Shanti Ekambaram, Deputy Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Financial institution, has emerged as the highest lady skilled within the 2025 Candere Hurun India Ladies Leaders Record—a landmark report celebrating India’s most influential girls throughout enterprise, philanthropy, and innovation. At 62, Ekambaram leads a ₹3.82 lakh crore enterprise and is credited with spearheading digital banking and driving monetary inclusion.
The listing, a joint effort by Candere and Hurun India, spotlights 97 distinctive girls throughout 5 foundational pillars—Wealth Creation, Worth Creation, Philanthropy, Begin-ups, and Tradition. Among the many standout names becoming a member of Ekambaram within the professionals class are a number of top-ranking leaders who collectively signify over Rs 11.7 lakh crore in enterprise worth.
Within the listing, the Monetary Companies sector has emerged as probably the most represented sector with 23 girls leaders, adopted intently by the Shopper Items sector with 18 feminine leaders.
Second on the listing is Parminder Chopra (57), Chairperson and Managing Director of Energy Finance Company (PFC), which oversees belongings value ₹1.44 lakh crore. She is credited with steering the vitality financier by way of a vital section of renewables-led development.
Vibha Padalkar (56), Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Life Insurance coverage, has helped place the corporate as a market chief in life insurance coverage, leveraging strategic growth and digital transformation.
From the drinks business, Hina Nagarajan (59), Managing Director and CEO of United Spirits (Diageo India), leads an ₹1.06 lakh crore enterprise and has been instrumental in strengthening the corporate’s premiumisation technique.
First-Era wealth creators
On the prime stands Radha Vembu (52) of Zoho with Rs 55,300 crore, constructing one among India’s strongest SaaS tales. Shut behind is Jayshree Ullal (63) of Arista Networks, redefining cloud infrastructure from Silicon Valley. Others embrace Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (71) of Biocon, Falguni Nayar (61) of Nykaa, and Neha Narkhede (41) of Confluent. Indra Nooyi (69), although retired, continues to wield world affect, whereas Juhi Chawla (57) provides Bollywood-to-business muscle by way of Knight Riders Sports activities.
Subsequent-Era leaders
Ladies inheriting legacy companies are modernising them for world scale. Roshni Nadar Malhotra (43) leads the group with HCL Applied sciences valued at ₹4.87 lakh crore. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Nisaba Godrej, the Reddy sisters (Apollo Hospitals), Vinita Gupta (Lupin), and Farah Malik Bhanji (Metro Manufacturers) collectively drive over Rs 12 lakh crore in enterprise worth.
Timeless icons
Enduring affect defines this group. At 87, artist Arpita Singh is the listing’s eldest honouree. Anu Aga (82), Meena Sethi (80), Preetha Reddy (67), and Shanti Ekambaram herself replicate how affect deepens throughout a long time, leaving a legacy that spans sectors and generations.
