Influential Women in the Fintech Lending Industry of India

(List Updated March 2023)

The winds of change have swept across the globe, ushering in a new era of the unstoppable force that is women in fintech. These powerhouses are making waves and breaking barriers, one disruptive idea at a time. Gone are the days of “behind every successful man is a woman” – women are leading the charge, and the financial industry is taking note too. They are flexing their skills and proving that finance isn’t just for the boys’ club.

In the fintech industry, women are now at the forefront of innovation and progress, driving transformational change and revolutionizing how we approach finance. Through their grit, perseverance, and creativity, these influential women are shaping the future of fintech lending in India.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us take a moment to recognize and honour the women who are changing the game and leaving an indelible mark on the world of finance.

1. Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma is a true fintech trailblazer who’s not afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo. As a Co-Founder of ZestMoney,, she’s taking the industry by storm with her ideas and game-changing innovations.

With an MBA in Finance from the London Business School and a stint at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Priya’s credentials speak for themselves. But what sets her apart is her passion and drive for finance, which has led her to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Deloitte Consulting, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and Wonga.com.

Now, as CFO and COO of ZestMoney, Priya is using her expertise to revolutionize the world of consumer lending, introducing the concept of cardless money EMI and changing the game for good.

2. Sucharita Mukherjee

Imagine a leader whose mission is to empower the underbanked to achieve their life goals. Meet Sucharita Mukherjee, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Kaleidofin Private Limited, a trailblazer in the fintech industry. Her exceptional talent and dedication have earned her the title of Young Global Leader in the World Economic Forum.

With an illustrious career that includes pivotal roles at IFMR Capital and leading financial institutions like Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, Mukherjee’s visionary leadership and academic excellence earned her an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a BA in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College For Women. She’s a true inspiration to all those who aspire to make a meaningful impact in the world.

3. Sairee Chahal

Meet Sairee Chahal, an incredible feminist and entrepreneur who is paving the way for micro-women entrepreneurs in India. As the Founder of Mahila Money, a neobank and fintech, she is dedicated to providing financial solutions tailored specifically to women’s needs. Her passion for supporting women’s growth doesn’t stop there – she is also the Founder and CEO of Sheroes, a social media platform designed to provide women with access to counselling, resources, communication services, and opportunities.

Sairee’s inspiring leadership has earned her several accolades, including serving as the Aspen Fellow (Braddock Scholar) at The Aspen Institute and as a Board Member of Paytm Payments Bank. She has also shared her knowledge and expertise as a Visiting Faculty member at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Her work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to empowering women, and she continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of entrepreneurship and financial inclusion for women in India.

4. Hardika Shah

Hardika Shah is an entrepreneur with a passion for transforming the lives of small business owners in India. The remarkable Founder and CEO of fintech Kinara Capital is driving financial inclusion by providing collateral-free business loans to MSMEs. Hardika’s unwavering commitment to helping small businesses has led to global recognition, including being named by Forbes on its ‘India’s Top Self-Made Women’ 2022 list and receiving the ‘Women Transforming India’ award by NITI-Aayog, part of Government of India.

Prior to launching Kinara, she spent over two decades as a management consultant, and she holds an MBA from a joint program from Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Her expertise and entrepreneurial spirit have enabled her to significantly impact small business owners’ lives in India. She is a true inspiration and a driving force in the world of fintech and financial inclusion, and her unwavering dedication to empowering entrepreneurs is truly remarkable.

5. Henna Jain Tatia

Henna Jain Tatia, the Co-Founder of StuCred, a fintech company that has revolutionized access to quick, short-term loans for college students across India. Her unwavering commitment to empowering the younger generation is nothing short of extraordinary, and her groundbreaking work with StuCred has significantly impacted countless students’ lives.

With an MA in Economics and International Relations from the prestigious University of St Andrews, Henna’s academic credentials speak for themselves. Her passion for using finance as a tool for social change is truly remarkable, and her work with StuCred has enabled countless college students to achieve their dreams and pursue their goals with greater ease.

Her leadership, combined with her unwavering commitment to empowering the younger generation, inspires all those who aspire to create a better world through finance.

6. Shweta Aprameya

Shweta Aprameya, the CEO of Arthimpact Digital Loans, is revolutionizing the fintech industry by empowering micro-entrepreneurs in India with financial services. Her unwavering dedication to providing support to new businesses, particularly women-led ventures, has inspired and encouraged women across the nation, especially in rural areas, to become financially independent through entrepreneurship.

In addition to her remarkable work with Arthimpact, Shweta served as an advisor for Vectorly and World Bank Group, cementing her position as a thought leader in the tech and business sectors. Her impressive academic background includes an MBA from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, an MS in Economic Management Policy from the University of Strathclyde, and a BA from IMT Ghaziabad. Her leadership, combined with her passion for empowering entrepreneurs, is truly remarkable and an inspiration to all.

7. Nupur Gupta

Introducing the trailblazing Nupur Gupta, a visionary Co-Founder of NIRA, an Indian fintech enterprise that extends small-ticket financial loans to empower the low-income population. Having served as the Vice President at Goldman Sachs and lending her expertise to Citigroup, her determination to uplift the less fortunate is the heart and soul of NIRA. Her trailblazing journey began as a Graduate Research Assistant at the prestigious Institute for Quantum Computing.

Nupur’s illustrious academic background boasts of her earning her degrees from the esteemed University of Waterloo, Canada, and the renowned IIT Delhi. Her entrepreneurial spirit is an ode to her grandmother, who inspired her to become the first entrepreneur in her family. With her unyielding passion and dedication, Nupur is a true leader, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

8. Sayali Karanjkar

Sayali Karanjkar is a true pioneer in the world of finance and technology. As the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of PaySense, a revolutionary venture-backed financial services startup, she is changing the game for Indian consumers by providing a hassle-free, transparent gateway to credit. Her entrepreneurial spirit also saw her Co-Founding Outsy, further cementing her position as a leader in the industry.

With over a decade of experience across various firms, Sayali’s exceptional management expertise is second to none. Her impressive educational background includes an MBA from the prestigious Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management and a degree in Computer Science from the esteemed National University of Singapore. Sayali’s passion and drive are truly inspirational, and she is undoubtedly a leader who is making a lasting impact on the world of finance and technology.

9. Kanchan Dwivedi

Stepping into the inspiring life of Kanchan Dwivedi, a true visionary. As the Founder of LoanGini, a groundbreaking fintech startup, she is revolutionizing the lending landscape by providing capital access to those who have long been underserved and overlooked. Her unwavering commitment to helping people is evident in her tireless efforts to empower women and girls through numerous volunteering initiatives. Her passion and dedication earned her the prestigious Women Super Achiever Award at the World HRD Congress in 2019, recognizing her as a thought leader and professional achiever.

Kanchan’s illustrious career has seen her lend her expertise to esteemed organizations such as Infosys and Tech Mahindra Business Process Services, and she has also proudly served in the Indian Air Force. Her extraordinary journey is a testament to her unwavering courage, determination, and resilience, making her a true inspiration to us all.

10. Jasmine B Gupta

Dr. Jasmin B Gupta, the visionary Co-Founder and CEO behind LXME – India’s first neobank exclusively for women. With over a decade of digital banking experience under her belt, her remarkable contributions to the financial services industry have earned her a plethora of prestigious awards, including the ETBFSI Award, IDC’s Industry Innovation Award, and the Global Fintech Excellence in Leadership Award.

Jasmin’s intellectual prowess is equally impressive, with a PhD in Financial Inclusion and Digitalization and numerous publications in leading international journals. She has also graced the stage as a captivating TEDx speaker. Her visionary leadership has transformed the financial services industry, with LXME empowering women to achieve financial independence like never before.

11. Neha Juneja

Neha Juneja, the Co-Founder and CEO of IndiaP2P, is at the forefront of a lending revolution. Her innovative marketplace is transforming the way individuals and businesses access finance, paving the way for a more equitable financial landscape in India. A seasoned entrepreneur, Neha’s past successes include co-founding and scaling Greenway, India’s largest clean cooking enterprise. Her achievements have been recognized by some of the most prestigious business publications, including Forbes and Businessworld.

Neha’s entrepreneurial prowess has earned her numerous accolades, including the Businessworld Young Entrepreneur Award and the L’Oreal – Femina Award for Science and Innovation. As an Echoing Green fellow, Neha continues to be a leading force for positive change. Neha’s academic credentials are equally impressive, with an industrial engineering degree from Delhi College of Engineering and an MBA from FMS Delhi.

12. Shinjini Kumar

Shinjini Kumar, the Co-Founder of SALT, has revolutionized the way women approach financial services. With a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning over two decades in the banking and finance industry, Shinjini has carved out an impressive reputation as a strategic planner, business developer, and risk management expert scaling numerous businesses.

Her impressive career includes working with some of the most prestigious financial institutions in India and globally, including Citi Bank, Paytm, and PWC. Shinjini’s academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. With her impressive achievements and unwavering commitment to empowering women in finance, she is truly a force to be reckoned with.

13. Shaily Maheshwari Kajaria

Shaily Maheshwari Kajaria is a trailblazer in the world of finance, carving out a reputation as a visionary leader who has disrupted the traditional lending landscape in India. As the Co-Founder of Tezzract Fintech Private Limited, an innovative MSME lending platform with a rich legacy spanning over half a decade, Shaily has harnessed technology’s power to revolutionise how businesses access credit.

With her innate entrepreneurial spirit and unrelenting passion for driving change, Shaily is not content to rest on her laurels. She co-founded KapitalTech, an exciting fintech venture that has been making waves in the industry, and has established herself as a founding member of the prestigious Digital Lenders Association of India (DLAI). Shaily’s outstanding achievements are underpinned by her exceptional education at the University of Warwick, where she honed her skills in business and finance. Her innovative mindset and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a true force to be reckoned with in the world of fintech.

14. Simmi Sareen

Simmi Sareen is a powerhouse in the world of finance. As the Director of Unitus Capital, a leading investment banking company in India, Simmi is on a mission to create an impact by facilitating access to capital for businesses to scale, innovate, and transform. Unitus Capital, under UC Inclusive Credit, is also empowering people through credit solutions such as loans and line of credit (LOC).

Simmi’s vast experience working with some of the most reputable names in the business, including Green Funder, Loans4SME, Grameen Impact India, IntelleGrow, Morgan Stanley, IDBI, and ICRA, has made her an expert in this field. She did her CA at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, which has equipped her with a deep understanding of the finance landscape and a keen eye for identifying emerging trends and opportunities.

15. Paroma Chatterjee

Paroma Chatterjee is the visionary CEO of Revolut India, the digital banking platform that is changing finance for Indians. With 18+ years of experience driving business growth and innovation across various domains of Financial Services, Telecom, and eCommerce, Paroma is a highly motivated and passionate leader with an entrepreneurial mindset.

She has been a core part of some industry-defining innovations for global Indian organizations, including Lendingkart.com (led the business to empower the fast-growing MSME community in India and similar countries to flourish), Via.com (led the business across 11 countries), Flipkart, Bharti Airtel, (a proud founding member of Airtel Money and subsequently spearheaded marketing for Airtel’s overall corporate business), Kotak Mahindra Bank (a core member of the team that launched the Credit Cards business and subsequently headed Debit and Prepaid Cards products) and CICI Bank. She is a true force in the Indian business landscape and an inspiration to all aspiring entrepreneurs.

16. Shilpa Pophale

Shilpa Pophale has been with Electronica Finance Limited (EFL) for more than 18 years. With her unwavering commitment to customer-centricity, she has transformed EFL from a machinery financing company to a comprehensive financial institution offering working capital and property finance. Since taking over as CEO and later as Managing Director, she has grown EFL’s assets under management from INR 750 million to an impressive INR 12500 million (estimated) in FY 2019.

Shilpa’s impressive leadership skills have positioned EFL to take bold strides into untapped markets such as affordable housing, micro LAP, and small business loans while continuing to prioritize the MSME segment. Her outstanding achievements have earned her the prestigious title of ‘Woman Entrepreneur of the Year’, awarded by the World Women Leadership Congress in 2014. She is a well-educated and experienced professional from Pune University, Harvard Business School’s Programme and the Indian School of Business’s Venture Capitalist Development Program. Her extensive knowledge and expertise have made her a sought-after speaker at various SME forums.

17. Priyanka Seth Wadhera

Priyanka Seth Wadhera is the CFO of Indifi Technologies– an innovative online lending platform that empowers small businesses in India by providing online business loans. With a wealth of experience in the finance industry, Priyanka is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of success.

Having worked with some of the most prominent names in the finance industry, such as Clix Finance India, Barclays, Religare Finvest, Citi Financial and PWC, Priyanka has developed an unparalleled understanding of the intricacies of finance and lending. Her impressive academic credentials, including a CA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a B.Com (H) from Sri Ram College of Commerce, are a testament to her dedication and commitment to excellence.

18. Aishwarya Jaishankar

Aishwarya Jaishankar – the Co-Founder of Hyperface Technologies, revolutionizing the banking industry as Asia’s first credit-cards-as-a-service platform. With a wealth of experience in retail banking and a true digital banker at heart, Aishwarya is passionate about creating game-changing banking products that drive accessibility and convenience.

Her impressive track record speaks for itself – products like Kotak 811, Smartbuy and more she has developed have won multiple prestigious awards, such as Finnoviti, MMA Smarties, Mastercard Innovation, etc., cementing her position as a true innovator in the industry. Prior to co-founding Hyperface, Aishwarya showcased her exceptional leadership skills and expertise at prominent banks such as HSBC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and HDFC. Aishwarya’s academic background is equally impressive, with an MBA from MICA and a BA from Meenakshi College for Women. Her passion for excellence and unwavering dedication to her craft makes her a true asset to the banking industry and a force to be reckoned with.

19. Rajeshware Srinivasan

Rajeshware Srinivasan, the crowned Product Owner/Subject Matter Expert of CloudBankin, providing digital lending solutions like Digital Onboarding, Loan Origination System, Loan Management System, Co-Lending, BNPL, etc., to all financial institutions such as NBFCs, Fintechs and Banks across 9 geographies.

With a wealth of knowledge and expertise that emanates from years of industry experience, including a prominent tenure at ICICI Bank, she stands in a league of her own as one of the top-notch figures at CloudBankin. Possessing over a decade of dedicated service in the banking space, she is an unrivalled authority on the subject. Her eminence also extends beyond the walls of her environment, as she is one of the sought-after speakers, gracing numerous webinars with her unparalleled insights and expertise and bestowing upon those who listen to a treasure trove of knowledge to guide them on their journey towards excellence in the banking industry.

Conclusion

“She believed she could, so she did.” the quote by Suzanne Berry amazingly describes the inspirational women leaders and visionaries in the above list.

The presence of women in fintech lending in India is rapidly increasing, and their contributions to the industry cannot be understated. Women in fintech lending are breaking barriers and driving progress in the industry. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to support and empower women in fintech lending to ensure a more diverse and inclusive industry that benefits everyone.

Hence, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, let us come together and celebrate not only the women in fintech but also the whole world. So, wishing every woman a very Happy Woman’s Day from CloudBankin!

Disclaimer: The list above is not positioned to be in a particular ranking.

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21 Mar

From Visionaries to Leaders: Meet the 19 Influential Women of Fintech Lending India