw what was happening, and no one helped me? The impact was so profound. Despite always being a person with a relentlessly positive disposition, I questioned my self-worth. My confidence was shot. I blamed myself. I threw myself a pity party, and then picked myself up and started intentionally creating a life that I loved. I realized that I deserved better, and developed tools and habits that helped me move forward… and I decided I wanted to help other women do the same. This life changing experience made me realize that I deserved better. I discovered that by investing in myself and focusing on my own needs, I experienced the freedom to live the life I wanted, joy of being the fullest version of myself, satisfaction of making a meaningful contribution, and insight of a higher perspective.
That is so interesting! What do you love about it?
What I love most is my ability to support women in their career journeys. I am the person I wish I had when I was bumping up against obstacles at work. I get to help women bring forth their best selves, feel fulfilled in their careers, and build the confidence they need to self-advocate. There is so much joy in watching women thrive. Everything they we need is within us — sometimes we just need help we all need help sometimes bringing those our gifts forward.
Why is this work important to you?
Women bring unique and valuable perspectives, solutions, talents, life experiences, and emotional connections to organizations. With women accounting for nearly half of the workforce in the United States, they are the largest pool of untapped talent and will be instrumental in filling the management and leadership roles that the baby boomer generation will be vacating in the near future.
We talk about how important it is to have diverse opinions and voices heard when solving problems. However, if that diverse voice is one person with a muted or stifled voice or no voting rights, is that really improving the problem-solving abilities of a team? If only one woman is at the table, it is more likely than not that she will not speak up if she disagrees with most men around the table with her. We hear time and time again to get an ally or to find someone who is willing to at least echo what you we said if others did not listen. Allies are good. However, having more women around the table, more than just a token diversity spot will allow the true opportunity for the women in the organization to have input in the solutions.
One of the ways in which we can support women is by sharing our stories — not just the success stories, but also ones in which we have failed — and providing advice and guidance to help improve others’ sense of belonging. Why wouldn’t we? We must! I know I can support women, make a difference, and move the needle. And I want to lead by example. Imagine what the world would be like if we all lifted and made room for each other. Women are so powerful — we have to be in our power and bring others along to recognize theirs!
Clearly, you’re thriving; your passion is coming through loud and clear! What makes you so great at this?
I have walked this walk. I started my career in investment banking. I know what it takes to work in male-dominated industries. I returned to (paid) work after an 11-year hiatus. I know what it takes to relaunch a career from zero to sixty practically overnight. Through my business school education and as a career management educator, I understand the barriers professionals face at the different stages of their careers and have worked with students and clients to help them advocate for themselves. I’ve been bullied by other women at work. I know well the obstacles women face at the various stages in their careers and personal lives.
What kind of an impact are you hoping to make through what you do?
I want to support and elevate women in the workplace. Women face unique obstacles — the career clock and biological clock are in conflict with each other, and if/when women do have children, they are too often faced with additional obstacles given the misalignment of resources to manage raising children and developing their careers. By supporting women, I am promoting gender equality, increasing the diversity of perspectives, enhancing employee morale and retention, and ultimately contributing to more productive and successful organizations that are tapping into the full potential of the workforce.
More specifically, organizations benefit because they are accessing a broader range of skills and perspectives, which leads to better decision-making and problem solving, increased productivity, employee satisfaction and retention, ultimately boosting the organization’s performance. The societal impact is also key because these actions break down gender stereotypes and promote gender equality in society. Additionally, there’s a role model effect in which women in leadership positions serve as positive role models for younger women, encouraging them to pursue their career aspirations.
Ultimately, I want to ensure women have access to the same opportunities as men, including those in leadership roles. I am hopeful my work helps to address unconscious biases that hinder women’s career progression and helps organizations recognize the immense benefits of providing flexible work options to support women’s needs and responsibilities. I want to live in a world in which organizations that foster environments in which women feel valued, respected and comfortable expressing their ideas is no longer the exception, it’s the norm.
I am a big reader — well, I am more of an audiobook person nowadays. In any case, I love talking about great reads. What is one of your favorite books?
I just finished But What will People Say? by Sahaj Kaur Kohli which really spoke to me as a first generation American of Indian descent. Next up is Likeable Badass by Alison Fragale
If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Everything is not just going to be okay, it’s going to be amazing. You will work hard, earn your place in this world, and prioritize showing up for your family and friends, which will bring you more joy than you can imagine. You have a very bright future ahead of you. The personal and career decisions you will make may come as a surprise to you, so trust yourself because following your instincts will always steer you well.
Do you have a favorite quote? What does it mean to you?
Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live. — Ann Sweeney
It’s so important to live life on our own terms and based on what fills our own buckets. We all value different things and it’s so important to do the work to understand what and who brings us joy so we can create space for them. It’s what I strive to do and what I want for my daughters.
Outside of work, what do you love doing? What lights you up?
Spending time with my adult daughters lights me up — whether we are cuddling on the couch or traveling the world, it doesn’t matter. Watching them grow up into such beautiful humans has been a gift and we are constantly learning from each other.
I also really enjoy scuba diving — I love exploring oceans — there are countless treasures waiting to be discovered under the waves. I never know what I’ll find, whether I’m exploring shipwrecks, swimming with ocean animals, or taking in the colorful coral reef.
I believe there is power in having big dreams and audacious goals, and lately, I have been pushing myself and everyone I know to speak them out loud… Do you have any dreams or goals you want to go on record about here?
I would love to train for and run a half marathon some day!
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing that here.
Ok, now I for the big question of the interview! What is the biggest lesson you have learned through your life and career journey?
The power of two words “Let them.”
I now make the very intentional choice to tap into my inner peace and create healthy boundaries.
When my daughters were young, they would ask me who I loved the most. My answer was always “I love myself the most.”
Intellectually, I’ve always known my worth. It took me years, however, to understand If I don’t love myself, I won’t have the capacity to love others.
Finally, what makes you a powerful woman?
While power can be a complex concept, for me it presents itself very clearly as self-trust. My confidence, productivity, and optimism have wavered during the highs and lows of my life’s tides, especially as it relates to my bi-cultural identity. Over time, I have embraced my imperfections and become kinder to myself. What I am most proud of is my ability to be true to myself and authentic with others.
How can we support you?
I am very keen on working with organizations to help them elevate their women. Either through individual (one-on-one) or group coaching, workshops, keynotes, etc. I would love to support women so they are empowered to grow their careers, make room for more women at the table, and achieve fulfilling careers. If you are someone or you know someone who I could help, please reach out to me!
Ways to connect:
○ https://www.instagram.com/rising.tide.consulting/
○ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainabgandhi/
○ www.risingtideconsultingllc.com
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insights! I know our readers are going to love learning more about you!
🌸 A bit about me:
I’m Natalie Ruiz, CEO of AnswerConnect, and I often say that my path to success has been unconventional. My journey has fueled my drive to continually challenge assumptions about what work, success, and balance in life really look like. Along the way, I’ve been honored to receive awards such as Female Executive of the Year and Women Helping Women from the Stevie Award Association, one of the 100 Women to Know in America, as well as being named a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal.
Outside of my day job, I’m passionate about giving back. I volunteer, speak on international stages, share my insights through podcasts and publications, and always aim to leave people and places better than I find them.
Connect with me here: on Medium, on LinkedIn, and Instagram
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