Suprima Bhele Isn’t Afraid to Take Chances

Suprima Bhele never imagined she’d end up working in financial services. When she first came to the U.S. from Nepal as a 17-year-old, “my dream was changing constantly,” she says. The first-generation college student kept trying new things, just as she had as a child. “Growing up, my mom encouraged me to try everything, from debate to dance, which gave me an open mind to view everything as an opportunity, and that built my confidence along the way,” she reflects.

When the art major took a linear algebra class on her path to what she thought might be a career in architecture, she unexpectedly fell in love with math, then eventually with analytics when she enrolled in graduate school at Columbia University. “As I got deeper into analytics, I realized it wasn’t about just uncovering information; it was also about asking smarter questions and building better systems,” says Suprima, with her ingrained appreciation for everything she tries.

A DATA-DRIVEN LEADER

Today, as a Vice President in Data and Analytics at Morgan Stanley, she leverages data analytics to support forecasting and strategic decision-making in wealth management. One of the first projects she worked on after joining the firm in 2021 was an AI-powered acquisition platform that leverages insights to unlock new growth opportunities across Wealth Management. “I was part of the data strategy team and led data pipeline and structure designs that supported our models,” she explains.

From there, her role expanded beyond data integrity to operational efficiency with, “leveraging statistical anomaly detection models to strengthen data validation tools.” Most recently, she’s been focused on forecasting net new assets using client segmentation and macroeconomic indicators. When the days and the numbers get challenging, Suprima relies on her “sense of purpose and sense of community” to keep going.

Before joining Morgan Stanley, she held several positions in data strategy and machine learning at several organizations. “Taking chances and being open-minded and curious about things put in front of me definitely shaped my career,” Suprima says.

There were times when she questioned her career moves, wondering if she was “jumping from one thing to another” and not being purposely thoughtful about her progression: “Am I becoming a jack of all trades and a master of none?” Reflecting, she now understands that she has grown with every experience, noting how “taking chances isn't abandoning expertise but evolving it.”

Suprima says her natural curiosity and open-mindedness have also helped shape her personally, especially when she moved to a new country. Once she decided to study abroad and pursue a world-class education in the U.S., her parents were initially reluctant. However, receiving a full scholarship to Hollins University, an all-women’s college in Virginia, along with the school’s commitment to student safety, helped ease their concerns. “Me being financially independent really took the burden off of my family,” she says. “I’ll always be grateful for their trust and the institutions that made it possible.”

She also recognizes the opportunities she’s had as a woman working in the U.S., opportunities not always accessible to women in previous generations in other parts of the world. “It’s not lost on me how different things could have been, and that awareness pushes me to make the most out of what’s in front of me,” says Suprima.

A COLLABORATOR

Through her academic and professional journey, she learned the importance of building with, and counting on, others. “By yourself, you can’t really get anywhere,” says Suprima, who is thankful for “those who believed in me and gave me opportunities.”

That mindset began to shape during her time at college, where she experienced the strength of community in action. “There was a real sense of sisterhood being a part of an all-women’s college,” says Suprima. “It helped reframe my idea of leadership. It wasn’t about standing out. Rather, it was about showing up for others and building momentum together. It changed my mindset from competition to collaboration.”

Because of this, Suprima leads with the spirit of collaboration. “Everything is a team effort,” she insists. “Nothing I do in terms of work is about one person.”

Her collaborative attitude and distinguished young career have not gone unnoticed. This year, she was named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, Class of 2025—a distinction reserved for innovators, advocates and groundbreakers in inclusion, all nominated by their peers. This accolade came as a surprise to Suprima, given the caliber of MAKERS who came before her, some of whom were her own mentors whom she had aspired to emulate.

“Being a MAKER has magnified my curiosity and my awareness of the fact that what I do has an impact on those around me,” she says. “It’s a powerful reminder that our work doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The impact we create—on our teams, in our communities—matters.” 

A PURPOSEFUL STRATEGIST

To stay mindful of her purpose, Suprima schedules semiannual “check-ins” with herself to reflect on how her current work aligns with her long-term goals. “It helps me stay focused on both professional direction and personal growth,” she says.

She also finds grounding in community. As a proud Nepali, Suprima remains actively engaged with Nepali diaspora organizations in New York. “Being part of the Nepali community keeps me connected to my roots,” she shares. “I make an effort to attend events and put myself out there in ways that allow me to stay close to my culture and be of service when I can.”

Suprima remains committed to growth with purpose, staying curious and taking bold steps forward. As she reminds, “there will always be something to learn—and opportunities to have more knowledge and experience under my belt than I did yesterday.”