Meet Most Popular Businesswomen in India
Women are quickly catching up to men in professional and corporate life. Here is a list of the most popular businesswomen in India. Who has successfully led high-profile companies to profitability through their leadership?
1. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
She is the founder and chairman of Biocon, a biotechnology company based in India. She is considered one of the most successful women in business in India and is known for her contributions to the field of biotechnology. Mazumdar-Shaw started her career as a trainee brewer at United Breweries Group in 1974 but left the job to pursue her dream of starting her own company.
She then founded Biocon in 1978, with an initial investment of just $250. Today, Biocon is one of the leading biotechnology companies in India and has a presence in over 100 countries. Mazumdar-Shaw has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of biotechnology, including the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Padma Shri in 1989. She is also a member of various boards and committees, including the Indian School of Business and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bangalore.
2. Indira Nooyi
She is the former CEO of PepsiCo, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. Indira served as CEO for 12 years, and Chairman for 11 years (2006-2018). She is currently serving on the boards of Amazon and Aditya Birla Group.
Nooyi began her career at PepsiCo in 1994 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development. She was then appointed as President and Chief Financial Officer in 2001, and later as CEO in 2006. During her tenure as CEO, Nooyi focused on making PepsiCo a more sustainable and healthier company, by reducing sugar and salt content in its products and investing in healthier options like water and organic snacks. She also led the company through a period of strong growth, with revenues increasing from $35 billion to $63.5 billion.
Nooyi is widely recognized as one of the most successful business leaders in the world and has been consistently ranked among the most powerful women in business by Forbes. She has also been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2019, considered one of the highest civilian awards in India.
3. Chanda Kochhar
Chanda Kochhar is a former CEO and Managing Director of ICICI Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks. She served in this role from 2009 to 2018. Currently, she is serving as the Executive Director of the Boston Consulting Group.
Kochhar began her career at ICICI Bank in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become the bank’s CEO and Managing Director in 2009. During her tenure, she played a key role in the bank’s growth and expansion, both in India and internationally. She also oversaw the launch of several innovative products and services and led the bank through a period of strong growth.
Kochhar is widely recognized as one of the most successful business leaders in India and has been consistently ranked among the most powerful women in business by various publications. She has also been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2011, considered one of the highest civilian awards in India.
4. Shikha Sharma
Shikha Sharma is a former Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks. She served in this role from 2009 to 2018. Currently, she serves as the Director of Max Financial Services.
Sharma began her career at ICICI Bank in 1980, where she held several key positions including the Head of Treasury and International Banking. In 2000, she joined ICICI Prudential Life Insurance as the Managing Director and CEO, where she helped establish the company as one of the leading life insurance companies in India. In 2009, Sharma was appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank, one of the largest private-sector banks in India.
During her tenure at Axis Bank, Sharma played a key role in expanding the bank’s retail and corporate business and was instrumental in launching several innovative products and services. Her focus on risk management and governance helped the bank weather the global financial crisis. Under Sharma’s leadership, Axis Bank’s total assets grew from Rs. 1,56,000 crore in March 2009 to Rs. 5,26,000 crore in March 2018, and the bank’s market capitalization grew from Rs. 39,000 crore to Rs. 2,44,000 crore during the same period.
5. Arundhati Bhattacharya
Arundhati Bhattacharya is a former Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), the largest public sector bank in India. She served as Chairman from 2013 to 2017, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the bank’s history. Currently, she serves as an Independent Director on the board of Reliance Industries, one of the largest conglomerates in India.
Bhattacharya began her career at SBI in 1977 and rose through the ranks to become the bank’s Chairman in 2013. During her tenure as Chairman, she focused on improving the bank’s financial performance and increasing its reach in rural and semi-urban areas. Under her leadership, SBI’s profits grew by more than 30% and the bank successfully managed to reduce its non-performing assets (NPAs). She also brought in a number of initiatives to support women and promote gender diversity in the bank.
Consistently ranked as one of India’s most successful and powerful businesswomen by various publications. Received numerous awards, including Padma Bhushan in 2016, a top civilian award in India.
6. Naina Lal Kidwai
Naina Lal Kidwai is a former Country Head of HSBC India, one of the largest banks in India. She served in this role from 2007 to 2014. Currently, she serves as an Independent Director on the board of several companies including Nestle India and LafargeHolcim.
Kidwai began her career at ANZ Grindlays Bank in 1982, where she held several key positions including the Head of Investment Banking and the Head of Corporate Finance. In 2000, she joined HSBC as the Country Head of Investment Banking, and later became the Country Head of HSBC India in 2007. During her tenure as the Country Head of HSBC India, Kidwai played a key role in expanding the bank’s presence in India and was instrumental in launching several innovative products and services. She navigated the bank through the global financial crisis with a focus on corporate governance and risk management.
Recognized as one of India’s most successful business leaders and powerful women in business by various publications. She received numerous awards and accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2007, one of India’s highest civilian awards.
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