India's first woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, made a significant impact on Indian politics with her smart leadership and strong resolve. Biocon's founder, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, is a trailblazer in India's biotech sector, who showed that creativity and perseverance can propel success. Their methods and stories strike a chord with many, opening doors to next generations. The rise of female leaders is beyond a passing trend, but rather a solid proof showcasing significant change in cultural norms and expectations.

As we celebrate this year’s International Women's Day, let's take this time to shine the light on the accomplishments of women leaders who are transforming the world around them while shattering stereotypes.

Khushboo Jain, Co-Founder and COO of CarePal Group

She is the driving force behind India's top integrated healthcare financing platform that consists of ImpactGuru.com, CarePal Secure, and CarePal Money. By raising more than $175 million in funding for more than 50,000 patients, Khushboo has made it easier for people to get inexpensive healthcare. She has a background in fashion marketing and has won numerous awards, including the NITI Aayog Women Transforming India Awards and the Fortune India 40 Under 40.

She believes that, “Building a purpose-driven company in healthcare finance has been a journey of resilience, innovation, and deep commitment to impacting a million lives by 2030.

At CarePal Group and Impact Guru, our vision is to make quality healthcare financially accessible to all, ensuring that no one has to compromise on treatment due to cost constraints.

By integrating medical crowdfunding, healthcare lending, and insurance solutions, we are creating a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers patients and their families”.

For aspiring women entrepreneurs, my advice is to trust your instincts, embrace challenges as opportunities, and build a strong support network.

Breaking barriers across diverse sectors requires adaptability and a relentless pursuit of your mission.

“True leadership lies in taking bold risks, learning from setbacks, and driving meaningful change”, says Khushboo.

 

 

“As more women step into leadership roles, we can collectively shape a future where financial and healthcare inclusivity become a reality for millions”.

Sunita Cherian, Chief Culture Officer, Wipro Limited

Over the course of her twenty-year career, Sunita has contributed immensely in fields, including HR shared services, sustainability, inclusion and diversity among others. She developed change strategies for leadership and the talent landscape for multiple divisions, including a start-up unit, and shaped the HR strategy as a Human Resources leader. Under her stewardship, Wipro Limited has received widespread recognition for its inclusion framework and consistent activities over the past ten years.

According to Sunita, “Creating an equitable future requires consistent and meaningful action”.

“At Wipro, we foster a culture that truly appreciates every associate, nurtures their development and offers equal opportunities to all. We are committed to consistent education & training, attentive listening, and evolving our practices to embed inclusion into every aspect that grows our business”.

Dr. Vandana Shiva, Founder, Navdanya Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (India) & President of Navdanya International

A globally renowned author, ecofeminist, and environmentalist, Dr. Vandana’s name stands tall for her steadfast support of ecological justice, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity.  An influential personality in environmental activism, Dr. Vandana's life reflects strong commitment to environmentally friendly farming and community-driven agricultural methods.

She established the national movement Navdanya in 1987 with the goals of establishing seed banks throughout India, promoting organic farming, and conserving the variety of seeds. Her ideas have changed policy debates at the UN and the World Economic Forum, on biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, promoting a shift from industrialized agriculture and toward environmentally friendly methods that help small-scale farmers and indigenous populations.

Chanda Kochhar - former MD and CEO of ICICI Bank

Her remarkable path from a young Rajasthani girl to the first female CEO of ICICI Bank is evidence of her tenacity, willpower, and unshakable leadership.

Her direction has helped ICICI Bank grow into one of the biggest private sector banks in the nation under her direction.

By facilitating the use of new technology by the bank and updating financial services, Kochhar significantly contributed to the modernization of retail banking in India.

Her story shows us that anyone may inspire future generations of leaders and leave a lasting impression if they have a strong dedication to ethical leadership, strategic thinking, and tenacity.

Naina Lal Kidwai - Senior Advisor at EQT Partners

Naina Lal Kidwai is a well-known name in the banking and financial industry.

When Naina Lal Kidwai started her career, the Indian corporate environment was not at all accepting of women in leadership positions.

In spite of these obstacles, she forged a distinctive career in banking and finance, paving the way for innumerable others to follow.

As the Chief Executive Officer of HSBC India, Naina Lal Kidwai held a number of executive positions.

Her attempts to advance green projects and sustainable finance demonstrated her dedication to social responsibility.

Her pioneering spirit, commitment to diversity, and support of women's empowerment define Naina Lal Kidwai's legacy.  Future generations of leaders will continue to be inspired by her leadership in promoting sustainability, her contributions to the banking industry, and her dedication to gender diversity.Through her story, we can learn that anyone can inspire future generations of leaders and leave a lasting impression if they possess tenacity, strategic thinking, and a strong sense of social duty.

Revathi Radhakrishnan - Founder, Director, Vanavil Trust

She began her career working in the film industry and as a television journalist, creating shows.

After serving as a volunteer in Nagapattinam during the 2004 Asian Tsunami, Revathi founded Vanavil to empower and educate the women and children of Nomadic Tribes in Tamil Nadu, Boom Boom Mattikarars and Narikuravars.

Her venture helps these groups maintain their heritage of being assimilated into society and deriving from musical families.

Through her passionate and unique teaching model and financial support program, Revathi has changed the lives of women and children in the Boom Boom Maatukarar community.  She also owns Maitri Books, an independent publishing business that focuses on feminist books. In addition, she has translated Ambedkar-related literature and authored a collection of poetry that was released by Kaalachuvadu Publications in 2014.She received the prestigious Gold Award at the SVP India Fast Pitch 2024 and the Times Now "Amazing Indians" award in 2022 for her efforts, which have garnered her international acclaim.

Sanjina Gupta, Founder, Rangeen Khidki Foundation

Sanjina is the leader of Rangeen Khidki, an organization led by the youth who help tackle issues related to gender, menstruation, and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

She has worked extensively in rural Bengal, Kolkata, Bihar, Mumbai, and Maharashtra and has affiliations with a number of research-based and non-profit organizations.

With a focus on gender and sexuality, Sanjina has presented numerous seminars and initiatives on gender equity, raising awareness, and developing strategies for inclusive sexual and reproductive health rights for youth of all genders.

Also Read: CEO Insights Hall of Fame: 9 Unsung Heroes Who Reinvented Healthcare in India