Propelling India towards its enviable growth rate are stalwarts placed in various economic domains in the country. We have highlighted top five women in the world of business who are a force to reckon with. Breaking the glass ceiling in every industry, be it in the ever-evolvingfilm industry or the ruthless world of real estate, these women have balanced the gender equation in the boardroom.Each one of these businesswomen is successful beyond par, excelling in the most competitive economic platforms of the country.

Ayesha Thapar: Ayesha is the Joint Managing Director of Indian City Properties Limited (ICP). The first woman to run one of the family businesses, Ayesha comes from a long line of businessmen and entrepreneurs. ICP is the real estate arm of one of India’s leading conglomerates, KCT Group that was founded in 1929. Before returning to India to join KCT Group, Ayesha launched her own business and was the CEO of a telecom company in the states. A hard-hitting academic, she is an economics and mathematics graduate from Wellesley College. It’s not all work; she co-founded Nimaya Foundation, a charitable platform for empowering low-income women entrepreneurs; she loves to paint and has a jewellery line to her name. ICP surpasses its competitors through superior quality construction, innovative contemporary design and sustainable architecture.

Tanya Dubash:Realising that the future of their business relied on capturing a younger market, Tanya Dubash, the eldest daughter of group chairman Adi Godrej, made it her mission to freshen up Godrej’s image; and freshen it up did she. The dynamic Tanya Dubash is Executive Director & Chief Brand Officerand manages the famous Godrej brand.An economics and political science graduate from Brown University, she knows what she’s doing. She chairs the company’s Strategic Marketing Group as well as sitting on the boards of several Godrej group companies including Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products and Godrej Agrovet.

 

Preetha Reddy:As Managing Director of India’s largest medical conglomerate, Preetha Reddy is a shining example of an Indian housewife turned business woman. Calm, gentle and understated, she began working for the family business by chance; today she is tipped to be her father (Dr.Prathap Reddy)’s successor. It was under his guidance that Preetha learnt the complex and challenging task of running 45 hospitals across India. Executing her vision of excellence, Apollo is now a forerunner in providing integrated healthcare and can boast an international footprint, administering advanced healthcare across Asia and the world.

 

RenukaRamnath:Often referred to as “India’s mother of private equity”, RenukaRamnath is a true financial expert and entrepreneur.Renuka ran one of India’s largest private equity funds for ICICI until she resigned in 2009 to launch her own investment advisory firm, Multiples Alternate Asset Management. Since its inception her company has brokered some extremely high-profile and lucrative deals. Educated in India, she studied textile engineering at VeermataJijabai Technological Institute and then went on to complete her MBA at Mumbai University.

 

EktaKapoor:One of the most recognizable personalities in Indian Television and Film today, EktaKapoor has risen up the ranks in this notoriously competitive industry. Today she is the Joint Managing Director & Creative Director of Balaji Telefilms, her own production company. She has produced some of the most memorable television serialscreating an era of devout television soap fans. Within this realm, she has launched the careers of several talented artists such as SmritiIrani and Ronit Roy. With the release of movies such as Shor in the City and The Dirty Picture, her production company is known for achieving some of the critically-acclaimed box office hits.