Embracing duality: How Parinda Gandhi balanced heritage, identity, and success

By Soumoshree Mukherjee

In a recent episode of “Indianness” podcast with Sanjay Puri, Parinda Gandhi opened up about her remarkable journey from India to the United States a story that seamlessly weaves together cultural identity, education, and personal growth.

Gandhi’s transformation from being a financial advisor in Ohio banking centers to becoming one of healthcare’s most innovative financial leaders and her exceptional contributions to financial leadership makes journey fascinating.

From her family’s deep-rooted belief in education to her own professional ascent in the finance industry, Gandhi’s journey offers an inspiring reflection on navigating dual identities and the power of self-determination.

Gandhi reflects on how her upbringing shaped her ambitions remembering her father’s migration journey. She recalls that there was scepticism from family and so much uncertainty, “there was a lot of negative sentiment around the possibilities and if someone could actually make it work in the U.S. He was very nervous and he had left behind his wife and two children (but) he said… ‘I’m going to struggle and we’ll see what happens.’ And about six months down the line, eventually he was able to get us here to the U.S. as well.

READ: From Wall Street to wordsmith: Alok Sama’s serendipitous journey to writing ‘The Money Trap’ (August 5, 2025)

Gandhi remembers that her father’s courage to start anew in the U.S. gave her a foundation of resilience. Balancing her Indian heritage at home with the American culture outside, she thinks that helped shape her worldview and taught her the art of adaptation. She says, “I had to really understand how do I straddle these two cultures,” as at home, everything reflected her Indian heritage, but outside, she navigated a world shaped by American beliefs and ways of life.

Education played a central role in her story. As Gandhi notes, “My grandmother held a very strong belief including all her daughters, should get educated as much as possible.” A belief that motivated her to pursue higher studies and professional success.

She includes, “that’s been something that has been driving in my family at least for a long time is we have to get well educated…” These familial values became her compass as she transitioned across countries and cultures.

Gandhi delves into the challenges of cultural shifts during her formative years. Moving from a diverse school to a predominantly Caucasian one brought feelings of isolation. She admits the tough phase but appreciates the friendships which became her lifeline. Those early experiences shaped her social skills and resilience.

Over time, she transitioned from being introverted to ambivert, balancing introspection with the confidence needed to thrive professionally. Gandhi reflects that moving to new cities taught her independence and adaptability, crediting her parents for instilling critical thinking and self-reliance.

READ: Indian American Impact joins call for Noem’s congressional probe (July 24, 2025)

Mentorship, Gandhi believes, was a defining force in her career. She explains how having mentors who believe in you can completely change your trajectory, “he helped me understand what it meant to be in an investment advisory position.”  They guided her professional choices and inspired her to mentor others, emphasizing that networking and openness to new opportunities can lead to pivotal life changes.

Her reflections on professional growth are grounded in a sense of self-awareness. “I realized, I have the ability to take my life into my own hands and shape it in the direction that I want it to,” Gandhi says. She describes her career setbacks as “inflection points” that taught her to stay resilient and strategic, especially when faced with bias or cultural misunderstandings in the workplace.

As she reflects on how personal choices and professional setbacks helped define her path to success. She explained, “it’s okay to share maybe long term what your vision is for yourself. But you have to be very careful in who you’re sharing that with.”

Today, Gandhi’s journey stands as a testament to how cultural awareness, mentorship, and self-advocacy can transform a career. She concludes by saying that success isn’t just about where you end up, it’s about how you grow through every challenge along the way.

Through her journey, Gandhi exemplifies how embracing one’s cultural roots while adapting to change can create a life of both purpose and success, a true testament to the strength found in duality.