Swati A. Piramal

About

When Swati A. Piramal, vice chairperson and executive director of the Piramal Group, began her journey in healthcare and research in the early 1980s, India’s pharmaceutical and biotech landscape was still in its infancy. There was limited investment in original research and innovation, and even basic public health challenges such as polio, tuberculosis, and malaria required grassroots interventions. “My early work as a doctor reinforced a simple but powerful belief: prevention and science-led solutions must go hand in hand,” says Piramal, who has taken up several pan-India health campaigns against chronic diseases. She has also worked to empower women, especially in backward districts. “My focus has been on enabling access, agency, and opportunity across three interconnected areas—health, education and livelihoods, and leadership.” In fact, she went on to become the first woman president of ASSOCHAM, in its 90-year history, besides serving on the boards of several companies. She also spearheads the Piramal Foundation, which focuses on the sustainable development of people in backward districts, rural and tribal health and education. She describes it as a “journey rather than a destination.” “When communities are empowered, and systems are strengthened, transformation at scale is possible,” she concludes.