Vasundhara Oswal: A Leader Of Tomorrow

New Delhi (India), January 06: Some leaders indeed have a vision that sets them apart. Vasundhara Oswal is one such leader. She took the brave decision to start from scratch after completing her studies at the University of Switzerland. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Finance with Honors and a 4.0 GPA. Inspired by her father, Pankaj Oswal and how he built his business empire Oswal Group Global she decided to tread the difficult path of entrepreneurship, finding a sense of self in expanding her father’s legacy. 

It was not an easy path, and Vasundhara had a lot to learn. But, managing both the role of a university student and the challenges faced by a woman in a competitive, male-orientated field, she never let her perseverance falter. She was determined to introduce a wave of modernisation to standard industrial practices. Currently, the Executive Director of Pro Industries, Vasundhara, oversees investment strategy and overall plant development. Pro Industries is the largest ethanol plant in East Africa, a venture which would not have been possible had it not been for Vasundhara’s tireless persuasion. 

In fact, at the very beginning of her journey as a woman entrepreneur, she was involved in trying to set up an ethanol plant in Myanmar. Managing her studies alongside, she worked to get approval from the government for the greenfield project. Finally, after a year of trying, Vasundhara got the clearance, but following this, the coup took place, and the group decided to pull out of Myanmar. She then worked tirelessly to find a new location to set up the same project. Finally, she came across East Africa and even got special permission to complete the rest of her two years of university online, only taking exams in person. 

Determined to excel as a leader, Vasundhara observed her father closely and learnt the nuances of business. Indeed a leader of the future, she focused on ensuring that the plant was as sustainable as possible, integrating a unique technology that provided 100% wastewater recycling. In addition, she was the main point of contact for the board of directors for this project, making her an integral part of any critical exchange between the company and the government. 

Along with the various demands of business, Vasundhara also took on the responsibility of overseeing corporate social responsibility activities, as well as holding the position of the Director General of Axis Minerals, which is a bauxite mining project in Guinea – one of the largest bauxite mines in Conakry, it holds 884 million tons of bauxite. At Axis Minerals, Vasundhara oversees finance and government liaisoning. Having an in-depth understanding of finance, she is well-suited to dealing with stressful situations. She keeps herself updated with the industry and is well acquainted with every nuance. Passionate about humanitarian efforts, Vasundhara co-founded an anti-bullying programme called StopTheB. It’s a platform for young people to come out and speak freely against bullying. It gives the youth a channel to voice their views and seek help. The initiative aims to change bullying behaviour and encourages young people to be compassionate to each other. 

Stop The B attracted international attention and support from academicians and celebrities. Vasundhara was invited to speak at the UNESCO World Anti-Bullying Forum. She expressed her desire and passion for helping young minds handle the pressure and challenges of bullying. Vasundhara also owns a startup entertainment label that currently produces music for her sister Ridi, who also enjoys singing and writing her music, amongst other things. The brand is focused on giving Indo-western pop music a new stage. 

With India emerging as one of the strongest economies in the world, it is more important now than ever that we celebrate leaders like Vasundhara. Supporting women’s leadership is vital as India looks to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the most powerful nations in the world. It is leaders who bring about revolutions of knowledge and success, so it is essential that we give them the tools to spread their message. 

An entrepreneur, humanitarian and family person, Vasundhara understands the importance of empathy, discipline and focus as she surfs through the currents of business and a changing world.