Adani Group adds women leaders by tapping founders’ inner circle

The appointments follow the group’s stated diversity, equity and inclusion approach, wherein it aims to have women directors make up at least a fifth of its board

Billionaire Gautam Adani is adding more women leaders to his ports-to-power conglomerate as part of a push to diversify its boardrooms — a transformation that’s seeing talent drafted from within the family.

At least two women with familial ties to the billionaire founder have taken on leadership roles at Adani Group companies in recent months, according to company communication and people familiar with the matter. Srushti Adani, wife of the billionaire’s nephew Sagar Adani, has been tasked with leading digital initiatives at Adani Digital Labs under the conglomerate’s airport unit, while daughter-in-law Diva Adani will be in charge of non-aero business strategies at Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.

Diva, who married Adani’s youngest son Jeet Adani earlier this year, will help shape a customer-centric approach to airport management, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal company matters.

The appointments follow the group’s stated diversity, equity and inclusion approach, wherein it aims to have women directors make up at least a fifth of its board from 12.5% in the year ended March. Yet naming family members to leadership roles points to the continuing preference among Indian conglomerates to preserve control within the founding clan.

Expanding familial control in operations also risks sending conflicting messages to employees about meritocracy.

Before taking on the role at Adani, Diva, the daughter of Surat-based diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, worked with Adani’s charitable foundation on its disability program over the past year. Srushti, an engineering graduate from the University of California, founded and led medical equipment manufacturer Wellnest Tech.

An Adani Group representative declined to comment on the appointments.

The Adani women also lead the group’s philanthropic initiatives. Namrata Adani, wife of the group founder’s nephew Pranav Adani, is involved with the Adani International School. She’s also currently serving as a non-executive director at Adani Group. Meanwhile, the group’s matriarch, Priti Adani, guides the Adani Foundation, which works in 7,060 villages across 21 states for social change.