Kathmandu – Like many children, Rena Rizal once dreamed of becoming a doctor. Wearing a white coat and serving patients was her childhood aspiration. However, life eventually led her down a different path. Today, she is leading one of Nepal’s insurance companies as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United Ajod Insurance.

Rizal’s journey reflects how family values and early inspiration shape career paths. Her mother worked for many years as a banker at Nepal Bank Limited, while her father was employed at Nepal Airlines.

Growing up in a household with working parents had a lasting influence on her. Watching her mother balance family responsibilities and a professional career inspired her deeply.

“As a child, I saw my mother going to the office every day. That’s where I developed the belief that women should be self-reliant,” Rizal recalled.

Education Across Borders

Born in Rabibhawan, Kathmandu, Rizal completed her early education in the capital. Due to her father’s job transfer, she later sat for her School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination in Pakistan. Studying abroad broadened her perspective and exposure.

After returning to Nepal, she completed her Intermediate of Science (I.Sc.) from Amrit Science Campus and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in science from Tri-Chandra Campus.

With a strong academic background in science, Rizal initially aspired to become a doctor. However, life took her in a different direction.

After marriage, she continued her education and completed an MBA while balancing family responsibilities. Pursuing higher education after marriage was not easy, but she persevered with determination and patience.

Career Journey in Insurance and Banking

Rizal entered the insurance sector in 2000, marking the beginning of her professional career after marriage and motherhood. She started at Everest Insurance Company, where she worked for nearly a decade.

Following ten years in insurance, she moved into the banking sector and spent another decade working at Kumari Bank.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to leave her banking job and took a one-year break. Afterward, she returned to the insurance industry, believing the sector offered more technical and professional challenges. She briefly worked at Sanima GIC Insurance before joining United Ajod Insurance, where she currently serves as Acting CEO.

Motivation Beyond Money

Rizal says her initial motivation for working was not financial gain but the desire to step outside the home and pursue a meaningful career.

“The opportunity I received in the insurance sector encouraged me to start working, and once I began, my interest in the field continued to grow,” she said.

Now serving in a leadership role, Rizal often reflects on her early career days and the experiences that shaped her professional journey.

Women Still Underrepresented in Leadership

Rizal began her career at the junior level while raising young children. She believes the financial sector offers good opportunities for women but acknowledges that balancing work and family responsibilities can be challenging.

While women are increasingly visible in entry-level positions in banks and insurance companies, their representation in leadership roles remains limited.

According to Rizal, many women leave their careers midway due to family responsibilities or difficulties balancing professional and personal life.

“Women must overcome these challenges and continue moving forward to reach leadership positions,” she said.

Importance of Family Support

Rizal emphasizes that family support is crucial for anyone aspiring to leadership roles, especially for women.

She credits her own success to the encouragement and support she received from her family. For married women, she says the support of spouses and in-laws is particularly important, while unmarried women benefit greatly from the backing of their parents.

Rizal currently lives in a joint family with her husband and parents-in-law, which she says helps make time management easier.

Changing Mindsets for the Future

Rizal believes women also need to change their mindset and avoid assuming they cannot work because of their gender. Many women start strong at entry-level positions but later leave their careers after marriage or childbirth, which limits female representation in senior roles.

She also suggested that workplaces in the insurance sector should adopt supportive facilities such as childcare centers, similar to those being introduced in some banks, to help working mothers.

Although challenges remain, Rizal is optimistic about the future. Women’s participation in Nepal’s insurance sector has been steadily increasing, and several companies now have women in top leadership roles or second-in-command positions.

“Leadership should be based on experience and capability, not gender,” she said. “Women are capable of managing organizations effectively, and their growing presence in leadership should be viewed positively.”