Aulina Mithal Sood from Star Worldwide in India has been appointed to the FIDI Board.

She said that she was delighted and honoured to have been elected to the position particularly as she believes that it’s the first time a daughter has followed her father (Al Mithal) onto the Board.

Aulina has been working with the family firm since 2002 and, she said, many people have told her during that time that she would be on the FIDI Board one day. “But I always thought that I wasn’t ready,” she said.  “I thought it was not me, I was too young, I was still learning.”

But last year some of the FIDI members approached her and asked her to consider standing for election.  She said she still thought she was too young and inexperienced. “But then, I thought, opportunities like this don’t come along very often.  You don’t want to miss this one.” So, she didn’t.

Then again Aulina is no stranger to high office having served on the FIDI 35 Club (39 Club) Board for many years, so she is well aware of the workings of the Association.  She’s also not afraid of change, which is a great asset in the current fast-moving environment.  “I am comfortable with change,” she said. “Change is inevitable, and we need to embrace it rather than fight it.”

She said that she is not joining the FIDI Board with a particular agenda or issue that she wants to address.  She takes a more holistic view and feels that the organisation needs to work hard to serve its members. “If we call ourselves leaders, we need to act like leaders,” she said. “We need to be innovative to help the whole industry through these difficult times.”

Aulina says she is compassionate and sometimes emotional. “But I am not too shy to stand up for something that I feel strongly about,” she said. “I like to take decisions, and don't like to waste too much time over them.”

There is no doubt that Aulina will bring her own style to the FIDI Board.  She knows that it is a serious position and one of great responsibility that has the potential to affect the whole of the industry.  She’s looking forward to getting started.

Photo: Aulina Mithal Sood