Being resilient is more than just getting back up after a setback. It’s about overcoming adversity, persevering when the odds are stacked against you, and creating a path where none previously existed. Women leaders are doing just that all over India and beyond. They’re rewriting the rules, not waiting for approval.
When Leadership and Grit Collide, India has always had strong women. Women have been creating, leading, and enduring in silence from grassroots movements to international boardrooms. However, they are now asserting their voice and their space.
Consider Gita Gopinath. She broke through academic and professional barriers to become the International Monetary Fund’s First Deputy Managing Director. She was born in Mysore.
Or NASSCOM President Debjani Ghosh, who has pushed for diversity and digital inclusion in one of the most male-dominated sectors: technology. India’s digital future is being shaped by her leadership.
They’re not by themselves, either.
At fifty, Nykaa founder Falguni Nayar took a risk by quitting her job in investment banking to start a beauty platform that became the first woman-led unicorn in India to go public.
Industrial powerhouses aren’t just for men in suits, as demonstrated by Flex’s CEO, Revathi Advaithi, who oversees one of the biggest manufacturing firms globally.
But the road remains uneven. Bias, funding gaps, unequal opportunities, and systemic challenges continue to exist. Women still receive less than 2% of venture capital in India. Many juggle career ambitions with the burden of unpaid care work. And yet—they rise.
That’s why the Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2025 – India, happening from October 14 to 16 at Alila Diwa, matters so deeply. It’s not just a gathering. It’s a powerful convergence of stories, solutions, and solidarity. A space where leaders share not only what they’ve achieved, but how they got there, and what we all can do next.
If India is to truly unlock its full economic and social potential, we must make room for more stories of resilience—at every level.
Because when women lead, they don’t just break barriers. They build bridges.
Learn more at india.womenleadersasia.com.
What about their tales?
They are worthy of being acknowledged, honored, and repeated.When Leadership and Grit Collide, India has always had strong women. Women have been creating, leading, and enduring in silence from grassroots movements to international boardrooms. However, they are now asserting their voice and their space.
Consider Gita Gopinath. She broke through academic and professional barriers to become the International Monetary Fund’s First Deputy Managing Director. She was born in Mysore.
Or NASSCOM President Debjani Ghosh, who has pushed for diversity and digital inclusion in one of the most male-dominated sectors: technology. India’s digital future is being shaped by her leadership.
They’re not by themselves, either.
At fifty, Nykaa founder Falguni Nayar took a risk by quitting her job in investment banking to start a beauty platform that became the first woman-led unicorn in India to go public.
Industrial powerhouses aren’t just for men in suits, as demonstrated by Flex’s CEO, Revathi Advaithi, who oversees one of the biggest manufacturing firms globally.
The Movement’s Numbers
The statistics highlight both how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, even though the stories are encouraging:- Women now make up 17% of C-suite executives and 20% of board members in India. (Times of India, 2024)
- Women-led startups have grown 10X, from 1,500 in 2017 to over 17,000 by 2023​ . (The Hindu)🔹 41.7% – That’s the current female labor force participation rate (up from 23.3% in 2017–18), a huge leap driven by rural women taking on formal and informal work. (Economic Survey 2025)
- Women hold 39.2% of all bank accounts in India, with rural women showing even higher financial control. (Government of India)
Why Resilience Matters More Than Ever
Women leaders are not just occupying positions—they’re reshaping them.- In boardrooms, they’re introducing inclusive policies.
- In communities, they’re uplifting others.
- In politics, entrepreneurship, technology, finance, and agriculture, they’re proving that leadership doesn’t have a uniform.
But the road remains uneven. Bias, funding gaps, unequal opportunities, and systemic challenges continue to exist. Women still receive less than 2% of venture capital in India. Many juggle career ambitions with the burden of unpaid care work. And yet—they rise.
Building a New Future Together
These stories and statistics aren’t just fuel for inspiration—they’re a call to action. Change doesn’t happen in silos. It happens when platforms are built, voices are amplified, and community becomes the foundation.That’s why the Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2025 – India, happening from October 14 to 16 at Alila Diwa, matters so deeply. It’s not just a gathering. It’s a powerful convergence of stories, solutions, and solidarity. A space where leaders share not only what they’ve achieved, but how they got there, and what we all can do next.
If India is to truly unlock its full economic and social potential, we must make room for more stories of resilience—at every level.
Because when women lead, they don’t just break barriers. They build bridges.
Learn more at india.womenleadersasia.com.
