Women at the helm: How female leaders are redefining modern industries

The only thing constant in any industry is rapid evolution, and today, at the helm of it, we see women leaders. They are fundamentally transforming the way industries operate. With their unique perspectives, experiences, and drive to bring innovation, they lead powerfully and leave an impact. Today, on the occasion of Women’s Day, we connected with some of the ace female leaders from different industries, known for raising the bar with every move. In our special segment of TOI Women, these entrepreneurs weighed in on how female leaders are redefining the modern industries.

Eeti Sharma, Co-Founder of Asaya, told us, “Many women who start companies are not simply responding to a market opportunity. Very often, the starting point is deeply personal, a lived experience, a frustration, or a gap they have felt themselves. That origin shapes the kind of businesses they build. When a company grows from that place, the founder’s intention influences everything: the product itself, the way it is designed and presented, the tone of communication, and the kind of team that comes together around the idea.”

She added, “It creates businesses that are not only commercially driven but also thoughtful in how they show up in the world. This perspective is one of the ways women leaders are reshaping modern industries today. Alongside ambition and strategic thinking, many women bring a strong sense of empathy and consumer understanding to the table. The combination thus formed allows us to build brands that feel more intuitive, inclusive, and closely connected to the communities they serve.”

Further, Alpana Parida, Founder & CEO, Tvarra Helmets, got candid on the subject. She mentioned, “The biggest shift women leaders are bringing is moving industries from pure scale to meaningful relevance. Instead of asking ‘How many can we sell?’ the question becomes ‘Who have we ignored and how do we design for them?’ That shift is quietly opening up enormous new opportunities.”

In our segment, we also connected with Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, and she chimed in, “After 32 years in the chemical industry, I have learned that leadership is much like a complex reaction. It requires the right catalyst to transform potential into value. Today, women leaders are increasingly becoming that catalyst, moving beyond the idea of “breaking glass ceilings” to helping reshape how modern industries think, collaborate, and grow.”

“The perspective we bring is often a blend of scientific discipline and empathy. While traditional models have sometimes prioritised linear, short-term gains, many women leaders tend to view organisations as interconnected ecosystems. This leads to collaborative innovation and the breaking down of silos, which is critical in a time of rapid technological and industrial change,” she continued.

With anecdotes from her life, she concluded, “In my own journey working on growth and strategy, I have also seen how women often approach risk differently. Decisions are rarely viewed only through the lens of financial outcomes, but also through environmental impact, workforce resilience, and long-term sustainability. This is not “soft” leadership. It is responsible leadership for a more complex world.”