Leaders

At a time when Hyderabad’s women corporate leaders are redefining industries with grit, innovation, and stra­tegic foresight, R. Sreelatha Reddy stands out as a pow­erful force shaping the city’s real estate landscape. As the Co-Founder, Director, and CEO of Niharika Projects, she has played a defining role in building one of Hyder­abad’s most trusted, quality-driven real estate brands.

Sreelatha’s journey began long before her entrepre­neurial debut. Raised in a traditional family business environment, she grew up surrounded by discipline, responsibility, and everyday lessons in enterprise.

Her father, who firmly believed that capability has no gender, nurtured her leadership instincts early. By the time she was in college, she was accompanying him to construction sites, watching foundations being laid, materials being tested, and buildings taking shape.

These for­mative experiences sparked her fascination with the construction indus­try, which she soon realized was dynamic, innovative, and deeply impact­ful on people’s lives.

Armed with a BA in Economics from Osmania University and hon­oured with recognitions from CNBC and TV5, Sreelatha carries her forma­tive values into her leadership at Niharika Projects.

Tell us about your journey as a business leader. What key areas of expertise have you developed over the years?

As a leader, what drives me most is the ability to shape lives. In construction, every project impacts hundreds of people, labourers, engineers, vendors, and employees, and supporting their livelihoods gives me immense satisfaction. For me, leadership is not just about constructing buildings; it’s about building peo­ple.

My journey has always been rooted in execution. I believe true leadership is proven on the ground, not just in boardrooms. I take complete ownership of ev­ery project, from the first idea to the final handover, whether it’s purchasing materials, managing ac­counts, conducting quality checks, or ensuring timely delivery.

That discipline and end-to-end involvement have shaped my expertise. Turning a vision into a liv­ing, thriving community is the most rewarding part of my work.

What led you to enter real estate and co-found Niharika Projects? What has powered your journey?

Entering a male-dominated industry never intimi­dated me. My philosophy has always been simple: Why not? If a woman is capable, disciplined, and de­termined, there is no role she cannot excel in.

With that confidence, I stepped into real estate in 2002 and helped lay the foundation for Niharika Projects with a vision of trust, quality, and landmark developments. The journey was not easy; it took years of persever­ance and focus.

I am deeply grateful to my husband for his un­wavering support and to my two children, who have been my greatest pillars of strength. Today, seeing our 40-floor flagship development, Niharika One, rise into Hyderabad’s skyline is a powerful reminder that bold dreams, backed by hard work and family support, transform into reality. For me, this is not just a compa­ny; it is a legacy of resilience and belief.

What roles and responsibilities do you shoulder as CEO of the company? How do you ensure quality in every aspect of the company and its work?

Since the inception of Niharika Projects in 2002, I have dedicated myself to understanding and man­aging every aspect of our work both in the office and on the ground. I believe true leadership comes from being present, not directing from afar.

My role spans end-to-end project execution: sourcing high-quality materials, coordinating with vendors, managing ac­counts, ensuring strict quality checks, and monitoring every stage of construction.

I stay deeply involved in every detail because excel­lence is never accidental; it is built through discipline, consistency, and constant oversight. Being hands-on has helped me uphold the values Niharika Projects stands for: uncompromising quality, transparency, timely delivery, and respect for every stakeholder. To me, every site is a classroom, and every project is a promise delivered with integrity.

As a business leader, how do you strive to understand and address the needs of the consumers and your employees alike?

For me, leadership begins with care. I believe a com­pany grows only when its people grow, which is why we maintain a culture where every employee’s voice is valued. One initiative closest to my heart is supporting the education of our employees’ children today; nearly 100 children are studying free of cost under our care. Watching them dream bigger is my greatest reward.

This philosophy extends to our customers as well. We never see them as transactions but as families placing their trust in us. Communication, transparen­cy, and emotional connection guide every interaction. When someone invests in a home, they are trusting us with their dreams, and we honor that with responsi­bility, warmth, and lifelong relationships.

Looking back at your journey, which leadership philosophies have guided your work? What are some of the most significant professional milestones that you have achieved so far?

Over the last 23 years, our journey has grown brick by brick, milestone by milestone. Today, Niharika Proj­ects has completed 15 developments, creat­ing homes for over 1,000 families and shaping more than 2 million sq. ft. of residential space, with another 1 million sq. ft. underway.

Our work has been recognized national­ly. Niharika Signature received the CNBC Award for Best Residential Project in 2013. Niharika Exotica’s TV5 award further strengthened our belief in quality and innovation.

My leadership philosophy is simple: lead with in­tegrity, build with passion, and stay grounded in hu­manity. Every family we house and every project we complete reminds me why we started to build with heart, purpose, and unwavering commitment.

As a key player in Hyderabad’s real estate sector, how do you see premium housing and urban lifestyle infrastructure evolving?

Hyderabad is entering one of its most transformative decades, driven by global investments, technology, and an influx of professionals. With rising demand for premium housing, real estate must evolve beyond homes and move toward holistic lifestyle ecosystems.

The future belongs to integrated communities that blend luxury with sustainability, privacy with connec­tivity, and comfort with smart living.

We will see greater focus on green architecture, wellness amenities, smart-home technology, and thoughtfully planned open spaces. High-rise land­marks, gated communities, and mixed-use environ­ments will define the city’s next chapter as infrastruc­ture and connectivity continue to grow.

At Niharika Projects, our vision is to lead this transformation by creating future-ready spaces built on trust, quality, and emotional connection, developments that nurture communities for generations.

R. Sreelatha Reddy, Co-Founder, Director, and CEO of Niharika Projects

R. Sreelatha Reddy, Co-Founder, Director, and CEO of Niharika Projects, is one of Hyderabad’s most respected women leaders in real estate. Raised in a traditional business family, she learned entrepreneurship early and entered the male-dominated construction sector with confidence and purpose. Since 2002, she has led Niharika Projects with hands on discipline, overseeing procurement, quality control, and end-to-end execution. Under her leadership, the company has delivered 15 premium developments, housing 1,000+ families, and earning national recognition from CNBC and TV5.