Women Leading the Way: Navigating Careers and Empowering Others
In celebration of Women's History Month, we interviewed two women leaders at Actalent: Divya Prabha and Shannon Roenicke. They share insights into their career journeys, the obstacles they've faced, their motivations and advice for other women looking to advance their careers.
Divya Prabha is a senior project lead based in India and has been with Actalent for seven years. Her expertise lies in solar energy solutions engineering, and she manages a team that provides sales operations, engineering design, procurement, and project controls support to a U.S.-based solar energy provider.
Q: What's your favorite part of your day-to-day at Actalent?
A: Managing a fully remote team is a rewarding part of my role, but what I truly enjoy are the occasional in-person meetups. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities to connect, collaborate and strengthen relationships. I believe they are essential in fostering team bonding, which plays a crucial role in maintaining trust and collaboration in a remote work environment.
Q: Tell us about some obstacles you've had to overcome to get to where you are now?
A:The biggest obstacle in my career has been managing a newborn alongside my regular job. Fortunately, I was able to extend my maternity leave and return to work when I felt confident that my child was in safe hands. I'm grateful to my manager and clients for creating an environment that supported me during this time, allowing me to focus on both my family and career.
Q: What advice would you give to women who want to make an impact in their careers?
A: My biggest advice for women striving to excel in their careers is to set personal boundaries and ensure they are in an environment that supports their growth rather than holding them back from pursuing their dreams. Family plays a significant role in helping women balance work and life. Having open conversations at home and sharing your dreams and aspirations can be a powerful step forward for women looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
Q: How have women colleagues supported you in your career, and what steps can we take to lift each other up?
A: I've been fortunate to have leaders who consistently recognized my contributions, even in a remote work environment. One of the most impactful moments was when a former manager nominated me for a leadership program designed to empower women. This experience significantly shaped my decision-making skills and leadership style.
I'm committed to paying that forward by actively identifying opportunities to support and uplift the women on my team. As a woman in leadership, I believe empathy is a powerful asset — one that fosters collaboration, drives engagement and benefits my entire team.
Q: What advice would you give to inspire the next generation of women leaders?
A: Remember that we can’t please everyone when making tough decisions. As women, we often bring a nurturing, "mama bear" approach to our roles, which can sometimes lead us to judge ourselves more harshly than we would others. While we're quick to excuse and forgive mistakes made by others, we rarely extend that same grace to ourselves. Treat yourself with the same understanding and compassion that you so willingly offer to those around you.
Shannon Roenicke is a managing director in the U.S. and has been with Actalent for 20 years. She oversees the Operations Support Group, Field Support Group, Credit and Co-located Services teams. These teams collaborate to enhance partnerships within our field operations, improving the experiences of our consultants, clients and colleagues. Shannon has been married to her husband Andrew for thirteen years and has three children. In her downtime, she loves to read and has already read 18 books in 2025!
Q: What's your favorite part of your day-to-day at Actalent?
A: The most rewarding aspect of my daily work at Actalent is engaging with my team members. I take great satisfaction in offering support and helping my team overcome obstacles to ensure their success.
Q: Tell us about some obstacles you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are now?
A: Navigating a career can be a complex journey, filled with both opportunities and challenges. Throughout my experience as a leader, I have encountered difficulties in balancing my professional and personal commitments. My passion for assisting others and engaging in new learning experiences often leads me to overextend myself. While I am always ready to contribute actively, it is essential to discern between tasks I should undertake personally and those I should delegate to my team. On a personal level, I am fortunate to have a supportive spouse who shares in managing our children's activities and household duties, and steps in to help whenever needed. I strive to give myself grace, recognizing that it is okay to face challenges without immediate solutions, as long as I am making progress.
Q: How can organizations ensure women have equal opportunities for leadership roles and are inspired to contribute to the company's direction/strategy?
A: Promoting a culture of inclusion requires leadership to prioritize diversity and inclusion as fundamental values. Transparent promotion processes with objective criteria are important for fairness. Regular performance reviews and feedback sessions supports this goal. Mentorship programs can connect aspiring female leaders with experienced mentors for guidance and support. Leadership development programs offer training and networking opportunities for women to develop their skills, confidence, and relationships within the organization. Inclusive job descriptions attract a diverse candidate pool, and diverse interview panels help reduce biases in the hiring process. By implementing these strategies, organizations can create an environment where women feel valued, supported and empowered to take on leadership roles and shape the company's direction and strategy.
Q: How can we encourage male colleagues to be more inclusive of women in the workplace?
A: We can promote open communication by initiating dialogue where women can share personal experiences and stories. These help male colleagues understand the challenges women face in the workplace, which is an important first step. Additionally, it is crucial for women to recognize and support male colleagues who advocate for gender inclusion, thereby reinforcing positive behavior. It is also beneficial to encourage male colleagues to participate in Actalent’s employee resource groups to actively contribute to shaping the organization's culture.
Q: What advice would you offer to inspire the next generation of women leaders?
A: Remain true to your values and principles, as authentic leadership is both powerful and inspiring. View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, understanding that setbacks are merely steps toward success. Advocate for yourself and others by articulating your goals clearly and supporting the achievements of other women by promoting their success.
