On June 4, 2025, Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Candere, a luxury online jewellery brand by Kalyan Jewellers, in collaboration with Mumbai based Hurun India, released the inaugural ‘Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2025’, honoring 97 remarkable Indian women making significant impacts across sectors such as finance, technology, philanthropy, arts, and start-ups.
- Shanti Ekambaram (62), Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited’s (KMBL) Deputy Managing Director(MD), tops Professionals category, while Radha Vembu (52), Co-founder of Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu, TN) based Zoho Corporation, leads First-Generation Wealth Creators.
About Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2025:
i.The list features nine categories: Professionals, First-Generation Wealth Creators, Next-Generation Leaders, Investors, Philanthropists, Young Women Leaders, Artists, Most-Followed Influencer Founders, and Most-Followed Celebrity Investors.
- These lists are based on a meticulous methodology using valuations, verified follower counts, auction sales data, and leadership impact.
ii.The 97 women leaders collectively oversee enterprises valued at more than Rs 11.7 lakh crore (approximately USD 140 billion).
- Among them, leaders in the financial sector manage organizations worth Rs 7.9 lakh crore (approximately USD 94.8 billion).
iii.The Financial Services sector emerged as the most represented, with 23 women leaders, followed by Consumer Goods with 18 leaders, and Healthcare with 14.
iv.Mumbai (Maharashtra) serves as the primary hub, hosting 38 leaders, including several top-ranked professionals and investors.
v.The average age of the women featured on the list is 51 years, with approximately 25% falling within the 26 to 35-year age group.
Top-Ranked Women Leaders Across Key Categories:
| Category | Top-Ranked/ Notable Women Leader (Age) | Entity/ Location | Ranking Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionals | Shanti Ekambaram (62) | Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL), Mumbai (Maharashtra) | Company Valuation Rs. 381,700 Crore |
| First-Generation Women Wealth Creator | Radha Vembu (52) | Zoho Corporation, Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu, TN) | Wealth Rs. 55,300 Cr |
| Next-Generation Women Leaders | Roshni Nadar Malhotra (43) | HCL Technologies Limited, Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP) | Company Valuation Rs. 487,400 Crore |
| Investors | Shweta Jalan (48) | Advent International, Massachusetts (United States of America, USA) | – |
| Philanthropists | Rohini Nilekani (65) | Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, Bangalore (Karnataka) | Donation Rs. 154 Crore |
| Young Women Leaders | Devanshi Kejriwal (28) | Skillmatics, California (USA) | – |
| Women Artists | Arpita Singh (87) | – | Turnover Rs. 22.9 Crore |
| Most Followed Influencer Founders | Mrunal Panchal (26) | MRUCHA Beauty | 5.5 million followers* |
| Most Followed Celebrity Investors | Shraddha Kapoor (37) | MyGlamm, Shunya, Koo, Chargeup | 94.1 million followers* |
Key Highlights:
i.Parminder Chopra (57), Chairperson and Managing Director (MD) of New Delhi (Delhi)-based Power Finance Corporation (PFC), with a valuation of Rs.1.44 lakh crore (approximately USD 17.3 billion), secured the second position in ‘Professionals’ category.
- Other prominent leaders include Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (71) of Biocon, Falguni Nayar (61) of Nykaa, and Neha Narkhede (41) of Confluent. Indra Nooyi (69), former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PepsiCo, though retired, continues to maintain significant global influence.
ii.Isha Ambani (33), Executive Director (ED) of Mumbai based Reliance Retail Limited (RRL), secured the sixth position in the Young Women Leaders category.
iii.The youngest honouree on the list is 26-year-old Mrunal Panchal, an Influencer Founder, while artist Arpita Singh (87) is the eldest.
iv.Among educational backgrounds, Delhi University (New Delhi) (13 alumni) and Mumbai University (Mumbai) (9 alumni) are the top undergraduate institutions. At the postgraduate level, Harvard University (USA) (5 alumni) and Stanford University (USA) (4 alumni) are the most represented.
v.One of the key highlights of the Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List 2025 is the “Most Followed Celebrity Investors” category, which ranks women celebrities based on their Instagram following and investment ventures.
- Rashmika Mandanna, Indian actress with 46.1 million followers, is the youngest celebrity investor among the top 10. She has invested in the clean beauty and personal care brand Plum, aligning her public image with sustainable and eco-conscious consumer values.
- Deepika Padukone, Indian actress ranked 5th with 80.2 million followers, has made her mark as an entrepreneur by co-founding the skincare brand 82°E and KA Productions, a film production company.
About Hurun India:
Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Anas Rahman Junaid
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 2012.
