The Modern India Podcast #74-Leading in a Man’s World — with Sanjam Sahi Gupta.

Founder of Maritime SheEO and Director at Sitara Shipping Ltd

Our newly released book The First and Only celebrates bold trailblazers across industries—those who’ve chosen the harder path of leading without precedent. Sanjam Sahi Gupta is one of them.

In this powerful episode, Sanjam opens up about what it means to lead in one of the world’s most traditionally male domains: maritime. As a changemaker and policy advocate, she’s redefining what leadership looks like—not just for women, but for the global industry as a whole.

We talk about breaking through old hierarchies, resisting the pressure to conform, and disrupting exclusionary systems without apology. Sanjam shares what kept her going when no one else had done it before, what invisible barriers still need dismantling, and what legacy she hopes to leave behind.

This is an episode for anyone who’s ever felt like the only one in the room—and decided to stay anyway.