The business landscape of Gujarat is undergoing impactful transformations. Many prominent businesswomen are standing alongside their male counterparts and are ushering in an era of commercial growth and business development. They are shaping the state’s future by leading enterprises across sectors, driving innovation, and empowering communities. Through entrepreneurship, leadership in real estate, healthcare, and social work, and many innovative initiatives, they are fostering economic independence, redefining leadership, and inspiring positive societal change.

One such influential businesswoman who is introducing groundbreaking transformations is none other than Kashmira Shethia. She is the Group Strategist and CEO of ARTH Group, spearheading the company’s vision and expansion efforts. Known for her creative thinking and broad knowledge of the financial world, she has been instrumental in increasing ARTH Group’s reach and role within the industry. As Group Strategist, Shethia is tasked with leading business transformation, building alliances, and initiating forward-looking strategies aligned with the group’s long-term goals. Her leadership reflects the values of adaptability, teamwork, and sustainable growth, making ARTH Group a vibrant force in its industry.

In a conversation with Gujarat Review, Shethia shares about her professional journey, her opinions, challenges, achievements, and experiences. Following are the excerpts from the interview:

Can you share your journey—what pivotal moments shaped your path to where you are today?

My journey stands as a reflection of what unfolds when secure inner conviction meets the toughest external challenges.

I didn’t step into a legacy — I built one, piece by piece, choice by choice, often as the lone woman at the table.

My beginnings in the construction industry were anything but polished; they were raw, real, and rooted at the ground level. Yet, I incorporated every opportunity to learn and never hesitated to lead.

The most defining moment wasn’t a title handed to me — it was earning the seat as CEO through sand and resilience. From that point on, I wasn’t just constructing buildings; I was shaping a vision — reimagining teams, redefining business, and creating lasting impact in the lives we touched.

I brought heart into an industry often seen as heartless, giving soul to the structures we raise. To many, they’re properties. To me, they’re “thoughts built in concrete.

Working in a male-dominated field didn’t lessen my voice — it sharpened it. It allowed me to lead with a different kind of strength: spontaneous, reflective, and bold. My most significant milestones weren’t trophies on a shelf, but the silent victories — the nights I chose to keep going.

What does being recognized as one of Gujarat’s most influential women in 2025 mean to you personally and professionally?

This recognition goes far beyond a title — it stands as a symbol of representation and quiet flexibility. On a personal level, it affirms every moment I trusted my inner voice, even when the world offered only doubt. On a professional level, it strengthens a deeper truth: leadership isn’t about conforming to established systems — it’s about courageously building your own.

I don’t see this honour as mine alone. It belongs to every woman who has dared to imagine a life beyond predefined roles, and to every daughter of Gujarat who understands that true power isn’t bestowed by position — it’s rooted in purpose.

For me, this recognition isn’t a finish line; it’s a door — not just to walk through, but to keep open for others to follow.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing challenges Gujarat faces today, and how are you contributing to addressing them?

Gujarat’s greatest strength lies in its rich cultural heritage — yet its most pressing challenge is harmonizing that tradition with the demands of a rapidly evolving future. We stand at a key moment, where urban expansion, environmental responsibility, and economic reinvention intersect.

My role in this transformation goes beyond constructing buildings — I focus on creating ecosystems that are strong, inclusive, and future-ready.

Every project I undertake is rooted in sustainability, driven by purpose, and shaped by local wisdom. I deliberately weave together technology, community, and culture to redefine what commercial spaces can represent.

I also invest in mentoring women in the construction industry — not just to place them in roles, but to prepare them for leadership and ownership. To me, Gujarat’s true progress isn’t measured by the height of its skylines, but by the depth of its values and the clarity of its collective vision.

Leadership often requires tough choices. Can you describe a decision that tested your resolve and how you navigated it?

One of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made was stepping away from a highly profitable partnership that no longer reflected my values. It challenged everything — my financial stability, personal relationships, and professional reputation. But for me, true leadership isn’t about mere survival — it’s about staying true to your soul.

I chose principles over profit. I walked away, started anew, and rebuilt my company from the ground up — this time with people who shared the same vision, not just the same financial goals. That moment of clarity became a defining turning point. Today, I choose to collaborate only with those who believe that success without integrity is unsustainable. My strength wasn’t just tested — it was refined, reshaped, and ultimately, reaffirmed.

How do you balance tradition and progress in a state so deeply rooted in culture yet rapidly evolving in innovation?

In Gujarat, tradition and progress aren’t opposing forces — they’re complementary threads woven into the same cultural fabric. Our heritage instils patience, respect, and depth; innovation calls for boldness, quickness, and disturbance. I see my role as the bridge between the two — crafting spaces that honour our legacy while embracing the future.

My designs are inspired by timeless values, but they also use the latest technology. In my workspace, there’s space for both traditional wisdom and modern tools like AI, eco-friendly solutions, and digital ideas. I don’t leave tradition behind — I try to understand it, keep its heart alive, and give it a fresh meaning for today’s world. To me, that’s what real progress looks like.

What role do women leaders play in defining Gujarat’s economic, social, or political future?

Women leaders aren’t just participants in Gujarat’s future — we are its backbone. We bring with us a model of growth that is not only sustainable but deeply human-centric. Economically, we foster resilience; socially, we champion inclusion, empathy, and a generational vision. Politically, our leadership begins with listening — not just leading.

As women, we often feel the unspoken needs of communities. Our focus extends beyond economic indicators like GDP to the holistic well-being of people and places. Gujarat’s true transformation won’t be driven by the loudest voices, but by the most planned ones — and women bring that depth of purpose and clarity of thought.

Have you faced any gender-based challenges in your field, and how did you overcome them?

Absolutely. I’ve been underestimated, misjudged, and spoken over. I’ve walked into meetings where people assumed I was the interior designer — when, in fact, I was the project owner. But I never let those moments harden me. Instead, I let them refine my purpose.

Rather than react, I chose to respond through results. I let my work speak with such clarity and consistency that the assumptions simply lost their power.

I didn’t fight the system – I evolved beyond it. Today, when I enter a room, I don’t wait for permission to belong — I walk in with quiet certainty. Not out of ego, but because I’ve spent years turning what many saw as a limitation — my gender — into a distinct and undeniable strength.

Mentorship is crucial for growth. Who have been your mentors, and how are you mentoring others now?

My earliest mentors were life and experience — they taught me through trial, challenge, and persistence. Over time, I found guidance in the wisdom of visionaries — some I was fortunate to meet, many I encountered through their words and work. I learned from failures, from the construction sites, and the quiet tension of boardrooms. Even those who doubted me became unexpected mentors, shaping my resilience.

Today, I give back by building platforms, not pedestals. I don’t hire women out of sympathy — I do it with strategy and belief in their potential. I train them to lead, to question, to take risks. My approach to mentorship goes beyond offering advice — it’s about creating access. I open doors, and then step aside, so they can walk through with confidence and claim their place.

What message would you give to young women in Gujarat aspiring to lead change in their communities or industries?

You don’t need permission — you need purpose and clarity.

Don’t wait for the world to catch up to your vision; begin where you are and start building boldly. Speak your truth, even if your voice trembles. Walk your path, even if you walk it alone. Hold failure as a fast-track to wisdom — then rise, refine, and repeat.

And always remember: you’re not here to be the “next” anyone — you are the first and only you. Gujarat doesn’t just need your ambition — it needs your voice, your courage, your softness, your strength. Don’t shrink to fit a Mold. Grow, expand, and in doing so, create space for others to rise with you.

Looking ahead to the next decade, what is your vision for Gujarat and your role in shaping it?

I envision a Gujarat where ambition is grounded in ethics, and every city reflects a model of mindful, inclusive, and intelligent development — one that is as soulful as it is smart. A future where young talent doesn’t feel the need to leave in search of opportunity, but stays to shape and lead it.

My role in this vision is to continuously redefine what it means to build. To show that architecture can carry emotion, that every project can serve a purpose, and that true leadership balances strength with humility. I’m committed to building more than just structures — I’m here to shape systems, tell stories, and set standards that place Gujarat confidently and meaningfully on the global stage.