Anne Williams Dias: Building Legacies Through Courage, Clarity, and Human Connection

“Legacy isn’t what you leave behind—it’s what lives on through the people you believed in.”

From a single conversation to a lifetime calling

For Anne Williams Dias, Founder & CEO of WithAWill HR Consultancy Services LLP, a career in human resources wasn’t planned—it was sparked by chance. Over three decades ago, a senior HR manager couldn’t attend an interview and asked her to step in. Anne had no experience on the other side of the table, only a willingness to say yes. The candidate was remarkably talkative, the conversation flowed, and by the end someone remarked, “You’re a natural HR professional.” That single moment planted a seed that would grow into 25 years of shaping people, leaders, and organisations.

“HR isn’t just about hiring or engagement,” Anne explains. “It’s about shaping careers—helping people see a path forward, not just a paycheck.” That philosophy now anchors her firm, WithAWill, which she built to help individuals and institutions unlock their true potential.

Lessons from family and finding courage early

Anne’s earliest role model was her mother—a woman of quiet strength who taught her that courage can be both humble and firm. “She showed me the importance of asking for help without shame and apologizing with sincerity,” Anne recalls. Those lessons gave her the confidence to step into spaces where women were seldom visible, let alone heard.

Starting her career straight out of school, Anne moved from a small town to Delhi—timid at first, hesitant even to board a bus alone. Soon, she was navigating hostel life, commuting on red buses, working full-time, and sending money home. “That journey—from fear to fortitude—was my foundation,” she says.

Achievements that tell a deeper story

Anne’s professional record is marked by transformative roles in HR operations, governance, compensation, digital transformation, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Among her notable milestones:

• Scaling with impact:At a housing finance company, she helped scale the workforce by 1.5x in a year, reduced attrition rates across levels, and improved engagement scores—earning the firm recognition as a “Company with Great Managers.”

• Cross-functional leadership:Stepping outside HR to lead branch process excellence in a rural business vertical gave her a deep respect for frontline realities and sharpened her operational insight.

• Empowering women leaders:She designed and launched her organisation’s first Women Mentorship Program, strengthening leadership pipelines for women.

These achievements became the foundation for WithAWill, where Anne’s AP³ Framework—Augment People, Amplify Processes, Accelerate Profitability—guides organisations and individuals through structured, people-focused transformation.

Challenges that reshaped leadership

Anne is candid about the fact that none of these milestones came easily. One of her toughest periods came while leading an HR digital transformation without any technical background. “I didn’t even know the terminology at first,” she admits. “I was mocked in meetings. Attrition hit my team hard. I became overly aggressive and, frankly, a leader I didn’t want to be.”

The turning point was self-reflection. Anne realized she needed to relearn empathy, rebuild trust, and create a psychologically safe environment. “I had to become a different kind of leader—not by controlling outcomes but by empowering people.” That personal shift not only saved the project but also reshaped her approach to leadership permanently.

Her push for women-centric initiatives also met resistance, sometimes in the form of outright bias. When she proposed an all-women cricket team for a corporate tournament, she was met with questions like, “Who will take care of them if they get injured?” She refused to back down—and today, every corporate sports event in that organisation mandates the inclusion of a women’s team.

Guiding values that define her work

The seven values behind Anne’s CORE GCTTM philosophy—Candor, Ownership, Respect, Empowerment through Courage, Growth through learning, Credibility, and Trust through connection—are the foundation of WithAWill. These are not abstract ideals, but practical anchors:

• Candorenables honest conversations in tough situations.

• Ownershipdrives accountability for impact.

• Respectrecognizes every voice, regardless of hierarchy.

• Couragefuels bold action and personal evolution.

• Growthkeeps individuals and organizations future-ready.

• Credibilityensures solutions are rooted in knowledge.

• Trustbuilds relationships that sustain change.

“These principles are my compass,” Anne says. “They’ve shaped every decision and every engagement—and they’re at the heart of our culture at WithAWill.”

Vision for the future: empowering women, creating legacies

Anne’s aspirations are as focused as they are ambitious. Over the next five years, she aims to empower 1,000 women professionals through structured coaching, mentorship, and transformative leadership journeys.

To further this mission, she launched ElevatHER, a Lean In Circle designed as a peer community for women to share challenges, exchange wisdom, and co-create opportunities. “I want women to design this space with us,” she says. “Leadership is not just about breaking barriers—it’s about building bridges for others to cross.”

In parallel, Anne is expanding WithAWill’s consulting reach across geographies, helping organisations become resilient, inclusive, and strategically aligned. Programs like 120 Days to Empowering Leadership and 90 Days to Empowered Workforce are designed to help businesses redesign structures, build leadership pipelines, and embed values that last.

Balancing work, life, and purpose

For Anne, balance isn’t about equal halves—it’s about rhythm and intention. Long walks, quiet moments, and family time keep her grounded. “There was a time I equated productivity with worth,” she admits. “Now I see balance as alignment—where personal energy fuels professional clarity, and purpose is the true profit.”

Recognition along the way

Anne’s leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Influential Women Leaders Award 2025 by SheInspire Magazine, the Global Exceptional Women Award 2024, and the Leadership & Innovation Award 2017. She also received her company’s CEO Award for three consecutive years.

“These awards are meaningful,” Anne reflects, “but they’re not the destination. They’re reminders of every lesson, every setback, every person who believed in me and every team I believed in.”

A message for young women

“Ask for help. Build your support system. Don’t be afraid to fail—nothing is ever wasted. Speak up, even if your voice shakes. Trust your path and refine your purpose, but most importantly, lift others as you rise.”