Visionary Women Leaders of Asia 2026
Asian business has long carried a fixed image of influence – a founder’s name on the letterhead, decades of tenure, a seat held by inheritance or attrition rather than proof. Results are redrawing that image. The Portfolio’s latest edition, “Visionary Women Leaders of Asia 2026,” profiles a select group of women running billion-dollar portfolios, rebuilding supply chains, and setting direction for companies across finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.
We spent weeks in conversation with these founders, CEOs, and senior executives across markets worldwide, asking each of them the same question: which decision are you most glad you made when the outcome wasn’t yet guaranteed? Their answers centred on specifics – a product launched against internal resistance, a market entered a year before the data justified it, a team member promoted when the safer choice was obvious to everyone else in the room.
This edition captures those decisions in their own words, along with the setbacks that rarely make it past a press release. Also read our ‘What Matters’ on how motherhood builds real leadership skills.
Misba Mithwani
Director Operations & Retail Design
A Pioneer Retail and Real Estate Group
Misba Mithwani brings extensive experience in retail design, mall development, operations, and tenant delivery, with a career shaped by some of the UAE’s leading retail destinations. As Director of Operations & Retail Design at Al Ghurair Real Estate, she oversees development and delivery while coordinating design teams, contractors, retailers, and regulatory authorities. Her previous leadership roles at Majid Al Futtaim included supporting major shopping mall projects and managing complex retail environments across the UAE.
Rammya Nair
VP - HR
Deriv
Rammya Nair is a strategic HR leader known for combining people development with business priorities, organisational design, and culture building. As VP – HR at Deriv, she focuses on developing people strategies and strengthening organisational effectiveness. Her earlier leadership journey at Flipkart involved managing large HR portfolios across technology, supply chain, fintech, and corporate functions, with expertise spanning talent reviews, succession planning, employee engagement, leadership development, and organisational transformation.
Roshni Gupta
COO
Cybernxt Solutions LLP
Over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity and information security across banking, financial services, and enterprise organisations, Roshni Gupta has built expertise in security strategy, risk management, regulatory compliance, and security operations. As COO at CyberNxt Solutions, she leads business growth, service delivery, and team expansion, combining deep technical knowledge with strategic leadership developed through roles at Reliance, Wipro, YES BANK, and Aditya Birla Financial Services.
Tan Soo Ling
President & Director
Interface Solution Sdn. Bhd.
Bringing 25 years of experience in business management, procurement, global sourcing, supply chain, and the semiconductor industry, Tan Soo Ling has built expertise in driving profitability, cost optimisation, negotiation, and strategic execution. As President & Director of Interface Solution Sdn. Bhd., she leads global supply and services for semiconductor companies, helping customers improve margins through efficient sourcing, logistics, innovation, and competitive business strategies.
Dr Vidya Nandagopal
Founder & CEO
Tercel Business Consultancy FZC
With more than 30 years of experience in leadership development, HR, executive education, and workforce capability, Dr Vidya Nandagopal has built a career spanning corporate training, higher education, and entrepreneurship in the UAE. As Founder & CEO of Tercel Business Consultancy, she advises organisations on leadership, learning strategy, HR, and business transformation, while also working as an ICF-certified transformational life coach.