Women’s Day Special: India’s 10 Most Inspiring Women Leaders

On the occasion of Women’s Day, we honour ten exceptional Indian women leaders whose vision, courage, and relentless pursuit of excellence are shaping the nation’s present and future.

Across diverse fields and industries, these trailblazers have broken barriers, challenged conventions, and redefined what leadership truly means. Their journeys are not just stories of success, but powerful testaments to resilience, purpose, and the transformative impact of women who lead with conviction.

Masaba Gupta, Founder – House of Masaba

Masaba Gupta, renowned as one of India’s foremost fashion designers, has carved an inspiring path in the industry, overcoming challenges tied to her mixed heritage with unwavering determination. The daughter of veteran actor Neena Gupta, Masaba embarked on her fashion journey at just 19, debuting with a collection at Lakme Fashion Week. Armed with a degree in Apparel Manufacturing and Design, she initially explored the world of dance, earning accolades in college.

Masaba’s innate flair for fashion, coupled with a passionate attitude, led her to recognize her true calling. Balancing creativity, commercial appeal, and functionality, she founded ‘House of Masaba,’ her eponymous label that has garnered widespread acclaim. Breaking barriers, she became the first Indian designer to host a fashion show on Instagram, showcasing her innovative approach.

Despite initial challenges, Masaba’s persistence and creative prowess have seen her collaborate with renowned fashion brands. From her inaugural collection at 19 to the establishment of ‘House of Masaba,’ her journey underscores the profound impact of persistence on the road to success.

Mishael Martina Cardoza, Filmmaker

Mishael Martina Cardoza is a filmmaker currently working on her independent short film Maternity Break, a deeply personal project that explores the emotional landscape of motherhood and career identity. Her journey into filmmaking has been shaped by persistence, pauses, and a deep commitment to honest storytelling.

She began her career as an intern Assistant Director in commercials, learning the craft from the ground up on busy production sets. Long hours, constant observation, and proving herself repeatedly became part of her training. The path was not glamorous, but storytelling always felt like home. Her dream of becoming a director began at the age of eight. Sitting in a director’s chair once felt impossible, yet she held onto that vision and started as an intern Assistant Director, gradually building experience across commercial productions.

Then came motherhood.

Mishael consciously chose to take a three year pause from professional filmmaking to be fully present for her child. During this time, she stepped into a new creative space as a mom content creator while also exploring freelance creative work. While motherhood brought immense fulfillment, there was also a quiet void within her. She missed directing. She missed telling layered human stories.

That inner conflict led to the creation of Maternity Break, a short film that examines the emotional week before a mother’s maternity leave ends. The story does not focus on the decision itself but on the invisible negotiation that happens internally. The film explores the anxiety, guilt, hope, financial concerns, societal pressure, and the emotional pull between career identity and motherhood. Cinema often portrays motherhood through gentle montages and soft music, but rarely captures the emotional complexity of postpartum transitions. Maternity Break attempts to bring that hidden reality to the screen. It is a film about the journey within, rather than the final choice.

Her greatest inspiration is her mother, whom she describes as the person who absorbed society’s criticism so that her daughter could continue dreaming freely. Growing up, she watched her mother stand firm against doubts and expectations placed on women who choose unconventional paths. That quiet strength shaped her outlook on life and work.

As a woman in the film industry, especially now as a mother, the challenges have been layered. Production spaces are demanding, and structural support for new mothers remains limited. Even when industries celebrate progress for women, the reality for mothers behind the camera is still evolving. When established actors like Deepika Padukone openly negotiate call times to balance motherhood and work, it highlights how complex this balance can be even at the highest levels. For filmmakers without visibility or backing, the challenge becomes even greater.

Mishael firmly believes that passion does not disappear after marriage or motherhood. A creative calling does not shrink simply because life expands.

Her message to aspiring professionals is simple yet powerful. Dreams do not expire because life changes. Every comeback has its own timing, and it should never be measured against someone else’s timeline.

For Mishael, Maternity Break is more than just a short film. It is a conversation. She is crowdfunding the project so it can remain honest and independent, giving space to the emotional reality of motherhood that is often left unseen.

Her journey is still unfolding. But one truth remains unchanged. The girl who dreamed of becoming a director at eight years old never stopped believing she would return to that chair.