Sangeeta Pillai

Sangeeta Pillai is a feminist activist, author, podcaster and keynote speaker recognised as one of the leading voices in South Asian feminism globally. As the Founder and CEO of Soul Sutras and creator of the multi-award-winning Masala Podcast, Sangeeta has built an influential platform dedicated to empowering women and challenging cultural taboos. Her remarkable journey from growing up in the slums of Mumbai to becoming an internationally respected advocate for equality, resilience and social change has inspired audiences around the world. Through her powerful storytelling and unwavering commitment to women's voices, she has established herself as a compelling speaker who demonstrates how adversity can be transformed into purpose and impact.

Growing up in a Mumbai slum, Sangeeta faced significant hardship from an early age. Raised in an environment marked by poverty, domestic violence and deep-rooted patriarchal expectations, she was often made to feel that her ambitions as a girl held little value. Following the traumatic loss of her mother and years of navigating a challenging family environment, she became determined to create a different future for herself. Sangeeta went on to become the first woman in her traditional Keralan family to attend university and pursue a professional career. After graduating from Mithibai College, she built a successful career in advertising and communications, working across India, Singapore and the United Kingdom for leading agencies including Dentsu, Young & Rubicam, Lowe India, TBWA and Sapient Nitro. 

Sangeeta's career achievements are both extensive and influential. She is the Founder of Soul Sutras, a pioneering feminist platform that supports South Asian women globally through podcasts, workshops, theatre productions and community events. Her Masala Podcast has earned widespread acclaim, winningsix British Podcast Awards, the Spotify SoundUp Award 2018 and an Audio Production Award, while reaching audiences around the world. Her work has been featured by major media outlets including BBC Radio, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, The Metro, Stylist, The Evening Standard and Huffington Post. Sangeeta is also the author of the acclaimed memoir ‘Bad Daughter’, which chronicles her journey from Mumbai's slums to international recognition. Alongside her creative work, she serves as a Podcast Academy Governor, a respected Podcast Awards Judge, and an influential voice advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within the media and podcasting industries.

As a keynote speaker, Sangeeta delivers powerful, authentic and deeply personal presentations that resonate with a wide range of audiences. She speaks on topics including feminism, resilience, overcoming adversity, diversity and inclusion, mental health, and trauma and healing. She has spoken for organisations including The Walt Disney Company, AVIVA, Mindshare, MullenLowe Group and the WOW Festival, consistently leaving audiences inspired and motivated to create meaningful change. Her ability to combine personal vulnerability with practical insights makes her an exceptional speaker whose message encourages people to challenge limitations, embrace their authentic voices and recognise that their circumstances do not define their future.