In April 2025, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Forbes India, in collaboration with France based L’Oréal Paris, unveiled its annual W-Power 2025 list, honoring 20 exceptional self-made women who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and resilience across various sectors, including business, finance, sports, entertainment, and public service.
- The honorees included Dr. Gita Gopinath, Manu Bhaker, and Payal Kapadia, among others, recognized for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to building meaningful legacies.
About W-Power:
This initiative, launched in 2017, aims to spotlight women who have carved their paths to success, serving as inspirations for future generations.
Methodology:
i.The Forbes India team shortlisted candidates from primary and secondary sources, focusing on entrepreneurs and professionals without inherited wealth/positions.
ii.Key metrics included financial success, influence, leadership, innovation, and societal impact.
iii.The jury members include Arundhati Bhattacharya, President & Chairperson, Salesforce (South Asia); Ashu Suyash, Co-Founder, Colossa Ventures and former Managing Director (MD) of CRISIL Limited; Meena Ganesh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Portea Medical; and Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson of Piramal Group.
Highlights of W-Power 2025 list:
1.Business & Finance
i.Dr. Gita Gopinath, First Deputy MD of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington D.C., United States of America (USA).
ii.Renuka Ramnath, Founder of Multiples Alternate Asset Management, a key player in India’s Private Equity (PE) sector.
iii.Sonia Dasgupta, MD & CEO (Investment Banking), Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based JM Financial Services Limited.
iv.Kaku Nakhate – India CEO of USA based Bank of America, National Association (N.A.)
v.Leena Nair – Global CEO of France based Chanel, Inc.
vi.Sonal Desai – Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group, USA
vii.Vishakha Mulye – CEO of Mumbai based Aditya Birla Capital Limited(ABCL)
2.Sports:
i.Manu Bhaker, won two bronze medals in shooting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
ii.Smriti Mandhana, emerged as 2024’s highest run-scorer in women’s cricket, and Pusarla Venkata Sindhu of Badminton.
3.Entrepreneurship
i.Anamika Khanna – Creative Director and Founder of Anamika Khanna and AK|OK
ii.Mira Kulkarni – Founder and MD of Forest Essentials, Delhi
iii.Rohini Iyer – Founder and Director of Rain Reign Group
iv.Prerna Singh – CEO of Bhansali Productions
4.Public Service & Academia
i.Mona Khandhar – Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Gujarat
ii.Dr. Pratima Murthy – Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Karnataka.
5.Arts & Entertainment
i.Payal Kapadia – Filmmaker, her debut feature All We Imagine As Light won the Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first such achievement for an Indian director in 30 years
ii.Sunidhi Chauhan – Singer
6.Corporate Leadership
i.Savitha Balachandran – CFO of Tata Technologies Limited(TTL)
ii.Shefali Goradia – Chairperson of Deloitte South Asia
About Forbes India:
Editor – Suveen Sinha
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 2009
