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 Ritu Nakra, General Manager at Landor, WPP.
In our conversation, Ritu reflects on what this year’s IWD theme means to her and shares the career journey that brought her from J. Walter Thompson — including a four-year break for motherhood — back into the industry and eventually into brand design. She also talks about the women leaders who championed her along the way and the role storytelling has played throughout her career.
She also discusses where boardroom representation still lags, and her experience with the WPP Stella Women Mentorship Program, where she has gone from being mentored to becoming a mentor to joining the Stella Supercouncil.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” What does this mean to you professionally and personally?
Simply put, the theme for me is about putting the ‘Culture of Justice in Motion’ integrated into all workflows, experiences and structures.
Personally, this is about accountability as women leaders to be consistent and persistent in our efforts to create environments of trust and initiate change.
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?
The opportunity to be part of creating compelling stories that can influence behavioral change towards a product, company or brand was and is the most hugely exciting aspect of our industry. We are all storytellers.
Indra Nooyi influenced me early on when she spoke about the challenges of balancing the many roles as a woman whose a leader. Her quote, “I don’t think women can have it all,” became my motivation to prove that we can. I do agree with her calling out the need for meticulous planning for care and support systems at home to enable a woman to perform with ease at her workplace. There is a method to the madness and we need to support girls so that they do not feel overwhelmed and overburdened.
My journey has been nudged by fantastic women leaders who helped me live up to my full potential. My break was a pause, not a stop, and that really only happened due to other women leaders pulling me back in.
Talking about the turning point in my own career – After a decade of working, I took a 4-year break from J.Walter Thompson to have and be with my baby. I chose to opt out and enjoy motherhood without deadlines chasing me. And one fine day I got called back to work at WPP- my return championed by a respected woman leader who valued good talent above all else and she supported my gradual transition back to a full-time job in advertising.
In the following years, I never once regretted the break I took for my baby. I got to work on Iconic Global brands and quickly made up for my time out and in time. Another great woman mentor encouraged me to leap from Advertising to Brand Design. My journey has been nudged by fantastic women leaders who helped me live up to my full potential. My break was a pause, not a stop, and that really only happened due to other women leaders pulling me back in.
How has your understanding of fairness changed as you’ve gained experience and seniority?
As a young person, we view fairness as ”Fair to me”. The focus is on the self.
With experience and seniority, one learns the importance of what is right for the person and for the business, company, policy. The larger context becomes relevant and influences decision making and often influences empathy also.
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?
It’s a fantastic time to be a woman in business. The policies have evolved and are more inclusive,the environment is more supportive, there is more freedom of right to speak and companies value work-life balance more thanks to the changes that came post Covid.
When it comes to the boardroom, we are still under-represented. We need more women to stay the course past middle management roles and we need more seats at the leadership tables.
I feel overall respect for girls amongst male colleagues has improved, and there are now many more opportunities to explore and retain great talent.
However, when it comes to the boardroom, we are still under-represented. We need more women to stay the course past middle management roles and we need more seats at the leadership tables.
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?
The WPP Stella Women Mentorship Program has been an amazing opportunity for me to be mentored when it first launched in India and then I got trained as a mentor myself, and today I am on the Stella Supercouncil. This platform allowed me to engage with so many girls and discover that we all have the same fears, same challenges, same limiting self beliefs and every session showed me how much impact we can make by listening, guiding and being there for all these girls.
I am super grateful to have this opportunity to give back and help build stronger women at the workplace who only need someone to see their light.
What responsibility do senior leaders have in shaping more equitable workplaces, beyond statements or policies?
Way more impactful than policies is how people show up. Senior Leaders have to demonstrate in real life all the values we espouse. Leadership is a responsibility even more in this context because how you dress, how you present, how you handle conflict, how you negotiate, how you behave at an office party – all your actions influence the perceptions of your fellow female colleagues about the culture of the workplace. Senior Women Leaders are strong influencers.
There should be no fear holding you back from your best performance.
Girls ask each other, “Do I want to be her one day?”. You need to work on your personal brand to create the right narrative and imprint.
What is one change you would like to see in workplaces for the next generation of women?
Work without Fear.
Great talent plagued by Imposter Syndrome struggles to shine. Guilt makes you quit. Confusion makes you dim your light.
There should be no fear holding you back from your best performance.
Quick Hits
A trend you are excited about, or not excited about
Women allies and sponsors at the workplace are so great!
A creative campaign or representation of women that inspired you or made you feel seen
Tanishq ads were crafted beautifully around second chances at love and relationships.
A sensitive topic handled with dignity and grace.
A piece of advice that stayed with you longer than expected
Show up with your chin up. No matter what.
