Founded by Aabha Bakaya, a journalist-turned-entrepreneur, LWL has grown into a powerful community that connects women leaders, mentors, and professionals from different industries.
The story of women in leadership in India has often been told from boardrooms in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore. But what about the women who are breaking barriers in smaller towns? What about those whose talent remains hidden simply because they don’t live in a metro? That’s the gap Ladies Who Lead (LWL) wants to close.
Founded by Aabha Bakaya, a journalist-turned-entrepreneur, LWL has grown into a powerful community that connects women leaders, mentors, and professionals from different industries.
Now, with fresh support from Rainmatter, the platform is ready to take its mission beyond India’s metros and into the country’s emerging cities.
And for thousands of women who have been waiting for a space that sees their potential, this expansion could change everything.
Why expansion matters
For decades, most leadership networks and opportunities in India have been tied to tier-one cities. If you were not in metros, the chances of finding the right mentors, investors, or visibility were slim.
Aabha, however, had a different vision when she started LWL. She wanted the movement to be pan-India from day one. Her belief was simple: talent is everywhere, but networks are not. And without networks, even the most skilled women remain invisible.
By taking LWL to fast-growing but often overlooked cities, the organisation is giving women a chance to step into leadership spaces that were once closed to them.
Barriers and women
Even today, many women professionals struggle against barriers that slow their growth. Some are visible, like the gender pay gap or biased hiring. Others are harder to point out, for example, being left out of crucial networking circles or not having mentors who understand their struggles.
On top of that, cultural expectations and the burden of balancing work with family responsibilities add extra pressure. Without a support system, many women find it difficult to move into leadership roles, no matter how talented they are.
This is where LWL comes in. The platform creates an entire ecosystem where they can find mentors, allies, and peers who understand their journey.
Speaking about the partnership with Rainwater, Aabha says, “This is not just about funds. It is about alignment. Rainmatter believes in our mission, and that gives us strength to amplify the voices of women leaders across India.”
Aabha and her journey
LWL reflects a lot of Aabha Bakaya’s personal story. As a journalist, she spent years reporting on India’s growth, its industries, and its leaders. But over time, she began to notice something striking. That was the absence of women at the decision-making table.
That absence became her motivation. She wanted to create a space where women would not just be present but celebrated, supported, and given opportunities to thrive. When she transitioned into entrepreneurship, she carried with her the values she had always believed in as a journalist: visibility, credibility, and storytelling.
“My vision has always been for women to be seen, heard, and celebrated,” she explains. “And to do that, we need strong networks that are meaningful, not just transactional.”
At its heart, LWL is about community. It is not a one-time event or a club where members exchange business cards. It is a living network where women can talk, collaborate, and grow together.
City chapters form the backbone of the movement, where professionals come together for workshops, mentorship circles, and one-on-one conversations with senior leaders. Beyond that, LWL is strengthening its digital presence so that women in Chandigarh can interact just as easily with those in Bangalore or Kolkata.