At SheSparks 2026, meet the women shaping India’s next chapter

The stage is set for SheSparks 2026.

YourStory’s flagship summit celebrating women leaders returns today, bringing together policymakers, founders, creators, and industry leaders for a day of powerful conversations and ideas.

Taking place on March 14 at IIT Delhi, SheSparks 2026 will explore how women are building influence across sectors, from entrepreneurship and technology to policy, careers, and culture.

Throughout the day, speakers will share insights on leadership, innovation, and the evolving ecosystems that support women’s ambitions in India.

From trailblazing founders to influential policymakers and creators shaping new narratives, the event will spotlight the voices driving meaningful change.

Here are some of the highlights of the day:

Leadership, legacy, and lived experiences

One of the key conversations of the day will feature Dr Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, Cabinet Minister, Telangana. The discussion will explore how governance rooted in grassroots realities is shaping panchayats, welfare systems, and rural development—and how policy can truly reach the last village.

Another session will spotlight governance and social policy with Bandana Preyashi, who leads Bihar’s social welfare and women’s development initiatives. The conversation will examine how policies around pensions, hostels, health, and employment evolve when women are placed at the centre of decision-making.

The programme will also feature a fireside chat with actor and author Soha Ali Khan, who will reflect on navigating life in the public eye while building a distinct identity beyond legacy.

Entrepreneurship will also be in focus in a conversation with CK Kumaravel, who built Naturals Salon & Spa, one of India’s largest salon chains. Kumaravel pioneered a franchise model that has enabled thousands of women to become entrepreneurs and professionals in the beauty and wellness sector.

Health and well-being will also be part of the dialogue in a fireside chat with Dr Nikky Yadav, who will discuss women’s reproductive health, fertility awareness, and the evolving conversations around women’s healthcare in India.

The programme will also include a literary moment with poet Shivani Sharma, who will read from her work and reflect on poetry, storytelling, and the emotional landscapes that shape women’s lives.

Ideas reshaping industries and conversations

A series of TransformHERS Talks will spotlight leaders whose work is reshaping policy, industries, and social narratives.

Mugdha Sinha, Managing Director, India Tourism Development Corporation, will explore how India’s travel and tourism ecosystem can be reimagined from a woman’s perspective—examining how safety, infrastructure, and local markets can transform tourism into a pathway to freedom and livelihoods.

Gender rights advocate Ranjana Kumari will examine the invisible labour women perform every day, from caregiving and housework to community organising, and the economic and emotional costs of a system that continues to overlook this work.

Aviation pioneer Captain Zoya Agarwal will speak about courage, leadership, and the power of “firsts”. From commanding record-breaking long-haul routes to leading all-women crews, her journey demonstrates how individual breakthroughs can open doors for many others.

Meanwhile, Neha Bagaria, founder of HerKey, will speak about why women must play a central role in the AI revolution — as candidates, consumers, and creators — and how doing so can shape the next decade of opportunity for women.

Panel discussions: Capital, tech, and building high-trust businesses

The event will also feature a series of panel discussions examining structural shifts across industries.

One session will explore how women are shaping the future of enterprise AI within global capability centres (GCCs). As GCCs emerge as hubs for AI research, product development, and governance, the discussion will examine how women leaders are driving innovation while ensuring the responsible and ethical deployment of AI technologies.

Another panel will address one of the most pressing issues in the startup ecosystem: why women founders still receive only a fraction of venture funding. Featuring leaders from venture capital, banking, and startup ecosystems, the conversation will unpack structural barriers ranging from cheque sizes and risk perceptions to how ambition itself is evaluated.

A third panel will focus on women building high-risk, high-trust businesses in sectors where credibility and operational excellence are crucial. Founders from healthcare, mobility, and services will share insights on scaling businesses that impact patients, passengers, and consumers every day.

A panel with women drivers and instructors from Azad Foundation's Women with Wheels programme will explore how mobility can become a powerful pathway to safety, confidence, and financial independence.

The day will conclude with the presentation of the Future Shapers: She Leads Change awards, honouring exceptional women across diverse domains.