Women marketing leaders in India are driving innovation, shaping consumer engagement, and transforming the industry with their strategic vision. Over the past five years, the number of women entrepreneurs in India has grown by 18.3%, reflecting their increasing impact in business and marketing. However, this figure remains below the global average of 23.3%, highlighting the need for continued support and opportunities.
From branding and digital marketing to influencer collaborations and experiential marketing, women leaders are setting new industry benchmarks. Their expertise in content creation, social media strategies, performance marketing, and consumer insights is redefining how brands connect with their audiences. By leveraging data-driven approaches and creative storytelling, they are influencing both business growth and cultural trends.
Here are some of the top women marketing leaders who are making a lasting impact on India’s marketing landscape.
Falguni Nayar – Founder of Nykaa
Falguni Nayar, born on February 19, 1963, in Mumbai, is an Indian billionaire businesswoman and the founder and CEO of Nykaa, a leading beauty and lifestyle retail company. She graduated from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics and holds an MBA in Finance from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
Nayar began her career at A.F. Ferguson & Co., later joining Kotak Mahindra Group in 1993, where she served as Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Capital. In 2012, at the age of 50, she founded Nykaa, which has grown into a prominent omnichannel retailer. Following Nykaa’s IPO in 2021, Nayar became one of India’s wealthiest self-made female billionaires.
Ritu Kumar – Fashion Designer
Ritu Kumar, born on November 11, 1944, is a pioneering Indian fashion designer renowned for introducing the boutique culture in India. She began her fashion journey in 1969 in Kolkata, utilizing hand-block printing techniques with two small tables.
Over the decades, her brand has evolved into India’s largest designer-wear label, blending ancient Indian craftsmanship with contemporary designs.
Ritu Kumar’s creations emphasize natural fabrics and traditional weaving methods, reflecting India’s rich heritage. In 2013, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions to fashion, textiles, and craftsmanship. Her clientele includes international celebrities and Indian film industry icons, cementing her status as a stalwart in the fashion world.
Priya Sambath – Founder & Managing Director, Eumaxindia & ClickTots Technologies
Priya Sambath, Founder and Managing Director of Eumax India, Clicktots Technologies, and Icon Media Entertainment, is a visionary leader in advertising, digital marketing, and event management. With a passion for innovation, she has built Eumax India into a leading 360-degree advertising agency.
Through Clicktots Technologies, she empowers brands with cutting-edge digital strategies, while Icon Media Entertainment excels in creating unforgettable events. Her expertise in branding, identity marketing, and digital transformation has helped businesses thrive. Priya’s commitment to excellence and industry foresight continues to shape the future of marketing, delivering impactful solutions that drive success.
Namita Thapar – Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited
Namita Thapar is an Indian entrepreneur and the Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, a leading Indian multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra. Born on March 21, 1977, in Pune, she completed her Chartered Accountancy from ICAI and later pursued an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Namita began her career in the U.S. with Guidant Corporation in finance and marketing roles before joining Emcure as CFO. She has been instrumental in expanding Emcure’s global presence and diversifying its product portfolio.
Beyond her corporate role, Namita is a prominent investor on the Indian edition of “Shark Tank,” supporting budding entrepreneurs. She also founded the Thapar Entrepreneur Academy, aiming to nurture entrepreneurial skills among youth.
Vineeta Singh – CEO, SUGAR Cosmetics
Vineeta Singh is an Indian entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of SUGAR Cosmetics, a rapidly growing beauty brand in India. Born in 1983 in Anand, Gujarat, she completed her electrical engineering from IIT Madras and later earned an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.
Vineeta’s entrepreneurial journey began with the co-founding of Fab Bag, a beauty subscription service, which paved the way for SUGAR Cosmetics in 2015. Under her leadership, SUGAR has become a prominent brand, known for its high-quality products tailored to Indian skin tones.
Vineeta is also recognized for her role as a judge and investor on the business reality TV show “Shark Tank India,” where she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs.
Kavitha Subramanian – Co-Founder, Upstox
Kavitha Subramanian is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Upstox, one of India’s leading digital brokerage firms. With a background in finance and strategy, she has played a pivotal role in democratizing stock trading and investment in India through technology-driven solutions.
Under her co-leadership, Upstox has grown exponentially, attracting millions of users and becoming a significant player in the fintech space.
Kavitha’s vision focuses on simplifying financial services and making them accessible to a broader audience, thereby contributing to financial inclusion in the country.
Neha K Puri – Founder of Vavo Digital
Neha K Puri is the founder and CEO of Vavo Digital, an influencer marketing platform that bridges brands with a diverse range of social media influencers. Her entrepreneurial journey began at 24 with “Cyber Chef,” a home-cooked food delivery platform, which she successfully operated before selling.
She later played a key role in expanding Movenpick Ice Cream in India. In 2020, she launched Vavo Digital to streamline influencer marketing, expanding internationally, including Dubai.
Recognized in Entrepreneur India’s 35 Under 35 list, she is passionate about empowering nano and micro-influencers while advocating for networking and continuous learning in the digital industry.
Divya Gokulnath – Co-Founder, BYJU’s
Divya Gokulnath is an Indian entrepreneur and educator, best known as the co-founder of BYJU’s, one of the world’s largest edtech companies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Divya played a pivotal role in enhancing user experience, content, and brand marketing, leading to a surge in users. Transitioning from student to teacher, Divya played a pivotal role in developing engaging content for the platform.
Under her leadership, BYJU’s expanded globally, offering interactive learning experiences to millions. Divya’s commitment to accessible education has earned her recognition in various prestigious lists, including Fortune India’s 40 Under 40.
She is an advocate for women’s participation in STEM and has written extensively on education and parenting.
Mahalakshmi Saravanan – Motivational Speaker , Founder – Women In Entrepreneurs
Mahalakshmi Saravanan is an internationally recognized social entrepreneur and motivational speaker, dedicated to promoting women’s entrepreneurship in India. She is the founder of Women Entrepreneurs India, an organization that supports and encourages women to start and grow their own businesses.
Her journey began with limited industry contacts, but through determination and resilience, she has built a platform that now supports thousands of women entrepreneurs.
Mahalakshmi has been invited to speak at major national and international conferences, industry events, and corporate forums, sharing her insights on digital marketing and the importance of continuous learning.
Malini Agarwal – Founder of Miss Malini Entertainment
Malini Agarwal, popularly known as MissMalini, is a pioneering Indian digital influencer and entrepreneur.
Starting her career as a radio jockey, she transitioned to blogging in 2008, launching MissMalini.com, a platform that quickly became India’s leading source for Bollywood news, fashion, and lifestyle content.
Her authentic voice and insider access revolutionized entertainment journalism in India. Expanding her brand, Malini ventured into television with shows like “MissMalini’s World” and authored the book “To the Moon: How I Blogged My Way to Bollywood.”
Recognized among Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Fortune India’s 40 Under 40, she continues to inspire many with her journey from blogger to media mogul.
Sridevi Arunprakash – Co-founder, GUVI
Sridevi Arunprakash was the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of GUVI, an EduTech platform that imparts technical skills in local languages. Alongside her co-founders, Arun Prakash and S.P. Balamurugan, she established GUVI to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, especially for students from non-metropolitan areas.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Sridevi served as a Senior Software Engineer at PayPal, where she honed her technical and leadership skills. Recognizing the challenges women face in the tech industry, GUVI launched the ‘Sridevi Arunprakash Innovation Award,’ offering a ₹100,000 prize to women innovators in EduTech.
Nandhini Yeka – Founder of Araah Skin Miracles & CEO of AEKA Herbal Cosmetics Private Limited
Nandhini Priya is the founder of Araah Skin Miracles and CEO of AEKA Herbal Cosmetics Private Limited, both based in Chennai, India. After a decade-long pursuit of the Indian Civil Services examination, she redirected her passion towards entrepreneurship.
In 2017, she established AEKA to offer affordable, natural cosmetic solutions utilizing traditional Indian herbs. Under her leadership, AEKA, operating under the brand name YEKA, has gained recognition for its handcrafted products, such as the YEKA Golden Glow Skin Oil, which combines virgin coconut oil with fresh Damascus rose petals.
Nandhini’s innovative approach and commitment to quality have positioned her as a notable figure in the natural cosmetics industry.
Richa Kar – Founder – Zivame
Richa Kar is an Indian entrepreneur renowned for founding Zivame, an online lingerie platform that revolutionized intimate apparel shopping in India.
Born on July 17, 1980, in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, she pursued engineering at BITS Pilani and later completed her MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS).
In 2011, she launched Zivame to provide Indian women with a comfortable and private shopping experience for intimate wear.
Despite societal taboos and initial resistance from her traditional family, Richa’s innovative approach led Zivame to become a leading brand in the Indian lingerie market, empowering women to make informed choices about their intimate apparel.
Krithika Subrahmanian – Managing Director at Transform Group and Sreshta Leisure Pvt Ltd
Krithika Subrahmanian is a multifaceted Indian entrepreneur, architect, designer, hotelier, author, and classical dancer.
She is the founder and Managing Director of Transform Design, an architecture and interior design firm, and Sreshta Leisure Pvt Ltd, which operates the luxury boutique hotel Svatma in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Svatma offers guests an immersive experience into Tamil culture, art, and wellness.
An alumna of Anna University’s School of Architecture and Planning, Krithika furthered her education at Harvard Business School and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business through the SEED program. Her architectural career, initiated in 1996, encompasses sustainable design and restoration projects across India and internationally.
Priyanka Gill: Co-Founder of the Good Glamm Group & Founder of POPxo
Priyanka Gill is an Indian entrepreneur and journalist, renowned for her contributions to digital media and beauty industries. Born on June 2, 1980, she founded POPxo in 2014, a platform catering to millennial women with content on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
Under her leadership, POPxo expanded rapidly, attracting significant investments and amassing a substantial user base. In 2017, she launched Plixxo, an influencer marketing platform connecting brands with digital influencers.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, she has contributed to international publications like The Independent and Travel + Leisure. Priyanka is also known for her art collection and investments in modern Indian art.
Overcoming Challenges & Achieving Success
Like all entrepreneurs, these women have faced hurdles—be it securing funding, breaking industry stereotypes, or navigating the fast-paced digital world. However, their resilience, adaptability, and innovation have propelled them to success, proving that leadership in marketing is not defined by gender but by vision and execution.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Marketing
These women are not just business leaders; they are role models for aspiring marketers and entrepreneurs. By mentoring young professionals and championing diversity in the industry, they are paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic future. Their success stories highlight the power of creativity, persistence, and strategic thinking in marketing.
Conclusion
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the remarkable women entrepreneurs who are transforming India’s business and marketing landscape. Their resilience, creativity, and leadership continue to break barriers, redefine industries, and inspire the next generation.
While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in achieving true gender equality in entrepreneurship. By supporting, mentoring, and empowering women, we can create a more inclusive and dynamic business ecosystem.
Today, we honor their achievements and look forward to a future where women continue to lead, innovate, and drive meaningful change across industries.
