Birla Institute of Technology Pilani has repeatedly proven that technology and business can go hand in hand, from its alumni doing wonders in the field of technology to making strides in entrepreneurship. Today, Women Leaders from BITS, Pilani are role models for every young BITSian. They have distinguished themselves in the league owing to their unwavering commitment to their jobs, the quality of output, and the trendsetting attitude that made them ‘superwomen’.

One outstanding Birla Institute of Technology alumna making waves in her spheres is Papiya Raipal. Papiya is currently the steward of governance as the Country Director and Vice President at Kigen. She is the type of person who never gives up and always maintains a positive attitude in all circumstances. Papiya has always been very empathetic and supportive of others in both her professional and personal lives. Since empathy is her primary leadership quality, people enjoy working with her. She respects each team member and accords them with equal opportunities. She also finds joy in mentoring, developing, and providing people with opportunities to grow. In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur Magazine, Papiya Raipal enlightens us  more about her professional journey and leadership traits.

Take us through your early educational journey and your prior industry experience.

I completed my schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya and earned a BSc.(H) in Electronics from Delhi University. I have three Master's degrees: MSc. (Electronics & Communication) from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore. In addition, I received my M.S. in Software Systems from BITs Pilani and further pursued my Post Graduation degree in Business Management from IIAM. I began my career in the telecommunications industry 24 years ago at Escotel Mobile Communications, where I was a part of the team that launched the first mobile services in Kerala, India. It was a thrilling journey. I then worked at Idemia for 17 years in the technical field. I have been with Kigen as Country Director and VP since last summer.

Throw some light on the key business lessons you have learned through your prior industry experience.

Maintaining a clear vision of where we want to go is crucial as it demonstrates to us the path and the solutions. Customer satisfaction is essential in any business, but customer delight for any products and services we provide is even more important. The most significant aspect of any successful enterprise is its workforce. The team should include people with the necessary skills, experience, and attitude. Everything is possible with a great team.

Introduce us to Kigen. Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Director of Kigen.

Kigen enables businesses to rapidly expand their Internet of Things through SIM, eSIM, and iSIM technologies, pushing the industry boundaries and setting new standards for the sector. The company works with several high-profile clients around the world.

I co-manage the board of directors of Kigen India with the CEO of Kigen. I handle the company’s regional operations, policy, and decision-making activities. I am rapidly growing a diverse team of ambitious employees to help achieve our company vision and mission. I also want to inspire them to achieve their goals by incorporating a contemporary leadership style.

"I want to build & lead a highly motivated team to deliver on-site security projects while fostering a security & quality-driven mindset throughout the region"

Life and work balance is extremely important at Kigen, so the willingness to experiment with new methods of flexible working to drive employee engagement is essential. I want to build and lead a team to deliver on-site security projects while fostering a security and quality-driven mindset throughout the region. I intend to promote the company on a regional level to actively recruit, onboard, and develop qualified employees across multiple functions.

Drawing from your experience, what advice would you give to other aspiring women leaders?

Never give up when things get tough in your professional or personal life. There will be setbacks and failures but stay focused on your goals and keep moving forward. You will undoubtedly overcome the difficulties and achieve your career goals. Be conscientious, excel at your job, and take on additional responsibilities. These will help you stand out from the crowd, get noticed, and advance up the career ladder. Be an empathic leader in the leadership and support and develop people as much as possible. This will assist you in connecting with your team; people will want to work with you and support you. With a great and motivated team, you can achieve great things.

Papiya Raipal, Country Director & Vice President, Kigen

Bringing more than two decades of industry expertise with a proven track record of building and leading high-performance technical teams in India and abroad.