Women's Day: Trailblazing Women Redefining Tech, Finance & More
India is striving hard to become a global superpower and women are playing a crucial role in helping India prosper and grow. From technology to social justice, science to finance, women are acing every sector through their perseverance and hard work.
They are forging new paths through creativity, persistence, and foresight, opening doors that were previously closed, guiding the upcoming leaders of change, and demonstrating that passion and intelligence are not limited by gender. Their experiences serve as a testament to the fact that advancement is not only fueled by ambition but also by bravery, compassion, and a readiness to question existing norms.
On Women's Day, we honor their boldness, determination, and commitment which have revolutionized industries, uplifted communities, and motivated people to strive for progress, fairness, and impactful transformation.
Debjani Ghosh – Pioneering India’s Tech Revolution 
Debjani has had an impressive career for more than 28 years, holding important leadership positions at Intel and becoming the first female President of Nasscom. She has played a crucial role in helping India establish itself as a global leader in innovation. Currently, she is a Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog and the Chief Architect of the NITI Frontier Tech Hub, a think tank focused on advancing India's capabilities in frontier technologies for rapid economic growth and societal progress.
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Debjani made history in April 2018 by becoming the fifth Nasscom president and the first woman in the IT software industry. Her famous slogan, "Think Digital. Think India," was instrumental in changing India's tech reputation. She shifted the focus from being a cheap outsourcing destination to a worldwide leader in top talent and groundbreaking innovation. In 2020, she introduced the idea of the "Techade" - a future decade where technology revolutionizes various sectors, governance, and daily life. Her forward-thinking "Inevitable India" plan solidified India as a major player in innovation and digital transformation, showcasing its importance in shaping global technology trends.
Using technology to enhance society, she was instrumental in developing the Digital Dream approach to support the process of digital transformation in India.
Collaborating closely with the government on initiatives aimed at enhancing social welfare, she became an influential figure in driving technological progress. Over the course of her professional journey, she has provided guidance and support to numerous women across diverse sectors, empowering them to achieve their aspirations.
Shikha Sharma – Leading India’s Banking Growth
Shikha Sharma, an acclaimed economist from India, had a successful career as a banker. During her tenure from 2009 to 2018, she served as the managing director and CEO of Axis Bank, one of the top private sector banks in India. She hails from a military background, with her father being a brigadier in the Indian Army's ordnance corps.
Shikha had undertaken different responsibilities at ICICI, such as overseeing consumer lending, establishing the investment banking division, Life insurance department, and personal services sectors. Serving as the CEO and Managing Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, Shikha played a significant role in its growth and transformation, leading it to become the top private sector life insurance company in India.
Shikha assumed the role of CEO at Axis Bank, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the banking and finance industry. She also serves as the Chairperson for various subsidiaries of Axis Bank, including Axis Bank UK limited, Axis Asset Management Company Limited, Axis Private Equity Limited, and Axis Capital Limited.
Axis Bank received several accolades, including being named 'Bank of the Year in India' for 2014 by The Banker Magazine, Financial Times during Shikha's tenure. Shikha Sharma ended her time at Axis Bank on December 31, 2018.
Dr. Gagandeep Kang – From Rotavirus Research to Covid Leadership 
Dr. Gagangdeep Kang, also known as the 'Vaccine Godmother of India,' is a renowned microbiologist and virologist who has played a crucial role in India's battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. Her dedication to education and scientific inquiry has significantly impacted the field of public health.
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Dr. Kang has achieved many milestones in her career, including being the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and the first to edit Manson's Textbook of Tropical Medicine. She has also been a member of the US National Academy of Medicine since 2022. Collaborating with Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Dr. Kang co-authored "Till We Win: India's Fight Against The Covid-19 Pandemic," focusing on the evolution of pandemics and the progress of medical treatments and vaccines.
She dedicated much of her research to studying viral infections in children, particularly in relation to testing rotavirus vaccines. In addition, she paid attention to hygiene and the safety of water, as well as various infections, and the impact of early childhood diseases on kids.
In recognition of her research on rotavirus and other contagious diseases, she was awarded the prestigious Infosys Prize in Life Sciences in 2016. In 2019, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to be chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. The following year, she served on the panel for the Infosys Prize 2020 Life Sciences.
Dr. Tessy Thomas – Inspiring Women in Science and Defense
Dr.Tessy Thomas, also known as the Missile Woman of India, made a mark in the field of space science that was traditionally dominated by men. DRDO's esteemed scientist, she spearheaded vital missile projects such as the Agni missile series, bolstering India's air defense capabilities. Her success story has inspired numerous women in STEM fields.
Dr.Tessy became a part of DRDO when women were a minority in defense research, surrounded by a predominantly male workforce. Back in 1988, the organization had only five female employees. Her exceptional work spoke volumes, earning her well-deserved acclaim. She emerged as a beacon of inspiration for women pursuing careers in STEM. Recognizing her achievements, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded her in 2012 for breaking through the barriers. As Director General of Aeronautical Systems starting from 2018, she showcased her remarkable leadership qualities. Through her efforts, initiatives like G20 EMPOWER were established, promoting female leadership. Her journey challenges societal norms and empowers women to pursue scientific careers.
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She constantly encourages students to excel in their academic pursuits and reach for greatness in their chosen fields. Her journey serves as inspiration for aspiring young women in STEM across the entire country of India. Recognitions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award have been bestowed upon her in recognition of her significant contributions in her area of expertise. The impact she has had on her field continues to foster self-sufficiency and gender equality in India.
Sunitha Krishnan – Advocate for Justice and Change
A woman with a harrowing past, Sunitha bravely fought against the apathy of society to emerge victorious. Through her organization Prajwala, she has dedicated more than twenty years to raising awareness about human trafficking and exploitation. Additionally, Prajwala focuses on providing education and rehabilitation for the children of sex workers in various areas.
In Hyderabad, she partnered to establish Prajwala with the goal of combating sex trafficking using five key areas: Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Advocacy. The organization focuses on educating children of sex workers in order to prevent them from following in their parents' footsteps and becoming trapped in the cycle of prostitution. This innovative approach aims to break the cycle of intergenerational prostitution and provide a brighter future for thousands of vulnerable children.
Sunitha has played a significant role in transforming the legal framework in India related to sexual violence and trafficking. She was actively involved in formulating India's initial Anti-Trafficking Policy and provided input for the 2013 Rape Bill in light of the Nirbhaya incident. Through her Public Interest Litigation (PIL), she achieved a groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling that compelled the government to establish thorough anti-trafficking protocols. Up to the present year of 2026, she persistently pushes for the establishment of a nationwide Sex Offenders Registry and enhanced safeguards for victims.
She has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri, Ramon Magsaysay Award, and Nari Shakti Puraskar for her work in changing the lives of many people, especially in promoting women's empowerment and social justice throughout India.