The annual Forbes Asia "Asia's Power Businesswomen" list, which includes 20 women from the Asia-Pacific area, was unveiled on Tuesday. The list includes newcomers who have shown the potential to become trailblazers, honouring women who have been tirelessly striving to shift their businesses to the new normal following the pandemic.
In spite of the different challenges that businesses and economies have faced recently, the 20 women on the list have developed a variety of ways to assist their companies achieve new heights. Some of these women work in industries that have been affected severely, like shipping, real estate, and construction, while others continue to develop in fields like technology, drugs, and commodities.
Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Honasa Consumer, which includes personal care brands Mamaearth, The Derma Co, Aqualogica, and Ayuga, is one of the three Indian businesswomen that appear on the unranked list. Early this year, Alagh's business, which she and her husband Varun co-founded in 2016, attained unicorn status.
The list also includes Soma Mondal, the first woman to lead the government-run Steel Authority of India Ltd. Since Mondal assumed control of the business in 2021, annual sales has increased by 50%, and earnings have increased by three times to Rs 120 billion.
Namita Thapar, the executive director of Emcure Pharma's India business, is the third Indian on the list. Thapar has demonstrated her value as a savvy businesswoman while simultaneously establishing herself as an author, entrepreneurship coach, and host of the YouTube talk show "Uncondition Yourself with Namita Thapar," which features professionals and famous guests discussing topics relating to women's health.
Among the other women on the list are Wallaya Chirathivat, president director, and CEO of Thailand's largest retail property developer Central Pattana, as well as Japan's twin sisters Anna and Mizuki Nakajima, co-founders of smartphone gaming app Coly, the youngest on the list, and Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver, the largest internet company by market capitalization in South Korea.
Rana Wehbe Watson, list editor, says: “Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen list this year highlights 20 executives and entrepreneurs who are leading their companies’ transition to a post-Covid era. Some of these women are thriving in male-dominated industries while others are running established family firms. Two have even launched successful businesses that were inspired by their journeys into motherhood.”
Three women apiece from India, Japan, Australia, and Indonesia are on this year's list, along with two each from South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand and one each from Taiwan and China.
The ladies were chosen for their accomplishments in building a successful business and exhibiting strong leadership throughout their careers.
