Women like Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Manjeet Dhillon & Sonal Kapoor prove leadership is about impact, not gender, as they lead billion-dollar industries.
In industries historically dominated by men, a new era is unfolding where women are not just participating but redefining leadership. From metals and mining to fintech and financial markets, women executives are breaking barriers, proving that leadership is about vision, execution, and resilience. Key figures such as Priya Agarwal Hebbar of Hindustan Zinc, Manjeet Dhillon of Kotak Securities, and Sonal Kapoor of Prodigy Finance are not just shattering stereotypes but are setting industry benchmarks.
The Rise of Women in Heavy Industries: Hindustan Zinc’s Bold Moves
Metals and mining have long been considered male-dominated fields, but Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, is proving that gender should never be a barrier to leadership. Under her leadership, Hindustan Zinc has achieved a 25% female workforce representation, surpassing global benchmarks. With a goal of 30% by 2030, the company is actively investing in inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and leadership development for women.
“For any business to thrive, equal representation is not just important, it’s essential,” says Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc. “A truly successful organization values every voice and ensures that diverse perspectives shape its future.” Hindustan Zinc is also home to India’s first women-led underground mine rescue teams, further proving that gender inclusivity in heavy industries is possible when companies actively drive change.
Sakshi Gupta, Member of India’s First All-Women Underground Mine Rescue Team, Hindustan Zinc, adds: “Women are no longer just participants in change; we are leading it. Mining, once considered a male-dominated field, is now witnessing a revolution. At Hindustan Zinc, we are not just given opportunities; we are encouraged to innovate, break barriers, and redefine the future of metals.”
Financial Leadership: Women Reshaping the Brokerage Industry
The finance sector has long been a space where women have had to fight for their seat at the table. Manjeet Dhillon, Senior Executive Vice President & Head of Human Resources at Kotak Securities, is a firm advocate for diversity, especially in brokerage.
Empowering women in brokerage isn’t just about breaking barriers, it’s a game-changer,” says Manjeet Dhillon, Senior Executive Vice President & Head of Human Resources at Kotak Securities. “When you bring diverse perspectives, smarter decisions, and a dose of integrity and stability, you build stronger markets and create real, lasting impact.
Despite women comprising 27% of India’s overall workforce, they hold only 14% of senior leadership roles in finance. Kotak Securities is addressing this through internal promotions, leadership mentoring, and policies designed to foster gender diversity.
Fintech’s Power Shift: Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer, Prodigy Finance, shares her inspiring journey: When a woman sets her mind to it, she can excel beyond any man in her chosen field! My journey from struggling with education loans to leading a global fintech company proves that persistence and the right support system make all the difference. The key to leadership isn’t about gender; it’s about vision and resilience.
Kapoor is now leading global financial initiatives, including the Esade Future Female Leaders Scholarship, offering $8,000 grants to empower women pursuing higher education in finance and business.
Women Pioneering Cybersecurity & STEM Leadership: Cybersecurity remains one of the fastest-growing industries, yet only 11% of India’s cybersecurity workforce is female. Companies like ESET are working to close this gap through dedicated scholarships and mentorship programs.
Parvinder Walia, President (APAC & Japan), ESET, states: “The future of cybersecurity depends on a diverse and inclusive workforce driving innovation. At ESET, we recognize that empowering women in cybersecurity is not just about education; it’s about equipping future leaders with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities to make a lasting impact.”
ESET has launched the Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship in India, providing financial grants to female students pursuing STEM careers.
Corporate Leadership & HR Insights: Women in leadership aren’t just transforming boardrooms, they’re redefining corporate culture to foster inclusion and long-term gender equity.
Joyshree Das Verma, National President of FICCI FLO, emphasizes that true change requires ongoing investment beyond symbolic gestures. Women’s leadership isn’t about diversity quotas, it’s about workplaces that let women thrive, lead, and innovate. Businesses must invest in women not just on Women’s Day, but every single day.
The financial sector, often a male-dominated domain, is seeing gradual change, but the numbers reveal a long road ahead. Rushali Shetty, author of CIEL HR’s Institutional Investor Report, sheds light on the stark reality. Women hold just 14% of senior leadership roles in India’s institutional investor sector. This gap highlights the need for structured mentorship, leadership acceleration programs, and inclusive hiring policies to bring more women into decision-making roles.
On the global front, cross-border trade remains a major hurdle for women-led businesses. Gaurav Shisodia, Vice President of Payoneer India, notes that 80% of women entrepreneurs face barriers in international expansion due to regulatory complexities and financial accessibility. Financial independence is a key driver of women’s empowerment. The business ecosystem must evolve to help women-led ventures scale beyond borders.
Entrepreneurs Leading Business Innovation: For women entrepreneurs, breaking into tech and finance comes with unique challenges, especially in access to funding. Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO of HerKey, highlights the issue of women leaving the workforce and struggling to return. Women don’t lack ambition, what they lack is an ecosystem that supports their career comeback. If businesses rethink hiring strategies, we will see a much stronger female leadership pipeline.
Funding gaps are particularly evident in fintech, where male-led startups still dominate investments. Priyambada Mishra, Co-founder of GenZPe, explains, Access to capital remains a boys’ club. Even women-led fintechs with solid business models struggle with funding. More women investors in the ecosystem can change this.
Beyond finance and tech, women are taking charge in industries long considered out of reach. Sakshi Gupta, a member of India’s First All-Women Underground Mine Rescue Team at Hindustan Zinc, embodies this shift. “Women are no longer just participants in change, we are leading it. Mining was never built for us, but we’re breaking barriers every day.
Skilling, Workforce Development & Policy Action: For women’s leadership to be truly transformational, education and workforce inclusion must be prioritized. Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of Skill Development & Education, stresses this point. “India’s economic future depends on how well we invest in women’s education and skilling. With over 3 crore women trained under various government schemes, we now need to focus on leadership acceleration and career longevity.”
Technological advancements are playing a critical role in making skilling accessible to women beyond metro cities. Shreshtha Gupta, CTO at NSDC, highlights the power of digital skilling. “Technology is breaking traditional barriers in skilling. Through digital platforms, we are enabling thousands of women in rural and non-metro areas to gain leadership-ready skills, creating economic independence at scale.”
Beyond skilling, job placement and sustained career growth remain challenges. Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, notes, “Our focus must be beyond skilling, ensuring that women not only acquire skills but are placed in leadership roles. The private sector must work with the government to bridge this gap.”
The Future is Female – But It’s About Leadership, Not Gender: Women leaders across finance, manufacturing, technology, and policy are proving that leadership isn’t about gender, it’s about impact. With companies like Hindustan Zinc, Kotak Securities, Prodigy Finance, ESET, NSDC, Payoneer, and FICCI FLO championing gender inclusion, the corporate and financial world is shifting towards a future where women’s leadership is business as usual, not an exception. This Women’s Day, the focus must go beyond celebration, it’s time to recognize the vision, resilience, and industry-shaping contributions of women like Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Manjeet Dhillon, Sonal Kapoor, Joyshree Das Verma, Rushali Shetty, Sakshi Gupta, Dr. Kavita Bhardwaj, Parvinder Walia, Gaurav Shisodia, Jayant Chaudhary, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Shreshtha Gupta, and Madhura DasGupta Sinha
Building Inclusive Workplaces: What’s Next?: Companies like Hindustan Zinc, Kotak Securities, Prodigy Finance, NSDC, and Payoneer are proving that gender equity in leadership isn’t just a social mission, it’s an economic necessity. Research consistently shows that companies with diverse leadership teams not only foster innovation and better decision-making but also outperform their competitors financially. With women leaders breaking barriers across mining, fintech, investment, skilling, and entrepreneurship, the next challenge is to ensure sustained career growth, equal access to capital, and leadership acceleration programs that enable more women to take their rightful place in boardrooms and executive suites.
Smruti Bhalerao, Global Corporate Communications Expert and Editor-in-Chief at Prittle Prattle News, underscores the significance of this shift, stating: “Women in leadership don’t just contribute to corporate success, they redefine it. The rise of female executives in industries that were once considered ‘male-dominated’ proves that true leadership isn’t about gender; it’s about resilience, innovation, and the ability to drive impact at scale. The corporate world is witnessing a paradigm shift, where equity is not just an HR policy but a competitive advantage.”
