MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT
NETRA KUMAR
Managing Director, Treasury Sales Executive
Bank of America
Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.
Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?
My greatest source of inspiration has always been responsibility — to my family and the people who count on me, and in my career, to the teams I’ve been privileged to lead. Early on, responsibility pushed me to keep moving forward. Over time, it evolved into a commitment to be the leader I once needed — someone who creates opportunity, sets a high bar, and leads by example. That sense of responsibility continues to inspire me to show up fully, especially on hard days.
Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?
Throughout my career, I’ve often been the “only”—the only woman in Sales in India, the only immigrant woman leader in certain rooms in the U.S. When that’s your reality, you have to work harder to earn visibility, and you have to do it consistently. Those experiences shaped how I lead today. I believe in leading by example, and I would never ask my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself.
I’m a strong believer in the power of AI and encourage my team to use technology that makes us more productive. But some fundamentals never change: showing up consistently, doing the work, and doing it with integrity — even when no one is watching. That is what builds trust and long-term success.
What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?
My father struggled with alcoholism, and as a result, I became the primary breadwinner at a young age. I put my brother and myself through school and college, and that created a deep hunger to elevate my family’s circumstances — to build stability and security. Over time, that hunger evolved into ambition: a desire to keep growing, improving, and expanding what’s possible.
If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?
In the early years of my career, I moved roles frequently. Today, job-hopping is common, but at the time, I did it out of necessity — I had bills to pay and responsibilities to fulfill, and I don’t regret that. But in hindsight — assuming I’d had the luxury of choice — I see the value of staying in a role long enough to go deep, sharpen my skills, and build a longer arc of impact.
What was your most favourite job/role and why?
After two years with GE Consumer Finance, I volunteered for a Branch Manager role — at the worst-performing branch in the country. Everyone advised me against it, but I saw it as an opportunity to grow. I got the job — probably because no one else wanted it! I quickly realized the branch struggled for two reasons: a competitor located in the same building was able to attract foot traffic by offering lower rates, and, morale was low – the team had gotten used to losing. I focused on two things:
Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?
And most importantly: Run your own race. Focus on being better than you were yesterday. Everyone else has their own path — celebrate them, but don’t let their journey distract you from your own.