CIRCLE

In Episode 7 of Circle, hosts Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra are joined by

dynamic business icons Shalini Sekhri and Vivek Gambhir. Together, they unpack

career pivots, moments of bold decision-making, and the true power of owning your

path, highlighting how personal agency empowers leaders to shape their own

futures.

Through heartfelt stories and hard‐won lessons, they discuss all about the tough

turns, unexpected opportunities, and the mindset shifts that redefine careers. Each

anecdote is packed with insight, sparking new ways to think about growth, ambition,

and purpose in today’s fast‐changing world.

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or anyone in transition, this episode is a must watch

for you!

00:00 - Start

1:51 - Introduction

2:54 - Things They Did in Their First Jobs That Feel Irrelevant Now

7:14 - What Does Agency Mean to Them?

11:14 - How to Exercise Agency When You’re New

14:53 - How Has Agency Helped You

17:28 - Have You Exercised Agency to Your Benefit?

18:39 - How ‘Agency’ Applies to All Facets of Our Lives

19:29 - Collaborative Agency: Who Gets It Right?

20:17 - Important Tips for Organizations to Exercise Agency

21:29 - Amazon’s Two-Door Policy

22:11 - Exercising Agency in a Multi-Gen Family Business

24:24 - Personal and Career Pivots

31:08 - Hiring Decisions: What They Value in Talent

36:57 - Gender Bias in Hiring

41:53 - AI, Automation & the Future of Jobs

44:51 - Staying Relevant in a Fast-Changing World

46: 20 - Getting Unstuck Mid-Career

50:32 - Balancing STEM Subjects & Soft Skills

53:52 - Recruiting Process in India

55:07 - One Trait That Makes Founders Effective

HMU: Looks Salon

Location: Honeycomb Studio

In Episode 6 of Circle, hosts Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra engage in a powerful conversation with Renuka Kirpalani and Pooja Choudary, two exceptional leaders who are redefining what it means for women to lead and excel in the traditionally male-dominated automobile industry. 

Renuka shares her exhilarating journey as a car racer and journalist smashing speed records and challenging stereotypes, while Pooja opens up about the rise of her luxury car business in India, overcoming skepticism and societal expectations. They reflect on raised eyebrows, broken myths, and the determination it takes to take the wheel literally and metaphorically in leadership roles. 

This episode dives deep into their challenges, triumphs, and the unique insights that come from steering careers in auto, offering inspiration to anyone striving to break barriers in male‑dominated fields.

Location: BMW Infinity Cars, Worli

HMU: Looks Salon

Chapters

0:00 - Start

1:51- Introduction

3:32- First car they drove

5:40- Teaching kids driving

6:25- The test Gayatri failed

7:17- Favourite cars

9:56- Pooja’s Pivot

13:04- Architecture & Automobile

15:38- Renuka’s Journey

19:01- Women & Automobile 

20:44- Renuka’s critical point

22:52- Importance of Pivoting

23:55- Jaya’s Story

24:58- Women pivot daily

26:11- Expectations: Women Vs Men

27:21- Breaking Stereotypes

30:45- People Management 

32:53- Women are underestimated 

35:01- Women are safer drivers

41:36- Driving the fastest car

43:31 - Renuka’s fastest speed

46:58- Are EVs the future?

50:36- New Generation's buying behaviour 

53:40- Sustaining an Automobile Business 

55:41- Adapting to changing times

1:02:25- Building Collaboration & Trust

1:18:36- Closing Remarks & Takeaways

In Episode 5 of The Circle, we explore what it truly means to lead when no one else sees the vision — or believes in it.

We discuss why your vision doesn’t need permission to be powerful, how timing beats perfection, and why disappointment often means you're pushing in the right direction. 

We also take a closer look at entrepreneurship in the Indian market — the challenges, the opportunities, and what it really takes to grow in a space that’s always changing.

Whether you're a founder, leader, or changemaker, this episode offers real

value for your journey.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Overview

2:15 – The Landscape of Indian Entrepreneurship

6:40 – Key Challenges Faced by Startups

11:05 – Government Initiatives & Policies

15:30 – Role of Technology in Business Growth

20:00 – Success Stories: Inspiring Entrepreneurs

25:45 – Funding and Investment Opportunities

30:10 – The Future of Entrepreneurship in India

35:00 – Expert Panel Discussion

40:20 – Q&A Session with the Audience

45:00 – Closing Remarks & Takeaways

Hosted by:

Gayatri Rangachari Shah– Journalist, Editor & Author: GRS Consultants

Jaya Mehrotra – Leadership Coach & Founder of WLC

Featuring Guests :

Minal Vazirani- Co-founder at Saffron Art

Mallika Parekh- CEO, Fluent Health; Owner, Physique 57

Venue Courtesy : Saffron Art

Hair and Makeup : Looks Salon 

What does it really take to lead, scale, and stay creative in today’s business world?

In this power-packed episode of Circle, hosts Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra are joined by fashion entrepreneur Payal Singhal and content leader Priya Tanna for an unfiltered conversation on leadership, ambition, and reinvention.

From the bold truths of building a fashion brand to navigating leadership in the media world, this episode unpacks why it’s never too late to learn about finances—and how women can start building a nest egg, even in middle age.

Watch now and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more such conversations.

⁩Hosted by:

Gayatri Rangachari Shah– Journalist, Editor & Author: GRS Consultants 

Jaya Mehrotra – Leadership Coach & Founder of WLC

Featuring Guests :

Payal Singhal- Creative Director, Payal Singhal Design House, PR & Marketing Chair at WLC

Priya Tanna- President at TRS Creative Consulting, Former Launch Editor-in-chief, Vogue India

Watch now and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes!

Venue courtesy- Payal Singhal Design House

Chapters:

0:00 - Start

0:25 - Guest Introduction 

1:04 - Diving into Priya’s Background

4:32 - Monetizing IPs & Building a PNL

11:28 - Balancing Business With Creativity 

16:19 - Importance of Saving

17:49 - Myths about Ambitious Women

19:27 - Gayatri & Priya’s Journey with Money

26:15 - Fears while Scaling Up

33:35 - Women & Self-Pressure

35:23 - Breaking through Beauty Standards  

45:22 - The Power When Women Unite 

47:34 - Social Media - A Necessary Evil

53:23 - Is Print Journalism Dead?

57:02 - AI vs The Human Touch

58:46 - The Role of Influencers

1:00:54 - Great Leaders aren’t Always Liked

1:05:25 - Being a New-age Leader

1:05:52 - The Pursuit of Excellence

1:07:12 - Having High Standards 

1:08:01 - Respect is Earned, Not Commanded 

1:08:48 - The Rapid Fire

1:21:20 - Final Reflections & Learnings

In CIRCLE | EP 03, Anita Bhogle and Aditi Dugar join host Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra for a thought-provoking roundtable on redefining leadership on their own terms. From breaking barriers to making bold choices, they share the mindset shifts, pivotal moments, and strategies that have helped them sustain purposeful growth.

Subscribe to Women Leadership Circle (WLC) for more leadership insights.

⁩Hosted by:

Gayatri Rangachari Shah– Journalist, Editor & Author: GRS Consultants 

Jaya Mehrotra – Leadership Coach & Founder of WLC

Featuring Guests :

Anita Bhogle - Partner, Prosearch consultants, Author - Equal and Advisory board member, WLC 

Aditi Dugar- Director & Founder- Masque & Urban Gourmet India Pvt. Ltd.

Watch now and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes!

Venue courtesy- Masque Restaurant

Hair by - Streax Professional

Chapters 

0:00 - Quick BTS and Trailer 

2:00 - Guest Introduction 

3:00 - Personal stories about the childhood and early years

5:20 - Anita about her IIT & IIM experience

7:30 - Aditi on her early years 

10:15 - Aditi on building Masque Restaurant 

13:00 - Anita on post IIT and IIM Journey ~ from a corporate setup to self-employment 

16:22 - Aditi on her journey, career pivots and her book 

18:36 - Gayatri on the title of Anita’s book “Equal, yet Different”

19:32 - Anita on “What she could have done differently?”

20:59 - Gayatri on women’s career graph and child care

22:00 - Aditi on her family support and business 

26:37 - Aditi in fighting the crit

28:42 - Anita’s take on mentors 

30:04 - Gayatri and Jaya’s take on mentors

30:44 - Aditi on her mentors

32:40 - Aditi on fundraising and capital 

37:14 - Anita on women entrepreneurs and fundraising 

38:36 - Jaya on women vs men on fund raising and capital 

39:33 - Accountability and Risk

41:37 - Lessons learned, Key takeaway and Challenges 

54:04 - Women on rejoining work after a break 

55:47 - Salary cut for women and women entrepreneurs guilt

1:02:42 - Refections and Learnings

In CIRCLE | EP 02, we dive into the world of leaders navigating and furthering family built enterprises - how they navigate resources , fundraise, and drive innovation.

This episode offers invaluable insights into continuing family businesses, and overcoming challenges unique to women leaders.

Hosted by:

Gayatri Rangachari Shah– Journalist, Editor & Author: GRS Consultants 

Jaya Mehrotra – Leadership Coach & Founder of WLC

Featuring Guests :

Purvi Sheth: CEO- Shilputsi Consultants & Advisory board member, WLC

Aditi Kothari Desai: Vice Chairperson, DSP Asset Managers

Watch now and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes!

Venue courtesy- The Clearing House 

Hair by - Looks Salon

Chapters:

0:00 - Start of the podcast

0:17 - Introduction to women and investment challenges.

1:42 - Introductions and objectives of the podcast.

2:18 - Goals of the podcast to inspire future generations of women.

3:21 - Introduction of Purvi & Aditi, their professional background, and multiple roles.

4:36 - Purvi describes her identity and entrepreneurial journey & work across boards and passion for leadership.

5:51 - Aditi shares her family legacy and her role in the family business.

6:35 - Purvi talks about her involvement in wildlife conservation and philanthropy.

6:58 - Icebreaker question on fulfilling leadership moments.

7:20 - Purvi shares leadership program initiatives during COVID-19.

8:51 - Corporate and philanthropic initiatives for Diwali and Christmas.

9:32 - Aditi discusses launching her FinTech business and its challenges.

10:24 - Aditi reflects on personal growth through her sister's family.

10:42 - Importance of building ecosystems and mentorship through WLC.

12:06 - Discussion on women's workforce participation and challenges.

13:01 - Aditi and Purvi's alignment with their family businesses.

13:24 - Purvi discusses challenges in aligning personal purpose with business.

14:34 - Aditi shares her father's legacy in investment banking and personal learning.

15:59 - Story about Aditi learning finance concepts from a comic book.

16:01 - Aditi’s experience transitioning into asset management and banking.

16:43 - Aditi reflects on her time in the US and the challenges faced in her career.

17:45 - Aditi's take on investment management versus banking.

19:20 - Reflecting on mentorship, loneliness, and leadership roles.

20:18 - Women navigating their careers and balancing authenticity.

21:10 - Expectations and the mindset required to succeed in legacy businesses.

24:05 - Importance of authenticity and grit in leadership.

25:46 - Creative aspirations of Aditi and Purvi beyond their businesses.

26:11 - Aditi and Purvi’s passion for Indian crafts and cultural preservation.

29:15 - Gayatri's love for books, yoga, and creative pursuits outside work.

30:07 - Discussion on the role of passion and purpose in life.

31:21 - Parental influence on women's independence and financial literacy.

35:20 - Empowering your daughters through Financial literacy

36:22 - Authenticity in leadership and overcoming societal conditioning.

38:00 - Importance of unlearning and embracing one's authentic self.

41:14 - Insights into balancing personal and professional life for women.

44:36 - Aditi and Purvi share their unlearning journeys.

45:08 - Leave your Amazon at Work

48:47 - Purvi's FinTech initiatives and digital product development.

56:40 - Leveraging technology for scaling businesses and learning programs.

1:00:47 - Aditi's insights on women and investment decision-making.

1:04:09 - Challenges women face in raising capital and scaling businesses.

1:08:33 - Overcoming fears and scaling businesses as women leaders.

1:09:57 - Concluding discussions on authenticity and purpose-driven careers.

1:11:27 - Final reflections, podcasts recommendations, and ending remarks.

Kicking off our Circle roundtable series, Jaya Mehrotra, alongside Gayatri Rangachari Shah, Shilpa Bhagat, and Shivani Bhasin Sachdeva, explores the journey of turning ideas into impactful ventures. 

In this episode, they share personal experiences on entrepreneurship, funding, and the challenges that come with breaking barriers in business.

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