These 7 Indian Women Took on New Leadership Roles in November

By: WE Staff

In India’s corporate corridors, the story of leadership is being rewritten, and women are authoring some of its most compelling chapters. Over the past decade, the country has witnessed a measurable and meaningful rise in women occupying decision-making roles across business strategy, human resources, technology, finance, and innovation. Recent studies show that women now hold around 28% of senior management roles in India, up from 16-18% in 2016, marking one of the fastest growth trajectories in Asia.

Certain sectors are evolving even faster. In human resources, women have emerged as a defining force, accounting for more than 40% of leadership positions, a shift that signals not just increased participation but growing influence in shaping organizational culture, digital transformation, and people-centric growth.

This momentum is reflected in recent high-profile appointments across sectors, from Pragya Misra at OpenAI to Preeti Gupta at Van Heusen Innerwear, and Kritika Saxena at TCS. These women, each in their distinct domain, represent the expanding landscape of female leadership in India, strategic, impactful, and essential to the country’s evolving business ecosystem.

At a time when industries are shifting toward digital growth, people-centric design, and purposeful innovation, women are not just participating in the conversation; they are leading it. The Women Entrepreneurs Review highlights seven visionary women whose careers are reshaping India’s corporate future.

OpenAI names Pragya Misra as Head of Strategy & Global Affairs

One of the most significant developments in India’s leadership narrative is OpenAI’s appointment of Pragya Misra as Head of Strategy & Global Affairs, India. Her role is emblematic of how global tech giants are placing trust in India’s women leaders to define the future of frontier technologies.

Having been with OpenAI for over 18 months, Pragya’s expanded mandate spans policy, product strategy, partnerships, ecosystem building, and ensuring India’s priorities remain central to the company’s vision. Her belief that “India will shape the global AI landscape” is becoming increasingly evident as OpenAI prepares to open its first India office, launches ChatGPT Go for the mass market, and expands the OpenAI Academy India, its inaugural global education initiative.

Preeti Gupta Named Chief Business Officer of Van Heusen Innerwear

In India’s booming apparel and innerwear sector, seasoned business leader Preeti Gupta has taken over as Chief Business Officer for Van Heusen Innerwear at Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Limited. With more than 25 years across intimate wear, fashion, and digital retail, Preeti brings deep expertise in scaling brands, transforming operations, and driving profitability.

From her early years at Madura Garments to her breakthrough leadership at Reliance Trends, Enamor, and Nykaa Fashion, Preeti has consistently led strategic brand-building, category expansion, and high-growth transformations. Her track record, whether reshaping Enamor’s identity or scaling Nykd by Nykaa to ₹200 crore ARR, positions her perfectly to strengthen Van Heusen Innerwear’s competitiveness in an evolving marketplace.

TCS Appoints Kritika Saxena to Lead India Marketing Strategy

At one of India’s largest IT companies, Kritika Saxena has taken on the role of Head of Marketing for India at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). With a career spanning journalism, corporate communications, and brand strategy, Kritika will now oversee a crucial mandate strengthening TCS’s brand and leading nationwide initiatives such as the #AcceleratingIndia campaign.

Her rise from Chief of Bureau at CNBC-TV18 to leading corporate communications at TCS reflects the growing recognition of storytelling, brand strategy, and communication leadership as essential components of business success.

Inspira Enterprise Names Swetha S as Head of Data Analytics & AI

In the fast-expanding fields of cybersecurity and AI, Swetha Srivastava has been appointed as Practice Head-Data Analytics & AI at Inspira Enterprise. With 23 years of cross-industry experience, Swetha will build next-generation capabilities for global clients.

Her appointment gains significance given the stark numbers, as only 22% of the global AI workforce comprises women. Inspira’s decision to place a woman at the helm of one of its most critical practices reflects the industry’s overdue recognition of female expertise in deep tech domains.

Relaxo Footwears Appoints Manju Kohli as Chief HR Officer

Relaxo Footwears has appointed Manju Kohli as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company enters a new phase of growth. With over 20 years of experience across technology, media, education, agri-tech, and manufacturing, she brings deep expertise in organisation design, HR transformation, and capability building.

Manju has led multiple complex restructuring programmes, including post-merger integrations, and is known for driving performance-focused cultures through lean operating models and tech-enabled HR systems. Her previous roles include leadership positions at Terviva, UWC South East Asia, Pearson, Carlsberg, Oracle Financial Services, Actis, and ITC. Her appointment signals Relaxo’s focus on agility and workforce readiness.

Banking Veteran Mini T M Joins Indian Bank as Executive Director

Veteran banker Mini T M has joined Indian Bank as Executive Director, bringing over three decades of experience from Federal Bank, e-Vijaya Bank, and Bank of Baroda. She previously served as Chief General Manager and Cluster Head–Delhi at Bank of Baroda, overseeing a vast ₹6 lakh crore business portfolio with a strong focus on deposits, advances, asset quality, and regulatory compliance.

Mini has also led the pan-India Retail Liabilities vertical, driving digital upgrades, CASA growth, and product innovation. Her leadership spans retail, corporate, SME, credit operations, and governance. An MBA, FRM, and CAIIB, she has completed advanced programs at IIMs and international leadership institutes.

Abbott India Appoints Vinutha M as Director of Business HR

Abbott India has promoted Vinutha Mufti to Director – Business HR, effective December 16, 2025, succeeding Rajan Kalantre after a planned transition. Vinutha, who joined Abbott in 2015, has led HR across key portfolios in nutrition, primary care, and specialty care, contributing to capability building and talent strategy. With more than 20 years of HR experience across IT, ITES, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals, she specializes in people development, performance management, employee relations, and consulting. Before Abbott, she spent a decade at IBM in HR business partnering roles. An engineer and Goa Institute of Management alumna, she now leads Abbott’s efforts in talent continuity and workforce development.