Herstory: Women leaders who smashed the glass ceiling

On International Women's Day (IWD), let's celebrate these trailblazers in a variety of industries who followed their dreams despite societal norms. The following 14 women represent the power of persistence and strong leadership.

1. Saakshi Choithani

Business Coach & AI Augmented Business Strategist | Founder, Mindynamics

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Business Coach and Business Strategist (founder of Mindynamics) Based on 15 years worth of extensive business coaching experience (including working with many service based entrepreneurs) Saakshi Choithani began her career in a typical corporate setting, before transitioning into full time independent consulting in 2019.

Then she created her own independent company, called Mindynamics, which provides digital training solutions such as AI Augmented Business Models, Brand Building, and Business Automation Strategies for aspiring and established entrepreneurs who wish to eliminate the time-for-money model by creating new income streams. In addition, Saakshi is the author of the bestselling book "Solo Entrepreneurship Decoded" and teaches multiple methods or frameworks for creating a sustainable business as an en

Dr Farhath Sayed

MDS Endodontics | Microscopic Dentistry | Co-Founder, The Dental Bond

Dr. Farhath Sayed has built a strong reputation through her advanced skills and compassionate approach to patients. She has more than 20 years of experience as an endodontist (root canal specialist) and is often referred to as the "painless dentist."

Her expertise in pain management keeps her anxious patients comfortable while providing them with quality dental care. Over the years, she has served as the director of a multi-specialty dental center in Kuwait and co-founded The Dental Bond, with her husband, renowned implant surgeon and prosthodontist Dr. Husain Harianawala, in Mumbai. As a result of Dr. Sayed's passion for empowering women, the team at The Dental Bond is primarily made up of women and promotes collaboration, equality, opportunity, and excellence in dental care practices.

3. Sowmya Iyer, Founder, Clarity Communication

Sowmya Iyer launched her professional career as an entrepreneur in the public relations industry despite not holding any formal qualifications in mass communication. Nonetheless, the combination of professional experience and training that she received ultimately provided her with enough knowledge to establish her own personal brand of public relations known as Clarity Communication; which she opened in 2016.

As the first business owner within her family, she designed Clarity Communication around the concept that building solid relationships with clients equates to success; therefore it was this philosophy that supported Clarity Communication’ success in achieving 1.4 crore turnover (FY 2024-'25). Rather than taking the more traditional approach of pursuing a relationship through marriage, Sowmya opted to get married through entrepreneurship via overcoming adversity to successfully build her company.

4. Shivani Shukla

PR Lead, Anagram Media Labs & Inflyx

Shivani Shukla (PR lead at Inflyx and Anagram Media Labs) has helped build brands across several industries, such as: fashion, beauty, lifestyle, AI, and tech. In her opinion, public relations is “the sin qua non” (or ultimate foundation) of brand identity.

She has also served as the Principal PR Consultant for the Shraddha Kapoor campaign for Baggit and is currently working on multiple public relations projects with both Inflyx (AI-driven platform) and Anagram Media Labs. Along with being a PR expert with over 7 years of experience, Shivani Shukla is also a successful author of “Eternal Echoes - A Symphony of Love Life and Faith”—a book about her individual experiences with love, life, and spirituality.

5. Jovita Mascarenhas

Co-founder, Bartisans

Jovita Mascarenhas Bartisans' co-founder, Jovita Mascarenhas, is a cocktail mixer brand that provides an effortless and efficient experience for its customers to enjoy a bar-quality drink at home or wherever they may be sipping on cocktails.

She leads the company to develop product, operation, and business growth strategies across all distribution channels: i.e., direct-to-consumer and quick commerce channels. In an industry that often relies on shortcuts and fads, Jovita has rewritten the book on using only real ingredients, pairing bold flavours and creating easy-to-make cocktail recipes. "Confidence is not a personality trait," says Jovita. "It is something we can build by keeping our promises to ourselves." Happy Women's Day!

6. Ritu Khanna

Perenne Cosmetics Founder & Managing Director

Ritu Khanna is the creator and managing director of Perenne Cosmetics, which she founded in 2017 after performing thorough research into using natural active ingredients for skincare. She has had her own experiences with skin pigmentation difficulties and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in addition to managing the struggles of being an entrepreneur while also trying to be a good mother. She has established a brand that is committed to creating research-based products, such as the Glow Booster Makeup Setting Spray and Hair Retardant Cream.

7. Aboli Telawne, Director of Telawne Power Equipments Pvt Ltd and Prajash Projects

We celebrate the extraordinary work of Aboli Telawne, Director of Telawne Power Equipments Pvt Ltd and Prajash Projects & Services Pvt Ltd., as a driving force in the development of India's power and infrastructure sectors on Women's Day 2026. Aboli holds a postgraduate degree in Pharmacy, and also has received numerous teaching awards (throughout her previous career as an educator).

She made a smooth transition from academia to corporate leadership, where she has applied her experience as well as her knowledge, discipline and vision to the benefit of the industry. Since 2014, she has been enhancing the brand value of companies she is affiliated with, working to create innovative solutions for her customers, developing customer centric engineering solutions tailored to the customer's needs, and has had active affiliated with the Lions Club Charitable Trust; she is dedicated to the development of rural areas and furthering educational opportunities. Through her ability to combine excellence in business with her commitment to social impact, Aboli Telawne represents the strength and the purpose of women leaders contributing towards the development of modern India.

8. Sneha Goenka | Chief Creative Officer - Strategy, Design & Communications | SomeThink BIG

With her creative vision and passion for developing a unique voice for the company, Sneha is at the forefront of driving great ideas through SomeThink BIG's distinct fusion of innovative thinking and strategic thinking. As its Chief Creative Officer, she is responsible for shaping the vision for the company and fostering the organizational culture that supports creative output and creating meaningful work.

Her work holds significance due to her methodology of incorporating purpose-driven thinking; her robust sense of design was also cultivated through her previous experience in visual communications, advertising, experiential marketing, and storytelling. Sneha is a recognized leader and Power Woman, 30 Under 30 awardee, and her success has elevated the design/strategy relationship across the country and has produced a multitude of high-impact work for SomeThink BIG.

9. Anupama Dalmia

Founder, Beyond the Box

Anupama Dalmia, who has a background in IT, is the founder and Chief Mentor of Beyond the Box. Her work with Beyond the Box has included mentoring more than 13,000 children and empowering over 350 women. In addition to running Beyond the Box, she also serves as National President of the WICCI Holistic Child Development Council. In 2024, Anupama received the REX Karamveer Chakra (Platinum) Award for her work and for the ways in which she has served as a model by changing lives through impact initiatives.

10. Ananya Mukherjee

Strategic Communications Leader | Author

Mukherjee has worked as a Business Editor for many years and has held multiple international business communications management roles. She currently serves as the Vice President for Strategic Communications and Branding in a large international company based in Singapore. Ananya is a well-published author who authored the books, "Ardh-Satya" and “An Unborn Desire” both of which were listed in Today magazine's Top 100 Books You Should Have on Your Bookshelf. In addition to being an author, Ananya Mukherjee also works as a theatre performer, poet, scriptwriter and storyteller, publishing under the pen name Jujuburi. Ananya is an alumna of Stanford Graduate Business School and has been included in the list of “50 under 50” in India.

Dr. Niha Aggarwal

Ophthalmologist & Medical Educator

Dr Niha Aggarwal obtained both MBBS and MS degrees from the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, earning gold medals for each course of study. She is a respected teacher who strives to simplify difficult topics in Ophthalmology for her students to comprehend more easily. She has been awarded a Women’s Day Badge of Honour in both 2024 and 2025.

12. Forum Vipul Bhagat

Managing Director, Novo Medi Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

Forum Vipul Bhagat is the Managing Director of Novo Medi Sciences Pvt. Ltd. and believes that even though well-behaved women will not make much of a mark through history, the future will be defined by women who are bold and brave enough to create change. The journey of her leadership is one of challenging the normist view of women in leadership positions and creating an organisation based on science with a global influence. Under her leadership, Novo Medi has been established in 45 countries and has developed strong global partnerships. Additionally, she has been an advocate for major healthcare initiatives with the launch of NEXIPOX PLUS® to protect against Varicella (chickenpox), and G.A.U.R.I., which is a nationwide initiative in India to advocate for immunisation rights for underprivileged young girls against chickenpox. For Forum, being a leader means taking the initiative to break down barriers and provide opportunity for others in order to inspire them to take their opportunities and create progress.

13. Shreya Anand

Director, Vedaanta Senior Living

One of India's leading and fastest growing brands developing & managing retirement communities throughout the country. Vedaanta has established itself with 20+ communities and recently received multiple service excellence awards for its accomplishments within the retirement community industry.

Ms. Anand is responsible for overseeing the Sales & Marketing Department and has played a major role in assisting in the development of Vedaanta's business by creating one of the strongest brands in the marketplace, as well as expanding Vedaanta's presence in many markets through a customer-centered and community-focused strategy. She brings considerable strategic clarity and ability to execute to Vedaanta and is helping Vedaanta to realize its vision for long-term, sustainable and scalable growth in the senior living industry.

14. Manjiri Gokhale Joshi

Mentoring Coordinator, Radcliffe Department of Medicine

Manjiri Gokhale Joshi Is an Expert in Inclusive Leadership and Mentoring and Currently serves as the Mentoring Coordinator at Radcliffe Department of Medicine; also a PhD Student at Queen Mary University; Co-Founded Maya CARE supporting elderly People from India, Nepal & the UK; Authored Various Leadership Books & Others About Social Impact.

Final Thoughts

The stories of each of these fourteen women illustrate how through their strength, courage, and inspiration, these strong women have transformed themselves from being confined by traditional gender roles and created new opportunities for themselves. They exemplify what real leaders do; they lead with their heart and spirit, have the courage to take risks and make the world a better place for others.

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