Empowering Women and Non-Binary Talent in Indian Advertising: ICW Portfolio Evening 2025

(L to R): Harshada Menon, Darshan Gandhi, Kainaz Karmakar, Rahul Mathew, Sukesh Nayak, Rebecca Daniel, Deep Chhabria, Dara Lynch,  Himanish Ashar, Chandani Samdaria, Siddhi Yadav, Alisha Sharma, Nivedita Agashe, Suchitra Gahlot, Pragati Rana, Mahima Mathur, Hetal Ajmera

Industry collectives like Indian Creative Women (ICW) are driving change towards a more inclusive advertising and creative landscape. In its commitment to this mission, ICW proudly hosted the 5th edition of its prestigious Portfolio Evening on January 30th and 31st. This year's hybrid event, organised in partnership with D&AD and the DDB Mudra Group, was sponsored by Godrej Consumer Products.

Portfolio Evening 2025 convened over 30 prominent leaders from creative and media agencies, as well as marketing executives. 80 talented women and non-binary creatives from diverse backgrounds, spanning design, animation, and advertising schools, showcased their portfolios in rigorous review sessions. This unique platform fostered dialogue and the exchange of innovative ideas.

Rishanki Gosalia emerged as the winner of the Mumbai Portfolio Evening, while Dimple Parmar won the virtual edition. Both winners earned an all-expenses-paid trip to the prestigious D&AD Festival in London this May and the opportunity to work on a live project with Godrej Consumer Products.

Speaking on the occasion, Sakshi Choudhary, founder, Indian Creative Women said, “Portfolio Evening 2025 was the fifth successful portfolio review event by Indian Creative Women. Our incredible global jury gave constructive feedback to more than 80 Indian creative women. The participants didn't just show good pieces in their book but they had unbelievable conviction in presenting the work. These women are now equipped with what they need to take the next step and will continue to tap into our network to make the most of it. I'm also elated for our winners, Rishanki and Dimple, who will get to experience the D&AD Festival in person, in London. Thanks to our sponsors Godrej and DDB. Indian Creative Women will continue to actively work towards giving Indian women visibility and balancing the gender ratio at leadership levels."

A recent report by the Geena Davis Institute highlights the pervasive issue of stereotyping in advertising, revealing that only 10% of Indian ads feature women in professional roles, while 62% depict them as homemakers. This disparity stems from a lack of representation within the advertising industry. Through initiatives like Portfolio Evening, ICW directly addresses this gender gap, driving tangible and positive change within India's creative ecosystem.

Jury for Mumbai Portfolio Evening: -

Jury for Virtual Portfolio Evening: -