Ritika Cabral on empowering women to climb the corporate ladder

The fourth edition of the Her World Mentorship Programme champions women who are just stepping into leadership. This year, 13 hand-picked mentees will spend six months journeying with accomplished women leaders.

Ritika Cabral believes that the combination of courage and clarity following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, which relapsed last year, gave her the perspective she needed to walk away from a 30-year career in financial services. Viewing it as an early retirement, she is now channelling everything she built in boardrooms and in risk governance into uplifting other women. “There are a lot of things that I want to pursue now, including non-profit work,” she says.

Her last two decades were spent at a major bank, where she began in product management, overseeing mortgages, profit and loss, and customer retention, before moving into credit risk and ultimately risk governance.

Outside of corporate life, Ritika has been serving on the board of Image Mission since January last year, which she describes as deeply fulfilling and closely aligned with her desire to give back. Joining the Her World Mentorship Programme is also her way of paying it forward with intention in this new chapter of her life.

“It is an opportunity for me to leverage my corporate and life experiences, and to help support other women as they climb their career ladder. At the same time, I believe mentorship is a two-way exchange. Through reverse mentoring, I look forward to learning from the fresh perspectives, ideas and experiences that mentees bring. That mutual learning is what makes the experience rewarding,” she says.

How do you handle moments when you feel uncertain or out of your depth as a leader?

We operate today in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world. The environment is not black and white, and there are multiple shades of grey that we need to work with. Decisions often have to be made based on incomplete information. As a leader, that uncertainty is something you have to get comfortable with.

What helps me is adopting a three-pronged approach. Firstly, gather as much information, facts and data as possible. Next, take a collaborative approach: seek diverse perspectives from stakeholders to avoid blind spots. And finally, rely on your gut instinct. I also find it helpful to talk things through with a mentor or a trusted sounding board, as they often bring perspectives you may not have considered.

What are the hallmarks of a good manager at work?

A good manager is someone who balances empathy with accountability. It starts with genuinely listening—understanding your team’s perspectives, challenges and strengths—and creating an environment where people feel supported, valued and heard.

Trust is equally important. Strong managers empower their teams through meaningful delegation, giving people the space to take ownership without micromanaging, while still being accessible when guidance is needed.

Lastly, a good leader is someone who makes clear decisions, takes ownership of outcomes, and stands by their team, especially when things don’t go as planned. Creating a culture where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than something to be penalised encourages people to take initiative and grow.

How should someone show up at work if they want to be seen as leadership material?

It starts with how you approach your day-to-day work. Preparation is key—doing your homework and contributing thoughtfully, whether in a routine meeting or a high-stakes discussion, signals both credibility and intent. Being seen as someone who is thorough matters.

Equally important is presence. Being engaged, curious, and willing to step beyond your immediate role helps you build a broader perspective, which is critical for leadership. It shows that you’re thinking beyond just your own remit.

Having a point of view also matters. Leaders are expected to make decisions, so it’s important to speak up, back your opinions with sound reasoning, and not simply agree for the sake of it.

Her World Mentorship Programme 2026 is made possible with the support of official beauty partner Cle de Peau Beaute and official network partner Singtel.

ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng
STYLING Donson Chan
HAIR Aung Apichai
MAKEUP Lasalle Lee

Special thanks to SCWO and Boardagender for their help and support with the Her World Mentorship Programme 2026