Three South Asian Women Making Their Mark in the World

Posted on November 10, 2021 | by Aqleema Anwar

It’s a great time to be South Asian. It’s an even better time to be a young girl growing up in a world where more and more South Asian women are being recognized as leaders in their industries. From founders and CEOs to executives and cabinet members, South Asian women are definitely letting the world know they are here to shake things up.

2021 has come with its challenges for many of us. But for these three women, the year was pretty amazing:

Payal Kadakia – CEO & Founder of ClassPass

Classpass is a subscription-based fitness class booking service. It allows you the option to book a local fitness class through the app without the commitment of joining for a full membership with the yoga studio, or spin class, or anything else you’re interested in trying. The payment is based on a set number of credits per membership and those credits can be used towards fitness or spa treatments. In a multi-billion-dollar industry, Kadakia seems to have found a niche that taps into what people are interested in. Earlier this year, Classpass had a $1 billion valuation and it was announced that it had been acquired by Mindbody, a giant in the fitness software industry.

Of the acquisition, she told Forbes’ magazine, “As a female and child of immigrants, I am so incredibly proud of this moment. It’s important for young women to see other women succeeding and investors to see female-founded businesses reaching these milestones.”

Kadakia started the company in 2011 and remained CEO until 2017.

Shilpa Yarlagadda – CEO & Founder Shiffon Co

Time’s 100 Most Influential People cover garnered a lot of attention which was expected because it featured Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the cover. But while most people were talking about their like or dislike for the couple, there was a different conversation being had about the jewellery the Duchess was wearing; in particular her pinky ring.

Enter Shilpa Yarlagadda, a senior at Harvard and creator of the Pinky Promise Ring. Her brand Shiffon Co which was started in her Harvard dorm room sells ethical jewellery and also, gives back. The company’s first product was the duet pinky ring, which is seen in that infamous photo of the Royal couple. As the website states “this adjustable ring represents one woman supporting another through a ‘pinky promise’.

It’s not just an empty promise though. Fifty percent of the profits from each ring sold go to the Startup Girl Foundation.

Shilpa is an investor in Peanut, an app that supports friendship and support throughout fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause and has been featured on the Forbes’ 30 under 30 list.

**The Honourable Anita Anand –**
**Minister of Defence (Canada)**

**image via** canada.ca

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced his 2021 cabinet ministers. The official photo showcases an expansive background and cultural representation. There is one minister that stands out from the crowd; Anita Anand.

Anand is only the second woman to hold this position; Kim Campbell being the first from January to June 1993. Probably the more notable detail is that Anand is the first Indian Canadian of a Hindu background to become a federal minister of any capacity in Canada.

She moved to Ontario in 1985 from Nova Scotia where she was born and raised. She has had an extensive career in law, including Professor of Law at University of Toronto and also taught law at Queen’s University, Western University and Yale Law School.

Before her current appointment, Minister Anand was a member of parliament representing the riding of Oakville since 2019.