Category : Golden Peacock Award for Social Leadership

Dr. Neerja Birla

Founder & Chairperson, Aditya Birla Education Trust

Dr. Neerja Birla, a dedicated educationist and mental health advocate, is the visionary Founder and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust. Leading transformative initiatives, she established Mpower in 2016, revolutionizing India's approach to mental health. Ujaas, her endeavor with daughter Advaitesha, strives to destigmatize menstrual health. In education, her institutions include The Aditya Birla Integrated School, India's top Special Needs School, Nalanda for holistic education, and the acclaimed Aditya Birla World Academy. Dr. Birla also pioneered the Aditya Birla Education Academy, fostering global collaboration for educator skill enhancement. She is an advocate of the G20 alliance for the Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation (EMPOWER), Member of the National Managing Body of the Indian Red Cross Society, trustee of the Mumbai Police Foundation, member of the India Advisory Council of the British Asian Trust India and the Asia Gender Network, among others. Her accolades include Fortune India's 50 Most Powerful Business Women in 2023 and Business Today's Most Powerful Women in Business in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Derby and an honorary doctorate from Jharkhand Rai University for exceptional leadership and community service in mental health.