Celebrating Leadership, Impact and Empowerment on International Women’s Day
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026, The CEO Magazine has released its Women of Influence 2026 spotlight, recognising exceptional female leaders across industries who are driving meaningful change.
Among those featured are several South Asian women whose leadership spans healthcare, business innovation, corporate strategy, finance and inclusion. Their work highlights not only professional excellence but also a commitment to empowering others and building more equitable workplaces.
These leaders represent a powerful reminder that influence is not defined solely by titles, but by the impact leaders create for their communities, industries and future generations of women.
Aparna Watal
Partner, Halfords IP
Aparna Watal, Partner at Halfords IP, is recognised for her leadership in intellectual property and innovation strategy. Through her work advising businesses on protecting and leveraging their ideas, she has become a strong advocate for unlocking potential and creating opportunities for emerging talent.
Watal believes that recognising talent is only the first step; organisations must also build pathways that allow individuals to grow into leadership roles. She consistently advocates for mentorship, inclusive leadership and professional environments where women and diverse voices can thrive.
By encouraging organisations to invest in capability and opportunity, Watal highlights how innovation and inclusive leadership go hand in hand. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of professionals to pursue excellence while supporting others along the way.
Dr. Preeti Khillan
Managing Director, Western Specialist Centre
Dr. Preeti Khillan has been recognised for her dedication to healthcare leadership and community advocacy. As Managing Director of Western Specialist Centre, she has championed inclusive healthcare environments while encouraging systemic change to support women in medicine and leadership.
“This International Women’s Day, my call to action for every leader, regardless of gender, profession or background, is simple yet urgent: Lead with equity, empathy and example,” she says.
“We live in a world where the conversation about women’s empowerment has never been louder, yet the lived experiences of countless women remain unheard. Progress will not come from celebration alone; it will come from commitment to creating spaces where women are not just present but powerful.”
Dr. Khillan’s leadership reflects how compassion, representation and thoughtful decision-making can create lasting change in both healthcare organisations and the wider community.
Faryal Sohail
Senior Manager – Protocols, Interloop
Faryal Sohail is recognised for her work in creating inclusive leadership environments and empowering women within corporate settings. As Senior Manager – Protocols at Interloop Limited, she contributes to strengthening governance and organisational culture.
“My call to action for every leader — regardless of gender — is to consciously create spaces where women can thrive with confidence, dignity and equal opportunity,” she says.
“Leadership today is not only about achieving results but about enabling others to rise with you.”
Having navigated challenges in both life and career, Sohail encourages leaders to recognise potential beyond stereotypes and to celebrate resilience alongside achievement.
“Every woman deserves to be seen not just for her role but for her journey — and every leader has the power to make that recognition meaningful.”
Divya Mehta
CEO & Founder, Decode Group
As CEO and Founder of Decode Group, Divya Mehta has emerged as a leading voice for diversity, equity and inclusion in corporate leadership.
“This International Women’s Day, my message to every leader is to embrace influence with courage, empathy and purpose,” she says.
“Leadership is not defined by title or authority; it is defined by the positive impact you create on people, communities and industries.”
Mehta emphasises the importance of actively championing underrepresented voices and building systems that allow diverse talent to thrive.
“I encourage leaders to champion diversity, equity and inclusion. Create pathways for women and underrepresented voices to thrive. Invest in mentorship, actively challenge systemic barriers and amplify perspectives that have historically been overlooked.”
Her work highlights how organisations that prioritise inclusive leadership are better positioned to innovate and succeed.
Divya Lal
Director – Business Innovation & Strategy, Barker Henley Global
Divya Lal, Director of Business Innovation & Strategy at Barker Henley Global, is widely recognised for advocating structural change to advance women in leadership.
“My call to action for every leader this International Women’s Day is simple but not easy: Move beyond intention and take structural action,” she says.
“Do not just encourage women to be confident. Design systems where they are genuinely safe to be heard.”
Lal believes organisations must go beyond symbolic support and implement measurable accountability to ensure inclusive leadership.
“Advancing women in leadership is not a social initiative. It is a performance strategy. Organizations that fully leverage the capability, perspective and leadership of women make better decisions, build stronger cultures and deliver more sustainable results.”
Her message is clear: real progress comes when organisations redesign systems to give women visibility, authority and decision-making power.
Seema Harsha
Co-Founder & COO, Indiassetz
Seema Harsha is helping redefine conversations around women’s financial independence and career sustainability. As Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Indiassetz, she advocates for women to remain active participants in both professional and financial ecosystems.
“This isn’t a message just for International Women’s Day. Every single day, the call to action remains the same: Women must not step off the career ramp,” she says.
Harsha emphasises the importance of designing workplaces that support women’s long-term career growth while also encouraging financial agency.
“When women earn, invest and grow their own portfolios, they don’t just participate in the economy – they shape it.”
Through her work, she connects professional advancement with economic empowerment, encouraging more women to become active owners of wealth rather than passive beneficiaries.
A Growing Impact of South Asian Women Leaders
The South Asian women featured in Women of Influence 2026 demonstrate how leadership can drive tangible change across industries. From healthcare and business strategy to finance and corporate inclusion, their work highlights the importance of creating systems that enable others to succeed.
Their voices reinforce a shared message: influence is not simply about individual achievement, but about opening pathways, reshaping systems and empowering the next generation of leaders.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, their stories provide a powerful blueprint for meaningful progress – moving beyond intention toward structural equity, measurable action and lasting impact.
