Leaders

Born into a family where business itself was a pioneering 'start-up', Priti Sureka's journey has been deeply rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit of her father, R. S. Agarwal, co-founder of Emami Group. From an early age, she displayed a natural curiosity for consumer behavior, often hurrying from school to her father's office to observe and learn the nuances of business. This early exposure fostered a passion for understanding what drives consumer choices and how product design, packaging, and marketing can define success.

Guided by her father's guiding philosophy, "innovate or die," and grounded in the values of honesty, perseverance, trust, and togetherness, Priti has emerged as a key force behind Emami's personal care portfolio. Combining deep consumer insight with innovation-driven strategies, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's brand and product roadmap.

A BA (Hons.) graduate from Loreto College and an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, Priti's leadership has been widely recognized as she was conferred with the Business Aparajita – The Art of Excellence Award by FICCI Ladies Organisation (2010), named among the Top 7 Indian Heiresses by CNBC TV18 (2023), featured as one of Business World’s Most Influential Women (2023), and honored with the CII Corporate Woman Leader Award in Consumer Products (2024). Most recently, she was celebrated with the Telegraph SHE Award in Business Leadership (2024).

What led you to your foray into your family business, Emami Group? How did your journey develop within the company?

From a young age, I shared a special bond with my father and learned by closely observing him at work. As his eldest child, he encouraged me to study newspapers, track advertising trends in global magazines, and even collect product feedback from my college peers. Growing up in such an environment, I naturally developed an understanding of marketing, consumer insights, and product innovation, making my entry into the family business a natural step.

I began my journey in marketing, managing a few brands, and over time, my efforts earned me a place on the Board of Emami, an achievement that was especially meaningful at a time when women often faced resistance in business. My ambition has always been to break those barriers and create space for women in leadership.

Today, as a member of the Family Board, I focus on driving growth strategy for the Group across diverse industries through new initiatives, digital transformation, and a strong emphasis on consumer centricity.

As Executive Director, what are your key responsibilities and focus areas? How do you ensure Emami stays true to its ethos while evolving with Indian consumers?

As part of the family board and strategic think tank, my role is to help shape Emami’s future growth strategy. Being a consumer-facing organisation across diverse sectors, my priorities are clear: strengthening consumer centricity, driving digital transformation, and creating new engines of growth to stay future-ready and relevant.

At the heart of Emami lies a simple ethos: serving consumer needs with sincerity. We ensure this is reflected not just in our products and services, but also in how we run our businesses and nurture our workplace culture. This commitment has helped many of our brands lead their categories for decades, earning the trust and affection of millions of consumers.

From personal care and healthcare to edible oils, masalas, newsprint, and paper, our portfolio continues to enrich households across India. That’s why we proudly say, “Har ghar mein hai thoda thoda sa Emami” is a true reflection of the bond we share with our consumers.

What are some of the most pressing challenges you face in your role within Emami Group? How do you navigate through these roadblocks?

Joining Emami and stepping into leadership as a woman was not easy. Coming from a conservative Marwari family, very few women had ventured into business at the time. With the constant support of my parents and husband, I was able to take that leap, though I did face resistance in the early years, with some colleagues hesitant to accept me in a leadership role. Thankfully, mindsets have evolved since then, reflecting the broader shift towards inclusion and equal opportunities for women.

As a large, consumer-focused organisation, Emami faces its share of challenges. Being family-run yet professionally managed means decisions require thoughtful deliberation. But our biggest strength lies in the unity and shared vision of our family, which allows us to overcome obstacles and ensure every decision is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with long-term growth.

Looking back at your journey, what key milestones or achievements stand out for you?

Over my journey, I have been fortunate to achieve several milestones that hold deep meaning for me. One of the earliest was my appointment as a Director on the Board of Emami Limited, a turning point in both my personal and professional growth.

In 2023, I was honoured to be featured in Business World’s list of Most Influential Women, recognised by CNBC TV18 among India’s top seven heiresses successfully leading family businesses, and awarded the Corporate Woman Leader title in the Consumer Products category at the CII Corporate Women Leadership Awards.

Another milestone, especially close to my heart is being elected as the first-ever woman President of the Merchant Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) in its 125-year history, a truly historic honour that also reflects the broader progress of women in leadership.

Priti Sureka, Executive Director, Emami Group

Priti Sureka, Executive Director at Emami Group, is a dynamic business leader shaping the company’s growth with a strong focus on consumer insight, innovation, and digital transformation. She plays a pivotal role in driving Emami’s personal care portfolio and guiding strategic initiatives across the Group. Inspired by her father and Emami co-founder, R. S. Agarwal, Priti embodies the philosophy of ‘innovate or die’ and remains committed to upholding the Group’s ethos.