Shobha K’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, growth, and the unwavering spirit to overcome challenges. Her story is not one of privilege or ease, but rather one of determination and strength forged through personal and professional struggles. Shobha K began her career at a young age, juggling the demands of both work and education to make ends meet. She started at just 16, working in a nursery daycare while managing her studies, a humble beginning that shaped her unwavering work ethic.
Shobha K was never a top student; rather, she was an average commerce graduate, trying to carve out a path in the world. Her journey took an unexpected turn when life introduced her to a marriage proposal before she could even complete her degree. By the age of 21, she was married, and by 24, she became a mother. Despite the significant personal changes, Shobha K chose not to let these circumstances define her potential. Instead, she made the bold decision to enter the professional world in 2008, taking her first job at Malathi Manipal Hospital in customer care—without any prior experience.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Nagendra Swamy, Shobha K flourished, learning on the job and excelling in her role. Her hard work paid off when, by 2012, she was honored as the “Best Customer Care Lead,” a recognition backed by over 1,000 positive feedbacks. However, Shobha K’s growth didn’t stop there. She took on greater responsibilities, helping onboard more than 1,000 visiting consultants across India, contributing ₹82 crore annually to the organization. Through these achievements, Shobha K was constantly supported by mentors like Saghir Siddiqui and Sonal Pahwa, whose guidance played a key role in her development.
However, personal challenges forced Shobha K to reinvent herself. She transitioned between roles, moving from Apollo BGS Hospitals to Manipal Fertility and People Tree Hospitals. Each move provided her with new opportunities, and she eventually embraced freelance consultancy to balance her career and responsibilities as a single mother. Throughout these transitions, Shobha K continued to persevere, learning from every challenge and setback.
In 2021, Shobha K joined Akna Medical Pvt Ltd (Aknamed) as the VP of Client Partnerships, a move that marked another important step in her career. With the mentorship of Kartik Deshpande, Shobha K found a platform to grow further. Today, Shobha K serves as the Business Head at Gleneagles Hospitals, India, where she continues her journey alongside influential leaders like Biju Nair and Anurag Yadav.
Shobha K’s story teaches us an important lesson: life may not always go as planned, but resilience and determination will always pave the way forward. Shobha K’s ability to rise from every fall has shaped her into the inspiring leader she is today.
