Woman of mega substance and elegant style, Dr Neerja Birla is an accomplished and hands-on mental health advocate, educationist, and social impact activist. Let’s get to know this powerhouse leader better….
By Andrea CostaBir

A beacon of empowerment, Dr Neerja Birla is the Founder & Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust which established the Aditya Birla World Academy, which is India’s highly acclaimed international school, and the Aditya Birla Integrated School for children with intellectual and learning difficulties. Through the Aditya Birla Education Academy, Dr Neerja enhances educators’ skills to that of global standards. She also champions the right to education for students with special needs through Nalanda. Her unwavering dedication to education has sought to revolutionise the learning landscape in India.
Another subject very dear to her is working on destigmatising mental illness. Through her initiative Mpower, Dr Neerja has established mental health centers offering counselling, therapy and support services to people. She is zealous about creating mental health awareness around India by endorsing initiatives that support those grappling with psychological challenges. Undoubtedly, she is fiercely committed to empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Compassionate, resilient, graceful – Dr Neerja Birla’s trajectory is a testament to the transformative power of empathetic leadership.

It takes tremendous grit, passion and resilience to get where you are today. In retrospect, what ignited the spark that set you off on this journey? And what is it that keeps you going?
Our journey began small with the Aditya Birla World Academy which aims to leverage education as a change medium for holistic development. We believe in starting small and scaling it up and that is what we did with all our projects. Each project has helped us grow organically from the ground up. If I have to answer as to what is it that keeps me going, then I must say it would be the humbling realisation that there is so little that has been achieved and there is so much more to do. If each one of us decides to make a difference, there is nothing we can’t accomplish collectively. The butterfly effect is for real. However small the action, our individual ripples can create waves of transformation.

Can you share a lesson you’ve learned from a mistake or failure in your acclaimed journey? How has that helped you move forward?
As James Joyce said, mistakes are the portals of discovery. A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. Learning to handle a mistake gracefully and embracing it as a valuable life lesson is critical as it empowers us to become more resilient, adaptable, and better individuals. I strongly believe that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and one should not be discouraged by setbacks.

What is that one quality you believe defines you as a leader or influencer?
I believe the one quality that defines me is that I have a strong bias for action. I believe that good leaders are those who lead from the front and can act fast, and decisively. This bias for action has allowed me to make informed decisions fast. It empowers me to avoid analysis paralysis and procrastination and has helped me evolve as a better person.
Reaching for the sky requires strong roots. Tell us a little about your support system.
Success is never achieved alone; rather, it is the outcome of the collective efforts of those who inspire and drive us to push the envelope. I am lucky to have a great support system in my family whose encouragement and understanding have been the foundation upon which I have built my aspirations. Likewise, I am also appreciative of the commitment and dedication of my team who share the passion and make things happen.

What advice would you give a young woman who wants to follow a similar path?
Be unique. Be confident. Be proud. Don’t run with the crowd; fly with the stars. Have the courage to take risks. Get out of your comfort zone, even if it means being uncomfortable. The road less travelled comes with its challenges and difficulties, but it is on that road where your character will be truly tested, and you will meet the real you.