Gone are those days when women’s productivity used to be measured only by her culinary or household skills. Today’s women have proved that they are equally, or more capable of excelling in the male-dominated fields. Entrepreneurship, considered to be one of the toughest arenas, is now experiencing the footsteps of some of the most powerful women who truly have fire in their bellies. Here are the top 10 most successful women entrepreneurs India is proud of.
Indra Nooyi
CEO of Pepsico
This Chennai born science graduate and an MBA from IIM has been in the leading positions of various prestigious companies like Johnson and Johnson etc. In 2001, she made us proud by becoming the president as well as CEO of Pepsico. For her extraordinary achievements and leadership qualities, she has been awarded with Padma Bhushan.
Naina Lal Kidwai
Group GM and Country Head of HSBC, India
With an academic graph as impressive as her entrepreneurship, Naina Lal Kidwai is a Delhi university Economics graduate and the first Indian woman MBA from Harvard Business School. Besides her current position as the GM of HSBC India, she is also currently holding a prestigious position on the board of internationally acclaimed Nestle SA as well as an acting advisor of Harvard Business School. She is also a Padma Shri awardee.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
CMD of Biocon
Stepped out of the conventional career zone, this brave Bangalore born Bengali took up Malting and Brewing as her field of study in PG from Melbourne University. After serving quite a few years in the brewing industry, she opened her new firm, Biocon in 1978, now a leading name in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. She has been conferred with both Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
Chanda Kochar
CEO and MD of ICICI Bank
This Rajasthan born wonderlady has been a true scholar since beginning of her life. Winner of the Wockhardt Gold Medal in Management studies and J N Bose Gold Medal for excellent in Cost Accountancy, this Padma Bhushan awardee has been working for the ICICI Group since 1984.
Indu Jain
Former Chairperson of Times Group
Even at 76, she holds a profile that can be inspiring to billions. A strong advocate of women entrepreneurship and women’s rights, she is known for her speech in UN’s World Peace Summit besides her other contributions.
Simone Tata
Chairperson of Trent Limited, Former Chairperson of Lakme
The stepmother of Ratan Tata, this French lady took India by surprise with her success story of Lakme.
Neelam Dhawan
Managing Director of HP India
A true inspiration to the women struggling to make a footprint in the men-ruled IT world, she has done what was impossible to think. A fighter, she does not believe in giving up.
Sulajja Firodia Motwani
JMD of Kinetic Motors
This young talent is recognized by Indian Today as the Face of the Millennium for her innovative approach in developing marketing strategies.
Priya Paul
Chairperson of Apeejay Park Hotels
She joined her family business and soon emerged as the leading lady in the hospitality division of the renowned Appejay Surrendra Group.
Mallika Srinivasan
Director of Tractor and Farm Equipment (TAFE)
An MBA from Wharton business school of Pennsylvania, she increased the turnover of TAFE from 85 crores to a whopping 2900 crores within 20 years.