Dr. Payal Kanodia: A compassionate leader dedicated to driving meaningful social impact
Nari Shakti: The Influential Business Women Driving Indian Economy 2024
The cover star of this most-sought-after edition is a woman who is a successful entrepreneur, trailblazer, visionary, philanthropist, changemaker, and whatnot. Dr. Payal Kanodia is our undisputed choice to be featured in this edition honoring the ‘Nari Shakti’. We are amazed by her compassionate personality and strategic leadership and believe our readers could learn a lot from her success story.
As the Director of M3M Group, one of India’s leading real estate conglomerates, she is playing an instrumental role in shaping the organization’s success. The group has been recognized for driving growth through innovation and sustainable practices under her thought leadership. However, her influence goes beyond the corporate sphere.
Dr Payal Kanodia is the Chairperson and Trustee of the M3M Foundation, which is an establishment that stands for uplifting underserved communities and ensuring holistic development for those in support. Her passion for social impact has translated into meaningful initiatives leading to change for millions of people. But her contribution to evolved leadership isn’t confined to the foundation’s work only.
To empower other people, especially women, has been in her long-term visions that fuel her leadership. Her role as the Chairperson of FICCI YFLO, Delhi, further highlights her commitment to empowerment. Here, she extends her valuable support to all the young women entrepreneurs and leaders seeking guidance and provides them with platforms for growth, mentorship, and opportunities to excel in the business world.
Her belief in the power of women to create transformative change in society and the economy amazed us, and we couldn’t help but get in touch with her. In conversation with our team, we happen to explore several untapped aspects of her story. This narrative compiles all the excerpts of interaction held with her, comprising valuable insights.
The Company Profile
The M3M Foundation was established in 2019 to enhance society’s quality of life through real estate development. It has never been about making goods only for the social classes that can buy M3M properties and assets; rather, it has always been about bringing everyone on a path of equal opportunity and growth. For this reason, “Sarvoday,” the main initiative of the M3M Foundation, was created.
The foundation’s strategic objective is centered on providing support for a wide variety of social activities around the country. With a presence in 22 states, 3 union territories, 60 districts, and over 700 villages throughout India, M3M Foundation’s theme interventions have successfully transformed 3.8 Million Lives. Through cooperation and collaborations with the state, and federal government, and more than 15 civil society organizations.
Vision and Mission Statement
No one can deny the fact that Dr. Payal Kanodia is a visionary business leader who has brought people together with a shared objective. When asked to share the inspiring vision that drives the success of M3M Group, the dynamic leader shared that they are devoted to the empowerment of marginalized communities for sustainable development.
The team ensures to leverage the resources required for marginalized communities. The aim is to empower and equip everyone to reach their maximum potential in terms of planning, implementing, monitoring, and contributing to sustainable community development.
Distinct Approach
M3M Foundation operates on the principle that empowerment is crucial to sustainable development. Its initiatives equip marginalized communities with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary for self-sufficiency and improved livelihoods. The Foundation is compelled to Empowering Individuals, Empowering Communities: Collective Action for Lasting Change, which reflects its dedication to making a positive, lasting impact on society.
Collaboration is at the core of M3M Foundation’s approach, partnering with like-minded organizations to prioritize sustainability. Aligned with the SDG agenda, the Foundation has developed a strategic plan to support impactful social activities across more than 20 states in India, contributing to the nation’s sustainable development goals.
Making a Difference
Dr. Payal Kanodia’s journey into the world of business is deeply rooted in her belief in the transformative power of enterprise to drive positive change. Inspired by her family’s dedication to societal betterment through philanthropic efforts, she developed a strong sense of responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society. For her, business became the ideal platform to merge innovation with social impact, a passion that has driven her career.
As the face of M3M Group, one of India’s leading real estate conglomerates, Dr. Kanodia plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization, ensuring its leadership in innovation and excellence. Her corporate success is matched by her dedication to social causes, particularly in her role as Trustee of the M3M Foundation.
There, she spearheads initiatives focused on empowering underprivileged communities through education, skill development, and health services, with a special emphasis on women and child empowerment. Dr. Kanodia’s commitment to balancing profitability with purpose has guided her vision and values.
Both M3M Group and the M3M Foundation have made significant strides not only in business growth but also in environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and community development. Her leadership exemplifies the essence of Nari Shakti, blending strength, wisdom, and compassion to build a more inclusive and progressive future for all.
“My journey has been rapid and unique in its own way. I hail from Tauru, my ancestral village in Haryana, and have had a humble upbringing, but by virtue of belonging to an ambitious atmosphere, the one trait deeply instilled in me is that SKY IS NOT EVEN THE LIMIT. This overall defines how I approach everything in life, and through the course of the last 10 years, I have continually focused on expanding and redirecting my goals to higher dimensions that have posed plenty of hurdles and roadblocks, but nothing deters me from growing and finding my reason to believe. Some of the most recent challenges and growth opportunities lie in the fact that I have a role to play in balancing my family, the business landscape, political networks, and philanthropy,” she shed light on her challenges in her early corporate life.
The values guiding the company
The fundamental principles that are cornerstones of the M3M Foundation remain steadfast: trust, equality, empathy, inclusion, and collaboration. They influence all projects and initiatives and direct them in their pursuit of sustainable development, according to Dr. Payal Kanodia.
Regardless of background, equality guarantees that underprivileged communities have equitable access to chances for economic emancipation. Empathy forces them to comprehend these communities’ unique difficulties in great detail and to take action in order to create a supportive and caring atmosphere.
Throughout the planning and implementation of their projects, inclusion guarantees that every voice is acknowledged and heard. Collaboration allows them to engage closely with communities, government bodies, and other key partners to create meaningful and lasting change. Trust underpins all their relationships, fostering transparency and accountability in every action they take.
Dedicated to community development
Dr. Payal Kanodia has been quite actively involved in the M3M Foundation’s humanitarian approach. She has spearheaded initiatives that have a profound impact on education, health, and livelihoods, particularly for underserved communities. At present, M3M Foundation has a remarkable presence in 22 states, 3 Union Territories, and more than 250 villages. And, creating ripples, the foundation has transformed the lives of over 3.8 million people, showing the act of kindness.
Under her stewardship, the Foundation supports over 700 children with scholarships for their continued learning, impacting 8 lakh students and 5,500+ government schools in the field of foundational literacy and numeracy. Additionally, more than 20,000 children have benefited from digital education under the “SAAKSHAR” program. With Dr. Kanodia’s guidance, the Foundation ensures that over 10 lakh students have access to quality digital education, bridging the digital divide for future generations.
She proceeded to explain that in the healthcare space, the “Kartavya” program has transformed the lives of thousands by organizing healthcare camps in both rural and urban areas. These camps offer free medical check-ups, diagnostic tests, and consultations, providing personalized treatment and health education. Over the past year, more than 10,000 individuals have benefited from the 50+ healthcare camps organized, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support.
The “Sarvoday” initiative, also under Dr. Kanodia’s leadership, has brought critical healthcare improvements to the Nuh district in Haryana, one of India’s most underdeveloped regions. By equipping sub-centers and primary health centers (PHCs) with essential medical equipment, the Foundation has significantly enhanced healthcare services, leading to better health outcomes for local communities.
A recent survey revealed a 30% improvement in healthcare access for residents of Nuh since the initiative’s launch, demonstrating the power of focused interventions in bridging healthcare disparities in rural India. Livelihood enhancement is another key area of focus under Dr. Kanodia’s vision to change lives, aligning with SDG 8 for inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
The “Kaushal Sambal” program empowers underprivileged youth by providing industry-relevant skills in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and IT. To date, over 1,300 youth have been trained, with an impressive 76% placement rate, directly contributing to poverty reduction and improved living standards across communities.
Uplifting women-entrepreneurs
We asked Dr. Payal Kanodia about lending support to women entrepreneurs, and she mentioned that in India, women face numerous social, economic, and cultural barriers, from limited education and healthcare access to gender discrimination and patriarchal norms. Despite these challenges, her foundation remains committed to empowering women across the country and guiding them to achieve their dreams.
Through initiatives like Kartavya, Kaushal Sambal, Lakshay, Mashaal, iMpower, Saakshar, Sankalp, and Sarvoday, they’ve supported over 150,000 women in overcoming these obstacles. Each program is designed to address specific needs, from entrepreneurial skills and sports promotion to education and environmental stewardship. Their aim is to foster a more equitable future where every woman can thrive and contribute to society.
Tips for women entrepreneurs to ace it
Addressing the mass population of aspiring women entrepreneurs out there, Dr Kanodia elucidated, “Achieving any goal demands unwavering dedication, but for entrepreneurs, especially women, societal expectations often require them to excel in multiple roles simultaneously. My top recommendation for all aspiring women entrepreneurs is to focus on holistic personal growth.
Success isn’t just about mastering your craft; it’s about the quality of your character, the depth of your thought process, and the level of consciousness you attain. To truly succeed, you must continuously expand your horizons by working on yourself— physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Strive hard towards your goals, but work even harder on yourself. Cultivate a manifestation spirit so divine and strong that it naturally attracts the right people and opportunities to you.”
Wise words shared by the corporate maven
“To our global readership, I would like to share this thought: Success is not just about achieving personal goals, but about uplifting those around us and making a meaningful difference.
As you navigate your journey, stay rooted in purpose, embrace challenges with resilience, and always strive for inclusive growth. The true measure of progress lies in the positive impact you create for society, and in empowering others to rise alongside you. Stay focused, remain compassionate, and never underestimate the power of a shared vision.
In the realm of my womanhood, I passionately embrace an ideology that envisions a stronger, more compassionate nation while safeguarding my most precious treasure: my family. Deep within, I am committed to fostering a society built on compassion, equality, and shared prosperity. I advocate tirelessly for progress, where the call to uplift and support one another is unwavering, and the voices of the marginalized are heard loud and clear.
Yet, amid this relentless pursuit of a better world, I remain devoted to the sanctity of my family. It is within these cherished bonds that my strength is nurtured, where love and harmony flourish, lighting the path forward for us all.”
