For Ms Kanchana Gupta, stepping away from her corporate career twice – first in 2011 and later in 2020 – became pivotal moments that reshaped her life.
These breaks, though driven by different circumstances, provided the 50-year-old Singaporean artist and entrepreneur with the time and opportunity to pursue her passions, focus on her health and redefine her purpose.
In 2011, Ms Gupta took a break from her management role at Accenture to focus on her art, which up to that point had been just a hobby for her. She enrolled at LASALLE College of the Arts, where she earned a master’s degree.
Today, she is a celebrated artist represented by Australian gallery Sullivan+Strumpf. Her paintings are also featured in institutional and private collections in Singapore, and in galleries in Japan, Hong Kong, France, Australia and the United States.
While pursuing her master’s, she also became a mother, and in 2015, returned to the corporate world as a consultant at telecommunications firm Telstra – all while maintaining her art business.
Life, however, threw her a curveball in June 2020 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. An 11-month break followed, where she underwent treatment and a full recovery.
“Cancer forced me to slow down and re-evaluate what truly mattered,” Ms Gupta said. “During my treatment, I had a lot of time to reflect and I asked myself if I had done enough to give back to society.”
While the illness posed physical and emotional challenges, it also became the catalyst for her next venture. Ms Gupta launched vLookUp.ai in August 2021 – a mentorship platform aimed at empowering women by providing career guidance, bridging a gap she had experienced earlier in her life.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mentors’ guidance and encouragement throughout my career,” she said. “They showed me what was possible and gave me the confidence to pursue it,” Ms Gupta said. “Mentorship should not be a privilege constrained by socio-economic factors or geographic boundaries.”
Starting with just 10 mentors and nine mentees, vLookUp.ai has grown to include over 369 mentors and 1,200 mentees spanning 30 countries and 400 organisations.
Speaking to Tabla at the sidelines of the Singapore Women In Tech’s (SGWIT) 5th anniversary event on Nov 18, Ms Gupta underlined the importance of initiatives like SGWIT in advancing gender equity in the industry.
“Women in technology still face systemic challenges, but we’ve made significant progress over the past decade,” she said. “I see more women in leadership roles now, but we still have a long way to go before achieving true parity.”
vLookUp.ai is among 23 organisations participating in SGWIT’s new Relaunch programme, announced at the anniversary event. It is an initiative by IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) and NTUC LearningHub to support women in the technology sector as they navigate their return to the workforce after a career break.
The Relaunch programme will focus on four key areas: Offering structured courses, providing career integration support, facilitating guidance from experienced mentors, and connecting women with networking and employment opportunities.
Ms Gupta, who moved to Singapore from Mumbai with her husband in 2005, said vLookUp.ai’s ongoing collaboration with polytechnics in Singapore has borne fruit. At Republic Polytechnic, for example, some 50 young women have benefited from mentorship opportunities.
“Our mentorship programme provides these girls with guidance, coaching and career direction, helping them navigate decisions such as whether to pursue higher studies or enter the workforce,” Ms Gupta explained.
“Through our platform, they can ask practical questions about career changes or how to break into fields like data science or cybersecurity.”
Participants maintain continuous contact with their mentors, ensuring support and guidance long after the formal programme concludes.
Ms Gupta advised women returning to the workforce to reconnect with their network on platforms such as LinkedIn. “When women take a break, the first thing that gets hit is their confidence level,” she said.
“Consider seeking mentorship and guidance on industry trends, resumes and interviews, while also exploring online certifications in relevant areas to enhance your skills.”
Above all, Ms Gupta stressed the need for confidence and perseverance: “It may take time, but just keep at it. Believe in yourself and stay committed to learning and growing.”
