Akansha Singh: Growing a career in tech from the ground up in Hyderabad

Being part of a new office gives you a different experience. You get to learn and connect with people early and see how everything comes together as the office grows.”

From curiosity in technology to a career in cybersecurity

Akansha's interest in technology started in school, where she enjoyed science, mathematics and solving complex problems. Fascinated by how systems worked and how they could be improved, she chose to study engineering and later began her career in cybersecurity as a graduate.

Over the next five years, she gained experience across banking, financial services and robotic process automation, working in both technical and client-facing roles. Early exposure to Identity and Access Management (IAM) gave her first-hand insight into how security controls help protect organisations and their people – foundational experience that would later support her work at Macquarie.

As her career progressed, she became increasingly interested in understanding not only how technology solutions were built, but also the business challenges they were designed to solve.

"I enjoyed connecting the dots between business needs and technology solutions. I became more curious about the 'why' behind business requirements, how priorities were determined, and how technology could be designed to create meaningful outcomes for users," she explains.

Wanting to gain more exposure to how solutions are designed and delivered, Akansha began looking for opportunities that combined technical expertise and the business side of technology, ultimately leading her to join Macquarie as a Technical Business Analyst in the Cybersecurity Identity team.

Building confidence in a new office

From the start, Akansha says the support around her helped make joining Macquarie’s new Hyderabad office feel seamless. With structured onboarding, regular check-ins and a strong focus on inclusion, she quickly felt part of the team.

"I felt really welcomed and supported," she says. "Everyone made an effort to connect. I had regular check-ins with my manager, and people across the team reached out for one-on-one conversations. It really helped me settle in quickly."

One moment, in particular, stood out from those early experiences. 

On my first day, I received a handwritten welcome note from Manish Desai, India Country Lead for Macquarie Group. That was such a thoughtful gesture, and something I'll always remember. It made me feel valued from day one.”

Shortly after joining, Akansha spent a week in Macquarie’s Gurugram office. Meeting her team in person and experiencing the culture firsthand helped her build connections early and gain a stronger sense of belonging across the organisation.

“It was a really valuable opportunity provided by my managers,” she says. “Being able to meet my colleagues face to face helped me feel more connected, included and engaged from the beginning.”

That early support gave Akansha a strong foundation as she stepped into her role and helped her gain an understanding of how different teams and domains across Macquarie work together to deliver technology solutions.

Making an impact through technology

In her role, Akansha works in cybersecurity within the identity domain, partnering closely with business and engineering teams to design and deliver solutions that improve how people interact with systems.

One project she’s particularly proud of is the launch of a global Segregation of Duties (SoD) portal, designed to simplify how people across Macquarie access and manage user permissions.

“We built a portal that’s much easier for business users to navigate,” she explains. “You don’t need to deeply understand the underlying system before using it. It’s designed to be simple and accessible.”

Akansha played a key role in the end-to-end delivery of the project, from gathering requirements and supporting testing, to engaging stakeholders and communicating updates across teams. Since launching, the platform has been used by teams globally, with ongoing enhancements driven by user feedback.

“For me, the most fulfilling part is when what we build actually makes things easier for users,” she says. “Understanding what people need and seeing that come to life- that’s where the impact is.”

Growing through learning and connection

Working in a growing team has given Akansha the opportunity to learn quickly and build connections across the organisation.

Through the Women in Tech Employee Network Group (ENG), she has been paired with senior leaders for one-on-one conversations, helping to guide her in how to build her career in technology.

“Having someone you can reach out to for guidance makes a big difference,” she says. “It gives you clarity in how you want to grow.”

These interactions have also helped Akansha better understand different career paths in technology and how she can shape her own. Being part of a new and expanding office has further accelerated her development, giving her broader exposure to how the business operates and the chance to collaborate across teams.

Akansha has also participated in a Women in Tech Career Connect event, joining a panel discussion alongside senior leaders to share her experience with others in the industry. Opportunities like this have helped her grow in confidence and visibility, while giving her exposure beyond her core role.

Looking ahead, she is pursuing certifications such as Agile Business Analysis and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) to continue building her expertise and advancing her career.

Contributing to culture and community

Akansha has played an active role in shaping the culture of the Hyderabad office.

From leading Foundation Week activities to contributing to ENGs including Women in Tech and Pride, she has embraced opportunities beyond her day-to-day role.

As part of Foundation Week, she helped deliver sessions for students focused on communication and personality development, alongside community engagement activities with local schools.

“It’s been great to contribute to something meaningful outside of work as well,” she says. “You get to collaborate with others and create impact in the community.”

Looking ahead

As the Hyderabad office continues to grow, Akansha is grateful to have been a part of its journey from the early stages.

“When you’re part of something from the beginning, you understand how everything comes together, and that’s the most exciting part,” she says.

For those considering a career at Macquarie, her advice is simple:

“You'll get to work with great technology and alongside talented people who are willing to share their knowledge and support your growth. There are amazing leaders here who genuinely invest in your development, so if you're willing to learn, you'll find plenty of opportunities to build your career.”