Leaders

They say strength is silent, but when a woman rises, her roar reshapes the world. Through heartbreak and hustle, through roles she never chose and dreams she dares to chase, she becomes her own force of change.

In a world where wealth management remains a male-dominated field, Preethy Uthup stands out, not just as a woman who rose through the ranks but as a force who defied every limitation society placed on her. As a single woman navigating the high-stakes world of finance, Preethy never learned to sympathize or make excuses. Instead, she armored herself with resilience, professionalism, and clarity of purpose.

Pronounced as 'Iron Lady' by her peers, she built a powerful identity, one that separated personal vulnerability from professional grit. With a deep belief that women can shoulder any responsibility and still shine, she champions the idea of women going beyond limits, embracing leadership, and commanding respect, not with entitlement, but with earned excellence.

For Preethy, inspiration doesn't just come from boardroom icons or glossy business magazines, it comes alive through the story of Madam C.J. Walker, a Black woman in early 1900s America who transformed her personal struggle into an empire and became the first self-made female millionaire in the U.S. Like Walker, Preethy believes in creating value while uplifting others, whether by educating clients about emerging financial sectors, advocating for women's financial literacy, or driving conversations around legacy and philanthropy.

To her, building wealth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about vision, impact, and making space for women to rise, no matter where they Preethy's new venture, Peets Consulting is where financial intelligence meets social purpose, bridging global capital with high-impact businesses and underrepresented voices.

Take us through your professional journey in the banking and wealth management sector.

My journey started as a resident representative for Crompton Greaves selling imported medical analyzers. Though I sold just one machine, it gave me immense confidence. I then moved to Yellow Pages and grew into a leadership role, leading India’s top-performing telesales team. Later, I joined The Hindu as the first woman in their Cochin office. I proved my capabilities and led impactful client campaigns.

My dream was to work with ICICI, and I joined in the life insurance segment, eventually becoming the best Channel Development Manager. I then moved into wealth management, where I truly found my niche. I rose to become Kerala’s only female Cluster Branch Manager, overseeing five branches and later transitioning into a Private Banker role, a position where I managed high-net-worth clients and helped grow their portfolios before retiring from ICICI Bank.

Introduce us to Peets Consulting and the underlying idea behind the consultancy firm? What are the major roles and responsibilities you shoulder at Peets Consulting?

After retirement, I felt an urge to create something that truly reflected my values and professional identity. I worked as an independent consultant and soon realized I could achieve more by building something of my own. That’s how Peets Consulting was born, a one-woman initiative built on trust, strategy, and meaningful client engagement. The firm focuses not just on wealth, but on legacy, education, and empowering women from less privileged backgrounds.

As a specialized capital facilitator, I serve as a strategic bridge between high-growth corporations across India and Dubai's dynamic markets and an exclusive network of family offices and institutional investors spanning Singapore, Dubai, Paris, and Brussels. My practice focuses on creating bespoke funding pathways for mid-market and corporate entities, leveraging deep cross-border financial expertise to unlock strategic capital partnerships that fuel sustainable expansion

Currently, Peets Consulting is a solo journey. I manage client strategy, succession planning, financial goals, and market insights. I’m also identifying like-minded women to eventually join the venture. My mission is not just financial growth but building a platform that gives back, especially through the trust I plan to start in my father’s name to help girl children and single women thrive.

In your role as a wealth manager, how do you go about developing effective financial strategies and safeguarding client wealth? What challenges did you encounter as a leader in wealth management and how do you successfully overcome them?

It all begins with understanding. Every client has a different starting point, including their vision, risk appetite, and limitations. I ensure clients are educated and empowered, not just advised. Wealth management is not just about high returns, it’s about sustainable, informed growth that suits the client’s personality and long-term goals.

Being a woman in a male-dominated field was never easy. Clients didn’t always take me seriously initially, but I stayed consistent. Patience and empathy helped me connect with clients at a deeper level. I never rushed the process, building trust was my first step. My resilience became my strength.

Tell us about your journey as an author.

Apart from finance, storytelling has been a deep passion. My book, 'The Solemn Hours of the Day', tells the story of a woman who overcomes societal limitations to become her own hero. It mirrors many real-life experiences and reflects how internal courage and external perseverance can turn around even the bleakest of situations.

What is your leadership philosophy or success mantra?

Resilience, compassion, and service. I believe in rising after every fall, and more importantly, extending a hand to help others rise. I have mentored over 500 individuals, be it through job guidance, educational support, or simply being a pillar in their difficult moments. Leadership, to me, is measured by how many others you uplift.

Preethy Uthup, Founder, Peets Consulting

Preethy Uthup, Founder of Peets Consulting, is an ex­perienced consultant spe­cializing in financial services and business relationship management with over two decades of dedicated work. Her approach emphasizes deep client understanding, particularly in succession planning and asset diversi­fication, with a focus on the market's unique dynamics.