Outstanding Women of 2026: Deepali Gulati — Leading with Hope, Heart, and Unwavering Purpose

BOSTON — “My work at Saheli has been the most meaningful,” says Deepali Gulati. “It has always been about walking alongside survivors as they find their way back to safety and self-belief.”

For Gulati, leadership is not defined by title, but by presence. As Executive Director of Saheli Boston, one of the region’s most vital organizations serving South Asian and Arab survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, she brings both strategic clarity and heartfelt empathy to her role. Her work centers on safety, dignity, and empowerment—ensuring that women navigating abuse, immigration fears, financial control, and cultural pressures know they are not alone.

Gulati’s journey with Saheli began on the front lines as a domestic violence advocate. She sat with survivors in courtrooms, answered late-night calls, and helped women navigate complex systems that can feel overwhelming and isolating. “Simply listening, explaining options, and helping them navigate systems that are complex and intimidating brings great satisfaction,” she reflects. Even as her role expanded into outreach, prevention, and now executive leadership, she says, “that core purpose has never changed — showing up and making sure survivors don’t feel they are alone in this journey.”

Since joining the organization in 2020—and serving this past year as Interim Executive Director—Gulati has strengthened survivor-centered programs including immigration advocacy, legal support, housing stabilization, and economic empowerment. She streamlined operational processes, reinforced compliance, and expanded partnerships with public agencies and funders. Under her leadership, Saheli secured significant federal and foundation funding, including a major award from the Cummings Foundation, ensuring sustainability and expanded reach. She also spearheaded the growth of Saheli’s Outreach and Prevention initiatives, forging partnerships with schools and universities and founding the organization’s annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk—now a powerful community tradition focused on awareness, healing, and solidarity.

Yet for Gulati, the most meaningful victories are often quiet ones. “It might be a survivor walking into court a little steadier than before, opening her first bank account, or saying, ‘I didn’t know I had choices.’ Those moments stay with me because they’re about more than a service—we’re talking about someone starting to trust themselves again.”

Her leadership philosophy is influenced by Dr. Ranjay Gulati’s Deep Purpose, which emphasizes wholehearted leadership and mission-driven success. In difficult moments, she often reflects on the line from The Shawshank Redemption, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies,” and the wisdom of Mother Teresa: “We can only do small things with great love.” For Gulati, these words are not abstract ideals—they are daily practice.

In recognition of her compassionate leadership, cultural fluency, and steadfast advocacy for survivors, Deepali Gulati is named one of the Outstanding Women of 2026.

In a Q&A, Gulati reflects on resilience, gratitude, authenticity, and the quiet power of hope.

Q&A

Q: How would you describe the work you do in your own words—and what part of it gives you the greatest sense of meaning or joy?

Deepali Gulati: My work at Saheli has been the most meaningful, for it has always been about walking alongside survivors as they find their way back to safety and self-belief. I started as a DV advocate, sitting with survivors at some of the hardest moments of their lives—when they were scared, unsure, and often carrying so much emotional weight on their own. Simply listening, explaining options, and helping them navigate systems that are complex and intimidating, especially when one is dealing with language barriers, immigration fears, or cultural and family pressure, brings great satisfaction. Even though my role has grown into outreach, prevention, and now leadership, that core purpose has never changed — showing up and making sure survivors don’t feel they are alone in this journey.

The most meaningful moments for me are often the quiet ones. It might be a survivor walking into court a little steadier than before, opening her first bank account, or saying, “I didn’t know I had choices.” Those moments stay with me because they’re about more than a service—we’re talking about someone starting to trust themselves again.

I also really value the community side of the work. Through prevention and youth engagement, we’re able to have honest conversations before violence happens and create spaces where people can talk openly about safety, boundaries, and healing. Knowing that this work can ripple outward—helping not just one person, but families and future generations—is what keeps me motivated, even on the hardest of days.

Q: Is there a cause, charity, or community initiative close to your heart? What drew you to it, and how are you personally involved?

Deepali Gulati: Saheli is very close to my heart because it reflects the kind of support I wish every woman knew she had access to. What drew me to this work—and what keeps me here—is seeing how powerful it is when women are reminded that they do have choices. Many of the survivors we work with have spent years being told what they can’t do, or that their voice doesn’t matter—especially when it comes to finances, immigration, or their children. Saheli exists to challenge that narrative.

I have been involved in this work in very real ways—from direct advocacy and supporting survivors through difficult decisions, to outreach and prevention efforts that help break silence in our communities. The most meaningful part for me is watching women begin to believe in themselves again—make decisions without fear, or advocate for their children’s wellbeing. That sense of confidence and independence is powerful, and being part of that journey is what makes this work so deeply personal to me.

Q: Outside of your professional life, what activities or interests help you recharge and stay grounded?

Deepali Gulati: Outside of work, I recharge by spending time with my family and close friends. That space allows me to slow down. Some of my most meaningful moments are the simplest ones — cooking meals together with my family, unwinding with a good Bollywood film, and spending quiet time with my little old dog, Chiquita.

Maintaining a consistent workout routine is also essential for me; exercise clears my mind and sharpens my focus. Staying connected to these routines and the people I love helps me maintain balance in my daily life.

Q: Looking back, what impact are you most proud of making—whether in your community, your organization, or your professional field?

Deepali Gulati: What I’m most proud of is not a title or a single achievement, but the trust we’ve built with survivors and the community. Saheli has become a place where women feel safe to share their truth, often for the first time, and to be heard without judgment—that alone can be life-changing.

On a personal level, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown alongside this work. I began as a DV advocate, being with survivors in moments of fear, confusion, and pain—often just listening, holding space, and learning from their courage. In those early years, I learned what it truly means to show up for someone without trying to fix everything, and how powerful it can be simply to believe a survivor and stand beside her.

Over time, my role expanded, and so did my perspective. I moved from responding to individual crises to thinking about how systems, policies, and community attitudes impact survivors every day. I’ve had the opportunity to help shape programs, outreach, and prevention efforts that are more compassionate, culturally responsive, and rooted in the real lived experiences of the women we serve.

What means the most to me is seeing the long arc of impact—watching women find safety and slowly rebuild their sense of self. When some of those survivors later come back to support Saheli or help other women, it feels like a full circle moment. It reminds me that this work isn’t just about crisis intervention—it’s about planting seeds of confidence, agency, and community that continue to grow long after the immediate crisis has passed.

I recognize how fortunate I am to be entrusted with this responsibility. I carry deep gratitude for Saheli’s President, Mrs. Neelam Wali, whose unwavering commitment and wisdom continue to guide me. As a leader, I try to lead with that same spirit of gratitude—grounded in humility, strengthened by collaboration, and always mindful that this work is possible because of the collective dedication of our staff, partners, supporters, and, most importantly, the resilience of the survivors who place their trust in us.

Q: What is a skill, strength, or talent people may not immediately associate with you, but one that has shaped your journey in important ways?

Deepali Gulati: The strength that has guided my journey is a mix of perseverance and the instinct to make people feel at home. When challenges arise, I remain positive, stay grounded and keep moving forward, while showing up for others in ways that matter, even in small moments.

This combination of steady persistence and a warm, inclusive presence transforms ordinary interactions into lasting connections — helping colleagues and friends feel seen, heard, and supported. Meaningful impact doesn’t always announce itself; sometimes, it grows quietly, one connection at a time.

Q: Is there a book (or a few) that has stayed with you or influenced how you think, lead, or live?

Deepali Gulati: There are many books that I am fond of, but I am grateful for Dr. Ranjay Gulati’s Deep Purpose, which, although focused on for-profit companies, is about finding a deeper purpose to succeed. At Saheli we already have a “deep purpose”; his book succinctly lays out key tenets in our workplace that I draw inspiration from every day — leadership commitment, organizational success rooted in purpose, employee connection, and elevating people’s self-worth through care and coaching.

Q: Are there words, quotes, or ideas that you often return to during challenging or defining moments?

Deepali Gulati: In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne says, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” To me, hope is not passive optimism — it is a quiet strength. When I speak with survivors, I try to help them see that hope is already within them.

I also return to Mother Teresa’s words: “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” Meaningful impact rarely looks dramatic. More often, it’s found in consistency — a returned phone call, a follow-up that shows you care, a moment of listening without judgment.

And at work, I often joke with my team: “If you don’t kick the soccer ball, you’ll never know if it will go in — so kick it hard.” The message is real: you have to try. Hope gives us the courage to act, love gives our actions meaning, and resilience keeps us moving forward.

Q: Who has inspired or influenced you most in your life, and what lessons from them continue to guide you today?

Deepali Gulati: The person who has influenced me most in my life is my father, who is no longer with us. He lived by Gandhian principles of service and integrity and always taught me to stand on the right side, even when it’s hard. He used to say, “Hard work never kills anyone.” He showed me that even in the toughest moments, you can dress up, show up, and keep moving forward with your head held high.

My two boys are also a constant source of inspiration. Conversations with them remind me every day to try to be better than I was yesterday, to stay present, and to keep growing.

Q: What core value or principle do you consciously try to live by, both personally and professionally?

Deepali Gulati: The core value I try to live by—both personally and professionally—is to bring my whole self to everything I do.

The quote by Dr. Seuss, “Today you are you, that is truer than true, there is no one alive who is youer than you!” reminds me to lead and live authentically. I believe honesty and authenticity are what build real trust. Leading authentically also means listening deeply, acknowledging when I don’t have all the answers, and creating spaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered.

At the end of the day, what matters most is knowing that you’ve shown up with care, integrity, and your whole heart.

Q: If you could spend time in conversation with one person—past or present—who would it be, and what would you hope to learn from them?

Deepali Gulati: If I could have one more conversation, it would be with my mother, Mrs. Kanta Rai. I lost her when I was young, and there is much I never had the chance to ask.

She was patient, resilient, and wise.

At just 22 years old, as a newlywed, she moved to Afghanistan—far from her home—navigating unfamiliar cultural norms and language barriers in what must have felt like an entirely foreign world. I would want to understand how she found her footing, how she built relationships, and how she maintained her identity while adapting to a new country. In many ways, this feels especially meaningful now, as my work centers on supporting immigrant women facing similar transitions and challenges.

Q: What is one lesson life has taught you that you wish you had learned earlier?

Deepali Gulati: I’ve come to understand that my impatience and perfectionism have always been closely connected — and both have shaped me in powerful ways. Together, they’ve helped me accomplish a great deal.

But my work at Saheli has taught me that not everything can or should be rushed, and not everything needs to be flawless to be meaningful. Widespread impact rarely happens overnight; it unfolds gradually, through small, imperfect, but courageous steps. Progress is still progress, even when it doesn’t look polished or immediate.

Q: How do you define success at this stage of your life?

Deepali Gulati: At this stage of my life, I define success not by titles or accolades, but by the impact I can make and the relationships I nurture. Success is being present—truly showing up for my family, my community, and the survivors I work with—while staying true to my values. For me, success is measured in moments of connection, trust, and quiet growth.

Q: What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to make a difference in their own way?

Deepali Gulati: Start from who you are, not from what you think the world expects of you. Believe in the value of your voice, your ideas, and your perspective—even when it feels small or overlooked. Don’t be afraid — action, even in small ways, creates momentum.

Surround yourself with people who inspire, challenge, and support you. Stand firm when your values matter. And above all, be patient and kind to yourself—the real difference comes from persistence, empathy, and showing up with your whole heart.