Subarna Gupta Interview
With over two decades of experience in communications, marketing, and consulting across India, Dubai, Canada, Costa Rica, Prague, and Mauritius, her story is not defined by a single project, but by a life immersed in cultures and business challenges. From aligning strategies for global giants like Microsoft and Nestlé to launching her entrepreneurial venture at 54, she exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and purpose. In this exclusive interview, she shares how empathy fuels leadership, why disruption is a mindset, and how personal branding is no longer optional in a hybrid world. Through bold pivots, inclusive strategies, and a deep belief in human connection, she proves that transformation—personal or professional—starts with listening, courage, and strategic clarity.
On Cross-Cultural Leadership
We started the interview by asking, “With over two decades of global leadership across communication, marketing and consulting, what has been your most transformative cross-cultural project, and what did you learn from it?”
Subarna Gupta replied, “Rather than a single project, my entire career has been a series of transformative experiences shaped by living and working across India, Dubai, Canada, Costa Rica, Prague, Mauritius, and now back in Dubai. Each move required not just professional agility but deep cultural immersion. At the end of the day, it’s the people that run the business and we are all all the same in our core. One notable engagement involved streamlining business processes for clients across Asia and Europe. This demanded tailoring strategies to fit both global standards and local nuances. I learned that cultural adaptability isn’t just a soft skill, it’s a strategic capability. Listening deeply, localizing without diluting values, and aligning with business objectives are critical to building trust across diverse teams.”
Strategy Across Industries
The Arab Today: You’ve worked with global brands like Nestlé, Gillette, RayBan, Microsoft and Malaysia Tourism. How do you align communication and business strategies across such varied industries?
Subarna Gupta replied, “My approach is always business first. Whether it’s innovation in tech, customer loyalty in FMCG, or emotional engagement in tourism, One has to understand what ticks what does not, thenI reverse-engineer your strategy from business goals. For Microsoft, the emphasis was on innovation and agility. For Malaysia Tourism, cultural intelligence played a central role in driving business. Across the board, I use diagnostics and data driven thinking to create solutions that drive real business outcomes. Communication and marketing is all about speaking the right words at the right time.”
Women Entrepreneurship
The Arab Today: You delivered a TEDx talk on women entrepreneurship. What message did you hope to convey, and how has it influenced your work?
Subarna Gupta replied, “The heart of my TEDx talk was this: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. At 54, I transitioned from a corporate executive to a full-time entrepreneur. My message is about resilience, risk-taking, and rejecting age as a limitation. Today, I run Weditall, a wedding industry aggregator platform born out of this very belief. I also mentor women on the cusp of change, helping them shift from self-doubt to action. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.”
Executive Education at Harvard
The Arab Today: How did your executive education at Harvard shape your leadership style?
Subarna Gupta replied, “It was during Covid times that I did this course. My intention was to make the most of the time we have, and learning in my opinion should never stop. The Harvard Online School program on Disruptive Strategy formalized what I had intuitively practiced, that disruption is a mindset, not a threat. It helped me pivot from being a directive leader to a facilitative one. Today, it helps me think in a different manner and embrace change, challenge the status quo, and co-create value.. I view my role as an enabler, guiding teams through ambiguity rather than dictating direction.”
Ethical Leadership during Restructuring
The Arab Today: What’s been your most challenging restructuring experience, and how did you approach it with empathy?
Subarna Gupta replied, “A multi-country downsizing initiative during a digital transformation stands out. While business metrics demanded tough calls, we ensured the human impact was front and center. I led with radical transparency, trained managers in compassionate offboarding, and offered upskilling programs for those affected. Even in loss, we preserved trust and brand equity. That, to me, is ethical leadership, not just minimizing damage but maximizing dignity.”
Personal Branding in a Hybrid World
The Arab Today: You’ve led personal branding workshops globally. How do you define personal branding in today’s digital, hybrid world?
Subarna Gupta replied, “Personal branding is strategic authenticity. In global or hybrid teams, your digital presence often precedes your physical one. I teach professionals to articulate their values, strengths, and purpose with clarity, across LinkedIn, meetings, and even casual interactions. Especially in multicultural environments, a strong personal brand builds credibility, reduces miscommunication, and acts as your north star in complex settings.”
Universal Business Challenges
Lastly we asked, “You’ve worked across continents. In your view, what’s the one universal challenge, and how do you solve it?”
“The most universal challenge that is seen is the resistance to change – be it people, systems or mindset. We are all afraid of moving away from familiar territories. Whether in Canada, the Middle East, or Europe, change fatigue is real. My approach blends structured models with human-centered practices. I prioritize transparent communication, safe spaces for dialogue, and visible, empathetic leadership. I believe in bringing the story back into strategy, because people don’t just buy into plans, they buy into meaning. As long as we can empower them and not leave them behind, the transformation becomes easier.
Final Thoughts:
Your journey is an inspiring example of how cultural fluency, strategic communication and brand building, and entrepreneurial courage can converge to create lasting impact. For readers who’d like to explore your work further.” Subarna Gupta concluded
Visit Subarna Gupta’s Website here: www.weditall.com
Watch Ms. Subarna’s TEDx Talk: Watch here
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