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The Fight, The Rise, The Win: 10 Women You Need to Know

Updated on: 28 November,2025 11:53 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Buzzfeed | faizan.farooqui@mid-day.com

Ten remarkable women redefining leadership through resilience, innovation and purpose-celebrating their rise, impact and transformative journeys.

The Fight, The Rise, The Win: 10 Women You Need to Know

women leaders India

In every industry, in every decade, some women don’t just break ceilings, they rebuild the whole room. The Fight, The Rise, The Win brings you ten such powerhouses whose journeys are a masterclass in grit, reinvention, and unapologetic ambition. These are the women you need to know, not just for what they achieved, but for how fiercely they fought to get there.

Nisha Shukla, Director - UNIQUO and the Co-founder & Trustee of Inspiresafety Foundation

Nisha Anupam Shukla is the Director at UNIQUO and Co-Founder of Inspiresafety Foundation. An educational professional and entrepreneur, she holds a BA LLB from Lucknow University and MA from Mumbai University, with a strong academic background in law and administration. With over 30 years of experience, Nisha brings unmatched dedication, integrity, and leadership to every role she fulfils. Known for her compassionate yet strategic approach, she empowers teams, drives improvement, and ensures meaningful, sustainable results. Her commitment to excellence, quality, and compliance continues to inspire positive change in society and organisations


Mamta Nitturkar, Founder/Managing Director, The-Connections ITES Business Services Pvt Ltd.

Mamta Nitturkar is the Founder and Managing Director of The-Connections, an innovative BPO that integrates smart automation with modern business needs. With a strong background in operations, people management, and client strategy, she leads the organisation with clarity, vision, and a commitment to delivering efficient, technology-driven solutions. Mamta is recognised for building high-performing teams, ensuring seamless processes, and driving long-term client partnerships. Her leadership blends empathy, discipline, and strategic thinking, enabling The-Connections to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world. Guided by innovation and integrity, she continues to shape a future-ready BPO ecosystem.

Sakshi Tiwari, Founder & CEO of OctaBlu Communications

Sakshi Tiwari, Founder & CEO of OctaBlu, stands out as a renowned PR expert widely recognised for transforming brands by building high-performing communication strategies for global and Indian markets. With 1,000+ successful PR campaigns, she leads OctaBlu as a top PR agency delivering strong media outreach, strategic narrative construction, and 360° brand positioning. Sakshi specialises in international PR, reputation management, and creating powerful brand identities that position clients as credible industry leaders. Her signature PR frameworks, global perspective and sharp industry insights make her a trusted advisor for businesses, startups, and public figures seeking long-term visibility and influence in competitive markets.

Karen Kshiti Suvarna, Film Director – Film September 21

Karen Kshiti Suvarna, a 22-year-old film director, is making waves in the industry with her debut film "September 21". On complexities of caregiving for Alzheimer's patients and the impact on caregivers, "September 21" finished its Viewing Room journey at NFDC Film Bazaar at the IFFI Goa 2025 and is expected to hit theatres in early 2026. Karen's direction brings a remarkable sensitivity to the subject matter, highlighting the often-invisible labour of caregivers and the emotional toll it takes on them. Her previous work, the short film "Hide & Seek", has also received global recognition, showcasing her talent and versatility as a filmmaker.

Bithika Anand, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director - Legal League Consulting, Founder and CEO - Human Elevation

Bithika Anand is an iconic entrepreneur who laid the foundation of the concept of law firm management in India. As an expert in the field of legal practice management, she is a mentor, guide, influencer, and pioneer who has contributed immensely to the growth of the legal sector in India. She is the founder of two unique and niche companies, Legal League Consulting and Human Elevation. She is also the India Principal of Edge International. LLC is India's first management consultancy for the global legal industry, while HE is a global talent search organisation providing comprehensive talent solutions to corporates across all sectors with expertise in the legal sector.

Sanjukta Arun Barik, Founder, Director, La Aartemisia Private Limited

Sanjukta Arun Barik is an eminent Contemporary Artist and Founder of La Aartemisia Private Limited company dealing in Art and lifestyle products. She is also the owner of Label Sanjukta Arun, which deals with wearable art, and is a platform to promote Rural weavers and artisans, focusing on their livelihood and bringing their creativity to the world. She has been in the field of Art for over 30 years, travelling the Globe with her Art with 85 shows and 28 SOLO Shows to her credit. She works extensively for children battling Cancer and Children with special needs, through the medium of art. She continues to give back to society through the same and conducts Art therapy sessions at various levels, which is very popular. She has been recognised by several Prestigious organisations for her contribution to the field of Art and Culture.

She was awarded the MIDDAY Powerful Woman Award, Pillars of Maharashtra Award and several other recognitions. She was awarded the Winner of Global Champion for Culture at Manchester UK, which is recognised for exemplary service and contribution to the Global community by Women across the World.

Sujata Londhe Tupe, Advocate

Advocate Sujata Londhe Tupe, a Mumbai-based matrimonial lawyer with 18 years of experience, built her practice on legal awareness and public service. Inspired early by crime reports and her father’s encouragement, she chose law despite expectations to pursue another path. After a career break for motherhood and years in Singapore, she resumed practice in 2016, honouring a promise to her father. During the pandemic, she offered free online guidance and continues a daily free consultation. Living in a five-generation joint family gives her insight into Indian dynamics. Sujata blends compassion, clarity, and resilience to protect rights while preserving dignity always.

Lalita Jadhav, Founder, Managing Director - Aranyam Perfumes

Lalita Jadhav is the Founder of Aranyam, India’s pioneering natural fragrance house rooted in Gandhashastra, Ayurveda, and traditional artisanal perfumery. Over the past decade, she has led extensive research on Indian botanicals, indigenous attars, and sustainable extraction methods, shaping Aranyam into the country’s most trusted natural fragrance brand. She introduced India’s first natural Kasturi formulation based on ancient texts and expanded Aranyam globally with signature collections like Agaru, Rajasa Kasturi, and the Suvarna Series. Honoured with the Maharashtra Ratna 2024 Puraskar, Lalita continues to champion India’s fragrance heritage with innovation, authenticity, and uncompromising purity.

Poonam Bajpai, Celebrity Image Makeover Specialist, Life Coach & Founder, Versatile Institute of Communication Skills, Creator of the personal transformation brand Life Lift by Poonam Bajpai

Poonam Bajpai is a nationally acclaimed Celebrity Image Makeover specialist, Soft Skills trainer, Model, and Life Coach who has been transforming lives for over 22 years. She is the Founder of the Versatile Institute of Communication Skills and the creator of her signature transformation brand, Life Lift by Poonam Bajpai , known for elevating confidence through grooming, communication mastery, and emotional empowerment. Crowned Queen of Universe 2019, honoured with the Bharat Vibhushan Puraskar by the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, and appointed Brand Peace Ambassador of the United Nations, Poonam continues to inspire change. Through her NGO, Versatile Global Educational Centre, she uplifts underserved communities with purpose and compassion.

Shiveta Kothare, Tarotexpertshiveta, Conceptualizer of Tribeconnect Club, Commercial Vastu Consultant, Public Figure

Ms Shiveta K is a highly skilled Tarot Card Reader from Mumbai and Pune, known for offering clarity, guidance, and empowerment through her intuitive readings. With a deep ability to connect beyond the physical realm, her sessions deliver accurate insights that open new perspectives and growth opportunities. Having guided over 10,000 clients worldwide, she has been honoured twice as the Best Tarot Card Expert (2021) and thrice as the Best Extraordinary Tarot Reader of India (2022). She is the Conceptualizer of the Tribeconnect largest Tribe Community, where the Tribeconnect Club built real connections for individuals 30 and beyond, helping them grow together and build meaningful bonds in the next chapter of their life. The community works for the welfare of community animals and in the interest of members in sports or online different activities, and offline meet-ups in Pune.

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