In a step toward supporting inclusive development and opportunity creation, Ms. Aishwarya Bansal, Co-founder of Smartworld Developers, has joined the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) programme as a mentor. A joint initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, the WEPs programme guides businesses in fostering equitable ecosystems through leadership, community engagement, and action-oriented principles.
The WEPs programme, launched in 2010, offers a comprehensive seven-principal framework to guide businesses in promoting gender equality across leadership, workplace policies, supply chains, community engagement, education and training, and transparency. As a mentor, Ms. Bansal will support aspiring women from diverse backgrounds with limited access to resources through online training, soft skills development, and job-readiness support, creating meaningful pathways to employment and personal growth.
“Joining the UN Women WEPs programme as a mentor is both a responsibility and a commitment to the belief that real progress begins with inclusion. Talent knows no boundaries; it simply needs access and encouragement. Through this platform, I aim to support and uplift those ready to transform their lives, equipping them with the skills and confidence to shape their own success stories. Inclusive leadership can redefine not just business outcomes, but the very fabric of how we live and grow as a society. It’s time we built a world where equity isn’t an aspiration, but the foundation,” said Aishwarya Bansal, Co-founder, Smartworld Developers.
Ms. Bansal brings a background in finance, investment banking, design, and entrepreneurship to the role, with experience in sustainable urban development and inclusive work environments. A postgraduate in Finance from the Indian Institute of Learning & Management and an alumna of Harvard Business School’s Executive Programme in Investment Banking & Capital Acquisition, She brings business experience along with a creative background as a Gemmologist and Jewellery Designer from the Gemmological Institute of America.
Currently serving as Chair of the FICCI Young Leaders Forum and a Special Invitee to the CII Haryana State Council, she has been recognized for her contributions to real estate and business ecosystem. Over the years, she has been recognized with several industry awards, including the Economic Times Inspiring Women Leaders Award for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2025), the AsiaOne’s Most Influential Young Leaders Award in 2022, the Realty Plus 40Under40 Business Tycoons Award the same year, the Marketing Meister Award 2022 by Prestigious Brands of India, the Young Business Leader of the Year title at PRism 2024, and the Top Interiors India ‘40Under40’ Award 2025.
Her role at Smartworld Developers, a real estate company in India, reflects her focus on balancing innovation, community, and sustainability. Under her guidance, the company continues to develop projects focused on urban living, with an emphasis on human capital. Through her engagement with the UN Women WEPs programme, Ms. Bansal joins a global network of business leaders, mentors, and professionals working collaboratively to support progress toward gender equality.
Aishwarya Bansal, Co-Founder – Smartworld Developers
Aishwarya Bansal is the co-founder of Smartworld Developers, a real estate company in India that is known for its innovative and customer-centric solutions. She is an alumna of the Harvard Business School, where she completed an Executive Programme on Investment Banking & Capital Acquisition, and a graduate of the Indian Institute of Learning & Management in Finance.
