Women leaders in technology: The Indian engineer turned award-winning director of top SE Asian companies

If you go to the WomenTech Network website, you will see a timer counting down until the economic gender gap is closed.

At the current pace the world’s political state is moving, it will take more than 130 years to achieve true equality in economic status and opportunities, especially in tech.

Still, there have been some gains. Women make up about 35% of the the sector’s workforce, a significant improvement from 20 years ago when they only made up 9%.

Anju Jaswal is one of them.

With 19 years of experience in the tech industry, she has worked her way up the ranks to become a key figure at Azbil Corporation, a company that develops, manufactures, and markets total automation equipment used in industrial and commercial buildings.

Jaswal guides women in senior roles to transition into board-level leadership roles. Source: Anju Jaswal

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Telecommunication at Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College, Jaswal kickstarted her career at German multinational technology conglomerate Siemens AG.

There, she held global and regional leadership roles across multiple business verticals, including Process Solutions, Oil & Gas, and Communications.

Her next career move brought her to her current role as Executive Officer, Deputy Head of International Business Headquarters at Azbil Corporation, a leading company in building and industrial automation.

Jaswal is also the Managing Director of Strategic Planning & Development for Southeast Asia, where she oversees business strategy, market expansion, and governance for the company’s subsidiaries across the region.

Jaswal now works at Azbil Corporation in a managerial role, making her one of the women leaders in technology today. Source: Anju Jaswal

On top of that, Jaswal sits on the boards of Azbil Corporation’s subsidiaries in Southeast Asia and India as a Senior Accredited Board Director from the Singapore Institute of Directors too.

That’s a lot of titles and responsibilities — earning her a place among 2020’s Singapore 100 Women in Tech and winning the 2015 Times Now and the ICICI Bank NRI of the Year Award, the highest recognition to celebrate the achievements of non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have made significant contributions to their respective fields and the Indian diaspora.

How did she do it?

Jaswal was listed among the 2020 Singapore 100 Women in Tech, making her one of the women leaders in technology. Source: Anju Jaswal

Spoiler alert: There is no shortcut to success

“Board-level leadership requires a unique skill set,” says Jaswal. “It’s not just about running a business; it’s about shaping its long-term vision. That’s why I pursued the INSEAD International Directors Programme to refine my ability to navigate complex board dynamics, challenge conventional thinking, and contribute at the highest levels of corporate leadership.”

Ranked #1 European Business School by the Financial Times, INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools with campuses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.

For Jaswal, it was INSEAD that made her a leader capable of overcoming the many challenges for women in her position.

“I went into INSEAD’s International Directors Programme expecting to sharpen my governance skills, but I left with a whole new perspective on boardroom leadership,” says Jaswal.

One of the most memorable experiences had been the Board Process Simulation.

“You don’t just learn about board dynamics; you live them,” shares Jaswal. “The simulation throws you into a high-pressure, real-time board meeting, where you experience firsthand how decisions are made, challenged, and influenced. I saw how biases creep into discussions, how dissent can be productive (or destructive), and how boardroom opinions can make or break strategy.”

The Coaching & Feedback sessions were insightful too.

“They pushed me to rethink how I engage in board meetings, helping me refine my strategic presence,” says Jaswal.

If she had to choose the most consequential lesson INSEAD offered hwer, it would be how to steer conversations in boardrooms with influence — a key skill any women leader in technology needs.

Jaswal credits her programme at INSEAD for equipping her with the skills necessary to be one of the women leaders in technology today. Source: Anju Jaswal

What it takes for Asian women to lead in tech

For Jaswal, who grew up across different cities in India, it is adaptability and resilience that shaped her to become the woman she is today.

“It’s about pushing forward despite obstacles and criticism, but we also need strategic influence and the ability to shape decisions and drive conversations,” she says.

Confidence is another key skill to embrace.

Jaswal urges women to let their voices be heard and be in the know of the latest industry trends like emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, robotics, and more.

“Step out of your comfort zone and don’t underestimate your potential,” she says. “Take the risk before you feel ready, find a sponsor who advocates for you in rooms you’re not in, and share your thoughts and let others know about your capabilities and be recognised for them.”