With International Women’s Day just behind us — and recognizing that a single day is never enough to celebrate the contributions of women — we are dedicating the entire month of March to spotlighting voices from across the industry as part of our IWD Voices series. Leaders will share their journeys, experiences, insights, and the lessons that have shaped them.
Next up, we speak with Kashika Malhotra, Founder & CEO at Yoginii.
In our conversation, Kashika speaks to how her understanding of equality has shifted over time toward a more nuanced view of equity, and why she believes real inclusion has to be embedded in everyday decisions rather than reserved for occasions or statements. She also points to the power of honest conversation as a foundation for building communities where women feel genuinely supported.
She also shares her view on where attention is still needed for women at work, and why she sees the growing focus on holistic women’s wellness as one of the more meaningful shifts currently underway.
What does the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” mean to you professionally and personally?
Professionally, the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” reinforces my commitment to building a wellness ecosystem that is inclusive and empowering for women. At Yoginii, it inspires us to create opportunities, resources, and platforms that support women’s health, growth, and leadership. It’s a reminder that real impact comes from translating awareness into action whether it’s through mentorship, advocacy, or programs that enable women to thrive in every sphere of life.
Personally, this theme resonates deeply. Rights and justice are the foundation, but action is what drives meaningful change. It reminds me to be intentional about lifting others as I rise, to challenge biases, and to actively contribute to a society where every woman and girl feels empowered, supported, and seen. For me, this theme is both a call and a responsibility to act, to advocate, and to create lasting impact.
What first drew you to your industry, and was there a defining moment that set your career in motion? Was there a role model who influenced you early on?
It was a deep personal curiosity about holistic wellbeing and the transformative power of self-care not just for the body, but for the mind and spirit. I realized early on that women, in particular, often prioritize everyone else’s needs before their own, and I wanted to create solutions that empower them to reclaim their health and vitality.
A defining moment that set my career in motion was seeing the tangible impact of wellness practices on women around me; friends, family, and colleagues and recognizing a gap in the market for curated, science-backed wellness solutions designed specifically for women. That clarity motivated me to turn my passion into a purpose-driven venture.
I realized early on that women, in particular, often prioritize everyone else’s needs before their own, and I wanted to create solutions that empower them to reclaim their health and vitality.
As for role models, I’ve always been inspired by women leaders who lead with empathy and vision, those who break barriers while staying true to their values. Their journeys showed me that success is not just about ambition, but about creating meaningful impact that uplifts others along the way.
How has your understanding of fairness changed as you’ve gained experience and seniority?
As I’ve gained experience and seniority, my understanding of fairness has evolved from a simple notion of equality to a more nuanced appreciation of equity. Early on, I believed fairness meant giving everyone the same opportunities, but I’ve learned that true fairness recognizes individual circumstances, challenges, and potential.
As I’ve gained experience and seniority, my understanding of fairness has evolved from a simple notion of equality to a more nuanced appreciation of equity.
In leadership, this means creating systems and support that allow every team member to thrive, celebrating diversity of experience, and ensuring that women, in particular, have access to the resources and guidance they need to grow. Fairness is no longer just a principle, it’s an actionable commitment to empower others while building inclusive and sustainable impact.
As conversations around women and work have evolved, what do you think has genuinely improved—and where do you think more attention and action are still needed?
Over the years, conversations around women and work have become more visible, inclusive, and action-oriented. I’ve seen genuine progress in areas like flexible work policies, awareness of gender pay gaps, and increased representation of women in leadership roles. Women today have more platforms to voice their ideas, advocate for themselves, and access networks that were previously hard to reach.
More attention is needed to ensure women from diverse backgrounds and at all levels are empowered, supported, and able to thrive without compromise.
Yet, there is still much work to be done. True inclusion goes beyond policies; it requires cultural shifts, mentorship opportunities, and systemic support that addresses unconscious bias, career breaks, and unequal access to resources. More attention is needed to ensure women from diverse backgrounds and at all levels are empowered, supported, and able to thrive without compromise. Real change comes when equity becomes embedded in both the structure and the mindset of organizations.
Is there a project or initiative you’ve worked on related to women’s empowerment that you’re particularly proud of? What made it meaningful to you?
I started Saheli, a community-led initiative by Yoginii, with the simple intention to create a safe space where women could talk honestly. Not network, not impress, just talk. About stress, ambition, relationships, money, self-doubt.. the things we usually keep to ourselves. What made it meaningful to me was seeing how quickly walls came down once women felt safe.
The relief in their voices when they realized they weren’t alone was powerful. Some built friendships, some found collaborators, and some just found clarity. Saheli reminded me that empowerment doesn’t always begin with big stages or big numbers. Sometimes, it begins with one honest conversation.
What responsibility do senior leaders have in shaping more equitable workplaces, beyond statements or policies?
It’s about modeling inclusive behavior, embedding equity into decision-making, and creating tangible opportunities for growth. This means actively mentoring women, addressing biases in promotions and recruitment, and ensuring that workplace culture supports everyone, regardless of gender or background.
Leaders set the tone: their actions signal what is valued, and consistent accountability is what transforms policies into real change. Equity is not just an initiative; it’s a daily practice that shapes how teams are supported, recognized, and empowered to thrive.
What is one change you would like to see in workplaces for the next generation of women?
One change I would love to see is workplaces where equity is truly embedded in culture, not just in policies. I envision workplaces where women feel empowered to lead, innovate, and thrive without having to navigate systemic hurdles; where their potential is recognized, nurtured, and celebrated from day one.
Quick Hits:
A trend you are excited about, or not excited about
A trend I’m excited about: The growing focus on holistic wellness for women, where mental, hormonal, and physical health are given equal importance — making self-care accessible, relatable, and sustainable.
A creative campaign or representation of women that inspired you or made you feel seen (please share a link to a video or image)
Mission Shakti
A piece of advice that stayed with you longer than expected
A piece of advice that has always stayed with me and honestly guides me even today is: “Don’t let urgency override alignment.” I remember hearing it at a time when I was feeling the pressure to move faster, launch more, partner more, prove more. As a founder, especially in the digital space, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly behind.
Everyone seems to be scaling, announcing, expanding. But that advice made me pause. It made me ask myself; Is this decision aligned with why I started Yoginii? Or am I just reacting to pressure? There have been moments where saying “no” felt risky. Moments where slower growth felt uncomfortable. But every time I chose alignment over urgency, I felt more grounded. Building something meaningful takes patience. That advice reminded me that it’s okay to grow steadily, as long as you’re growing in the right direction.
