Business news channel ET NOW along with ET NOW Swadesh has announced a special Women’s Day March 8 programming initiative titled ‘She Leads The Future’, aimed at examining the growing influence of women in shaping India’s economic trajectory.

The special line-up explores how women across finance, technology, policy, entrepreneurship and national security are increasingly playing a decisive role in key economic decisions and institutional leadership.

According to a press release from the news network, the initiative moves beyond conventional Women’s Day narratives focused on representation and instead tracks where real economic power is shifting and the women driving that transformation. With capital flows evolving, artificial intelligence reshaping industries and corporate leadership undergoing recalibration, the programming highlights how women are emerging as strategic decision-makers across sectors. Through data-led discussions and editorial insights, the shows aim to examine these shifts across markets, institutions and emerging industries.

Unlike symbolic celebrations, ‘She Leads The Future’ positions women at the centre of economic and strategic leadership — from investment markets and artificial intelligence to rural entrepreneurship and defence innovation. The special programming will feature a curated set of shows and conversations with influential leaders across diverse sectors.

One of the highlights is the two-part special ‘Boardroom Confidential’, which looks at how women leaders are shaping corporate governance, strategy and the future of business leadership.

The series features prominent leaders such as Arundhati Bhattacharya of Salesforce, Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, Beena Vaheed of Bank of Baroda, Ameera Shah of Metropolis Healthcare and Ramani Dathi of TeamLease Services. The discussions will decode leadership transitions, boardroom dynamics and corporate decision-making in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Another key segment, ‘The Alpha Investors’, will bring together leading market experts such as Devina Mehra of First Global and Amisha Vora of PL Group. The conversation will focus on portfolio strategies, emerging market opportunities and the growing participation of women in institutional investing.

The weekend edition of ‘Sovereign Intelligence’ will feature leading scientists Tessy Thomas and Shashi Bala Singh from Defence Research and Development Organisation, discussing technological advancements shaping India’s defence and strategic capabilities.

The programming will also highlight inspiring grassroots entrepreneurs from the government-backed ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative under the DAY-NRLM ecosystem. Stories include that of Bhayya Mallamma from Mulugu, Telangana, who moved from selling fish locally to launching a Rs. 10-lakh mobile fish retail outlet under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and now earns around Rs. 5,000 a day. Other featured entrepreneurs include Kulsum Khatoon from Ladakh, Pranali Nhanu Gawade from Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, who runs a cashew processing unit employing local women, and Lanawanka Lamin from East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, who built a small enterprise through Self-Help Group loans and skill training.

In another show titled ‘South Central’, airing across the weekend, corporate leaders such as Rency Mathew of Sabre India and Chandni Gaglani of Aisle will share insights into leadership journeys and the evolving role of women in driving corporate growth.

The channel will also present a special episode of ‘The Money Show’, featuring financial influencers Anushka Rathod and Rachana Ranade discussing financial literacy, disciplined investing and the increasing participation of women in financial markets.

Alongside these flagship discussions, ET NOW Swadesh will broadcast thematic segments covering financial markets, corporate leadership and women’s health. Programmes such as ‘Market Ke Maharathi’, ‘Smart Nari’, ‘Smart Nivesh’ and ‘Corporate Connection: She Leads’ will feature industry experts analysing market trends, investment strategies and leadership journeys.

Beyond television, ET NOW’s digital platforms will extend the conversation with actors Vidya Balan, Rashmika Mandanna and Sonam Kapoor sharing their personal perspectives on financial awareness and money management.

Through ‘She Leads The Future’, ET NOW aims to highlight the structural shifts shaping India’s economic growth while reinforcing its position as a platform for serious market conversations and influential business narratives. The special programming underscores the channel’s continued focus on tracking power, capital and decision-making across the country’s evolving economic landscape.