IN THE PAST two years, what have been some of your most fulfilling moments as the head of Reliance Foundation?

The past couple of years have been deeply fulfilling because they brought together purpose, scale, and impact. Firstly, Reliance Foundation reached a milestone of completing 15 years. We were able to work in 91,500 villages spread across every Indian state, and touch the lives of nearly 9.7 crore (97 million) Indians.⁽¹⁾

This milestone renewed and strengthened our resolve to keep doing better and achieve exponential growth in the coming years. We have drawn out plans to amplify our impact five-fold by 2035, when Reliance Foundation will celebrate its Silver Jubilee.

I was happy to lay out the plans to set up a state-of-the-art medical college integrated with a 2,000-bed medical city in the heart of Mumbai. We plan to modernise Seven Hills Hospital as one of Mumbai’s largest with clinical research, cancer care, emergency and trauma services, organ transplantation, neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Similarly, ‘Vantara’, the embodiment of our shared dream for a compassionate world, became a globally renowned place for animal welfare. The other dream project is the Coastal Road Gardens... the 130-acre spread project... will be home to 60,000 trees.

Another deeply fulfilling moment was the launch of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). In just three years, it has become home to the arts, the artists, and the audience. Our vision is to showcase the best of India to the world and bring the best of the world to India. And I’m very happy that in such a short span of time, NMACC has been ranked amongst the top seven cultural centres in the world.

I’m excited about what we can achieve in the coming years.

In these years, we have been focussed on scaling the foundation’s impact with depth. We were committed to building the youth and sports ecosystem by strengthening grassroots sports and supporting athletes. Women’s empowerment partnerships and preserving India’s cultural legacy were other focus areas. Through initiatives like Swadesh and the NMACC, we gave artisans and artists a global platform.⁽²⁾

Considering the scale and diversity of the country, working across thousands of villages and urban communities means a big challenge. Every region has its unique needs. How did you overcome those challenges?

We took a ‘there is no one-size-fits-all’ approach.

We tried to address it by spending time on the ground, listening and engaging with the communities with empathy, closely working with local institutions, and drawing long-term sustainable approaches using the power of technology, partnerships, and grassroots engagement to help bridge the gaps — but ultimately, it is trust built with communities that drives impact.

How enriching were the personal experiences that played a role in shaping your value system during your professional and personal journey?

My values are deeply rooted in India’s civilisational ethos of empathy, seva (service), and inclusiveness. Over the years, it is the people I have met and the experiences I have lived through that have shaped and strengthened my values.

Whether it is interacting with young athletes who overcome immense odds, or artisans preserving centuries-old traditions, these journeys constantly remind me that resilience and dignity exist in every corner of our country. They reinforce my belief that true leadership lies in enabling others to realise their potential and live with confidence and self-respect.

One of the experiences that most deeply shaped my commitment to healthcare comes from a very personal place. When my father was unwell for the last five years of his life, I experienced something that millions of families quietly endure — the long nights, the unanswered questions, and the silent prayers. I understand the pain and helplessness of patients and their families.

That experience stayed with me. It shaped the way I think about care, compassion, and responsibility. Our vision is clear — make world-class healthcare accessible and affordable for every Indian. And to ensure that our hospitals are compassionate, warm, and dignified spaces of care and comfort, not only for patients, but also for the families who stand beside them.

These experiences continue to guide me, reminding me that institutions must not only deliver excellence, but must also be rooted in humanity.

Reliance Industries has diversified significantly, with the next generation, including your daughter Isha and sons Akash and Anant, now leading various businesses. How has your experience been in guiding them to uphold the socially committed value system that the Ambani family stands for?

At Reliance, values are not taught — they are a way of life. The next generation has grown up seeing that business success and social responsibility go hand in hand. As they lead their respective businesses, I encourage them to embed purpose into strategy, so that growth always creates value for society. That is our guidance not only for our children, but for all the youth of Reliance.

This philosophy comes from my father-in-law Dhirubhai Ambani’s vision and continues under Mukesh Ambani’s leadership.

How has your family supported you in achieving your goals?

Family is my sanctuary, source of strength, and everything. In our family, we are all each other’s biggest cheerleaders. We wholeheartedly support each other’s dreams. Every big or small occasion is celebrated together; we work as one unit, and that is our biggest strength.

Mukesh has been the best life partner to me, always encouraging me to move out of my comfort zone and take up greater responsibilities, learn new things, and achieve the impossible. He has truly been the wind beneath my wings.

Everything that I have done and achieved would not have been possible without the unconditional love, encouragement, and support of my husband and all my six children, Isha, Anand, Shloka, Akash, Radhika, and Anant.

And now of course, one of the biggest sources of strength, stamina, positivity, and energy for me has been our grandchildren.

How do you balance guiding your family while managing the demands of work?

Balance, for me, is about integration, not separation. Family and work are both rooted in the same values — care, commitment, and responsibility. When your purpose is clear, balancing roles becomes a natural extension of who you are.

Who have been your key inspirations, and why?

My earliest key inspirations were the amazing women in my family, starting with my courageous and always-positive mother, my Gandhian grandmother, and my incredible aunts who were all path-breaking in their time as swimmers, teachers, shipping executives, and freedom fighters. These women taught me courage and resilience. They taught me to work really hard, and raised me to believe that with honesty and determination, I could do anything; I could be anything.

My father, Ravindrabhai Dalal, was one of the kindest people I have known; his gentleness and compassion continue to guide me. After I got married, I was very inspired by my father-in-law, Dhirubhai Ambani, who always dreamt big and taught me to believe in my dreams, too.⁽³⁾

And of course my husband, Mukesh Ambani, who has always encouraged me to believe in my dreams and trusted me to make the impossible possible. From him, I’ve learnt that you can never be too old to learn new things and that learning never stops.

And most importantly, the people of India — especially women, children, athletes, and artisans who show extraordinary courage and determination every day. I firmly believe women will play a defining role in shaping a better world.

How do you hope to use your role as a leader to contribute to the larger good — both in business and society?

For me, leadership is about using influence as a force for good. Whether it is ensuring access to education, empowering women, supporting athletes, or preserving culture, the goal is to create a more equitable, compassionate, and sustainable future.

True power lies in uplifting others. It lies in extending a helping hand, in empowering communities, in being able to make a difference in someone’s life, in driving meaningful change in society. This belief drives everything that I do.

Power is a responsibility — a means of creating shared values and building institutions that serve a larger purpose for society. I feel fortunate that with the resources I have, I have been able to set up institutions that are serving people and society — whether it’s my hospital, the schools, and now, NMACC.

What would you describe as a turning point in your career?

A defining turning point was the formalisation and expansion of Reliance Foundation. It gave structure to something we were already doing — to our long-standing belief that business must serve society, and allowed us to scale impact across multiple dimensions — health, education, rural transformation, and beyond.

Another defining phase was the 1990s, when Mukesh was setting up the world’s largest refinery in Jamnagar. He asked me to help him build the township and schools there for over 5,500 families of our employees who would work in the refinery complex. My twins, Isha and Akash, were only 5 at the time, and my youngest, Anant, was just 2. Twice a week for three years, I would leave home early in the morning and return before their bedtime.

I remember when the Jamnagar refinery was 60% complete, we were hit by a devastating cyclone and then followed by an earthquake, and almost everything we had built was destroyed. The international agencies were called in, and they said it would take a minimum of one year to control the damage. That’s where the indomitable resilience and unwavering spirit of the people of Reliance came in. With their tireless efforts 24x7, we controlled the damage in just 14 days, a feat that nobody has been able to achieve all over the world.

I remember we used to work out of tin sheds in the scorching heat and dust. The temperatures would go up to 42° C, and there was no greenery to provide any relief. The region received less than 400 cm of rain and groundwater was also scarce. But as a result of our greening efforts, Reliance turned that once barren and arid land into the world’s greenest refinery — rainfall has doubled, flora and fauna have flourished, neighbouring communities have thrived, and the region has gone from having one tree to more than 10 million trees today. Jamnagar is also home to Asia’s largest mango orchard, and to Vantara, which is the world’s largest rescue and rehabilitation centre, touching the lives of more than one million animals and birds.

What has been the most challenging phase in your professional journey? What advice would you offer to women professionals managing multiple responsibilities?

The most challenging phase is often juggling multiple responsibilities while staying true to oneself and sometimes managing stereotypes and expectations from society about women. I still remember for many years at industrial sites, the men only called me ‘Sir’.

My advice to women professionals is to believe in your potential, set high targets for yourself, and never be afraid to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams. Remember, resilience and multitasking are your greatest strengths, and you are the master of your own destiny.⁽⁴⁾

What are your personal interests, and how do you unwind from a busy professional life?

For me, the simple joys in life matter the most, like going for a drive with Mukesh, working out, practising Bharatanatyam, listening to music, watching sports, spending time with our children, and of course, now, our grandchildren, Prithvi, Aadiya, Krishna, and Veda. They are God’s biggest gifts to us!

I also find joy in art, culture, and heritage. Spending time at the Swadesh initiative⁽⁵⁾ is deeply fulfilling — it connects me with India’s incredible artisans and traditions.

It is both relaxing and inspiring, because it reminds me of the richness of our heritage and the importance of preserving it for future generations.