Five Women Leaders Shaping The Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is in the midst of a remarkable transformation, with trailblazing women leaders at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. These inspiring leaders are not only breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Still, they are also driving the future of mobility through cutting-edge technology, strategic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to a greener world. According to research by MassChallenge and BCG, women-led businesses generate more than twice the return on investment and deliver impressive revenue growth, underscoring the value of diversity in leadership. In this feature, we celebrate the groundbreaking achievements of five exceptional women who are reshaping the automotive industry, pushing boundaries, fostering inclusivity and serving as powerful role models. 

Five Women Leaders Shaping The Automotive Industry

1. Madhumita Agrawal, CEO & Founder of Oben Electric

Madhumita Agrawal is a visionary entrepreneur and a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) space in India. As the CEO and Founder of Oben Electric, she has redefined the automotive sector by spearheading an R&D-driven electric motorcycle startup that focuses on in-house design, development, and manufacturing of electric two-wheelers and their critical components. Under her leadership, Oben Electric has designed and developed the high-performance electric motorcycle Oben Rorr, which is completely made in India. Additionally, she has successfully guided the company in raising over INR 120 Crores (USD 15 Mn) since its incorporation in 2020. Madhumita’s prior experience of more than 7 years in the EV domain, coupled with her expertise in sales, marketing, and finance, and her visionary outlook for the future of India's EV landscape, has been pivotal in driving the Oben Electric’s growth, expansion, and strategic direction. 

As a first-generation serial entrepreneur, Madhumita previously founded IP Excel, a bootstrapped, R&D-backed technology research and consulting firm with multiple offices across India and headquartered in San Francisco. This venture achieved multimillion-dollar revenues, employing over 100 tech professionals, and serving thousands of clients globally, including numerous Fortune 500 and Forbes 2000 organizations. Her remarkable leadership has been recognized with accolades such as the ‘Woman Business Leader of the Year’ award from Jagran Media and the ‘Clean Mobility Leadership 2022’ award from the Emobility+ EV State Summit, Karnataka Chapter.

Madhumita is also a celebrated alumna of prestigious institutions like IIT Kharagpur and IIM Bangalore, where she was honoured with the ‘Young Alumni Achiever Award 2019’ and the ‘Rising Stars Award 2019’ from their respective alumni associations. Her drive to revolutionize the EV sector is matched by her commitment to empowering women and contributing to a sustainable future. Balancing her roles as a mother, badminton enthusiast, and relentless entrepreneur, Madhumita’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. 

2. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder & CEO of Kinetic Green

Sulajja Firodia Motwani is a name synonymous with innovation and resilience in the automotive industry. As the Founder and CEO of Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions, she is leading the green mobility revolution in India. Sulajja’s vision has transformed Kinetic Group’s legacy, expanding its portfolio to include electric two-wheelers, electric autos, buggies, and small electric taxis. Her efforts are not only focused on growing the company but also on ensuring a sustainable future by advancing the use of green energy in transportation. 

Her entrepreneurial journey is rooted in a rich legacy—she is the granddaughter of H.K. Firodia, founder of Kinetic Engineering. Sulajja earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and began her career working with BARRA International in California. She later joined Kinetic Motor Company, where she played a pivotal role in restructuring the group’s business to focus on green energy. Her leadership has brought Kinetic Green to the forefront of electric mobility in India. 

Sulajja’s accomplishments extend beyond business; she is also a fitness enthusiast and an adventure sports lover, with a passion for skiing, skydiving, and marathon running. Her innovative partnership with Tonino Lamborghini for solar-powered golf carts and tourism vehicles further highlights her dedication to fusing cutting-edge technology with environmental consciousness.

3. Suman Mishra, MD & CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility

Suman Mishra is a powerhouse leader in the Mahindra Group, spearheading the Last Mile Mobility division that focuses on providing innovative and sustainable transportation solutions. Before joining Mahindra, she led global product launches at Cipla and played a pivotal role in performance transformations at Fortune 500 companies during her consulting stint with McKinsey & Company and Accenture. With a diverse career that spans across industries such as pharmaceuticals, consulting, and now automotive, Suman has brought a fresh perspective to the Mahindra Group’s strategic direction in electric mobility.

Suman's prior roles included shaping capital allocation recommendations for the Mahindra Group and driving transformation projects across multiple sectors, showcasing her versatility and strategic insight. Her leadership at Mahindra Last Mile Mobility has been instrumental in scaling the business, focusing on accessible and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. Suman's exceptional contributions have earned her accolades such as Economic Times’ ‘40 Under 40 Business Leaders’ and the ‘Woman Ahead Award’. Her robust educational background, including an MBA from the University of Michigan and a degree in computer engineering from NTU Singapore, underpins her capability to lead complex, innovation-driven projects. Her ability to navigate challenges and deliver long-term strategic solutions establishes her as a role model for aspiring women entrepreneurs in the automotive industry.

4. Hemalatha Annamalai, Founder & CEO of Ampere Vehicles

Hemalatha Annamalai is a pioneering entrepreneur who is at the forefront of India's electric vehicle revolution. As the founder and CEO of Ampere Vehicles, she has been instrumental in bringing affordable electric mobility solutions to rural and semi-urban markets. Ampere manufactures electric cycles, scooters, and three-wheelers, with a strong focus on indigenizing components and driving innovation. Hemalatha’s relentless drive has attracted investments from high-profile figures like Ratan Tata and Kris Gopalakrishnan.

Born into a middle-class family in Salem, Hemalatha’s journey to entrepreneurship began after years of working in the corporate world, including roles at Wipro and Cayenne Software. Her decision to establish Ampere was driven by her vision of providing cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation solutions to the masses. Her company’s success is evident in its wide range of products that cater to different sectors, from personal commuting to goods transportation. 

Hemalatha’s leadership and technical expertise have enabled Ampere to develop in-house motors, chargers, and controllers, significantly reducing dependency on imports. With her ambition to make Ampere the "Tesla of India," Hemalatha continues to break barriers and lead the EV market with innovation, determination, and a passion for sustainability.

5. Pragya Goyal, CEO & Co-Founder of Vegh Automobiles

Pragya Goyal is the dynamic CEO and Co-Founder of Vegh Automobiles, an innovative electric two-wheeler manufacturer based in Bathinda, Punjab. Her journey began with a passion for engineering, leading a 29-member team to design an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) as the only woman in the group, sparking her interest in the automotive industry.

Her role at Ashok Leyland in new product development highlighted a significant lack of female representation, motivating her to create a company that emphasizes both advanced electric mobility and workforce diversity. At Vegh Automobiles, Pragya focuses on designing sleek, affordable electric two-wheelers tailored for modern urban commuters, particularly working women. Her leadership style, rooted in the Laissez-Faire model, promotes autonomy and innovation within her team. Pragya envisions a future where women entrepreneurs shape India’s automotive sector, and through Vegh Automobiles, she is committed to valuing women's insights and contributions in the future of electric mobility.