Sukhinder Singh Cassidy has successfully launched three startups, with her latest being Boardlist, yet she feels her journey is just beginning.
In 2024, the number of female startup founders remains alarmingly low. A recent survey revealed that only 15% of founders in the tech sector are women, and merely 22% of individuals can name a notable woman in the industry, despite prominent brands like YouTube and Canva being led by females.
Cassidy stands out among these women, having sold three startups. Her path has been filled with both achievements and setbacks, each of which she values. “People often commend me for my confidence,” she states. “That confidence stems from my ability to handle failure. I understand I'm not infallible, and if things don’t pan out as planned, there’s always another way forward.”
Her entrepreneurial journey includes founding a video shopping platform and a financial data service, culminating in the creation of Boardlist, which connects board-ready executives with companies seeking diverse talent.
Cassidy understands not only when to sell a business but also when to step away. She believes recognizing personal limits in a role is crucial, promoting the idea of taking calculated risks and pursuing new opportunities. “Staying stagnant is the riskiest choice of all; while you remain inactive, decisions are being made around you. This means you're not adapting to your surroundings,” Cassidy explains.
Listen to gain insights into Cassidy’s approach as CEO at Xero, her views on hiring individuals who have learned from failure, and her belief in the necessity of taking career risks, whether big or small.
