We are NegotiateHer

Our Story

From Unprepared and Undervalued to Thriving and Recognized

We started our careers completely unprepared for the world of negotiation. Reality hit hard: the gender pay gap was real. Mentorship felt scarce, especially for women and people of color.

So, we built our "Jedi Council" of incredible women leaders. Inspired, we created NegotiateHer. Our mission? Bridge the gap. We empower you to confidently negotiate, for yourself and your team. Everyone deserves equal opportunity to succeed.

Our mission is to close the pay gap and create a more equitable workplace for all.

Gitanjali Ponnappa presenting NegotiateHer strategies
Gitanjali Ponnappa teamwork in negotiations
Empowering negotiations with Gitanjali Ponnappa

Chief NegotiateHer

Meet Gitanjali: Woman, Indian, American citizen,
living in Switzerland, working globally.

I have scars from negotiating my own career! Early in my career, I, like many women and people of color, felt unprepared for negotiation. This experience, coupled with my 25 years in Management Consulting with EY and Accenture fueled my passion to empower others.

That's why I founded NegotiateHer.

I'm also a Marshall Goldsmith trained and certified executive and team coach who would be delighted to share my expertise at your event or with your team.

Harvard University Certified Executive Coach Schranner Negotiation Institute

Strength. Strategy. Success.

Received a job offer? Fighting for a bigger bonus? Ready to finally close the pay gap?

Bias is real, but so is your worth. NegotiateHer is your guide, equipping women and people of color with the tools and confidence to thrive in negotiation. Our tailored approach addresses those challenges head-on, giving you the strategies and support you need to secure the salary, promotions, and recognition you deserve.

We understand the unique challenges you face as a woman+ or person of color navigating the workplace. NegotiateHer's tailored approach leverages your individual experience to equip you with the tools and confidence to thrive in negotiation.

Our Services

The NegotiateHer team is based in Zurich, Switzerland, with Partners across Europe, the US, and India. We work with clients around the world. We believe that a video call can be just as meaningful and warm as a face-to-face conversation across a cup of tea. You decide what works best for you, and your team.
Big Transition Coaching

Navigate Career Shifts with Confidence

  • Reframe your unique value proposition
  • Develop industry-specific negotiation tactics
  • Navigate complex compensation structures
Book a Free Intro Call
Your First 100 Days

Setting the Right Tone from Day One

  • Create your personal leadership brand
  • Set strategic expectations with key stakeholders
  • Develop a 100-day success roadmap
Book a Free Intro Call
1:1 Strategic Coaching

Power, Persuasion & Presence

  • Enhance your executive presence
  • Overcome negotiation hesitation
  • Master high-stakes techniques
  • Personalized coaching approach
Book a Free Intro Call

Strategic Career Negotiations E-Learning

Master the art of negotiation with our comprehensive online course
Transform Your Career

Learn proven negotiation strategies from an ex-EY Partner with 25+ years of experience

Explore Course
Course Features
  • Lifetime access to course materials
  • Step-by-step negotiation framework
  • Real-world case studies
  • Personalized completion certificate

Ready to elevate your negotiation skills?

Start Learning Now

Actionable Advantage from NegotiateHer services

Unmask Bias

We tackle unconscious bias and microaggressions through case studies.

Communicate with Power

Learn gendered communication styles to become a persuasive negotiator.

See Yourself Succeed

Find inspiration in success stories of women and people of color.

Negotiate for Equity

Master strategies to close the pay gap and secure your worth.

Our Testimonials

Working with Gitanjali is instrumental in my navigation of a potential career shift. She leads by example in striking a fine balance of assertiveness and empathy in her approach to providing me with a structured and pragmatic understanding of what I need to discover before I make a transition decision.

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Stella Lee
Associate Director
Hong Kong

Gitanjali truly gets me! As Indians in Europe, her practical guidance significantly influenced my successful relocation from India to the Netherlands. Her NegotiateHer method later played a crucial role in helping me negotiate a smooth transition to a new team enhancing my career progression in this new setting.

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Naveen Sadhu
Strategy and Operations Leader
Netherlands

Gitanjali's NegotiateHer navigation system has helped me through different moments of career negotiations. I purposefully sought her out because she is a successful, empathetic and driven woman of color in leadership. Her approach is an action oriented guidance that has helped me negotiate my work choices.

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Divya Iyengar
Experience Design Manager
USA

Turning to Gitanjali for support has been crucial for my career development. She's consistently straightforward and supportive, giving me space to clearly explore my options. By sharing her insights without judgment, she provides the balanced perspective I need to make informed career decisions.

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Elisa Guardabasso
Assistant Director
Ireland

Gitanjali has helped me think constructively about my career, negotiate options, and use a detective-like approach to uncover new opportunities. With NegotiateHer Gitanjali brings a delightful energy to the table, making the entire process enjoyable.

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Donny Lee
Senior Employer Branding Expert
Switzerland

The NegotiateHer Method

The NegotiateHer method equips women and people of color with the skills and strategies to own every negotiation, leading to greater career satisfaction and success.
Using Personal Values as Your Guide
We help you define your values and priorities to guide your negotiations beyond just salary.
NAVIGATING CAREER NEGOTIATIONS
We equip you with strategies for every stage, from interviews and counteroffers to promotions and exits.
Use the NegotiateHer Detective Approach
Learn to approach negotiations strategically, understand the other side's perspective, and craft lasting agreements.

Kickstart Your Next Negotiation : Free Template Download!

Ready to confidently navigate career negotiations? Our Free Negotiation Kickstart Template provides a powerful launchpad to structure your approach for any critical career discussion.

From salary reviews and promotions to counteroffers and exits, this template equips you with essential prompts to:

  • Clarify Your Career Values: How will you bring your personal values to align with your desired career outcomes and priorities?
  • Be a Negotiation Detective: Gather information to organize key points that strengthen your arguments.
  • Identify Negotiation Strategies: Brainstorm effective tactics to achieve your goals.

Download your Free Template today and initiate successful negotiations with confidence!

Meet Our Team

The powerhouse behind NegotiateHer's mission
Gitanjali Ponnappa
Gitanjali Ponnappa

Chief NegotiateHer

Gitanjali Ponnappa

Chief NegotiateHer

The musician who leads the orchestra through the performance.

Joanna
Joanna

Chief Engagement Officer

Joanna

Chief Engagement Officer

The wizard of community, client relationship building and all things social media.

Juni
Juni

Chief Builder

Juni

Chief Builder

Takes care of all things tech and is working on our AI-driven chatbot with WhatsApp integration, building newsletter designs and so much more!

Saakshi
Saakshi

Chief Storyteller

Saakshi

Chief Storyteller

The creative force weaving narratives that bring visions to life, shaping NegotiateHer's voice with heart and soul.

NegotiateHer Podcast: Now Live!

Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and never miss an insightful episode! Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts

Your Hosts

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Gitanjali Ponnappa

Chief NegotiateHer

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Apa Hospodokova

Chief Catalyst for Change

NegotiateHer Podcast
Power, Pragmatic Tips and Personal Stories
Power: Unlock your negotiation power with actionable advice and proven strategies.
Pragmatic Tips: Gain practical tips you can use in your next negotiation, from salary reviews to promotions and more!
Personal Stories: Be inspired by the personal stories of successful negotiators.

#NegotiateHer #CloseTheGap #CorporateEquity #NegotiationTips

Empower Your Voice:
Read & Thrive

Amplify your voice, navigate challenges, and succeed on your own terms. Explore our curated list featuring powerful books on race, gender, finding your voice, and more. While NegotiateHer services are available, these reads offer valuable inspiration.

Free Negotiation
Course List

We've compiled a starter list of top-tier courses to spark your exploration.

Inside you'll find 5+ Negotiation Certification Courses offered by reputable institutions.
Click to Download
While these courses offer a great starting point, for personalized guidance and a tailored roadmap to success, consider our experts at NegotiateHer!

Ready to Talk Negotiation? Let's Connect!

Train your Team

Tell us a little bit about your team, how you wish to enact #corporateequity and #closethegap, to improve your team´s job satisfaction and increase retention.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Feeling overwhelmed by a negotiation? Curious about how we can help you achieve your goals? Don't be shy - schedule a free introductory call to discuss your specific needs.

Book a Free call