Fortune India
Isha Ambani’s journey straddles the twin but interconnected worlds of boardrooms and philanthropy. Born in the illustrious Ambani family, in a short span of time she has carved an incredible space for herself amongst India’s top corporate voices.
Being a part of the Ambani family, Isha’s worldview has been shaped by her legendary grandfather, Dhirubhai Ambani, and also her parents, Mukesh and Nita Ambani. Through them, she inherited a legacy of ambition, empathy, and excellence.
Isha Ambani’s childhood was inspirational, from first-hand witnessing her grandfather’s dream take shape in Jamnagar, to dinner-table conversations about disruption and growth.
Isha played an important role in Reliance Jio’s early journey. At that time, India’s telecom world was chaotic and Jio wanted to disrupt it. She worked closely with her father and brother to democratise digital access in India.
Isha credits a large part of her success to the values instilled in her by her mother, Nita Ambani, who she calls a ‘miracle woman.’ Talking to Fortune India, she says Nita Ambani taught her the value of empowering the marginalised and creating impact that touches real lives.
Her husband Anand Piramal’s social mission also inspired her focus on healthcare and rural upliftment. She calls it a seamless fusion of entrepreneurship and empathy.
Isha Ambani is now the head of Reliance Retail. And she has scaled the business from 2,621 to over 19,000 stores. She also revamped supply chains, and built iconic brands.
Isha Ambani is also creating a revolution in the fashion industry with icons like Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna, and Ritu Kumar, putting Indian fashion on the global map.
As board member of Reliance Industries, and being a close collaborator of her father, Mukesh Ambani, Isha today stands at the intersection of legacy and leadership: shaping India’s economic and social future, one step at a time.