In today’s age of cut-throat competition, success is measured by both innovation and compassion. During these highly competitive times, many visionary business leaders are bridging the gap between technology and humankind. These leaders not only bring about change but also inspire others to stand up with them, creating ripples of effect that go far beyond their direct sphere.
The business arena is booming owing to the equal participation of women and men. Women are becoming entrepreneurs, industry titans, and agents of change in fields such as technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. Women’s leadership not only generates jobs and opportunities but also encourages local businesses and pushes markets. An increase in the number of female-led startups and companies is leading to more inclusive and diverse economic development in Gujarat, leveraging more ideas, skill sets, and points of view.
One such distinguished leader who is amalgamating purpose, technology, and empathy to drive positive change is Debasmita Das, the Founder of The Women Collective. Her journey started not with a visionary dream, but with a simple yet powerful urge-to make a difference where it was needed the most. At the age of 17, Debasmita started her first organization, working on menstrual health and hygiene in rural Odisha. The project, which was in 120 villages and collaborated with Anganwadis locally, was a reflection of her conviction that change comes from listening and empathy.
This formative period in her life was life changing. It showed her that systems, if well designed, can transform communities in large numbers. It also gave her the belief that leadership is not being at the center but making room for others to grow. She would use these lessons in future to form her practice, navigating each challenge and milestone.
Transitioning to Technology: Building Ecosystems, Not Just Products
As Debasmita’s professional life progressed, so did her passions. Fascinated by the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and data, she moved into the technology industry, concentrating on education and skilling. Her job was never about rolling out content or checking boxes; it was about creating learning ecosystems that provided personalized journeys, measurable results, and local context. She spearheaded the creation of AI, machine learning (ML), and data initiatives for students throughout India, making technology work for individuals, not the reverse.
The effect of her work was typically experienced in subtle, high-impact moments-a first hire achieved through a course, a woman from a village saying that she finally understood, a maker taking an idea from conception to creation in mere minutes with the aid of tools created by members of her team. These narratives, rather than any official achievement or milestone, informed Debasmita’s philosophy around product, impact, and leadership.
Presently, Debasmita coordinates women communities worldwide with one north star: to expand the “luck surface area” for women and marginalized groups, specifically those who’ve been told technology or leadership is not for them. At the heart of what she does is an unwavering conviction that technology can and must be used as a force for empowerment and inclusion.
Her own leadership is distinguished by intentionality, heart, and a devotion to expanding the circle of opportunity. She will not settle for personal achievement alone; her ambition is to pave the way for others, and particularly women and underrepresented groups, to walk into leadership opportunities in technology and beyond.
Addressing Gujarat’s Unique Challenges
Gujarat, with its entrepreneurial ethos and cultural diversity, is also a terrain of intricate challenges. Debasmita’s own experience and steadfast commitment to inclusive growth inform her view of the region. She sees four areas of utmost priority:
- Bridging the Skills Gap
With the quick emergence of industries like technology, AI, and renewable energy, Gujarat is in a critical situation to prepare its workforce with appropriate skills. The gap between conventional education and contemporary industry requirements is a challenge that Debasmita has confronted directly. With AI-based learning initiatives, she has attempted to reskill people from underprivileged areas so that local communities are not left behind in the digital era.
- Sustainability in The Face of Growth
Growth in the economy of Gujarat comes with attendant issues of environmental sustainability. Scarcity of water and air pollution cannot be swept under the rug in the quest for development. Debasmita calls for sustainable innovation and green technology, working to make sure that development does not occur at the cost of the world’s future.
- Empowering Women and Marginalized Groups
Even with strides made, gender discrimination and the lack of marginalized groups’ representation in leadership and technology are still major challenges. Debasmita’s career centers on mentorship, community development, and providing platforms for exposure with the goal of opening doors to the next generation of women leaders.
- Ensuring Inclusive Development
Access to opportunities on a fair basis, particularly in underserved urban communities and rural settings, is fundamental to Debasmita’s strategy. Basic needs social impact initiatives by her open doors to wider societal involvement and ensure all communities have necessary resources to become successful.
The Power of Mentorship and Community
Mentorship has been a shaping presence in Debasmita’s life, modeling her personal and professional development. She attributes much of her growth to the kindness, wisdom, and faith of those who believed in her before she believed in herself. Initial encounters with women driving change in her experiences working on menstrual health programs rooted her leadership philosophy in empathy, grit, and community awareness.
As she navigated into the world of technology, startup and enterprise ecosystems mentored her to think larger, build wiser, and navigate uncertainty with clarity. Communities like Women in Product India, Women in AI, Women Techmakers, and the WILD Fellowship became ecosystems of collective learning and peer mentorship. These groups were not merely support systems-they were crucibles of growth, innovation, and collective progress.
Debasmita mentors early-stage founders and product professionals today, focusing on women and non-traditional candidates entering tech. With structured mentorship pods, one-on-one coaching, and ad-hoc support, she attempts to deliver what she previously lacked: direction amidst ambiguity, authentic feedback, and unflinching support.
Mentorship, in Debasmita’s book, isn’t about hierarchy but about community and a responsibility to “keep the ladder down” as she rises.
A Message to Emerging Women Leaders
Debasmita’s message to young women of Gujarat, and to the world, is powerful and resolute: leadership doesn’t start with a job, but with a decision-the decision to get up, to speak up, to disrupt, and to take the world with them. Gujarat, with its heritage of initiative and determination, is at the turning point. There has never been a more crucial moment for women to take leadership, whether it’s in boardrooms, classrooms, startups, farms, or neighborhoods.
She advises aspiring leaders to begin with what drives them, to be ambitious but not at the expense of values, and to put themselves in the company of people who will support and mentor them. Above all, she challenges them not to ask for permission, but to lead with purpose, speak with purpose, and build with purpose. The effects of their actions, regardless of how minimal, hold the potential to create waves far greater than they could ever have envisioned.
Balancing Tradition and Progress
Balancing tradition and innovation is a delicate task, especially in a state like Gujarat where tradition and swift modernization happen in tandem. Debasmita feels that progress must not happen at the expense of tradition. Rather, innovation must supplement and add value to the cultural practices and values which define a community.
Her method is one of respect for local tradition and strong empathy with the needs of communities. When building learning programs in rural communities, for instance, she makes sure that material is applicable to the specific challenges those communities are working to overcome. AI is not presented as some abstract, futuristic idea, but as a pragmatic device that can enhance everyday life, from farming to small business management.
The solution, she feels, lies in listening and incorporating. By creating a space where technology is used for the benefit of the people and is in sync with the cultural fabric, tradition and development can be allies in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Women Leaders: Shaping Gujarat’s Future
Debasmita is proud of the fact that women leaders are taking on an ever more important role in transforming Gujarat’s economic, social, and political landscape. Their roles are crucial to the state’s inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable solution to the challenges of the state.
The Human Touch: Stories That Inspire
Though Debasmita’s professional accomplishments are noteworthy, it is the stories of the people that bring meaning to her work. She remembers the anxious but resolute 17-year-old herself, going from door to door in rural Odisha, filled with a conviction that change starts with listening and presence. The awards she has won are a testament that the tough, sometimes thankless work is paying off.
Her journey is filled with moments not charted on roadmaps or OKR worksheets-a woman in a village who feels seen, a student finding her first job, a developer given power by a new tool. These stories are the lifeblood of her work and why she keeps building, leading, and learning with intention and heart.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Inclusion
Debasmita’s path is a testament to the strength of purpose driven leadership. Her work at the nexus of technology, education, and social good is not merely about innovation-it is about building systems that elevate, empower, and include. By bridging the gap between tradition and advancement, pushing for sustainability, and advocating for the voices of women and marginalized communities, she is building a future that is more inclusive and equitable.
Her advice to the next generation is both simplistic and profound: you don’t necessarily have to know it all; you just have to get started. Start with what provokes you, lead with compassion, and make room for others along the way as you become successful. By doing so, you will not only be defining your own journey but also breaking ground for innumerable others to find their way.
In a rapidly changing world, leaders such as Debasmita remind us that real progress is not just measured by technological advancement, but by the depth of our humanity and the breadth of our impact. Her legacy is one of empowerment, inclusion, and absolute faith in the ability of all individuals to lead and bring about change.
