In a time when everyone seems busy and rushing, finding someone who truly wants to lift others up is rare. Shikha Bajaj is one of those rare people. She’s not only an inspirational speaker, an award-winning, best-selling author, and a globally recognized transformation expert in a digital consulting firm, but also a mentor and a powerful voice for change—especially when it comes to empowering women and transforming workplace culture.
The Story Behind the Mentor
Shikha’s story starts in New Delhi, where she was the first in her family to get a passport. She moved to the United States with no godfather, no network, and no shortcuts. What she had instead was determination. From being a software engineer to holding a top leadership role, her journey has been full of hard work, learning, and reinvention.
Educated at top schools like MIT and Columbia, Shikha now works at the intersection of business and technology, helping organizations make meaningful changes—especially in healthcare. But her biggest mission is personal: to help others find their voice, their strength, and their purpose.
What Makes This Book So Powerful
Written over 15 months, Own Your Color is the product of disciplined writing, hundreds of interviews with working women (especially immigrants), and lived experience. The book introduces readers to the revolutionary M.E.N.T.O.R tool—a step-by-step self-mentoring guide designed to break limiting beliefs and unlock one’s fullest potential.
The book addresses critical themes like:
- Women’s leadership & financial independence
- Work-life balance without burnout
- Corporate mentorship culture
- Diversity and inclusion as engines of innovation
- Redefining success on your own terms
Shikha’s personal journey and practical tools make this book a must-read for professionals, aspiring leaders, and changemakers around the globe.
Awards, Praise, and a Growing Community
Since its release, Own Your Color has won over 10 prestigious awards, including:
- The BookFest Awards (First Place) in Self-Help and Women in Business
- International Impact Book Awards for Female Empowerment and Self-Help
- Book Excellence Award in the Female Empowerment category
- Book of the Year by Literary Insider in Self-Help
- Featured in Top 50 Most Influential Authors of 2024 by Delhi Wire
With a 4.9/5 rating and 160+ Amazon reviews, the book continues to receive praise from CEOs, CMOs, and business leaders worldwide. Former SAP CMO Maggie Chan Jones called it “a call to action for women to step into their power and for companies to create cultures where women can rise and shine together.”
“Own Your Color” Honored on the Global Stage — From Capitol Hill to Chicago
Washington, D.C. & Chicago, IL – March 2025 — Author and empowerment advocate Shikha was recognized at two landmark events this March for her transformational work through Own Your Color, a movement celebrating identity, courage, and leadership.
On March 12th, she took the stage at the 2025 Congressional International Women’s Day Celebration, hosted at Capitol Hill and the Embassy of China in partnership with the American Multi Ethnic Commission (AMEC). The event brought together global leaders, including U.S. Congressmen Danny K. Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Shri Thanedar, and National Spokesperson, Telugu Desam Party, Prof Jyothsna Tirunagari, Devika Mailk, Paralympian and Founder of Wheeling Happiness Foundation, India all committed to advancing women’s empowerment worldwide.
That evening, Prof Jyothsna Tirunagari and Devika Malik were honored with the Top 20 Global Women of Excellence Award, recognizing their impact in public service, advocacy, and international leadership.
Shikha also delivered a deeply moving address, sharing an excerpt from her book:
“Own Your Color… You are a firefly, shining bright. The world is waiting for you and needs your light.”
Her words struck a powerful emotional chord, earning a standing ovation that echoed through the halls of both Capitol Hill and the Embassy of China — underscoring the universal resonance of her message: one of courage, and the power of authenticity.
Just two weeks later, on March 26th, Shikha was celebrated again in Chicago, where she received the Top 20 Women of Excellence Award for her work in digital transformation, leadership, mentorship, and uplifting diverse voices.
“This recognition wasn’t just for me,” Shikha shared. “It was for every woman who’s ever felt unseen or unheard. It was a reminder that our voices matter. Our light matters.”
From Washington to Chicago, Own Your Color is no longer just a book. It’s a bold and rising global movement. A call to action for women everywhere to show up, speak up, and shine unapologetically.
Building a community
Shikha isn’t stopping at writing Own Your Color—she’s building a global movement. Through the Own Your Color Academy, she offers group programs, 1-on-1 mentoring, and corporate training to help people rise—and inspire them to lift others too.
“True progress isn’t just about individual success—it’s about collective action. Allyship is the foundation of meaningful change, and research proves that when we support one another in our communities and workplaces, we all benefit. Companies with diverse leadership teams see a 35% increase in financial performance, and organizations that prioritize inclusivity are 1.7 times more likely to lead in innovation. Diversity isn’t just good for business—it’s the key to a better future.”
With that vision, Shikha has led transformational workshops and keynote sessions for major global organizations like Henry Schein, and mission-driven nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County. Whether in-person or virtual, she brings energy, authenticity, and actionable strategies to audiences worldwide—helping workplaces become more inclusive, compassionate, and empowered.
Available for in-person and virtual sessions worldwide, Shikha is helping organizations turn diversity into strength and build a better, more inclusive future.
If you’d like to hear her speak or join her next session, register for her upcoming online event on May 1st here: Register Here.
Here’s what attendees are saying about her sessions:
- “Shikha brought so much wisdom and authenticity to the conversation, challenging us all to move from awareness to action.” – Henry Schein
- “Own Your Color was the most impactful session at the Women Empowerment Conference. I am so inspired!” – Boys and Girls Club, Mercer County
- “Thank you for writing the book and this transformational session.” – Boys and Girls Club, Mercer County
Why “Own Your Color” Could Be Exactly What You Need
At a time when burnout is high, ambition often feels out of reach, and authenticity is rare, Shikha Bajaj offers a refreshing, deeply human, and action-oriented guide to navigating life and work with integrity.
Whether you’re a professional looking to level up, an immigrant seeking belonging, or an organization wanting to evolve, Own Your Color delivers the inspiration and tools to do just that.
If you’d like to engage Shikha to mentor you or inspire and elevate your team or organization, check her website and reach out at ownyourcolor.com/lets-talk.
Where to Buy the Book
Find, Follow, and Connect with Shikha
In the End, It’s About Lifting Each Other Up
If you’re feeling stuck, unsure of your path, or simply want more from life—Shikha Bajaj’s story and her book are exactly what you need. Her journey shows that it doesn’t matter where you start; what matters is the courage to dream big, take action, and bring others along.
“We rise by lifting others.” That’s not just something Shikha says—it’s how she lives. And now, she’s helping millions do the same.
