India's Top Women Leaders On Seeking Success Beyond The Cliché

Whether in the workplace or at home, women across generations have reimagined the conventional definition and trajectory of leadership. They have shifted the focus from mere titles and achievements to freedom, strength, and purpose-driven impact. At the recent International Women’s Conference 2025 by Art of Living in Bengaluru, leaders from diverse fields discussed their unique perspectives on autonomy, success, and influence.

President of India Droupadi Murmu aptly said in a speech, "We are at the edge of technological disruption. In such a competitive world we should ensure our human values remain intact. This is where the role of women becomes important because they lead with compassion and kindness.”

In a session called 'Are You Bound to Be Free?', four influential women discussed the tension between women's freedom and societal demands or conditioning. Panellist Filmmaker and writer Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari narrated her inspiring story of breaking free from expectations and finding her voice in art.

"My mother always told me three things, 'Get educated, get married and have children, and work.' She wanted me to pursue CA and settle abroad. But I wanted to do art," Iyer-Tiwari said, detailing how she broke barriers to embrace her creative journey in art direction and filmmaking. "For me, storytelling is such a joy. I believe that sharing impactful stories is my version of social service."

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari was sharing the stage with Radhika Gupta, Managing Director & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund; Ruchira Kamboj, former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations; and Anthea Ong, Singapore’s former Nominated Member of Parliament.

Speaking to SheThePeople, financier Radhika Gupta expressed how financial literacy is the key driver of agency and empowerment for women. "Women today have got literacy and economic independence, but the ability to understand your own money, manage it, have control over it, and not outsource it to anyone else is extremely important. I believe women have all the skills to do it. They've been CFOs of their own homes so successfully for generations so money is not that difficult."

Women Shifting The Narrative Of Success

Once told they were “too emotional” or “too soft” to handle the responsibilities of leadership, women have turned these qualities into their best strengths to lead with empathy and authenticity. They have embraced challenges and shattered stereotypes, demonstrating how there is no predetermined or conventional journey to success.

On a panel called 'The Eternal Game-- Do I Play To Win?', five women shared how they learnt to enjoy the journey rather than chase a goal. This panel included Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain, lawyer and activist Kavita Khanna, Jamaican sustainability engineer Claire A Nelson, journalist-entrepreneur Jagi Mangat Panda, and child rights advocate Preeti Bharadwaj Dalal.

Lovlina Borgohain shared in the panel how she made her way from a humble family in Assam to representing India, supporting her family, winning coveted sporting laurels, accepting failures in her journey, and staying determined. She has won an Olympic Bronze medal, an Arjuna Award, a Khel Ratna Award, Asom Sourav (Assam's second-highest civilian award) and more.

Speaking to SheThePeople, Lovlina Borgohain shared the importance of financial liberty in her life. "I belong to North East India and have seen a lot of villages where it is very difficult for families to survive. My family has three girls, and my parents taught me that if we were financially independent, we would earn respect not be dependent on our husbands and would be able to make our own decisions. So whether my husband is successful or not, I want to be so successful so that I can support my family," Borgohain said in Hindi.

Female Leadership Across Generations

One of the most powerful aspects of female leadership is the influence it has across generations. Who better to understand this than mothers and daughters, whose symbiotic influence has shaped some of the most empowering communities today? Actor-politician Hema Malini and her daughter, actor-social activist Esha Deol spoke on a panel about their mother-daughter relationship.

Hema Malini recounted, "Born in a South Indian family, it was a must for me to take up some sort of art... My journey as a Bharatanatyam dancer was very beautiful but it was very, very strict. I had to go through a lot of hardship... So when I became a mother to Esha and Ahana, I didn't want to impose strict rules. I enrolled Esha on classes much later. She didn't like learning Bharatanatyam and took up Odissi...  One of the most beautiful experiences in my life was when I danced with Esha and Ahana together. They were little girls going to school and today, they are dancing with me."

Hema Malini shared that besides being a guiding force to her daughters, they too have taught her so many values. Esha Deol spoke about how growing up in a household with many strong women shaped her life. She also shared her journey in social impact and how she is passing on the values of resilience, independence, and compassion to the next generation. 

The biennial International Women’s Conference this year saw myriad empowering discussions by eminent dignitaries including President of India Droupadi Murmu; Indian politicians Annapurna Devi, Shobha Karandlaje, and Smriti Irani, the former First Lady of Japan, Akie Abe, journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay, and more.