Women have always been key decision-makers in buying homes in India. Now more women are entering into the real estate business and heading large real estate conglomerates. The common opinion says if talent and passion prevail, women share an equal position in the market as men. Women today are holding and commanding top-notch positions in the real estate industry, be it development or services companies, as well as in industries such as banking and equity funding firms that work hand in hand with the real estate sector.
These women are inspiring more women to take on challenging mantles in the real estate industry.
Gunjan Goel, Director, Media, and Marketing Communications, Goel Ganga Developers
As a director of media and marketing communications for Goel Ganga Developments, Gunjan Goel is an expert on brand marketing, especially for the real estate industry. Apart from her expertise in Pune’s real estate industry, she is actively involved with organizations like CREDAI and Young Indians. Recently, Gunjan was also appointed as Co-Chair at Young Indians for the Pune Chapter.
Manju Yagnik, Vice Chairperson, Nahar Group
Manju Yagnik has radically changed the face of how real estate is perceived and marketed in India. Through her pioneering marketing approach and strategic initiatives, she has induced a paradigm shift in the industry. From being a cut-and-dry, faceless commodities industry, the Nahar Amrit Shakti brand has become synonymous with superior quality, mystique, and aspiration with a strong brand-driven customer orientation.
Snehal Mantri, Director Marketing and HR, Mantri Group
As Director of Marketing and HR, Mantri has lent her expertise to one of the leading developers in the country. She believes that her ability to handle criticism and willingness to learn are the prime reason for her success in this field that lacks women leaders. Her persistence and passion has lead her to become one of the foremost women leaders in the real estate industry in India.
Kruti Kumar Jain, CEO, Kumar Urban Development Ltd (KUL)
Kruti Jain was awarded Construction Women of the Year. She is on the governing body of the Confederation of the Indian Industry. She is also the trustee of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Kruti Jain has been actively involved in promoting eco-friendly buildings. Few of the Residential buildings, Malls and IT parks built by KUL are energy efficient. Her active participation helped her to play a very critical role in deciding the operational strategies for the company. She has been an expert in all areas of operation, project management, marketing, design, and development.
Darshana Parmar Jain, Deputy Managing Director, Ishwar Parmar Group
A bachelor’s in computer science and the holder of a master’s in computer science from the University of St Paul, USA, Ms. Parmar began her career in 1997. She has held executive positions at IBM and Zensar, in India; and at ICIM, in London. Her attitude to work has also been influenced by the American work ethic, through stints at companies like Aventis Pharmaceutical and Cardinal Health. For the past 5 years, Darshana Parmar Jain has held the position of Deputy Managing Director at the Ishwar Parmar Group, where her exposure to a global environment – at work and leisure – has played a key role in ensuring iParmar continues to remain at the forefront of the continuously evolving construction industry.
Pavitra Shankar, Executive Director, Brigade Group
A Post-Graduate in MBA from Columbia Business School and a degree holder of BA in Economics from the University of Virginia, Ms. Pavitra Shankar brings with her rich experience and enormous knowledge in Finance, Investment, Financial Analysis, Real Estate Economics, having been part of the nascent real estate sector in India. She is serving as Executive Director of Brigade Developments. She has also served as Financial Analyst and Actuarial Analyst, Willis Towers Watson. Apart from these, she holds a Volunteer experience in Tie Con 2015 Sponsor Speaker Committee and Northern California Young Leaders Communications Committee.
Vyoma Pandit, Chief Marketing Officer, Shriram Properties
As a marketer, she is responsible for designing Shriram’s overall marketing strategy, vision & future initiatives for business development. She is a Post Graduate in MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. She holds expertise in corporate sales planning, new launch planning & management, sales incentive management, product pricing & profitability management, marketing & creative inputs, channel management, referral & loyalty program management. She is also an avid reader, loves to travel and used to have fair painting & singing skills.
Janhavi Sukhtankar, Executive Vice President [HR] – Lodha Group
Janhavi Sukhtankar heads the Human resource department at Lodha Group. She holds a Master’s Degree in Labour Studies from Mumbai University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Sociology – Honours) from St. Xavier’s College. She has over 21 years’ experience in the area of Human Resources both within India and in Europe. She joined the Lodha Group in 2012 and has previously been associated with Greenpeace International, Sanofi Aventis, and Glaxo India. She is a Strong professional with international experience having worked in a diverse environment.
Uzma Irfan, Director of Corporate Communications, Prestige Group
Ms. Uzma Irfan joined the Prestige Group in January 2007 at a crucial juncture when the brand was undergoing rapid expansion and diversification. Uzma then took on the role of Director, Corporate Communications in an effort to streamline all branding and communication-related initiatives. Over the years, the Prestige Group has grown by leaps and bounds and she can be credited for single-handedly strengthening the public image of the company during this phase. Among the many hats she dons, she is also currently the Editor of ‘The Collection@UB City’; a newsletter for the ultra-premium luxury mall, UB City – The Collection, a joint venture between Prestige and the UB Group.
Reeza Sebastian Karimpanal, President – Residential Business, Embassy Group
Reeza Sebastian Karimpanal is the President, Residential Business of Embassy Group. At Embassy Reeza heads Residential Business and is a member of the leadership team. Reeza has been with the Group for over 15 years as a key contributor to the Group’s strategies, operations, and decision making. Reeza, with her expertise in Brand Management, has helped position Embassy’s Residential portfolio with end to end conceptualization, marketing, business development and project management towards its enormous success and credibility in the Industry. Today she oversees 17 million sqft of ongoing and proposed residential developments across Bangalore and Chennai.
Women are entering male-dominated “Real Estate Broker Industry which is now known as Realtors” and doing much better than men. With the sector moving towards maturity, we need to see more women taking on leadership roles in all segments of real estate development, as well as consultancy.
