#ShareTheSpotlight: When women support women, incredible things happen, Dipali Goenka, Welspun

Note to readers: Storyboard18's Share The Spotlight aims to highlight inspirational stories of women who continue breaking barriers and setting the precedent for other women marketers, entrepreneurs and communication specialists.

The initiative aims to kick off a movement where people from across these communities step up and share their spotlight with other women. They could be women in their team or any other team, a new group or previous one, from a past workplace or the current one.

Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.

This is just the beginning of a long journey to spotlight individuals who are empowering others and bringing change and growth for all. Together we rise.

Welspun India Ltd’s CEO MD, Dipali Goenka’s professional journey began humbly, with small, albeit passionate steps and a clear goal. In this journey, there have been a few moments that stand out, not only for their impact on Goenka’s career but also for the deep sense of fulfilment they have brought her.

One such milestone is the launch of Spaces in 2003. As a homemaker, Goenka wanted the best quality home textiles for her home, and that is what she offered other consumers as well. “It was an effort to redefine the very essence of home textiles – to craft an experience that would envelop our consumer in comfort, luxury, and innovation. Spaces gave me a sense of purpose and, in many ways, was my true entry into the world of home textiles.,” says Goenka

Goenka further states, “As a woman in the industry, I faced a fair share of challenges, and my second achievement is that I have been able to make the journey a little easier for other women - not just in the textile industry, but also in other spaces.”

Women of Welspun is an initiative by her aimed at recognising, driving, and creating a culture of equal opportunity for every woman employee. “I am proud of the fact that over 25 percent of our talent across functions is women. Welspun Super Sport Women is another such programme to aid women across different stages and sporting disciplines in the traditionally male-dominated field of sports. While all 27 women we support are true rockstars, our champion Manasi Joshi now ranks World #1 in Para Badminton Singles,” shares Goenka.

Read More:: #ShareTheSpotlight: Indian female sports persons are hugely under-represented: Megha Desai, ENGN

Goenka also counts winning the National Water Award for their Anjar plant being zero freshwater dependent, from the hands of the then President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovindji, as a huge achievement. In collaboration with local municipalities, a unique water system collects, transports, and treats public sewage from neighbouring towns at Welspun’s sewage treatment plant, which is then used for operations at Anjar.

“What is even more heartwarming, is that we are helping the communities surrounding our Anjar plant with our large rainwater harvesting reservoir that gives them access to freshwater all year round,” mentions Goenka

Each challenge along the way has helped shape Goenka into who she is today. “One of my biggest failures was when we decided to close our 200+ Wel Home stores. To say that there was immense disappointment is an understatement, but as I look back, that experience taught me to manage my consumer brands better. It helped me deep dive into the challenges and gain learnings. I can proudly say that today, Welspun is the most distributed brand in India, present in over 11,000 stores in 500+ cities around the country."

“I believe every woman at Welspun deserves the spotlight and acknowledgment for their dedication, and passion as their hard work is instrumental in making us who we are," Dipali Goenka, CEO &MD, Welspun

The COVID-19 pandemic threw another major curveball for the businesses, but Goenka and her team managed it as best they could by optimising the offerings as per the markets’ needs, using existing assets.

Welspun also forayed into advanced textiles made using non-woven spun lace fabric and have now inaugurated a new plant in Telangana dedicated to manufacturing the same. "Welspun Flooring Limited was also launched in that period, which has registered the highest ever full-year revenue of Rs. 125 crores in FY 22-23.” shares Goenka.

Goenka sincerely believes in the saying, "When women support women, incredible things happen”. She shares the spotlight with four incredibly driven women who have played a huge part in Welspun reaching such great heights.

First is Manjari Upadhye, who leads Welspun’s domestic brands. “She doesn't fear taking risks and making bold decisions, which is evident in how she has effectively managed our emerging businesses. Manjari also recently bagged the most prestigious and well deserved Welspun Group Award.

Ruchika Arora is Goenka’s next nomination. “She confidently manages Welspun as Senior VP; her passion and discipline are qualities I sincerely admire, and she is one of the strongest pillars of our workforce at Welspun,” says Goenka.

Goenka also nominated Khyati Shah, Welspun’s corporate communications expert. Strategy is her forte and her creativity combined with a go-getter attitude make her one of the most reliable people on the team.

Then there's Megha Patil. According to Goenka, “As Assistant VP, she is a huge support to all of us. Her zeal to learn and grow at every step motivates us all at Welspun. She is always calm, rational, and pragmatic, and one of the best people to have around.”

“I believe every woman at Welspun deserves the spotlight and acknowledgment for their dedication, and passion as their hard work is instrumental in making us who we are.”

Read More:#ShareTheSpotlight: Balancing family life, work, play - how AnyMind's Rubeena Singh does it all

Know anyone you’d like to share the spotlight with? Join the movement, give them a shout-out on LinkedIn and tag Storyboard18 so we can take it forward.