International Women’s Day 2026: Women leaders on why Giving is the real growth enabler

“When leaders give, everyone gains”

Behind every successful career, there is often an unseen moment of generosity. A mentor who took the time to listen. A leader who offered an opportunity before someone felt fully ready. A colleague who shared credit, or simply said, “I believe in you.” These moments may seem small, but they have the power to shape careers, build confidence and change the trajectory of someone’s professional journey.

In a world driven by competition, speed, and individual success, the idea of this year’s International Women’s Day "Give to Gain" offers a powerful counter-narrative that growth becomes meaningful or multiplies when it is shared.

Across industries, from communications and retail to entrepreneurship, finance and politics, giving can take many forms. It might mean mentoring the next generation, advocating for someone’s voice in the room, or creating opportunities that allow others to grow. Sometimes it’s simply the act of lifting someone up at the moment they need it most.

On International Women’s Day 2026, we asked industry leaders to share what "Give to Gain" means to them or to share a moment when giving created unexpected growth, for themselves, their teams, or their organisations. 

Here’s how women across sectors interpret the philosophy of “Give to Gain.”

• Investing in People: The Leadership Multiplier

For many women leaders, the philosophy of Give to Gain plays out most strongly in how they build teams and nurture talent.

Nidhi Rastogi, Marketing Director, UNIQLO India, explains, 

“For me, ‘Give to Gain’ is about supporting people so they can grow with confidence. In my role, I’ve seen how sharing knowledge, giving teams the right context, and creating opportunities helps everyone do better work. Being part of a brand whose ethic has equally helped me to value continuous learning and improvement, and in turn pushed me to keep evolving and pass those learnings forward. My take at give to gain is simple - Invest in people generously, because when they grow, the organisation grows with them.”

Similarly, Piyali Reddy, Group Head- Corporate Communications, Axis Bank, emphasises the power of trusting people before they fully recognise their own potential.

In my professional journey, 'Give to Gain' has meant trusting people with opportunities even before they see their own potential. I've seen how offering clarity, mentorship, and the space to lead enables individuals to grow into bigger roles. When you give people that confidence and support, the returns are far greater than individual success. You build stronger teams and a deeper leadership bench for the organization. Because when you invest in people, the impact always comes back stronger.

Kavita Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson, VIBGYOR Group of Schools, says, 

Over the years, I have seen women’s leadership shift from overcoming barriers to shaping clear, future-focused visions. Success today is measured by the ecosystems leaders nurture and the people they empower. Leadership is about creating access, encouraging growth, and building pathways for others to move forward with confidence.

At VIBGYOR, I have witnessed how generosity strengthens individuals and institutions. When women mentor with sincerity, share knowledge, advocate for stronger representation, and create space for emerging voices, they build cultures rooted in trust and capability.

To me, “Give to Gain” is a leadership philosophy in action. Mentorship refines perspective, advocacy widens impact, and creating space for others to lead builds stronger organisations. When we give with intention, progress is shared and institutions endure.

• Women at the Heart of India’s Growth Story

Priyal Bhardwaj, General Secretary, BJP Mahila Morcha, connects the theme with nation-building and women-led development.

When women rise, the nation does not simply grow. It becomes stronger at its foundation.

“Give to Gain”, the phrase automatically reflects in nation-building. When we invest in women with clarity and conviction, the nation moves forward with resilience and strength.

Over the last decade, Self-Help Groups in our nation have demonstrated the power of collective enterprise. They have strengthened micro-business led by women and restored financial conditions within families. Women from underprivileged communities are now leading micro-enterprises, managing credit with discipline and confidence, and actively participating in local decision-making processes.

Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women-led development has moved from intent to implementation. It is backed by policy direction, scale, and measurable outcomes. Moreover, through entrepreneurship support and grassroots engagement, women are no longer just beneficiaries, they are contributors shaping India’s growth.

In my work across communities, I have seen how the right mix of policy support, institutional backing, and mentorship can transform aspiration into enterprise. Initiatives like Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana and Meri Poonji, Mera Adhikar are steps toward structural empowerment, creating financial security and long-term stability for young women

• People First, Growth Follows

For some leaders, giving is also about acknowledging the people who helped shape their journey.

Sonal Singh, Head - Corporate Communications, Jindal Stainless, beautifully highlights,

In an era where conversations focus more on rights than responsibilities, we often overlook the quiet power of giving. That’s why the theme ‘Give to Gain’ feels relevant today.

The truth is that many of us have achieved what we have because of the women and men who came before us. Acknowledging how our predecessors ‘gave’ for us to ‘gain’ our current positions reminds us why we must continue the cycle.

Throughout my career, mentors and leaders have played an important role in shaping my journey. One leader fought for me to report from remote locations to understand the real pulse on the ground. Another mentored me in understanding balance sheets, while someone else once advised me to seize opportunities to move cities when they came my way. These experiences taught me that giving is both a moral responsibility and a formula for growth. 

Today, I try to create opportunities for people to take on new assignments, recommend talent wherever possible, share knowledge freely, and I give time to nurture meaningful relationships – with the hope that people will find it easy to reach out to me. I once gave a compelling presentation to a board member to increase maternity leave from 3 months to 6 months (it’s only since 2017 that women in India enjoy mat leave of 6 months) and the change got done.

I have found that when selfless giving aligns with the greater good, organisational growth becomes inevitable.

• The Power of Human Connection

For many leaders, the idea of “giving” is deeply embedded in human connections and how they build teams and institutions.

Roma Balwani, Co- Founder, RB Foundation, believes,

‘Give and Gain’ a theme this year for International women’s day resonates deeply with womanhood and sisterhood, it is appropriate and profound in this BANI world we live in.

In life’s meaningful journeys, the more we give, our time, our support, our ideas,  the more we gain in learning, relationships, and purpose. ‘Human Connections’ for RB Foundation gives me the purpose to pay it forward.

Every act of support we give strengthens the community we all gain from. Let’s celebrate the strength women carry not as a badge of honour but with grit & resilience to bond better with one & all.

Henna Punjabi | Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai emphasises,

“‘Give to Gain’ is a philosophy that resonates deeply with me, especially in hospitality where people and relationships are at the centre of everything we do. To me, it means showing up for your team, sharing opportunities, and creating space for others to grow. Some of the most meaningful professional moments in my journey have come from supporting the incredible talent around me and helping their work find the spotlight it deserves.

At Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, we are surrounded by passionate individuals, from chefs and bartenders to the teams who bring every guest experience to life. Being able to champion their stories, build strong media partnerships, and bring new ideas forward has been incredibly rewarding. When you invest in people and trust their ideas, it creates a culture where everyone feels encouraged to contribute and grow.

Over time, I have learned that leadership is not just about driving outcomes but about lifting others along the way. When you give your time, trust, and encouragement to those around you, it often returns in the form of stronger teams, deeper relationships, and collective success.”

• Why Mentorship is the Real Leadership Currency

For several leaders, mentorship has played a defining role in their own journeys and has shaped how they now support others careers, cultures and future leadership.

Nidhi Gupta, Director at Crossword, believes leadership today is defined by how well leaders enable others to grow.

Give to Gain means recognising that leadership is strengthened, not diminished, by sharing opportunity and power. The most meaningful organisational growth often comes from leaders who actively invest in others, understanding that when more people succeed, the institution becomes stronger.

Leadership today is about building ecosystems where others can grow alongside you. Mentorship, knowledge sharing, and encouragement create ripple effects, expanding opportunities, strengthening teams, and building confident future leaders.

When women support other women, confidence multiplies and leadership becomes more inclusive and sustainable.

Joyeeta Mitra, Head - Corporate Communications, GHCL Limited, emphasizes,

Over the years, I have witnessed a shift in how women lead. There was a time when leadership meant securing space in hard-earned rooms. Today, the most successful women build bridges between people.

For me, Give to Gain is a leadership discipline. Advocating for someone in a critical room, creating visibility for emerging talent, or sharing institutional knowledge strengthens influence. Intentional generosity builds trust and connects leadership to the next line of capability.

I was once offered a speaking slot at a prominent industry summit for a strategy our team delivered. However, a younger manager had done the heavy lifting, so the opportunity went to her. Leadership must reflect contribution, not hierarchy. The outcome was not just visibility for her, but a clear message that merit drives recognition.

To me, Give to Gain is rooted in the belief that influence expands when it is shared. The most impactful leaders use their position to make the room bigger. When you invest your time and advocacy in others, you gain a legacy of leadership that outlasts any single project or title.

what it truly means to give and gain.

Upasna Dash, Founder and CEO, Jajabor Brand Consultancy, echoes the mentorship sentiment while highlighting the responsibility that comes with leadership.

For me, ‘Give to Gain’ defines the responsibility that comes with leadership. Leadership is not about authority; it is about accountability, creating impact beyond your own role and ensuring people grow stronger because of your presence. 

Many women are still trying to access equal starting opportunities. In that context, mentorship, advocacy, and knowledge sharing are critical enablers. I would not be where I am today without mentors who invested in my growth.

There is a difference between running a business and leading people. Building revenue is operational; building people is strategic. When you invest in others, particularly young women entering the industry, you strengthen not just individuals but the system itself. 

• The Power of Role Models

Sometimes, leadership influence is not intentional mentorship but simply the power of representation.

Swati Rathi, Marketing Head of Appliances Business by Godrej, shares how a small moment helped her realise the influence women leaders can have.

‘Give to Gain’ as a philosophy is not gender specific. As leaders, it is our responsibility to empower teams, create opportunities for them to share ideas, and give them platforms to showcase their work. When we do this right, we build teams willing to give their best and grow into future leaders. I have been fortunate to work with teams I am proud of, and every time someone acknowledges my role in their growth, it feels deeply rewarding.

I realised the influence of women leaders when a young employee once shared that she felt inspired simply by seeing a woman in leadership around her. That moment stayed with me.

Sometimes women just need to see a role model to shape their aspirations. Since then, I’ve felt more responsible to support their journeys through actions, words, or simply by being present.

Poulomi Roy, Chief Marketing Officer, Joy Personal Care, highlights, 

Today, more women are not just participating but shaping strategy, influencing capital allocation, become leaders in their own deserved sectors. That shift did not happen organically. It happened because access was extended with intent, because someone chose to sponsor talent, share context, and create room at decision-making tables.

For me, Give to Gain means recognising that leadership multiplies when it is shared. Some of the strongest growth I have witnessed came from moments where mentorship was intentional and access was extended without hesitation.

• Growth Through Opportunity and Entrepreneurship

Edyta Kurek, Senior VP & Head, Oriflame India & Indonesia, sees empowerment unfold daily through opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

To me, “Give to Gain” means investing in people with intention and heart. Across markets, sustainable growth happens when individuals are empowered with the right tools, trust, and belief. At Oriflame, I see this transformation every day. With over 80 percent of our brand partners being women, our social selling model allows them to work from home, build businesses independently, and grow within a supportive community.

Many start with the goal of financial independence, but they gain far more, including confidence, leadership skills, stability, and a stronger sense of identity. I have witnessed women step beyond their comfort zones, build thriving networks, and mentor others in turn.

Meghna Agarwal, Co-Founder, IndiQube, shares a similar perspective shaped by her own journey as an entrepreneur.

Early in my journey, when I moved to Bengaluru without local networks or industry connections, I understood how powerful small acts of support and guidance can be.

At IndiQube, this belief shapes how we build teams and opportunities, encouraging women to step into decision-making roles, supporting women-led startups through initiatives like HerQube, and building workplace structures that enable women to grow meaningfully.

When you invest in someone’s growth through mentorship, trust, or opportunity, you strengthen not just an individual but the entire organisation. Leadership is not about how far you go alone, but how many others move forward because someone opened a door.”

Manisha Dubey, Head of IDEMIA India Foundation and VP – Marketing Communications & Brand at IDEMIA believes, 

“International Women’s Day is a reminder that giving the right skills and opportunities to women can transform communities and economies. At IDEMIA India Foundation, we advance digital inclusion by equipping women with future-ready skills in technology and innovation through access to learning, mentorship, and career pathways, especially for those from underserved backgrounds. When women participate fully in the digital economy, they build stronger futures for themselves and drive sustainable progress for society. Investing in women’s potential is investing in a more inclusive and resilient tomorrow.”

The True Meaning of “Give to Gain”

This International Women’s Day, these powerful leadership voices echo a common truth, 

Giving, be it through mentorship, opportunity, trust, or advocacy, creates ecosystems where everyone grows and proves that the philosophy of “Give to Gain” would be the most sustainable leadership model of all.