Introducing Ladies Who Lead (LWL)

In all of our discussions about professional upskilling the one thing that stood out was the importance of peer support and a sense of community. These two simple things go a long way in ensuring a group of people help each other succeed professionally. But in India, the availability of relevant networking opportunities, access to mentors, and relevant peer support is a gap that we feel needs some work. The problem appears to be amplified for women – given the reduced representation in leadership and historical lack of opportunities. Some data points – Indian women workforce participation is at 35%, and in senior leadership it is 18%. So it is worrying, because for India to do well economically, Women have a critical role to play in the workforce. 

This is the problem that Ladies Who Lead (LWL) has been working on for the past few years. LWL is a women-only platform empowering professionals and entrepreneurs through curated networking and mentorship. 

LWL’s work is a great example of how a community empowers professionals and entrepreneurs. They offer curated connections and experiences for women entrepreneurs and leaders. This helps the community learn from peers as well, and contribute to building a larger worldview. This holistic community also helps them connect with potential collaborators, whether they are seeking advisors, co-founders, or new hires.

We’re thrilled to announce our investment in Ladies Who Lead (LWL). Here is Aabha Bakaya (the founder), talking about what LWL does and her motivation to build this community: 

Q: Can you tell us about your background?

A: I grew up studying across 13 schools in multiple cities and on four continents, which gave me invaluable exposure to different cultures and behaviour. Professionally, I’ve worked with four major news networks in India, hosting a range of shows—from live stock market coverage to primetime news, investment advice, an auto show, a luxury show, and even talk shows. But during my twenties in Delhi, I realized I was one of the few in my peer group who was actively working. After social gatherings, I was always the one heading to work in the morning, while many of my friends were transitioning into family life. At the time, I felt like an outlier, especially since I didn’t see anyone else balancing both career and family aspirations.

In my thirties, while living in Bombay, I embraced the life of a self-sufficient, cosmopolitan professional, surrounded by like-minded individuals from around the world. We worked hard, celebrated life, and sought out new experiences. But as I advanced in my career, I noticed a major gap in professional networking for women like me. Most businessmen had access to exclusive clubs and associations, but women leaders were often excluded from these spaces. The existing women’s networks were limited by criteria like business size or net worth, making it difficult to be heard or included.

Q: What inspired you to create Ladies Who Lead?

A: Around this time, I began meeting other women who were also eager to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other. They were looking for inspiration, peer-to-peer exchanges, and cross-industry collaboration. That’s when we decided to create Ladies Who Lead. We started by playing on the phrase “Ladies Who Lunch” and turned it into something more purposeful—a space for women to come together as leaders. I designed a logo online, reached out to a friend who owned a co-working space, and set up our very first conversation, which was with Zia Mody.

From there, the idea grew. We began hosting intimate gatherings, where leaders from various fields—like Manisha Girotra, Schauna Chauhan, Namita Thapar, Kainaz Messman, and Sonal Singh—came together to celebrate each other’s journeys and share their experiences. These gatherings became our first Soirées and set the foundation for our mission.

Q: How did Ladies Who Lead evolve?

A: During the COVID-19 lockdown, I had some time to reflect on our mission and decided to formalize Ladies Who Lead. In September 2021, I officially registered Leading Ladies Network Pvt. Ltd. With the encouragement of friends in the startup ecosystem, I took on the mission of making our network and resources available to more aspiring women leaders. I wanted to offer them access to mentorship, the tools to sharpen their skills, and a network that would help them succeed.

I reached out to my immediate network of leaders, who became our founding members and helped shape the culture and ethos of Ladies Who Lead. In December 2021, my longtime friend and co-founder, Aditya Ghosh, joined us. His experience in scaling businesses and his mentorship brought focus and direction to our efforts. Together, we’ve built a strong community of over 1000 members across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, and we continue to grow both online and offline.

Q: What’s the vision for Ladies Who Lead?

A: We envision a world where more women are in leadership positions, building successful businesses and driving change. Our goal is to be enablers—helping women access the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed. With a growing circle of powerful decision-makers and trendsetters, we aim to co-create the future and break free from traditional norms and patriarchal biases. At Ladies Who Lead, we believe that every woman should have the opportunity to choose her destiny and lead in her own way. We are committed to helping women take charge of their careers and shape the future of work.