The chief of quality at Zerodha, Seema Patil Kamath is not just the better half of Nithin Kamath, the founder and CEO of India’s largest stock brokerage firm Zerodha, valued at over $3.6 billion or `30,000 crore, but also a strong, successful woman in her own right. From working as a cabin crew member for Singapore Airlines to becoming the head of human resources, to being the chief of quality at Zerodha, then battling cancer amidst all the success and coming out cancer-free, Seema has had an inspiring journey of positivity, strength and resilience.
With roots in Belgaum, Karnataka, Seema met Nithin at a call centre where they both worked and fell in love and got married, after a long-distance relationship of a few years. Seema joined Zerodha in Bangalore, when it was still a fledgling startup with a handful of employees. She brought her experience and expertise from the aviation industry to Zerodha, where she helped establish a work environment that fosters diversity, innovation, and excellence.
As the chief of quality, Seema oversees the quality assurance, compliance, and audit functions of Zerodha, ensuring that the company adheres to the highest standards of service, security, and ethics. She also leads the Rainmatter Foundation, a non-profit initiative by Zerodha that supports social and environmental causes. Seema is passionate about creating a positive impact in the society, especially for women and children and continues to support thousands of people with her foundation.
Seema is also a fitness enthusiast, a yoga practitioner, and a vegan. She believes in living a healthy and balanced life, and encourages others to do the same. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, which came as a shock to her and her family. However, she faced the challenge with courage and optimism, and shared her journey and learnings on her blog (seema.page) to create awareness and inspire others. She is a true example and a testament to the power of hard work, determination, passion and making a difference to the world around her and at large.
- You have been very mindful of your fitness from the beginning and do your workouts regularly. How did you find out that you had cancer and what was your initial reaction?
A- I first learned about my cancer diagnosis during my routine annual health checkup. An abnormality was found in my mammogram, prompting the doctor to advise consulting an oncologist. Initially I was overwhelmed with feelings of confusion and denial. - How tough was that period? How did you manage to keep the situation stress-free at home and with your family?
A- I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive family who always ensured that I never felt overwhelmed by the seriousness of my situation. We moved through that challenging period with jokes and laughter, which served as a much needed stress reliever. Initially, I chose to keep the news limited to just a few individuals. At the outset, only my husband Nithin, my brother-in-law Nikhil and my sister Meena were aware of the situation. Following the mastectomy, I decided to inform my in-laws and parents, as I didn’t want them to be unduly concerned. - Because of your positive attitude and determination to fight the cancer, you became cancer-free after a period of struggle. What kept you going and how did you fight it out?
A- One thing my family was adamant about was not allowing me to endlessly Google everything about cancer, which turned out to be a blessing. Additionally, I consider myself fortunate to have detected the cancer at an early stage 2, and my doctor’s optimistic outlook on my recovery served as a significant source of motivation throughout my journey. - You and your husband Nithin Kamath also shaved your hair and carried off the look so well and looked so chic. How did you manage to keep that tough period make it seem easy for you?
A- To be honest, I had prepared myself with a collection of scarves, wigs and caps, anticipating the challenge of losing my hair. Mentally, I was unsure how I would cope with this change. However, when I finally shaved my head, I experienced a sense of liberation. The support of my family, who shaved their heads alongside me, made me feel a sense of normalcy during that time. - What are some of your passions and hobbies outside of your work? How do you balance work, health, home, son, other passions and life’s responsibilities?
A- I have a deep passion for reading, I love to travel. I consider myself privileged to be surrounded by wonderful people who provide me with invaluable support. Furthermore, I feel fortunate to have an understanding family and an almost well-behaved son. - Have you ever been so discouraged you wanted to quit? Any examples? How do you encourage women to not give up?
A- The initial phase of my treatment, including the mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, felt like a relatively manageable journey compared to what I encountered later. Currently, I am on hormone medication aimed at suppressing estrogen, which has proven to be the most challenging aspect of my treatment. This medication has led to constant mood swings, irritation, hot flashes, and occasional bouts of depression. To cope with these challenges, I have started therapy sessions twice a week, which have been beneficial. Additionally, I have found comfort in spending more time with my friends, who are always willing to listen to me. I am grateful for my understanding family who support me without any judgment and make sense of the reasons behind my actions during difficult times. - What advice would you like to give to those battling cancer?
A- I believe the mind often gives up before the body does, so I encourage women to stay resilient, maintain a positive mindset, and surround themselves with loved ones. Engaging in activities like yoga, breathing exercises, or any form of physical activity, even a simple walk, can be incredibly beneficial. The key is to keep moving, both physically and mentally. - Please highlight some of the significant changes and highpoints in your journey so far?
A- While I wouldn’t label it as a high point, the diagnosis prompted me to pause, reflect, and reassess my life. Currently, I am embarking on a journey to discover my passions and support others in the process. A significant milestone in my experience has been the way I have navigated through cancer with a remarkably positive outlook. I have consistently surprised myself with my strength, maintaining a mindset that never once entertained the notion of potential failure. And now I firmly believe that within each of us lies a fighting spirit, ready to overcome any challenges. - What are some of the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself? What would you suggest to make women more empowered?
A- My family and friends play a crucial role in keeping me grounded, and I make a conscious effort to spend quality time with them whenever possible. Additionally, I prioritise activities like yoga and meditation to maintain a healthy mindset, while regular exercise helps me nurture a healthy body. I firmly believe that self-confidence and self-belief are essential for empowerment and overall well-being. - What are the most effective ways for promoting financial inclusion and economic independence among women?
A- Some of the effective strategies are education, entrepreneurship, a supportive ecosystem, workplace equality ensuring equal opportunities, and community support through networks and knowledge-sharing groups for women. - Looking back, are there any special moments you think that hold special significance for you, and why? Reflecting on your life, what are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned about resilience, strength, and perseverance?
A- Professionally, each task completion and goal achievement holds a special place for me. On a personal note, the day I met Nithin, the birth of my son and our family vacations stand out as cherished moments. One remarkable lesson I’ve gathered over time is the incredible resilience of our bodies- they guide us through pregnancy, illness, life’s ebbs and flows, remaining steady. Our mindset, undoubtedly, plays a pivotal role. Even in moments of despair, discovering that one thing that brings a smile can be transformative. Persistence, self-belief, embracing change, and gratitude has helped me in my personal life. - What are the social causes or movements you have been involved in? Tell us about the Rainmatter foundation?
A- At Zerodha, we all are deeply passionate about the Rainmatter Foundation. Until 2020, our CSR contributions were spread across various focus areas. However, after engaging in discussions with teams in the non-profit sector, we realised the importance of concentrating on a single issue that could yield significant impact. This realisation led to the establishment of the Foundation, with a primary focus on supporting organisations and teams in the climate change sphere.
Currently, we extend our support to approximately 80 organisations and 20 startups dedicated to addressing climate-related challenges. Additionally, we have dedicated time to conducting experiments through EBTL (ebtl.earth/), a restoration initiative.
I have had the privilege of gaining insights from the Foundation team during numerous brainstorming sessions. There is still much work ahead for us at the Foundation, and we are all enthusiastic about dedicating more time and effort to the initiatives. In the coming years, I am committed to further supporting the team and exploring new avenues to make meaningful contributions.
- What do you believe are the most important qualities women should cultivate in today’s world?
A- Confidence, courage, empathy and resilience are essential for women’s success. Confidence helps us to believe in ourselves, courage empowers women to step out of their comfort zone, empathy strengthens relationships, and resilience enables us to overcome setbacks. Collectively, these qualities empower women to navigate complexities and seize opportunities, fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment conducive to growth and accomplishment. - A powerful message from you that resonates with Women’s Day.
A- I believe Empowerment starts from within us, so on this women’s day, let our strength, wisdom and grace shine brightly. Let’s celebrate our journey, uplift others, and together, let’s create a world of possibilities for women, where every woman’s voice is heard, valued and cherished.
Why tell this story?
Apart from addressing the core issue of cancer being a taboo, and hopefully getting others to come out and share their experiences as well and spread awareness, there are a few other learnings to share as well.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – A phrase that we have used constantly at work when we have hit rough patches. We, humans, are resilient and almost always come up with some way to get over problems. But that can happen only when we have the intent and resolve to get over the problem, however big it is. I hear Nithin always talk about making peace with the worst-case outcome and then there is so much more clarity to life. And for anyone going through cancer or whatever large problems in life, I guess the key is to remain positive and hope that the worst is behind us. It is usually the mind that gives up before the body, and we cannot let it happen.
Importance of regular health checkups – All of us tend to react only when there is an event. The best way to solve problems is before they happen. I want to again reiterate the importance of health check-ups. If I didn’t do my check-ups regularly, maybe I would have spotted cancer too late. And yes, regular health check-ups even if you can run 10 km in sub 40 minutes.
Importance of a good health insurance policy – The one thing I didn’t have to worry about over the last few months is how much treatment would cost. I can’t imagine the choices I would have been forced to make if I was worried about finances. At every step in the last few months, my health insurance policy would have covered almost all of my medical expenses, which has been quite a bit. I can’t imagine how a family at or below middle afford this without health insurance. So, please make sure to have a comprehensive health insurance policy to cover all health conditions.
The support system – I have been super lucky to be around friends and family who haven’t made me feel like this is the end of the world. The reason I am in a positive frame of mind is also maybe because of this. The experiences I have recounted here are all on a positive note. I would like to reiterate that while I have been lucky in many aspects including my physical fitness, financial freedom, support system, that have all helped me, this journey can be much darker and more traumatic for many, who are not as lucky. This is why, if you have friends or family who are going through serious health issues, you should do whatever to make them feel normal and help them gain the courage to look forward to a better future. Like I mentioned earlier, the mind usually gives up before the body and the support system should do its best to not let that happen.