There’s a subtle but powerful resistance to women pushing boundaries,” reflects Eiti Singhal, Ex-Chief Marketing Officer of Vega Industries Private Limited. Her journey through marketing’s competitive landscape reveals both persistent challenges and powerful solutions for women in leadership.
As Singhal climbed the corporate ladder, she encountered what many women face: the expectation to show “an extra level of confidence” just to have ideas embraced, while navigating strategic spaces where female voices often struggle to carry equal weight. More strikingly, she found herself confronting “the scarcity of female mentors at the senior level in marketing.”
Rather than accepting this reality, Singhal chose to transform it. “I’ve made it a point to mentor and support the next generation of women leaders in the field, so they don’t face the same isolation that I did early in my career,” she explains.
This commitment manifests in concrete actions: prioritizing one-on-one discussions for constructive feedback, serving as a visiting faculty member at India’s top business schools, and advocating for women’s right to expression in professional settings. Perhaps most significantly, she insists on making ROI “a big agenda and synonym to Marketing in every conversation”—strategically grounding creative work in measurable business impact.
The challenges extend beyond boardrooms. “Balancing the demands of a leadership role with personal life remains a challenge,” Singhal acknowledges, “especially as marketing is often expected to work at a fast pace.” As “a daughter of a growing parent and a leader,” she’s established clear boundaries and cultivated a team culture where work-life balance is prioritized.
Singhal points to historically male-dominated networks as a persistent barrier, emphasizing that access to strong mentorship remains crucial for women’s growth in the industry. Her response? Create the very networks and mentorship opportunities that were once lacking.
“These challenges have only strengthened my resolve,” she reflects. “I try to lead by example, embracing both creative risk-taking and strategic vision, while creating an inclusive environment for my teams.”
In a landscape still marked by gender disparities, Singhal’s approach reminds us that effective leadership isn’t just about breaking glass ceilings—it’s about ensuring they stay broken for those who follow, transforming isolation into inspiration for the next generation of women leaders.
This Viral Vault’s exclusive article features insights from Eiti Singhal, Ex-Chief Marketing Officer at Vega Industries Private Limited, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
