Leaders to watch 2026.
The leaders shaping tomorrow are those who see possibilities where others see challenges. Through bold decision-making, relentless innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, they are redefining industries, inspiring change, and creating lasting impact. As the world embraces a new era of technological advancement, entrepreneurial ambition, and global collaboration, these visionaries continue to push boundaries and set new benchmarks. Their influence extends far beyond their organizations, shaping conversations, driving progress, and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. As we step into 2026, we spotlight the leaders whose vision, leadership, and pursuit of excellence make them the ones to watch in the year ahead.
With over two decades of experience in lifestyle retail, destination marketing, and experiential brand building, Ritu Mehta, Director, Marketing (South & Pune Malls) and Centre Director, Mall of Asia at Phoenix Mills, has redefined how retail destinations engage modern consumers. Her strategic leadership has transformed malls into vibrant lifestyle hubs through immersive experiences, luxury collaborations, cultural activations, and innovative marketing campaigns. Combining business acumen with creative vision, she has driven brand growth across ATL, BTL, digital, PR, media, and events while overseeing business planning and operational excellence. Her global exposure across China, Hong Kong, and the United States brings an international perspective to the Indian retail landscape. A recipient of several prestigious industry accolades, Ritu continues to set new benchmarks in experiential retail, shaping destinations that inspire engagement, strengthen brand value, and deliver lasting business impact.
Jimmy Mistry
Jimmy Mistry, Design Futurist, Hotelier, First-Generation Entrepreneur, Founder and CMD of Della Townships, is taking his three-decade legacy in Design and Experiential Hospitality into his most ambitious chapter yet.
Having pioneered Experiential Hospitality through Della Resorts, Mr. Mistry is now bringing his Design-First Philosophy and Hospitality-Led Approach to Indian Real Estate. Through Della's proprietary CDDMO⢠framework, he is pioneering Theme-Based Luxury Integrated Townships inspired by the World's Finest Cities.
Conceived as Holistic Life Systems, Della Townships bring 5-Star Resort Living together with Salutogenic Living, European Medical Wellness Ecosystems, World-Class Gastronomy, Della Design Districts (Luxury Retail), Extreme Adventure Parks, Della Destination Weddings & Corporate MICE Venues and Curated Communities within one integrated destination, all designed around the philosophy of Adding Years to Life & Life to Years.
This new vision of Luxury Resort Community Living is designed to unlock the highest potential of land while Redefining How India Lives, Works and Dreams, One Township at a Time...
Spaarsh Khandelwaal
Spaarsh Khandelwaal, one of India's most disruptive names in commercial real estate, has built Stylework into the country's largest flexible workspace aggregator, live across 125+ cities and 10,000+ centres. A first-generation entrepreneur since the age of 19, he identified and solved for India's "Missing Middle", the businesses too large for coworking, too agile for long-term leases, turning a garage-stage idea into a company that has raised $6.5M+ across four funding rounds. Through FlexCorp (Stylework.ai), his AI-powered corporate real estate intelligence platform, he now empowers enterprises to make smarter, data-backed workspace decisions at scale. Currently leading Stylework through its pre-Series B round, Sparsh is redefining how India works, one city at a time.
Kunal Shah: Redefining the Future of Consumer Finance
Kunal Shah is the Founder of CRED and one of India's most influential entrepreneurs, recognized for transforming the country's fintech landscape through innovation and consumer-centric thinking. Before CRED, he founded FreeCharge, a pioneering digital payments platform that played a significant role in India's digital payments revolution. Renowned for his insights into consumer behavior, business strategy, and technology, Kunal has become a leading voice in the startup ecosystem. Beyond building successful ventures, he actively invests in and mentors emerging startups across fintech, SaaS, and consumer technology. Through CRED, he continues to redefine financial experiences by combining trust, technology, and premium customer engagement, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs while shaping the future of digital finance.
Vidushi Vijayvergiya
Vidushi Vijayvergiya is the Founder of ISAK Fragrances and a sixth-generation perfumer carrying forward over 170 years of family craftsmanship rooted in Lucknow, India's historic capital of attar-making. Where others saw a fading tradition, she saw an opportunity to build a global luxury brand from the inside out, beginning with the artisans, the ingredients, and the knowledge that no competitor can replicate. She created First Rain, India's first natural wearable petrichor perfume, establishing an entirely new fragrance category. A Pride of Uttar Pradesh awardee, recognised at Beautyworld Dubai and the World Perfumery Congress in Geneva, Vidushi is proving that India's most ancient craft traditions hold the foundation for its most exciting luxury future.
Piyush Lilaramani, Brand, Communications & CSR Head, PVNA Group
Piyush Lilaramani is a brand, sustainability, and communications leader whose work sits at the meeting point of narrative and business strategy, building brand value that shows up directly in market advantage.
At PVNA Group, as Brand, Communications & CSR Head, he owns the brand and communications mandate for a Group positioned across Mechatronics, Electronics, and Clean Mobility, framing the story of India's shift toward smarter, cleaner mobility. Over a 15-plus year career across seven industries including Automotive, FMCG, Technology, Education, Sports, Entertainment, and Finance, he has shaped and led brand strategy for some of the world's best-known names, on both the corporate and agency side: Suzuki, Toyota, Ferrari, Maserati, Volvo, Reckitt, adidas, Hong Kong Tourism, La Trobe University and Discovery Channel, among others.
What makes Piyush stand out is his consistent ability to turn brand thinking into real business impact, driving revenue through customer-first execution and go-to-market leadership, a mandate rarely handed to communications leaders. An in-demand speaker and coach, a Business School alum, he works from one core belief: brands endure not because of campaigns, but because of purpose.
Sravanth Gajula
Sravanth Gajula is the co-founder of AdOnMo, one of India's leading Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising platforms. Since launching the company in 2016, he has grown its network to over 50,000 smart screens across 26 cities, giving brands a direct line to millions of consumers in gated communities, tech parks, malls, gyms, and other high-footfall spaces.
An ISB alum and former Microsoft Product Manager, Sravanth returned to India determined to modernize outdoor advertising through technology, data, and automation, an industry long overdue for disruption. Under his leadership, AdOnMo has grown into a trusted platform for over 5000+ brands, from large enterprises to hyperlocal businesses, and has pioneered self-serve advertising in the Indian market.
Beyond building AdOnMo, Sravanth is a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation, regularly mentoring founders and young professionals while championing India's emergence as a global startup hub.
Nikhil Kamath
Nikhil Kamath is an entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Zerodha, India's largest stockbroking platform, which has transformed retail investing through a technology-first and customer-centric approach. A self-made entrepreneur, he has played a pivotal role in making financial markets more accessible to millions of Indians. Beyond Zerodha, Nikhil is the founder of True Beacon, an asset management firm for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and Gruhas, an investment venture focused on propelling startups in consumer technology, sustainability, and the built environment. Through his widely followed podcast, WTF is with Nikhil Kamath, he engages with global leaders, innovators, and changemakers on business, technology, and society. Known for his unconventional thinking and long-term investment philosophy, Nikhil continues to shape India's entrepreneurial and investment landscape while championing innovation, financial literacy, and the next generation of founders building globally competitive businesses.
