(March 6, 2026) Before stepping into entrepreneurship, Minal Srinivasan spent nearly two decades working across international markets, collaborating with leaders and teams in countries including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines and the Maldives. Those years in global corporate roles exposed her to diverse business environments, leadership styles and cultural contexts. These experiences later shaped her approach as an entrepreneur.
Today, as Managing Director of Kesari Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. (KIPL), Minal leads an environmental consultancy and sustainable infrastructure firm that focuses on ecological restoration and compliance solutions. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its work in biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, including large-scale Miyawaki plantations that help create dense urban forests and restore green cover in rapidly urbanising cities.
“Sustainable infrastructure development is the only imperative we are left with. It means economic progress and environmental conservation must go hand in hand,” says the Mumbai-based entrepreneur.
Through its afforestation and restoration initiatives, KIPL has planted more than 2,50,000 trees across India, creating oxygen pockets in urban landscapes. These projects help mitigate challenges such as soil erosion, carbon sequestration and urban heat island effects while contributing to global sustainability priorities.
Enhancing green cover in cities also supports key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), and Climate Action (SDG 13). For Minal, sustainability is not just a business vertical but a long-term commitment to building infrastructure that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility.
Early influences and global exposure
Minal grew up in an environment where curiosity, discipline, and independence were encouraged from an early age. Her parents emphasised learning, questioning assumptions and taking calculated risks rather than simply following prescribed paths.
“Studying and working with international organisations very early in my career exposed me to diverse cultures, professional practices and perspectives that were quite different from those back home. These experiences shaped not only how I approach challenges but also how I lead today — with a grounded, globally informed perspective and a strong appreciation for thoughtful decision-making,” she mentions in a chat with Global Indian.
Academically, she strengthened her management foundation with an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and later completed the Advanced Management Programme at the Indian School of Business (ISB).
Her early corporate career also gave her exposure to global markets and cross-cultural teams working on projects related to capacity building, leadership development, talent management and organisational change.
A defining career shift
One of the most defining milestones in her career came when she stepped away from the corporate world to take on a leadership role in her family enterprise, Kesari Infrabuild.
Unlike structured corporate environments, this transition demanded hands-on leadership, long-term ownership and the ability to navigate complex regulatory and technical landscapes.
“Another significant milestone was successfully scaling the business beyond initial expectations by strengthening foundational systems and building capable teams. This phase taught me the importance of balancing long-term vision with disciplined day-to-day execution,” she says.
From corporate leadership to entrepreneurship
Minal Srinivasan’s professional journey spans nearly two decades across education, executive leadership and talent management.
She began her career in the education sector and later built businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. Her work subsequently took her to the Indian subcontinent, where she worked with a boutique talent management consulting firm and later with the Indian School of Business in the executive education space.
After spending nearly 17 years in the corporate world, she decided to return to her family business, Kesari Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. While the company already had a strong legacy, Minal recognised opportunities to strengthen systems and expand its growth trajectory.
“I saw a clear gap in the ecosystem where the majority of environmental infrastructural needs were not addressed under one umbrella. Also, this being a continuously evolving and regulated industry which is highly technical, it did pose an enormous challenge and an even bigger opportunity in my mind. That was the main trigger to transition into an entrepreneurial role,” she explains.
Her decision to return was not about leaving corporate success behind but about applying years of global learning to a business closely aligned with environmental responsibility. “As we scaled, I remained focused on ensuring that growth was balanced and purposeful, allowing our impact in the environmental infrastructure space to expand thoughtfully while keeping the organisation’s core values intact,” she adds.
Navigating a male-dominated industry
Infrastructure remains a traditionally male-dominated sector, something Minal encountered early in her entrepreneurial journey. However, she believes credibility ultimately comes from expertise and results.
“I invested significant time in understanding the technical, regulatory and operational aspects of the business, which allowed me to engage meaningfully across all levels. Over time, this shifted the conversation from perceptions to performance. Today, the focus is largely on outcomes, which I see as a positive sign of progress toward more inclusive leadership in the sector,” she says.
The power of curiosity
Curiosity, she believes, has always been a defining force in both her personal and professional journey. “In a fast-evolving industry, continuous learning allows me to adapt, question existing approaches and refine how we operate. Global exposure broadens perspective and encourages innovation while remaining grounded in practical realities,” she says. This curiosity-driven mindset, she adds, ensures that the organisation remains agile and prepared to navigate change effectively.
Advice for women entrepreneurs
Minal encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to focus on capability building and trusting their instincts. “Many hesitate because they feel they are not ‘fully ready’, but growth often begins outside one’s comfort zone. Authenticity, curiosity and a commitment to learning go a long way in breaking down biases,” she says.
Equally important, she adds, is building a strong support system of mentors and peers who can offer guidance, challenge assumptions and celebrate progress.
Global perspective and leadership instincts
The entrepreneur believes in “contributing meaningfully to India’s growth while drawing from diverse global experiences to shape approaches that are ethical, practical and forward-looking,” Her leadership journey has also involved navigating uncertainty.
“One of the most challenging aspects of my journey has been navigating uncertainty and making decisions without complete information. Whether it was responding to shifting market conditions, balancing stakeholder expectations or taking tough calls that impacted people and processes, there was rarely a clear playbook,” she reflects. These experiences, she believes, ultimately strengthened her resilience and sharpened her leadership instincts.
Looking ahead
Minal says she is inspired by leaders who prioritise long-term impact over short-term recognition and quietly build purpose-driven organisations. A life lesson she holds close is that growth rarely comes from certainty.
“Waiting for the perfect moment often leads to stagnation. Stepping forward, learning along the way and staying open to change is what ultimately creates lasting and meaningful impact,” she says.
Looking ahead, her focus remains on scaling Kesari Infrabuild responsibly while deepening its impact in environmental infrastructure. “This includes embracing technological advancements and ensuring sustainability is embedded across all operations. For me, growth is not just about scale but about creating enduring value and building an organisation that is agile, responsible and future ready,” she concludes.
- Follow Minal Srinivasan on LinkedIn
ALSO READ: Where forests replace balance sheets: Sunith Reddy’s Beforest story
