Digital Cover: Michelle Poonawalla On Redefining Legacy In Modern India

Being a part of a legacy conglomerate, Michelle Poonawalla has donned many hats over the years. And now she is envisioning a future that is deeply rooted in purpose and innovation. Positioned at the intersection of legacy, luxury, and forward-thinking leadership, she speaks about conscious luxury, sustainable investments, intelligent diversification, and the evolving global narrative around India’s enterprise.

“Legacy should be an advantage, not a constraint,” Poonawalla states confidently when asked about her core focus.

Apart from being a key force within the Poonawalla group, she is also a philanthropist and an artist, a recipient of the coveted Shiromani Award. Having been raised in India and the UK, art has always been a key driving force in Poonawalla’s journey and she has managed to not just remain confined to a canvas but use her art to create conversations. She’s also had the distinguished opportunity to speak in the Houses of Parliament in London about how art has a powerful voice.

Michelle Poonawalla sat down with Outlook Luxe to talk about her new investment ventures, role as a leader, philantrophy and more.

The Group’s recent investment in Regeno reflects a commitment towards sustainable innovation. What about the opportunity resonated with you, and how did it materialise?

At the Poonawalla Group, we have always believed that meaningful growth is responsible growth. Regeno resonated with our values, innovation, and sustainability. For me, it was the company’s ability to merge technological advancement with measurable environmental impact. Regeno represents our conviction that sustainability must move from aspiration to action. For us, it is about backing enterprises that can redefine how industries operate while creating long-term value for society, as we are always looking forward to supporting the environment and finding solutions for the climate.

As a key leader within the Poonawalla Group, how are you helping shape its next phase of growth and diversification?

The next phase of the Poonawalla Group is centred on intelligent diversification. While we remain deeply anchored in our legacy strengths, we are actively building a future-facing portfolio across technology, sustainability, wellness and new-age consumer sectors. My focus has been on fostering strategic partnerships, strengthening global relationships, and identifying ventures that are scalable, innovative and aligned with evolving market realities. Growth today is not just about expansion, it is about relevance, resilience and responsible leadership. I see my role as ensuring that the Group’s evolution honours its legacy while positioning it confidently for the future.

What has been your core focus while modernising and future-proofing a legacy business?

Modernising a legacy institution requires both respect for its foundation and courage to reimagine its future. My core focus has been on building strong teams and embracing technology adoption, automation, design innovation, governance, transparency, digital integration and sustainability. Future-proofing, in my view, is about anticipating change rather than reacting to it. Whether through strategic investments, technology adoption or global collaborations, the aim is to ensure that the Poonawalla Group remains agile in a rapidly transforming world. Legacy should be an advantage, not a constraint.

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The Group’s expansion into emerging sectors like technology, sustainability, wellness, and more reflects a forward-looking approach. What drives your investment philosophy?

Our investment philosophy is guided by three principles: long-term value creation, innovation with purpose, and global relevance. We are particularly drawn to sectors that sit at the intersection of necessity and opportunity, technology that enhances efficiency, sustainability that addresses climate imperatives, and wellness that reflects evolving consumer priorities. At the Poonawalla Group, we do not invest merely in trends; we invest in transformation. The goal is to build businesses that are future-ready and impact-driven.

In your view, what sectors will define the next decade of Indian entrepreneurship?

India’s next decade will be defined by climate-tech, health-tech, deep technology, digital finance, defence, and conscious consumerism. Sustainability-linked enterprises will move from niche to mainstream. Artificial intelligence and biotechnology will reshape industries at scale. India is uniquely positioned with its demographic dividend and digital infrastructure to lead in innovation. The entrepreneurs who combine technological sophistication with social responsibility will define this era.

Your philanthropic initiatives span across varied areas. How do you integrate purpose and social impact into your leadership vision?

For me, philanthropy is not separate from enterprise; it is an extension of it. Leadership must carry a sense of responsibility. Through the Poonawalla Group’s philanthropic initiatives, we focus on healthcare, education, animal welfare and community development. Impact must be strategic and measurable. Purpose cannot be performative; it must be sustained and structured. I believe true leadership lies in creating ecosystems that empower and uplift beyond immediate business interests.

Your work has been showcased at multiple international platforms like the Saatchi Gallery and others. Which of these experiences has been the most personally significant for you and why?

Exhibiting at the Saatchi Gallery was particularly meaningful because it provided an opportunity to present a narrative within a global contemporary art context. It was not merely a showcase but a dialogue about identity, introspection and modern expression. International platforms challenge you to refine your voice. They reaffirm that art, much like enterprise, transcends geography when it carries authenticity.

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From immersive works like Introspection to receiving the Shiromani Award, how do you look back at your artistic journey and the key achievements that have defined it so far?

My artistic journey has been deeply personal. Projects like Introspection explored vulnerability and self-awareness themes that resonate universally. Over time, my work has also extended to supporting meaningful causes such as water scarcity, speaking in the Houses of Parliament in London about how art has a powerful voice. Receiving the Shiromani Award was humbling, not simply as recognition but as encouragement to continue evolving creatively. Art, for me, is a space of reflection amidst structured business life. It keeps me grounded, curious, and connected to emotional qualities that are equally valuable in leadership.

You represent a unique intersection of legacy, luxury, and leadership — what does luxury mean to you in today’s evolving global landscape?

Luxury today is defined by experience, craftsmanship, and consciousness. To me, quality is luxury, an uncompromising commitment to excellence in every detail. Craft embodies luxury; the time, skill, and artistry invested in creating something enduring rather than ephemeral. And discernment reflects luxury; the ability to choose thoughtfully, valuing substance over spectacle. True luxury is intentional; it respects sustainability, honours heritage, and embraces innovation with purpose. In today’s evolving global landscape, luxury must reflect depth, responsibility, and authenticity. It should tell a story, embody purpose, and offer meaning beyond materiality, creating value that is lasting, not just visible.

Having grown within a legacy ecosystem, how has your understanding of luxury and enterprise evolved over the years?

Over the years, being part of a legacy system has taught me that enterprise and elegance can coexist seamlessly. My understanding of luxury has evolved from surface aesthetics to deeper authenticity, from what is seen to what is truly felt and experienced. Enterprise, in the same spirit, is about continuity and long-term vision. It is about building institutions that outlast individuals and stand resilient across generations. That perspective informs every strategic decision we take as a Group, ensuring that growth is both purposeful and enduring.

How do you see India’s position changing within the global luxury and business narrative today?

India is no longer an emerging participant; it is an influential force in the global luxury and business narrative. Today, every brand wants to focus on the Indian Market. From car brands of the luxury market to fashion brands, like Dior had its show at the Gateway of India with the entire collection focusing on India. Therefore, India is not only a growing population but also growing with an expendable income.