From banking floors to family boardrooms, Sreepriya’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and purposeful wealth stewardship.

At BAGGGEL, we celebrate the extraordinary journeys of women leaders whose resilience and visionary thinking inspire meaningful change. Today, we're delighted to feature Sreepriya a distinguished finance leader whose remarkable journey spans banking excellence, family office stewardship, and impactful mentorship. Driven by unwavering determination and a passion for purposeful wealth management, Sreepriya continues to shape the financial landscape while empowering the next generation of leaders. To dive deeper into her inspiring story, we invited her to share pivotal experiences, challenges overcome, and lessons from a career defined by courage and adaptability.

1. Background and Career Path  

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to your current career path?

My career began in 1997 with ICICI Bank, fresh out of college, at the Kochi branch. While my personal interest was in IT and solving the Y2K challenge, my parents believed banking was a great career for women and encouraged me to pursue it. Looking back, I am grateful for their guidance, as it led me to a fulfilling journey in finance. I was fortunate to have incredible mentors who trained me across various divisions, including retail and corporate banking, forex and trade, NRI services, Credit and finally transitioned to become a multi-faceted Private Banker. My strong foundation in banking and finance, shaped me as a leader and now happy in a company co-founded with my husband – Entrust Family Office.

Life took its course, and with marriage came multiple relocations—from Chennai to Bangalore and later to Delhi—following my husband’s career progression. Each move required me to take a personal request transfer, which, while accommodating, meant that I had to navigate challenges in career progression. Despite this, I continued to perform at a high level, taking on leadership roles and building a strong reputation in banking.  

My journey into the family office space was driven by a passion for helping families navigate wealth with purpose. With a strong background in finance and investment management, I found myself drawn to the nuances of multi-generational wealth, legacy planning, and impact-driven investing. Over time, my role evolved beyond wealth management to focus on empowering families with knowledge, fostering collaboration, and creating a lasting legacy beyond financial capital.  

 2. Challenges and Overcoming Them  

What significant challenges have you faced in your career, especially as a woman in your field?

One of the most challenging phases of my career was in 2006 when I took up a branch leadership role at ICICI Bank while also being a mother of two year old. Balancing the demands of a high-performance role with the responsibilities of a mother was incredibly tough. I often left home by 7:45 AM and returned only by 8:45 or 9:00 PM. My daughter adapted to my schedule, spending time with me late at night and falling asleep only after 3 AM. While this allowed me precious moments with her, it also impacted my health due to sleep deprivation. However, like many working mothers, I embraced the challenge, ensuring I gave my best to both my career and family.  

Can you share a specific instance where you had to overcome a significant obstacle or setback?

Another challenge came in 2008 when my husband’s promotion required us to move to Delhi. Although ICICI Bank was supportive of my personal transfer requests, these transitions inevitably impacted my promotions and career trajectory. Despite this, I remained committed to excelling in every role I took on, proving that perseverance and adaptability are key to long-term success.  

Being in the financial industry, where leadership roles have historically been male-dominated, I encountered moments where I had to assert my voice, establish credibility, and navigate biases. One of the biggest challenges was earning trust in a field where relationships are deeply personal and long-term. Overcoming this meant continuously proving my expertise, being persistent, and demonstrating the value of a fresh perspective in wealth stewardship.  

 3. Achievements and Milestones  

What achievements are you most proud of in your career?

One of the most significant milestones in my younger days was winning the President’s Award – Rashtrapati Puraskar for Girl Guides in year 1992. Coming from a small town in Kerala and a middle-class background, this achievement was a defining moment in my journey. Balancing my studies with Girl Guides instilled in me confidence, resilience, and the ability to thrive under challenges—qualities that have been instrumental throughout my career.

I still cherish the moment and the certificate honoured by Shri R. Venkataraman, the then President of India. This was followed by the  Rajyapuraskar Award, felicitated by the Kerala Chief Minister during a special visit to my school. These experiences shaped my belief in all-round development, leadership, and perseverance, which continue to guide me in both my professional and personal life.

Leading high-performing teams and consistently delivering excellence in my banking career remain some of my proudest achievements.  Me taking up my post-graduation studies with IIM Kozhikode during 2011 to 2013 and successfully completing with masters in strategy & Finance was another great milestone for me.

Is there a particular project or initiative that you believe significantly impacted your career or your organization?

Transitioning into the family office space and being part of Entrust Family Office’s journey has been another significant milestone. Helping families navigate wealth with purpose, shaping investment strategies, and driving impactful conversations around legacy planning have been incredibly fulfilling aspects of my career.  

One of my proudest achievements is leading Entrust Family Office towards its 12th anniversary, creating a trusted ecosystem for families to grow beyond wealth. Another milestone has been organizing thought-leadership events, such as the Family Office Conclave, that bring together founders, next-gen leaders, and global experts to shape the future of wealth and purpose-driven investing.  

 4. Work-Life Balance  

How have you managed work-life balance throughout your career, and what advice would you give to others struggling with this?

Work-life balance is a continuous journey – a dynamic equation requiring constant adjustment, rather than a fixed goal. As a young mother and banking professional, I experienced first-hand the sacrifices and resilience required to manage both worlds. Over time, I learned that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about prioritization, support systems, and embracing flexibility. My advice to women struggling with this is to set realistic expectations, seek help when needed, and remember that every phase of life demands a different approach.  I’ve learned to prioritize effectively, delegate where necessary, and carve out time for personal well-being and family. My advice to others would be to set clear boundaries, embrace flexibility, and remember that balance looks different at various stages of life.  It's important that as women we keep trying to make it good , make everyone happy, make whatever we do at our best ... .we will ensure we try and not be perfect! And this is the beauty!

 5. Mentorship, Sponsorship & Support  

Have you had mentors, sponsors, or supporters who significantly influenced your career? How did they help you?

Mentorship has played a crucial role in my career. I’ve had the privilege of learning from industry veterans who shared invaluable insights and opened doors of opportunity. I have been fortunate to have mentors who guided me early in my career, shaping my leadership skills. Their advice, encouragement, and faith in my abilities helped me push through challenges. This has inspired me to pay it forward by mentoring young professionals, particularly women looking to build careers in finance and leadership.  I strongly believe in paying this forward by mentoring fresh graduates and MBA students, emerging leaders at work place, and supporting networks that encourage women’s professional growth.  

 6. Diversity and Inclusion  

In your experience, how has the landscape for women in your field changed over the years?

The financial sector has evolved significantly, with more women taking on leadership roles. However, there’s still work to be done in ensuring that women do not have to choose between career progression and family responsibilities. Companies can foster inclusivity by creating supportive policies, mentorship opportunities, and leadership pipelines that encourage long-term career growth for women.  

 7. Advice and Insights  

- What advice would you give to young women starting their careers in your field?

To young women entering the finance or family office space, my advice is: “stay resilient, build strong professional relationships and deep expertise, and don’t hesitate to take up leadership roles”. 

Challenges are inevitable, but every experience—whether smooth or difficult—contributes to personal and professional growth. Some resources I recommend include Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and professional & sisterhood networks like Bagggel, CII IWN , TiE etc.  

 8. Future Legacy & Sisterhood  

- Looking forward, what goals or objectives do you have for the next phase of your career?

I aim to continue shaping the next generation of family office leaders, advocating for responsible wealth, and expanding the impact of purpose-driven investing. By mentoring and creating collaborative platforms, I hope to inspire more women to take leadership roles in finance and legacy planning.  

 9. Personal Growth and Learning  

- Can you share a lesson or piece of wisdom you've learned that has significantly influenced your personal or professional life?

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that success isn’t just about financial acumen—it’s about building trust, embracing adaptability, and fostering meaningful relationships.  Growth comes from adaptability and continuous learning. Whether it was navigating career shifts due to family relocations or transitioning from banking to wealth management, embracing change has been critical to my success. I stay updated through global finance forums, leadership development programs, financial publications and industry thought leadership.  

 10. Impact and Contribution  

- What impact do you hope to leave on your industry or community?

I aspire to leave a lasting impact by driving conversations around wealth with purpose, sustainability, and long-term legacy planning. My goal is to bridge the gap between financial success and social responsibility.  

 11. Being CEO Ready  

- What are the top 3 skills or experiences that you believe are important for women to be CEO Ready?

The three most important skills for being CEO-ready are:  

1. Strategic Vision – The ability to think long-term and align business goals with purpose.  

2. Resilience and Adaptability – The ability to navigate uncertainties and pivot when needed.

3. Leadership with Empathy – Building strong teams and fostering an inclusive culture.  

- What is the next big step in your life to being CEO Ready?

The next step in my journey is to scale Entrust’s influence in the Multifamily office space, and shaping thought leadership that drives meaningful change fostering more collaborations that drive meaningful impact.  

12. Experience with BAGGGEL  

- How has being a member of BAGGGEL impacted or added value to your career or personal growth?

BAGGGEL has been a powerful platform for connecting with like-minded leaders, exchanging ideas, and fostering professional and personal growth. One of the most impactful aspects has been the opportunity to engage with inspiring women, not just in my financial world, but got the chance to meet many from diverse fields like IT, AI, HR manufacturing etc. who challenge norms and drive change in their respective industries.  I enjoy the opportunity to exchange experiences and support fellow women professionals on their leadership journeys.  

As she continues to scale Entrust’s influence and advocate for responsible, legacy-driven wealth, Sreepriya’s journey is far from finished. With empathy as her compass and resilience as her strength, she is forging pathways for future women leaders—proving that true leadership is not merely about financial acumen, but about building trust, embracing adaptability, and shaping lasting legacies.

At BAGGGEL, we’re proud to support and celebrate leaders like Sreepriya, whose stories illuminate the path forward for countless women seeking their own unique blend of success and purpose.

Thank you.