Arti Lalwani 
A-LIGN
Excellence in Client Services
On her recognition as one of the Women Leaders in Technology Arti Lalwani notes that it is important for women to have female leaders they can look up to and see that there are opportunities for success and growth in this field. "I hope this award motivates and inspires other women in the industry as other female leaders have inspired and motivated me throughout my professional career."
Her biggest professional achievement is growing from a Senior Consultant to the ISO Practice Lead at A-LIGN, and then leading and growing the ISO practice to one of the highest-performing service lines at the firm with over 350 ISO clients and $5.7 million in revenue in 2020. "My role was critical in A-LIGN's selection as one of the first accredited ISO 27701 certification bodies last year, allowing the firm to expand its breadth of privacy services and work with clients to build a strong compliance strategy based on previous privacy standards." Lalwani has also helped build and launch A-LIGN's Women's Network, a group dedicated to empowering, educating, and supporting women at A-LIGN as part of its broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. "My professional growth and accomplishments would not be possible without the support of A-LIGN's executive team and my colleagues."
Lalwani has experienced many challenges as both a female and a minority consultant in the technology and cybersecurity field. "There have been instances where clients speak and respond to my male counterpart rather than me, or I've been designated to take notes during meetings rather than lead them." Experiences like these have taught her that respect in the workplace should be demanded and never to be ashamed for having an opinion or speaking one's mind freely. "Women will, unfortunately, experience similar situations, but I believe we are progressing toward a more inclusive world for women where their success and accomplishments are recognized and celebrated."
Q&A: What would you say is the best advice (consulting or otherwise) you've ever received?
"In an industry that stereotypes how women should act, it's okay to be yourself," she states. "There's a specific personality that is expected for this industry, and I've learned that I can still be professional and bring my opinions and personality to the table." One of her greatest mentors, Petar Besalev, A-LIGN's EVP of Cybersecurity and Compliance Services, has iterated that no harm will come from being oneself, and to not underestimate the value she can bring to her team and the firm. "It is OK to be smart, driven, and have an opinion, and that's what I believe has been the most valuable advice I've received during my professional career. "
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