By: Joshua Finley
Guiding organizations through digital disruptions is no small feat, yet Anubha Gaur makes it look effortless. Named among New Jersey’s top 50 inspiring women while at Quest Diagnostics, Anubha transforms complex technical challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation. With over 25 years in software engineering, she’s shifted from writing code to leading global teams with a unique blend of technical expertise and cultural understanding.
Her journey from a small Indian town to becoming a respected voice in healthcare technology offers valuable insights into effective leadership in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Building a Career from Scratch
Moving from a small town in India to the United States in 1999, Anubha faced the immediate challenges of adapting to a new culture without any support system. “When I came to this country, I was just by myself. I did not have any family, friends, no one,” she recalls. Even basic needs like finding suitable food proved challenging for vegetarians in a new country.
Yet, these early hurdles helped shape her approach to problem-solving. Starting as a software engineer, Anubha worked her way through various roles at major companies, including HP and financial services firms. Her career path took an intentional turn when she chose to move into people leadership. “I was asked to decide between the management role or the individual contributor role. I decided to go more on the people leadership role because I love to connect with people,” she explains. “Technology is a catalyst, but the power comes from people.”
Leading Across Cultural Boundaries
Leading global teams across India, China, Ireland, and the United States taught Anubha valuable lessons about communication and cultural understanding. She learned that silence doesn’t always signal agreement. “If someone is not speaking up on a bigger platform, then it doesn’t mean that they agreed; it doesn’t mean they understood,” she notes. This insight led her to implement more one-on-one conversations, allowing team members to express themselves more comfortably.
Working with teams in different regions also highlighted the contrast in work cultures. “East Coast culture is very fast-paced—just get it done. Chinese culture is very different, and Indian culture is very different,” she explains. These experiences reinforced the importance of adapting leadership styles to match team dynamics.
Empowering Women in Technology
Recently named among the top 50 inspiring women in New Jersey by Quest Diagnostics, Anubha actively works to support other women in technology. She shares three key pieces of advice for women entering the field.
Stay Assertive and Authentic – “Being a woman, that’s our strength. It’s not a weakness,” she emphasizes, encouraging others to embrace their unique perspectives.
Accept the Impostor Syndrome – “We all have impostor syndrome. It’s perfectly okay just to be accepted,” Anubha explains. Rather than denying these feelings, she recommends facing them head-on.
Support Yourself First – “Throughout your career, you will feel that your voice is not heard, and then you will look to others to support you, but remember no one is going to support you unless you’re not supporting yourself,” she advises, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy.
Looking Ahead
Now expanding her influence globally through speaking engagements, including her first international conference in Paris, Anubha remains focused on creating impact. “Why limit it to one continent and one area? Why not increase the value or impact to the global?” she asks. At Quest Diagnostics, she continues to drive tangible results: “I am accountable for taking my idea or vision to the actual tangible product, and I can see the benefit of what my patients are.” This commitment to practical impact shapes her approach to digital transformation, ensuring that technological advances translate into real benefits for healthcare consumers.
To learn more about Anubha Gaur and her approach, check out her LinkedIn profile.
Published by Charlie N.
