Sharmin Reehman, CEO and Founder of Elev8te, has had an extraordinary journey through the professional landscape, from traditional banking to the startup ecosystem, ultimately founding a company that connects ambitious minds with industry experts, mentors, and peers. Her vision for Elev8te is clear: to reshape the professional landscape by providing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between Start-ups/SMEs and the industry’s best and brightest.

In a candid conversation, Singapore-based Sharmin shares her insights on her diverse background, her work with women-led startups, and her thoughts on gender equality in the workplace. Through her work with women-led startups, her advocacy for gender equality, and her dedication to nurturing talent, she is reshaping the professional landscape for the better. As she continues to empower the next generation of leaders, Sharmin remains optimistic about the future, believing that with the right approach, real change is not only possible but inevitable.

From Technology to Entrepreneurship

Sharmin Reehman’s background is as diverse as her professional experience. Born to an Iranian mother and Indian father, she spent her formative years in Bangladesh and recalls witnessing poverty firsthand for the first time. Her early career began with HSBC in Bangladesh, where she worked for five years before moving to Hong Kong. With a degree in computer science and a specialization in AI, Sharmin was at the forefront of transitioning the bank into Internet banking—a role that required educating both young bankers and senior managers unfamiliar with the digital space.

Sharmin’s career journey has spanned across dynamic cities like Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai, and Singapore, working with major financial powerhouses such as Zurich Financial and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Yet, despite her success, the traditional banking world’s slow pace of innovation left her feeling unfulfilled. “I became captivated by the startup ecosystem,” she reflects, “which inspired me to pursue an MBA focused on the commercialization of innovation.”

This passion for innovation led her to strategic roles at Deloitte and KPMG, where she helped emerging startups scale and commercialize groundbreaking ideas. However, the revenue-centric focus of these roles didn’t fully align with her vision for fostering long-term business development.

Sharmin’s breakthrough came when she was headhunted by the New Zealand government to assist tech startups in their expansion into Singapore and across the region. After COVID, she realized the potential to make a broader impact. “I saw that I could help startups not just from New Zealand but from anywhere in the world,” she shares.

This epiphany led her to launch her own venture about a year ago, marking a bold shift from the corporate sphere to entrepreneurship. Today, she is deeply engaged in helping inbound startups thrive in Singapore. “This journey has given me a profound understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur,” Sharmin says, “and it’s been incredibly fulfilling to walk this path alongside the innovators of tomorrow.”

One of Sharmin’s most passionate endeavours is her work with women-led startups, particularly through the “Women of the Future” initiative. This program supports women entrepreneurs across countries like Cambodia, Brunei, and the Philippines—regions often overlooked in the global entrepreneurial landscape. “The women I work with are incredibly brave, driven not just by the products they create but by the challenges they’ve overcome and the reasons behind starting their ventures,” Sharmin shares. Many of these women face significant risks, including threats to their safety and income, yet they persevere out of a deep sense of purpose.

Sharmin highlights the resilience and self-belief of these women, who are mostly under 35 and often lack mentorship. “They’re not just motivated by personal success but by the desire to help others—to give a voice to their communities,” she says. Each year, Sharmin has the privilege of selecting a winner from this group, which she describes as an incredibly difficult task given the inspiring journeys of all participants. The winner gains a platform to grow, but more importantly, they uplift others along the way.

Drawing from her experiences, Sharmin offers valuable advice to young women entering the workforce. “Success isn’t just about what you achieve, but the journey you take to get there,” she emphasizes. She encourages women to reflect on their progress, celebrating achievements as reminders of their strength and capability. “Stay driven by a purpose larger than yourself and take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your journey,” she advises.

Initiating Meaningful Change in the Workplace

Sharmin is a firm believer that workplace behaviour mirrors the broader society we live in, but she stresses that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level. “For real change, everyone needs to be given the same voice and freedom,” she notes, recalling her own childhood aspirations of becoming an astronaut—a dream that was met with scepticism due to gender biases. She advocates for change to start within the family, where both girls and boys are treated equally and encouraged to pursue their ambitions.

She also points out the importance of addressing societal expectations that impact both women and men. “The issue isn’t just about women; it affects everyone,” she says, emphasizing the need for a collective effort in driving real change.

When asked about why women in senior roles sometimes fail to support other women, Sharmin offers a nuanced perspective. “This behaviour tends to occur more in traditional industries like banking or consulting, but it’s not as common in places like Singapore,” she observes. She believes that the issue may stem from the sacrifices women in senior roles have made to reach their positions. “When they see other women advancing quickly, they might feel threatened or resentful, thinking, ‘It took me 20 years to get here, and she’s doing it in six,'” she explains. However, she notes that this mindset is less common now, particularly in more progressive work environments.

Best Practices in Workplace Gender Equality

Sharmin has encountered several best practices in workplace gender equality throughout her career. One of the most impactful, she recalls, was transparent pay policies at her last job. “If a male and a female employee had the same qualifications and experience, there was no discrepancy in their salaries,” she explains. This approach ensured fairness and left no room for debate.

Flexible work arrangements, inclusive hiring and promotion practices, leadership accountability, and mentorship programs are other key practices she advocates for. “It wasn’t just about hiring Ivy League graduates, but also about giving opportunities to those who worked hard, regardless of their background,” she notes.

Paving the Way for More Women in the Boardroom

When it comes to increasing female representation in the boardroom, Sharmin does not fully agree with the use of quotas. “Women should be hired because they’re talented, bring diverse perspectives, and truly add value to the organization,” she asserts. Instead, she advocates for creating a pathway for women to leadership roles by nurturing their talent from the ground up. “Organizations should focus on grooming female talent from an early stage, ensuring that women have the same opportunities as their male counterparts,” she advises.

Finally, Sharmin underscores the crucial role men play in promoting gender equality in the workplace. “Real change happens when men see it as the right thing to do, motivated by their own experiences,” she says. She believes that men can be the strongest advocates for gender equality—not by being forced into it, but by embracing it as the right path forward.