Women Making Impact - India

In this episode of Women Making Impact 99456798 #@, Shrey Gupta sits down with Smitha Krishnamurthy, Vice President – People Strategy for APAC at Nasdaq. Smitha shares her inspiring journey from a local HR leader to a regional strategist, highlighting how asking for opportunities shaped her career growth.The conversation dives deep into the power of cultural intelligence, empathy in leadership, and the importance of building inclusive workplaces. Smitha shares real-world examples of how employee networks and a sense of belonging can create lasting impact across global teams.Tune in to learn how the role of HR is evolving—from being transactional to becoming a strategic driver of change—and why agile methodologies, identity, and belonging are now at the heart of the modern workplace.

Mahua Bisht is the CEO of 1to1help, India's leading Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. Recently, 1to1help released the second edition of their "State of Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024," which offers compelling insights into workplace mental health trends. The report is based on data from over 83,000 counseling sessions, 12,000 elective screenings, and 42,000 assessments conducted between January and November 2024.

Gemeria Hair offers supreme quality, authentic virgin Indian hair sourced exclusively from the temples  of South India. We provide a wide assortment of hair products, ranging from ready-to-wear clip-ins,  ponytails, and wigs to professional keratin bonded tips, machine wefts, and more. Our hair comes in  various colors, lengths, and textures to suit every woman's unique style and preference. 

Gemeria Hair offers supreme quality, authentic virgin Indian hair sourced exclusively from the temples  of South India. We provide a wide assortment of hair products, ranging from ready-to-wear clip-ins,  ponytails, and wigs to professional keratin bonded tips, machine wefts, and more. Our hair comes in  various colors, lengths, and textures to suit every woman's unique style and preference. 

Chetna, a seasoned Communication Strategist and Business & Leadership Coach, is renowned for her expertise in establishing processes and crafting strategic plans tailored to meet diverse business needs. With a wealth of experience spanning 15 years, she excels in building both systems and people to successfully accomplish business objectivesAn accomplished academic, Chetna emerged as a university topper in Mass Media and further honed her skills as an Executive Alumna of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. Throughout her career, she has made significant contributions across various segments such as branding, research, advertising, design, communication, PR, and media.As the Co-founder of Morning Star Brandcom, Chetna actively shapes the company's vision and leads day- to-day operations, playing a pivotal role in its success. With a focus on new business development and talent acquisition, Chetna complements her partner Gaurav's expertise in media relations and client servicing. This dynamic partnership ensures a well-balanced approach, allowing the firm to stay true to its purpose.In her previous role, she led a strategic business unit for a prominent real estate company, overseeing sales, marketing, and corporate communication, with a focus on driving revenue and profitability.

Esha Bhambri is the Co-Founder of House of Fett, a luxury women's wear brand based in Noida, India. Established in 2018, House of Fett offers a diverse range of apparel, including dresses, gowns, co-ord sets, jumpsuits, and tunics, catering to various occasions such as resort wear, party wear, and casual wear. The brand has expanded significantly, with multiple retail outlets across India​

Dr. Prachi Benara, IVF Specialist, Birla Fertility and IVF is a highly skilled fertility specialist with over 16 years of experience in reproductive medicine. A Gold Medalist in MBBS, she has expertise in advanced laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeries, successfully addressing complex conditions such as endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage, menstrual disorders, and uterine anomalies, including uterine septum.With a rich global experience, Dr. Benara has performed over 3,500 IVF cycles and is recognized for her specialized care in fertility preservation, including egg freezing and cancer fertility preservation. She has worked with renowned institutions like Max Hospital, Artemis Hospital, and Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, further enhancing her proficiency in the field.Dr. Benara is also an active member of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and has earned certifications in IUI and IVF from the British Fertility Society, UK, adding to her credentials in providing cutting-edge fertility treatments.

Dr. Sruthi Balammagary is a highly motivated IT professional with over 13 years of experience in software development, full-stack engineering, and functional programming. With a Ph.D. in Information Technology, my research focused on addressing IT failures in autonomous cars using machine learning and cybersecurity strategies. Currently, I work as a Senior Software Engineer at Comcast, where I develop scalable, high-performance applications using Java, Scala, and modern frameworks. I have a deep passion for AI, particularly in applying machine learning and deep learning to cybersecurity, anomaly detection, and intelligent automation. My expertise spans backend and frontend development, system design, and agile methodologies. Constantly driven by innovation, I am eager to explore AI-driven solutions that enhance software development, security, and autonomous systems.

Pragya Priyali is the visionary Founder and Creative Director of Unrush, a slow fashion brand born out of her deep commitment to craftsmanship. With over 16 years of experience in the fashion industry, her journey began as a design graduate from NIFT Delhi and evolved into leadership roles in content, social, and brand marketing at India's top fashion e-commerce platforms, including Myntra.Unrush was founded in response to the "fast everything" culture dominating fashion. It is Pragya’s mission to inspire conscious consumption and embrace timeless elegance. Her personal aesthetic—minimalist, thoughtful, and subtle—drives the brand’s identity. Unrush’s designs are crafted for the modern, mature working woman who seeks both style and substance in her wardrobe.Pragya ensures that Unrush not only stands out for its fashion but also for its values. The brand operates as a women-only organization, committed to hiring and partnering with women-led enterprises. Fabrics are ethically sourced from India, and garments are produced in facilities that meet international standards for worker safety and hygiene. In keeping with the slow fashion philosophy, each style is produced in small batches, avoiding wastage and ensuring the uniqueness of every piece.

Radhika Koolwal is the co-founder of Urban Space, and her role in transforming her husband Rohit Agarwal’s family textile business from Ahmedabad into one of India’s leading home decor brands. Urban Space is a great example of how a fresh perspective can take a traditional business to new heights. Rohit, with his deep expertise in textiles and production, laid the foundation for the brand’s quality-first approach. However, it was Radhika’s entry into the business that truly propelled its growth in the digital age. When Radhika joined the business in 2018, she had no prior experience in textiles or home decor. Yet, she brought her background in engineering and marketing to the table, setting up Urban Space’s e-commerce and digital strategies from scratch. Her ability to quickly adapt and understand market trends has been instrumental in Urban Space’s growth, particularly in the highly competitive online market. Today, the brand boasts INR 6 crore in monthly sales and a strong digital presence, which she has helped build from the ground up.