There is nothing that women cannot do. We have proven it time and time again. Women have been breaking glass ceilings and carving out a path for themselves in previously male-dominated industries, including finance.
According to a report by Deloitte, companies with more diverse leadership teams tend to perform better financially. This suggests that promoting gender diversity and encouraging more women in leadership positions is a sound business strategy.
Today, there are numerous Indian women leading the country’s top financial institutions, each with their own unique story of how they got there. Let’s take a look at who are the top women leaders in finance in India.
Arundhati Bhattacharya
As far as powerful women in finance go, Arundhati Bhattacharya is definitely at the top of the list. She was the first woman to serve as the Chairman of the State Bank of India from 2013 to 2017. A radical innovator, Bhattacharya is credited with modernising the bank’s operations and transforming it into a more customer-centric organization.
Currently, she is the chairperson of the SWIFT payment network. You can read more about her life in her autobiography “Indomitable: A Working Woman’s Notes on Work, Life and Leadership”.
Naina Lal Kidwai
The former CEO of HSBC India, Naina Lal Kidwai, is another trailblazing woman in Indian finance. She has been credited with transforming the bank into one of the most successful foreign banks in the country.
Kidwai has received numerous accolades for her achievements, including the prestigious Padma Shri. She has also been named one of Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Business.”
Radhika Gupta
One of the youngest CEOs in the Indian mutual fund industry, Radhika Gupta needs no introduction. She has been at the helm of Edelweiss Mutual Funds since 2014, and she has brought about incredible growth for the company. The assets under management (AUM) grew from ₹6,000 crores to ₹80,000 crore within a span of just five years.
Radhika Gupta is an inspiration to young women across the country. You can read more about her in her book “Limitless: The Power of Unlocking Your True Potential”.
The Road Ahead
We have come a long way in the past couple of decades. But there is still quite a distance left to travel. Ultimately, the success of women leaders in Indian finance is a reflection of the changing attitudes and values of Indian society. As more and more women break through the glass ceiling, they are inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and helping to create a more diverse and inclusive society for everyone.
We can each do our little part and encourage more women to follow their dreams and take the plunge.
