Introducing the Leadership of the BRICS Inclusive Economy Working Group
We are proud of the formation of the BRICS Inclusive Economy Working Group, which includes accomplished leaders from across banking, financial services, corporate governance, insurance, and gender equity who will represent India’s commitment to building a more inclusive economy on the world stage.
The BRICS Inclusive Economy Working Group convenes leaders across member nations to advance cooperation on financial inclusion, equitable economic growth, women’s economic empowerment, and institutional resilience. India’s chapter brings together voices from central banking, global financial institutions, insurance, and professional services, reflecting the depth and diversity of India’s inclusive economy agenda.
Chair
Sudha Shivkumar
Past President, FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) & Director, Shiv Automobiles Pvt Ltd
Co-Chair
Priyanka Gulati
Partner, Grant Thornton
BRICS Inclusive Economy Working Group 2026
| Name | Country | Designation | Organization |
| Surekha Marandi | India | Member | Former Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India |
| Kalpana Ajayan | India | Member | Regional Head- South Asia, Womens World Banking |
| Sudakshina Bhattacharya | India | Member | President and Chief Human Resources Officer, HDFC ERGO |
| Yogini Chaudhari | India | Member | Sr. Manager – L&D and I&D, Diageo |
| Krishna Hazarika Rao | India | Member | GM-PR, Oil India Ltd |
| Shalini Arora | India | Member | Gender Balance Sponsor, Natwest |
| Smriti Puri | India | Member | Director – HR & Corporate Communication, SCV and Co. LLP, Chartered Accountants |
| Ana Costa | Brazil | Chair | Vice President, Natura & Co |
| Galina Volkova | Russia | Chair | PhD in Economics, Founder Orthomoda Group of Companies |
| Natalia Strigunova | Russia | Member | Head of the Department of International Cooperation, Public Relations and Scientific Coordination the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia |
| Ludmila Popova | Russia | Member | Professor, Head of the Department of Economics Finance and Accounting. Orel State University named after Ivan Turgenev, |
| Maria Muhari | South Africa | Chair | Head: Inclusive Economy Joint Working Group – South Africa Board Member: BRICS WBA SA NPC Group CEO: Hloyasane Electrical Technologies (HET Group) |
| Lebogang Zulu | South Africa | Co-Chair | Chairperson, BRICS WBA SA |
| Irawati Hermawan | Indonesia | Chair |
Spanning central banking, multilateral finance, insurance, professional services, and corporate governance, this group brings an exceptional range of expertise to the BRICS table. Their collective commitment to inclusive growth, women’s economic empowerment, and institutional excellence will help shape India’s contribution to the working group’s agenda.
