Sushmita Saraswat

Sushmita is currently working with KPMG in their Testing Practice and is an expert on automation testing. She has shown great results while working under tight timelines and towards complex client requirements. Her ability to find solutions to complex defects and attention to detail while defining test methodologies makes her an inspiring team member. She mentors all juniors, graduates and new joiners in the team who are new to testing.

As a mentor, Sushmita teaches on best practises for automation while promoting gender balance in Financial Services. Her ability to network with senior client stakeholders and leaders at KPMG provides her the ability to deliver beyond her current role and she was nominated by KPMG for ‘Test manager of the year’ award at TESTA and also her project won ‘Team of the Year’ award during the same year at TESTA awards 2018.

She has now been shortlisted for the 2019 WIBF Young Professional Award.

How does it feel to be shortlisted for our Young Professional Award?

I felt very pleased when I saw the email that I have been shortlisted. It is an honour that my work personally and professionally has been recognised for nomination by a prestigious organisation.

Can you tell us about your role as a Test Automation Manager at KPMG?

My role as Test Automation Manager involves taking full ownership of client’s testing requirements by defining a test strategy and then execute the same using automation and non-automation methodologies. I build test plan, manage resources and resolve issues with clients and development teams to ensure high quality outcomes at optimised costs.

In 2012 you took a job break to work for the NGO in the rural areas of North India, can you tell us more about that and what you gained from that experience?

I do not have words to explain the feeling when you give it back to the society. It was a tough decision to leave a salaried job, leave the regular life style and work as a volunteer. Initially it was tough to adjust but soon I realised the impact of my efforts on lives of young rural women kept me going. The little things like computer and internet access that we take for granted are privileges for them. This experience has helped me in understanding my real potential as a person and I look forward to finding more opportunities in the future to volunteer at KPMG,

What motivates you to do what you do with regards for championing women?

I hail from a small village where girls were not given many opportunities to achieve their dreams. Banking and Finance is even daunting. My parents have always motivated me to break that barrier and do what I wanted to do in life. I wanted to help women as much as I could, not everyone is as lucky as me to be blessed with such supportive parents.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting out on her career?

Dream Big and work hard towards achieving it. Don’t let anyone make you feel that you don’t belong here.

What ambitions do you have, professionally and personally?

I want to become a Leader in KPMG and be able to inspire other women that we can achieve everything and anything we want in life whilst balancing personal life, your family and kids.

Women are emotional and I feel it is our biggest power, as we are honest and true to everything we do.