Her mission is to help women “own their color” – their authentic identities – and to build inclusive leadership cultures. In recent weeks, Bajaj’s work has drawn formal honors: following her May 1, 2025 keynote on “Women in the Workforce: Own Your Color” in New Jersey, the State legislature passed a joint resolution honoring her impact and contributions to uplift and empower women. She also received recognition from the Mayor of Chicago as she was lauded as one of America’s Top 20 Women of Excellence.
In a recent interview, she sheds light on the story behind her book Own Your Color, her M.E.N.T.O.R. framework, the global impact of her work, and her advice for women leaders. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Q: How did you feel about receiving these recent honors?
Shikha Bajaj: It was deeply meaningful. These awards weren’t just about me personally—they were a celebration of the women who lead with heart, impact, and authenticity. Receiving a state resolution for my keynote and a mayoral commendation in Chicago made me feel immensely proud. It showed how far the message of Own Your Color has reached. These honors validated the advocacy I’ve been doing for women in the workforce and inspired me to keep going. Being named one of America’s Top 20 Women of Excellence wasn’t just for me—it was for all women around the globe.
Q: What do these honors mean for your work and mission?
Shikha Bajaj: They energize me. These awards are a reminder that the work we’re doing to create inclusive leadership and empower women is resonating. They open doors, lend credibility in boardrooms, and help expand the reach of the Own Your Color movement. For me, success isn’t about collecting accolades. It’s about how many people we help rise. These recognitions give me the fuel to grow the programs and spread the message that authenticity and mentorship truly matter in creating workplaces where women thrive.
[Shikha Bajaj with Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr Jagadish Sheth at his home.]
Q: Can you tell us the story behind Own Your Color and what inspired you to write it?
Shikha Bajaj: During the pandemic, over 2 million women left the workforce in the U.S. alone, and the leadership pipeline was rapidly eroding. At the same time, I noticed the same struggles showing up in my own workplace—brilliant women doubting themselves, feeling unsupported, and burning out in silence. I decided to start a small mentorship pilot inside my company to see if we could change that.
The results were transformational. So I extended it into the community and through my nonprofit work—and across every space, the patterns were the same: imposter syndrome, lack of confidence, and a missing support system. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a corporate or community issue—it was universal. Own Your Color was born from the belief that we can change that story, together.
Own Your Color is more than a self-help guide—it’s a call to action. It’s a roadmap for women to embrace their authenticity and find strength in their unique identity. When we fully own ourselves—our choices, our voice, our story—we claim power over our present and become the authors of our future. ‘Own Your Color’ is more than a phrase; it’s a declaration. It symbolizes the courage to embrace your essence—your values, your strengths, and even your imperfections. And when you do that, you give others permission to do the same. By standing in your truth, you don’t just show up—you light the way . It took 15 months to write and publish, and what I value the most is knowing that most of the royalties support life-changing mentorship through nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters—because I believe real impact begins with empowering the next generation..
[Shikha Bajaj with Congressman Jonathan Jackson at Capitol Hill.]
Q: You describe a “M.E.N.T.O.R.” framework in your book. What does each letter stand for?
Shikha Bajaj: M.E.N.T.O.R. isn’t just the backbone of my leadership—it’s been the heartbeat of my daily life for years. Through this simple yet transformative self-mentoring formula, I’ve discovered the secret to success: just 30 minutes a day spent on intentional reflection, focused planning, or meaningful self-care. This practice has been the driving force behind my own growth and the catalyst for thousands of women and professionals worldwide. It fosters grounding, keeps individuals aligned with their core values, and encourages them to envision bold possibilities. Over time, this daily commitment builds the clarity, discipline, and momentum needed to turn dreams into reality. Now, I’m giving back by sharing this self-mentoring framework with the world—because I know it work
Here’s what each letter stands for:
- M is for Meditation: calming the mind and creating space for clarity.
- E is for Exercise: empowering the body and energizing the spirit.
- N is for Notate: journaling lessons, tracking wins, and learning from challenges.
- T is for Thank: cultivating gratitude to build an abundance mindset.
- O is for Own: taking responsibility and embracing your journey.
- R is for reading: continuously feeding your mind and evolving your perspective.
If you’re ready to live your best life, on your terms, and turn your dreams into reality, it starts right here, right now. Follow this path and unlock the formula that has transformed lives, including my own
Q: What does the Own Your Color Academy offer?
Shikha Bajaj: The Academy is the platform through which I scale mentorship and inclusive leadership. We offer:
- Executive one-on-one mentorship
- Group mentoring programs
- Leadership development workshops
- Strategic consulting to establish and/or improve mentorship programs
- Book clubs and keynote sessions
We work with both individuals and institutions. For individuals, it’s about transforming potential into power. For companies, it’s about embedding mentorship and allyship into their culture. Our aim is to inspire leaders, build inclusive organizations, and drive systems-level change.
Q: What impact have you seen globally from your work?
Shikha Bajaj: I’m amazed every day. From college students in India to tech professionals in Europe, the resonance is clear. Women across the world are using the M.E.N.T.O.R. framework and reporting real results—more clarity, confidence, promotions, and peace of mind.
What touches me most are the stories. One woman in her 50s who was grieving found my book, began journaling again, and went on to mentor others. That’s the ripple effect I dreamed of. And companies? They’re telling me the energy has shifted after just one session. When I hear a CEO say, “Your framework changed how I lead, and how my team is committed to growing next-gen leaders” that’s the kind of transformation I live for.
Q: What was it like judging the Miss South Asia World Pageant and being named Empowered Woman of the Year 2025?
Shikha Bajaj: It was magical. From crowning young talent to witnessing grandmothers owning the stage, the pageant was a celebration of beauty, culture, and power. I focused on authenticity and leadership, not just poise. Being awarded “Empowered Woman of the Year” by an icon, Poonam Dhillon, was surreal. It felt like a full-circle moment—from my cultural roots to my mission of empowerment—it all aligned.
Q: You recently met Dr. Jagdish Sheth. Can you reflect on that moment?
Shikha Bajaj: It was unforgettable. Sitting with a legend like Dr. Sheth—whose global marketing influence spans decades—was humbling. We shared stories of resilience, mentorship, and migration. Exchanging books felt like passing a torch across generations. It reminded me that legacy isn’t built in a day but over a lifetime of humility, service, and purpose. He signed his book for me, and I gave him mine. That moment was sacred.
Q: You were honored by the New Jersey State Legislature on May 1st. Tell us a bit about that?
Shikha Bajaj: I had the honor of being a keynote speaker at the Women in Workforce event hosted by the Princeton Chamber of Commerce. The event brought together over 150 distinguished women, including many councilwomen and assemblywomen, all united in a powerful collective energy. The room was filled with women gaining clarity, finding confidence, and rising together to break barriers and create change.
A truly humbling moment came when I was honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for my work and impact in the community. As a first-generation immigrant, senior executive, mentor, and author, it’s been my mission to uplift women, lead transformation, and inspire others to achieve their fullest potential. This recognition reminded me of the incredible power of community and the lasting impact we can have when we empower one another.
Q: What advice would you give to women navigating leadership today?
Shikha Bajaj: I will quote a poem from the book:
Shikha Bajaj: “Own your color, you’re a firefly shining bright. The world is waiting for you and needs your light”
Do not wait for perfection or permission. Speak up, even if you feel like you’re still figuring things out. Seek mentors and sponsors. Build strong networks.
Embrace what makes you different—that’s your superpower.
Practice gratitude daily. Keep a journal. Move your body. Read, reflect, and take ownership of your journey. And don’t try to do it alone. Create your circle, your sisterhood. We rise higher when we lift each other.
Q: What’s next for you?
Shikha Bajaj: Own Your Color is entering a powerful new chapter—one focused on scale, impact, and legacy—through global Own Your color circles, leadership retreats, and a certification program that equips others to teach Own Your Color principles and the self-mentoring framework.
We’re launching youth initiatives, corporate culture labs, and a scholarship fund to empower the changemakers of tomorrow. Own Your Color is becoming a global platform for bold, values-driven leadership—where personal transformation sparks corporate change and drives global impact
