Leaders often rise by breaking the mold — Swati Rustagi rose by redefining it. From growing up with financial constraints to becoming a leading voice in HR, her journey is one of grit, clarity, and purpose. In this episode of Conversations with the Career Doctor, Swati Rustagi, Vice President – Employee Experience at Adobe, gets candid with Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President of Avtar Group.
Her early days were most challenging. Recalling those times, she says, “I’ve had the privilege to be at the right place at the right time. My background was challenged financially, but not my mindset. That’s the biggest advantage I’ve had.” She strongly believed that education was her greatest leveler, which was as crucial as the support of her close-knit network of friends. “My family always believed in the power of education. It was the passport to a different life. My friends were the best support system I had.”
Motherhood, Guilt, and Clarity
Swati doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the emotional challenges of motherhood. “I took a break because of situations. It was a hard decision,” she shares. Like many working women, she struggled with guilt but developed the awareness to shift her perspective.
“A lot of guilt is driven by social conditioning – what a mother should do, rather than what a child actually needs,” she reflects. “Think of it from a business point of view – the baby is the customer. Their needs are simple: feeding, cleaning, love.” Her advice in such scenarios is: “Be in the moment. It becomes easier with the right support.”
Return, Rebuild, and Rise Again
Addressing women returning from career breaks due to marriage, maternity or mobility, Swati is clear: “People may assume you’re not committed, but don’t let it affect you. Know what you’re made of.” Her strategy is to invest in your network. “Keep your friends close and your connections warm. Prioritize them. Your network will help you come back to an active life. And remember: men can be allies too.”
Being Your Own Career Doctor
Swati recounts moments where her own resilience was tested – early-career decisions, balancing a dual-career household, and confronting self-doubt. “When things look bad, the answers are often within. I always ask myself: what do I want from this job right now?”
To her, balance is a myth. “My life and work don’t stop when I’m in either space. Balance is what you decide. You need to know where you’re completely off balance, and how it’s impacting everything else.”
DEI: A Creative Imperative
For Swati, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion isn’t just an HR metric, but a cultural mindset. “DEI is the best thing that happened to me. At Adobe, it’s about more than representation. It’s about making sure every creative professional feels empowered to build and innovate.”
Her message to new hires is simple but powerful: “You’ve earned this space. Now ask yourself: what impact are you creating? And is it inclusive?”
Swati Rustagi’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t linear but is built on self-awareness, support systems, and the courage to keep showing up. Her story urges us to rethink balance, embrace purpose, and lead with inclusion at the core. As she puts it, “You’ve earned your place. Now create the impact that truly includes.”
From challenges to change, Swati shares how she turned grit into glory . Click Here
