“Who says success is only about staying in one lane? In reality, it’s about facing new challenges and excelling in every role life throws at you.” These lines perfectly fit into the life of Wing Commander Anjali Rathee (Retd.), a woman who has never been afraid to reinvent and transform herself. Starting her career as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Army for 14 years, she led many challenging missions and held key leadership roles. After leaving the forces, she made her way into the beauty pageant industry and also won the VogueStar Mrs. India 2024 title. This way she proved to the world that strength and elegance go hand in hand. Today, Anjali is making an impact in the corporate world at Capgemini by applying her leadership skills in a new environment.

A Childhood Shaped by Discipline and Determination

Anjali grew up in a military family, thus she learnt discipline and hard work from a very young age. Her father who served as an officer in the Indian Army’s Signals Corps and her mother, as a dedicated entrepreneur, made Anjali learn perseverance and integrity since her childhood days. Even after losing her father at a young age, her mother and elder brother encouraged her to stay strong and fulfil her dreams without giving up.

Anjali was upbrought as a bold and passionate girl. She had a natural talent for sports and fitness. Her love for athletes made her win the title of Best Athlete at the Indian Air Force Academy. Her biggest achievement during training was winning the Cross Country Gold Medal.

When She Served The Nation in the Skies

In December 2009, Anjali joined the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot. Over 14 years, she flew missions, led teams, and took on key leadership roles. This way she proved her strength in a demanding field. Other than flying, she was given strategic and administrative responsibilities as the Director of Administration at two major airbases, where she managed performance management, HR operations, compliance and team leadership.

In her journey, shr found a life partner in Wing Commander Manish Joshi, a fighter pilot. Together, they balanced their military careers and family life. As a mother of two, Anjali showed that dedication to both career and family is possible with the right mindset and support.

Pageantry: A New Stage for Empowerment

After a successful aviation career, Anjali explored the field of pageantry. In 2024, she won the VogueStar Mrs. India title which she used as a platform to empower women. For her, winning this title and wearing the crown was a chance to inspire many women who did not step out and find their calling. She encouraged women to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, take on leadership roles, and chase their dreams. Her impact earned her awards like the Women Icon Award and the Women Achiever Award.

She was invited to prestigious events as a mentor, judge, panellist, and showstopper. Beyond the stage, she shares her message through talks, podcasts, and online sessions and motivates young minds to strive for excellence and make a difference.

The Path of Corporate Leadership

Anjali’s third professional chapter started with Capgemini where she brought her leadership experience and strategic acumen. Moving from the cockpit to the boardroom, she proves that change brings new growth opportunities.

Even in this new phase, Anjali continues to mentor, speak at events, and support women’s empowerment. Her ultimate goal is to inspire others to follow their dreams.

‘One Life, Make It Large’

Wing Commander Anjali Rathee (Retd.) ‘s life teaches us that we should never stop finding opportunities. From flying helicopters to walking the runway and now establishing herself in the corporate world, Anjali has always welcomed new challenges with confidence and conquered them. She teaches us that life is all about exploring new paths, facing challenges and rising stronger. Her life shows us that the sky is the limit.