I am Ankita Bajpai, hailing from the historic city of Prayagraj in India, known for hosting the annual Kumbh Mela, a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism – listed in UNESCO's list of Intangible cultural heritage. Seeing the city buzzing with people attending this large event, I became interested in ways to enhance the state of traffic, mobility, and daily conveniences to improve the overall quality of human life. Today, I still contribute during the annual event, finding small ways to help. It's my way of making a positive impact on our community.
Wherever I am today, it is a conscious choice
Architecture, city planning, and technology have always fascinated me. That is why as a child I always knew what I wanted to become – an engineer, just like my father. While my peers were still figuring out their career choices – pondering whether to become a doctor, engineer, painter, or something else – I had a clear goal from the beginning and followed it without any doubts.
While my peers were still unsure about their career choices – pondering whether to become a doctor, engineer, painter or something else – I had a clear goal from the beginning and followed it without any doubts.
I started as a software developer in New Delhi to understand the foundations of technology. In 2009, I moved to Brussels, Belgium with my husband where I continued to evolve professionally working as techno-functional analyst.
Fortune favors the brave – my journey into automation and technological innovation
When I moved to Finland in 2014, I worked in various senior roles, going deeper into a comprehensive understanding of business processes. Having rich experience of working in mature agile environments I strategically invested effort in areas ripe for automation, transforming the way we work and enhancing operational efficiency.
I am passionate about leveraging niche automation technologies and having an exploratory mindset with a commitment to learning – this fuels my proficiency in the field.
I strategically invested effort in areas ripe for automation, transforming the way we work and enhancing operational efficiency.
In 2020, I made a pivotal choice to join KONE, fulfilling my childhood dream of working closely with topics such as urban planning and people flow, and the technological aspects involved in making human life better. Currently, I work as the Product Owner, Engineering Workflow for Modernization solutions and ‘double hat’ as the Global Platform Owner for Enterprise Automations, managing automation technology platforms and hosted solutions.
My role at KONE revolves around defining automation strategy and enhancing automation capabilities improving process productivity, efficiency, and operational excellence. Additionally, as a product owner, I work closely with business teams interacting with end-users directly to develop solutions that leverage automation and artificial intelligence (AI). I feel connected to my expertise and the work I am doing because it is all about shaping our future with the upcoming innovative technology, delivering a safe, sustainable, and fulfilling work environment for all.
I feel connected to my expertise and the work I am doing because it is all about shaping our future with the upcoming innovative technology.”
Life in Finland: nature, work-life balance and culture that fosters growth
When moving from Belgium to Finland, I was apprehensive about a new geography and different working culture. But I instantly fell in love with the beautiful Finnish nature and the warmth with which this 'Land of Santa' accepted us. In the blink of an eye, a decade of life in Espoo has passed while enjoying simple Finnish commodities; a sunny day, a walk into the woods, sustainable thinking, and empathy towards others.
In my free time I enjoy long walks in nature with my family, playing badminton, and gardening. Caring for my plants daily is more than just a routine; it’s a profound practice that enriches my life and shapes me into a better human being. Being an Indian, I love celebrating festivals and events with my Indian friends and community to cherish moments of togetherness, festivity, food, and ethnicity.
Working in IT, English serves as the global language. Hence, language did not pose a barrier for me. My experience as a woman in tech and as an expat is that KONE truly champions diversity, inclusion, work-life balance, and innovation, making it an ideal workplace for me. I personally connect and align with the fact that Finnish companies tend to integrate social responsibility into their business practices, fostering a sense of purpose and pride among employees.
As a country and community, Finland has given me not only a cozy home, but also a safe, secure, and joyful one. My spouse, daughters, and I are happy with our decision to make Finland our home.
Caring for my plants daily is more than just a routine; it is a profound practice that enriches my life and shapes me into a better human being.
Empowering women in technology
For me, work is not just a professional commitment – it’s my passion. My journey challenges stereotypes about women in technology. Growing up, the belief that there are no limitations to what you can achieve shaped my mindset.
Inspired by my mother's capacity to balance family responsibilities with her diverse interests from creative skills to continuous learning, I consciously stepped into the corporate world. As a mother of two beautiful daughters, I try to balance work and family life, learning how to maximize productivity within constraints and enjoying the evening giggles and laughter.
Balancing family and work surely is challenging, but the rewards make it worthwhile. Confidence and determination, regardless of the field, can overcome biases in male-dominated industries.
What inspires me and the key takeaways from my career
When it comes to performing, there is no substitute for hard work. Be open to receiving feedback and seek improvement. Always accept new opportunities and challenges that come your way. Establishing clear goals is essential, do not run away from facing failures – you cannot escape them, but the key is to learn from them.
There’s no substitute for hard work
Success is not about getting everything right all the time; it is about resilience and learning from your mistakes. In my guidance to my team, I consistently emphasize the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity. Focus on delivering sustainable solutions rather than just completing tasks.
Focus on delivering sustainable solutions rather than just completing tasks
In professional life, active observation, asking questions, and learning from hands-on experiences are essential practices. Personally, I make it a priority to stay updated on industry trends and innovative technologies, particularly within digital enabling technologies. Keeping up with the latest developments can be challenging but it’s also rewarding in our dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.
I make it a priority to stay updated on industry trends and innovative technologies
If you are looking for your next growth opportunity, visit our KONE career page, we want to hear from you!