Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!
While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.
WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.
Shachi Maheshwari is a seasoned Chartered Accountant and Executive Leadership Coach who seamlessly blends financial mastery with human-centric leadership transformation. With over three decades of experience as a Chartered accountant, 27 years of C-suite experience—including serving as CFO of various groups and holding senior leadership roles across Indian and multinational organisations—she brings rare insight into decision-making pressure, governance, and accountability at the top.
A master’s graduate in Commerce, Shachi transitioned from core finance leadership into transformational coaching, where she now works with CEOs, CXOs, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams to build clarity, judgment, and execution discipline—beyond motivation or theory. Her approach integrates financial thinking with behavioural science to deliver measurable outcomes: sharper priorities, stronger second lines, aligned teams, and resilient cultures.
She says, “Though born in a conservative family of Madhya Pradesh and brought up in Baroda, Gujarat, it was the discipline of our household which shaped me. My father was a university professor, and that early environment engraved the respect for learning, clarity, and effort in me.
From the beginning, I resisted the idea that one had to choose between structure and creativity. While pursuing Chartered Accountancy, I was equally committed to classical dance, practising for several hours every day. Numbers grounded me, and creativity balanced me. That duality stayed with me and quietly shaped how I approached both life and leadership.
Later, I moved to Hyderabad, where my professional journey truly began. I was deliberate about seeking varied experiences. Over the years, I worked with NGOs, Big Four firms, multinational corporations, and large Indian promoter-driven organisations, including media houses. Each environment exposed me to a different way of working and, more importantly, to a different way of leading.
It was across these cultures that I began to see a pattern. Most organisational struggles were not about capability or intelligence; they were about misalignment between people and roles, leaders and teams, pace and expectations. That understanding changed how I viewed leadership.
Without consciously planning it, I found myself moving into senior leadership roles. Building teams in unfamiliar environments taught me my most enduring lesson: leadership is not about control; it is about trust. If you believe that only you can do things perfectly, neither your team nor you will ever grow.
I learned to lead by recognising strengths, giving ownership, and allowing people to find their own way of leading. Over time, I saw something shift: when people are trusted, they transform. And that transformation began to matter more to me than numbers or designations.
After more than two decades as a Chartered Accountant and CFO, my perspective had fundamentally changed. Titles may open doors, but they do not make leaders. Many people carry authority, knowledge, and experience, yet struggle to build teams that truly function.
What fulfilled me most were the quiet moments when someone said a shift in thinking had changed how they worked, led, or lived. Slowly, I realised I was drawn far more to people’s transformation than to financial outcomes.
The transition was not abrupt. For several years, I balanced my CFO role while coaching, mentoring, and facilitating leadership programmes. Eventually, I understood that transformation cannot be done halfway. To do this work honestly, I had to let go of authority, titles, and the comfort that came with them.”
Now, as MD & CEO of SGA Pvt. Ltd. and an Independent Director on boards, she also leads interventions in POSH, diversity, inclusion, and governance. An author, mentor, and speaker, Shachi’s work reflects analytical rigour, empathy, and impact—designed for leaders seeking performance with purpose.
“I invested deeply in my own learning, working with multiple coaches and developing my own approach, one rooted in clarity, self-awareness, and ownership. Giving back became a natural extension of this journey. I continue to mentor young professionals, especially Chartered Accountants, and support individuals from humble backgrounds who need guidance more than credentials.
I don’t believe in slowing down simply because of age. Pace may change, but curiosity, aspiration, and the desire to contribute must remain alive. There is always something to learn, something to build, something to give.
To seasoned professionals, my message is simple: Work with your heart. Impact is not measured; it is felt. Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep contributing. Because journeys are important and goals happen by the way if you are in the right direction!!
A meaningful life is not defined by how long you work but by how deeply you engage.”
Interviewed by Nehal Naik for WisdomCircle
Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.
