1. Shweta Powar, Founder and CEO of ARIA Communication
For Shweta Powar, entrepreneurship has always been about creating meaningful impact while staying true to one’s values. With nearly two decades of experience across strategy, business development, marketing, and corporate communications, her journey reflects determination, adaptability, and a deep belief in the power of strong storytelling.
In 2008, Shweta took a bold step and founded Aria Communication with a vision to build a communications firm that goes beyond traditional public relations. What began as a small entrepreneurial venture gradually evolved into a trusted communications partner for more than 80 brands across diverse sectors including real estate, technology, healthcare, lifestyle, corporate, entertainment, and education.
Over the years, Shweta has led numerous campaigns that combine strategy with creativity, helping brands shape their narratives and build stronger connections with their audiences. Her approach to communications is rooted in purpose—she believes that impactful storytelling has the ability to influence perceptions, drive change, and create long-term value for businesses.
As a woman entrepreneur, Shweta’s journey has also been about breaking stereotypes and building a leadership style grounded in empathy, integrity, and resilience. She strongly believes that women bring a unique balance of intuition, collaboration, and strength to leadership, qualities that have helped her nurture a culture of creativity and accountability within the organisation.
Even today, Shweta continues to lead with the same passion that inspired her to start the company years ago. For her, success is not just measured by growth, but by the ability to inspire others, create opportunities, and prove that with vision and perseverance, women can lead and thrive in any industry they choose.
2. Namrata Jain, Psychotherapist and Relationship Expert
Life has often been a rollercoaster ride for me. Growing up in a conservative Marwadi joint family, I found myself breaking barriers and standing up for myself from a very young age. While many teenagers dream about what their future life will look like, I was fascinated by a different mystery – understanding how and why people think and behave the way they do. This curiosity slowly turned into a deep passion for human psychology, and pursuing it became my life’s calling. My mother recognized this spark early on and supported my decision to study psychology.
However, the journey was not without challenges. Being one of four sisters in a traditional Marwadi family meant that pursuing higher education and building a career came with resistance from the community. I had to stand firm against expectations, including the idea of getting married at a young age. At the time, my decision to prioritize my ambitions disappointed my parents, but today they are among my strongest supporters and are incredibly proud of the path I chose.
My professional journey began at a child guidance clinic where I worked as a school counselor. While the experience was valuable, I soon realized that my calling lay in working with youth and adults. I also noticed significant gaps in the way mental health was understood and practiced in India. This realization led me to start my own practice, and in 2015 I founded OutAloud Wellness.
What began as a small venture has today grown into a team of eight core members and a network of over 100 mental health and holistic wellness professionals. My philosophy is simple: mental health is not just therapy – it is a lifestyle. True well-being is holistic, integrating the mind, body and soul through self-awareness, nourishment, movement, meaningful relationships and compassion. My book Connect to Reconnect explores these ideas and the nine key relationships that shape a meaningful life.
Interestingly, one of my most transformative experiences came during a difficult phase of depression in 2017–18. That period deepened my empathy and authenticity as a therapist. Looking back today, I hold immense gratitude for that experience because it helped me become stronger, more compassionate and more aligned with my purpose.
3. Revati Mahurkar, actor and dancer
Revati Mahurkar, a multi-talented singer, dancer, and actor who is redefining what it means to be a global artist in the Indian industry. Originally from Mumbai, Revati’s international upbringing across Japan, the US, and the Philippines has shaped her into a versatile performer with a unique cross-cultural appeal.
Revati’s ascent in the industry has been nothing short of meteoric. She first captured as the female lead in Guru Randhawa’s viral hit ‘Qatal’, which amassed over 200 million views and saw her hookstep reel garner more than 8 million views. This success led to further high-profile collaborations, including working with renowned choreographer Bosco Martis on the music video ‘Mascara’. Her presence has also been recognized at prestigious industry events, such as the Elle Beauty Awards and the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards.
Most recently, Revati reached another milestone by starring in the hit project ‘TEVAR’ with Harrdy Sandhu, which was released in January 2026.
She recently reached a new career peak with a prestigious special dance performance alongside Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar for the Zee Cine Awards 2026.
By embracing the“process” of her craft—from her global roots to the top of the Indian music charts—Revati Mahurkar stands as a powerful exemplar of modern womanhood: talented, driven, and globally minded.
4. Taylor Elizabeth, Emotional Intelligence and etiquette coach and Founder & CEO of The Elegance Advisor
Some of the most powerful examples of strength I have ever witnessed were not loud or commanding. They were quiet, steady, and deeply intentional. I saw that strength first in my mother. She carried herself with a kind of presence that was both gentle and strong at the same time. She was curious about people, respectful of differences, and always willing to listen before she spoke. Watching her move through the world taught me that femininity was not something fragile. It was something powerful: the ability to approach others with awareness, empathy, and composure. My parents encouraged a deep curiosity about the world and the many cultures within it. Conversations around our table often centered on understanding different perspectives and meeting people where they are. That mindset shaped the way I approached life, and eventually my career. As I began navigating different environments and cultures, I discovered that etiquette was not simply about rules or formality. It was a framework that helped me translate those values into action. Etiquette became a tool that allowed me to approach new situations with confidence, consideration, and respect for others. Over time, my fascination with human interaction grew into a deeper exploration of emotional intelligence and human behavior. Through my studies in coaching, neuro-linguistic programming, and cognitive behavioral techniques, I began integrating these ideas into the work I do today.
Through The Elegance Advisor, I now help individuals and organizations cultivate self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and confident communication. On International Women’s Day, I often reflect on where this journey began, watching a woman who embodied the quiet strength of femininity and realizing that true elegance is not simply how we present ourselves, but how we think, connect, and lead.
5. Chef Shivani Sharma – Chefpreneur and Founder – Gourmestan and Maison Gourmestan
Chef Shivani Sharma is redefining the relationship between everyday food and elevated gastronomy through a philosophy rooted in clean eating, sustainability, and innovation. Inspired by her time in London, Chef Shivani developed her design process as a chef preneur who, over a period of time there, noticed a gap between staple foods and refined culinary experiences. This understanding influenced her concept of Gourmestan, a brand that transforms familiar ingredients into sophisticated, health-conscious offerings.
Her early days of entrepreneurship started to take shape in Dubai with cloud kitchens and a café, where she strategically used the model to experiment, refine recipes, and perfect her offerings before growing Gourmestan’s footprint. The brand is known for its millet-based confectionery, boulangerie, and fromagerie, with a special gluten-free brand offering to adapt to new lifestyles that prioritise conscious eating and nourishment.
Today Gourmestan has grown beyond Mumbai and caters to customers in Delhi, Goa, Kolkata, and Dubai, showcasing a spreading worldwide enthusiasm for Shivani Sharma’s clean-eating ethos. Her clientele includes celebrities such as Rohit Sharma, Ritika Sajdeh, Virat Kohli, and Anushka Sharma, which means that more celebrities are now giving confidence to her approach to culinary philosophy.
In the meantime, Shivani aims to expand Gourmestan across the GCC, the UK, and Japan and will further develop her F&B consultancy to provide mentorship to budding entrepreneurs and support women in the industry.
6. India’s Youngest Female Sportscaster, Diabetes Advocate & Former Professional Badminton Player
At just 19, Kiara Powar is steadily carving out her own space in the world of sports media. Known as India’s youngest female sportscaster, her journey has been shaped by a deep love for sports, strong family influences, and an inspiring story of resilience.
Sports were always a part of Kiara’s everyday life growing up. Her father, Kiran Powar—a former India Under-19 captain, former first-class cricketer, and currently the Under-23 Mumbai cricket team coach—introduced her to the game from a very young age. Much of Kiara’s childhood was spent around cricket grounds and badminton courts, and she herself played badminton professionally during her early years. These experiences gave her a firsthand understanding of the discipline, mindset, and emotions that shape an athlete’s journey.
At the same time, Kiara’s journey has also been one of remarkable courage. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just two years old. Growing up with a chronic condition taught her resilience and discipline early in life, but with the unwavering support of her family she continued to pursue both sports and her ambitions fearlessly.
Today, Kiara connects with younger audiences through relatable sports storytelling. Through her podcast Katch Up With Kiara, she has interviewed inspiring personalities including Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal and Indian cricketer Jitesh Sharma.
Expanding her vision further, Kiara also launched Bat, Ball aur Baatein, an initiative alongside Katch Up With Kiara that focuses on the stories behind the spotlight. While fans often see only the on-field glory, the show dives into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of cricket—bringing together experts, superfans, and insiders to decode the sport in a relatable way for younger audiences.
For Kiara, sports storytelling is not just about commentary—it is about uncovering the deeper narratives that make the game truly special.
7. Natashya Phillips is the Managing Director and Co- Founder of Luke Coutinho Holistic Healing Systems Private Limited
Her leadership is built on a rare blend of people-first intuition and global-scale execution.
Her foundation in wellness began early in the world of fitness, where she worked as an aerobics instructor in Pune. That frontline experience gave her an enduring lens on performance and well-being: people don’t thrive on motivation alone. They thrive when systems support them physically, mentally, and emotionally.
She then moved into corporate leadership, joining IBM India as a soft-skills trainer and progressively taking on larger leadership responsibilities. Over the years, she managed training and capability building across geographies, including project managing roles for North America, Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This is where her signature style took shape: disciplined execution, clarity of communication, and a deep respect for human behavior, not just metrics.
Today, Natashya brings that same rigor to integrative and lifestyle-led care. As the Co- Founder, she builds the operational backbone that allows care to stay consistent, ethical, and scalable, while keeping the organization anchored to what matters most: personalized support and long-term behavior change. Her work sits at the intersection of wellness and leadership, translating intention into systems that people can actually follow, sustain, and trust.
8. Ms. Fatema Agarkar, Educationist and Founder of Agarkar Centre of Excellence
True leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” This belief continues to guide my journey as I build the Agarkar Centre of Excellence (ACE), an eduservices company that I have nurtured over the last 25 years with the vision of strengthening the learning ecosystem for students, teachers and parents. ACE is rooted in the idea of adapting, creating and exploring meaningful opportunities for learning. Through a diverse portfolio of services — including education consultancy, mentoring, operations management, teacher training, curriculum design, parenting workshops and school audits — the organisation works closely with educational institutions and families. With experience spanning close to three decades and engagement with over 50 pre and high schools, including a school for special needs, the biggest reward has been the goodwill and trust that continues to power our growth as we expand from India to the Middle East.
Armed with a Master’s in Business Administration and academic accolades as a State and University topper during my Bachelor’s degree, I have also had the privilege of being part of three education start-ups as a founder. The focus through these journeys has remained constant — to create meaningful teacher–student engagements and bring relevance to school education so that learning is driven by curiosity and a genuine love for knowledge, rather than just marks. Over the years, this work has been recognised by several national and international forums and education boards, acknowledging the originality and innovation that ACE-led strategies bring to partner schools.
Looking ahead, the vision for 2030 is to establish a state-of-the-art life skills and sports learning environment that nurtures students as well-rounded individuals — preparing them to be life-ready rather than merely school-compliant. As a businessman’s daughter, perhaps the entrepreneurial spirit encouraged me to think big and move forward despite challenges. Leading an all-women team today is both a responsibility and a source of pride. As a sportsman’s wife, the importance of sports and co-curricular activities in shaping discipline, resilience and teamwork has also deeply influenced my approach to education.
Having grown up in a convent school with dreams of becoming a journalist, I still remain a bookworm and an avid blogger, while travel and new collaborations continue to inspire fresh ideas for ACE. On this Women’s Day, my hope is that more young girls are encouraged to dream fearlessly, take a few risks and are celebrated for the spark, enthusiasm and energy they bring to the world.
