Breaking Barriers, Building Empires: Celebrating Trailblazing Women at Express AWE 2025
In a night filled with inspiration, ambition, and applause, the Express Awards for Women Entrepreneurs 2025 (Express AWE 2025), held at The President in Mumbai, celebrated the brilliance of women who are shaping the future of business and society.
These trailblazers aren’t just breaking glass ceilings—they’re building entire new frameworks of leadership. The evening wasn’t just an awards function—it was a statement.
It highlighted the unstoppable rise of women across industries, echoing a sentiment captured by jury member Zia Mody, co-founder and managing partner of AZB & Partners: “You can’t hold them back.” Her words came during a thought-provoking panel on entrepreneurship in today’s tech-driven and tariff-sensitive world.
A Jury of Visionaries
The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of leaders known for their deep understanding of industry and innovation. Among them were Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder and executive chairperson of Biocon, and Meher Pudumjee, chairperson of Thermax.
Leading the jury was Deepak Parekh, former chairman of HDFC and a towering figure in Indian finance.
The panel also included Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, and Sachin Bansal, co-founder of Navi Technologies.
Their collective expertise brought credibility and gravitas to the selection process, ensuring that each winner represented the best of what Indian entrepreneurship has to offer.
Honoring Excellence Across Fields
The spotlight was on 13 exceptional women, each carving a niche in sectors as varied as education, finance, sustainability, media, healthcare, and social entrepreneurship. These are women who have turned vision into action, often against significant odds.
Some of the most anticipated awards of the evening went to Mallika Srinivasan, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her pioneering role in manufacturing and agribusiness, and Kiran Nadar, who was recognized as Icon of the Year for her extraordinary contributions to art and philanthropy.
Isha Ambani received the Newsmaker of the Year award, reflecting her growing influence in retail and digital ventures.
In a heartfelt speech, she said she considered herself “three times lucky”—grateful for her upbringing, her in-laws, and her strong network of women in her life, including sisters-in-law Shloka and Radhika.
A Gathering of Powerhouses
The event drew a glittering guest list of business leaders and changemakers. Among those in attendance were Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries; Venu Srinivasan, chairman-emeritus of TVS Motor Company; Roshni Nadar, chairperson of HCL Technologies; and Swati Piramal and Anand Piramal from the Piramal Group.
Their presence underscored the importance of gender inclusivity at the highest levels of leadership.
More than just celebrating the winners, the gathering reflected a broader commitment to fostering environments where women can lead, innovate, and thrive.
Beyond Recognition: Shaping the Narrative
Express AWE is more than an annual awards platform—it’s a movement toward reshaping the narrative around women in business. It challenges stereotypes and redefines what leadership looks like in the 21st century.
The stories that emerged from this year’s awards were not just about professional milestones but also about personal grit, community building, and innovation driven by purpose.
From launching sustainable businesses to investing in underserved communities, each winner illustrated the many ways in which women are expanding the definition of success.
A Future Built on Inclusion
As the evening came to a close, it became clear that this wasn’t just about a moment in time—it was about momentum. The honorees are not only changing their industries; they are influencing the very fabric of India’s growth story.
In amplifying their achievements, Express AWE 2025 sent a resounding message: the future of entrepreneurship is inclusive, bold, and led by women who are unafraid to claim their space.
