ETPWLA 2023: Announcing the nominees for the Finance Leader of the Year Award

In its relentless quest to honour and celebrate women leaders who exemplify excellence in business, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and exceptional leadership, the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards (ETPWLA) 2023 reveals the shortlisted finalists for the esteemed Finance Leader of the Year Award category. This distinguished category shines a well-deserved spotlight on exceptional female executives who have left an indelible mark on the world of finance through their outstanding contributions in areas such as financial management, strategic decision-making, and organisational growth. These remarkable leaders have redefined the boundaries of success in the finance industry and serve as inspiring role models for aspiring finance professionals.

This year, the shortlisted nominees for the ETPWLA 2023: Finance Leader of the Year Award category include Jayashree Satagopan, President Corporate & Chief Financial Officer , Coromandel International Limited; Meenakshi Dagar, Chief Financial Officer, Lenovo India; Neetu Kashiramka, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, VIP Industries; Parminder Chopra, Finance Director, Power Finance Corporation and Radha Ramanujan, Chief Financial Officer, Aliaxis SA- Ashirvad Pipes. These exceptional women leaders have redefined traditional paradigms in finance management and skillfully adapted to the dynamic landscape of the industry, emerging triumphant in their pursuit of excellence.

• Jayashree Satagopan, President Corporate & CFO, Coromandel International Limited

With over three decades of industry experience, Jayashree Satagopan, President Corporate and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Coromandel International Limited (Ltd) Satagopan, has made significant contributions in organisation building, strategic thinking, change management, and process improvements. She has held various roles across finance, strategy, general management, and corporate governance. Satagopan's notable accomplishments include directing the repayment of short-term debt, leading to a debt-free status for the company in FY22. She has also played a key role in maintaining surplus liquidity to support working capital requirements and ensuring a net debt-free position. Satagopan's achievements have been recognised through awards such as the FE ‘CFO Awards 2023 for Large Enterprises - Manufacturing Sector’ and the CII ‘CFO - Excellence Award: Woman CFO of the Year’. Despite challenges in the industry, including rising costs and sector-specific issues, Satagopan's leadership and financial acumen position her to navigate these obstacles and drive profitability for Coromandel International.

• Meenakshi Dagar, Chief Financial Officer, Lenovo India

Meenakshi Dagar, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Lenovo India, has been instrumental in driving the financial success and growth of the company. With 17 years of experience and a strong background in finance, Dagar leads the finance team for Lenovo's PC and smart devices business in India. Her strategic leadership and digital transformation initiatives have played a crucial role in the company's profitability and financial management. Under Dagar's guidance, Lenovo India has achieved remarkable results, with a 39% increase in sales to Rs 14,484 crore and a substantial 215% growth in net profit to Rs 186 crore in the 2021-22 financial year. Despite challenges such as the slow growth of the PC market and trade tensions, Dagar's expertise and adaptability have positioned Lenovo India for continued success. Her accomplishments demonstrate her strong leadership qualities and financial acumen, contributing to Lenovo's record profitability and reinforcing her reputation as a skilled CFO.

• Neetu Kashiramka, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, VIP Industries

Neetu Kashiramka, the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of VIP Industries, has played a significant role in the company's success. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Kashiramka led supply-chain modifications, resulting in sustainable cost efficiencies and faster recovery for VIP Industries. Under her leadership, VIP Industries, Asia's largest luggage manufacturer, has strengthened its manufacturing capabilities and reduced dependence on sourcing from China to only 8%. This strategic move has positioned VIP Industries for gross margin expansion and growth in multinational markets. Kashiramka's expertise in finance and management has been instrumental in fundraising through IPO, NCD, and term loans, as well as navigating mergers and acquisitions. With a focus on maintaining a strong in-house manufacturing capacity of 70-80%, VIP Industries is well-positioned for future growth. Despite industry risks like currency volatility and raw material price fluctuations, Kashiramka's financial acumen and strategic leadership contribute to VIP Industries' continued success.

• Parminder Chopra, Finance Director, Power Finance Corporation

Parminder Chopra, with over 32 years of experience in the power sector, currently serves as the Director (Finance) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC). She has showcased her expertise in finance portfolios, including resource mobilisation, banking, treasury, and asset liability management. Chopra played a significant role in PFC's notable achievements, such as launching the company's maiden Green Bond and fundraising from the US bond market. Her leadership was crucial in PFC's acquisition of the government's stake in REC Ltd and addressing capital adequacy challenges. Under her guidance, PFC has experienced positive growth in consolidated net profit and total income. As the newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director, Chopra will lead strategic initiatives, fortify PFC's position, and inspire women leaders in the industry.

• Radha Ramanujan, Chief Financial Officer, Aliaxis SA- Ashirvad Pipes.

Radha Ramanujan, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Aliaxis SA - Ashirvad Pipes has over three decades of experience in various industries, including retail, textile, agrochemical, aeronautical, IT, and hospitality. Under Ramanujan's leadership, Ashirvad Pipes experienced a remarkable turnaround, with revenue increasing from INR 2,530 crore to INR 5,450 crore within three years, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. She also played a key role in establishing a tax-efficient Global Innovation Centre in Bengaluru and supervising Aliaxis Utilities in Goa. In addition to her financial responsibilities, Ramanujan oversees the legal and secretarial functions of Aliaxis, a global leader in advanced piping systems. Ramanujan's achievements have earned her recognition as one of the ‘Top 100 Retail Minds in India’ by the Asia Africa Retail Congress in 2018.

ETPWLA winner felicitation on August 4
Through the esteemed Finance Leader of the Year Award, the ETPWLA programme has become a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the extraordinary achievements and visionary leadership of women in the ever-evolving landscape of finance. Fueled by their unwavering commitment to innovation and groundbreaking approaches, the nominees for the Finance Leader of the Year Award at ETPWLA 2023 epitomise exceptional expertise and serve as trailblazers in their field. Their outstanding contributions as finance leaders have made a lasting impact on businesses, individuals, and organisations, showcasing their resolute dedication to driving financial advancement and excellence.

The final winners for each award category will be awarded during the Grand Felicitation ceremony of the ETPWLA 2023, which is scheduled on August 4, 2023, at Mumbai.

To know more about the ETPrime Women Leadership Awards 2023, visit the ETPWLA website here. To find out the shortlisted profiles for all the award categories, click here.