Neha Agarwal: Shaping Narratives, Strengthening Voices, and Leading with Purpose

Vice President – Public Relations, Percept Profile
Global Women Inspiration Award 2025

Neha Agarwal has spent two decades shaping stories that move industries, events, and brands into the national conversation. As Vice President–Public Relations at Percept Profile, she stands at the intersection of media influence and human insight, where every narrative is built not only on strategy but on empathy. Confident yet grounded, she defines her journey through one guiding belief: “Keep showing up, stay true to your values, and trust the process.”

Introduction: The Woman Behind the Vision

Neha describes herself as a communicator before anything else — someone who listens deeply, responds thoughtfully, and believes that the power of a message lies in its sincerity. Her admiration for mothers across the world is a reflection of her own philosophy: resilience, balance, patience, and an ability to juggle complexities with grace.
“Mothers,” she says, “embody the perfect balance of compassion and determination.”

It is this blend of empathy and discipline that has shaped Neha’s leadership in the unpredictable, fast-paced world of public relations.

Rising Through Words: A Journey Built on Impact and Intent

With more than 19 years in public relations, Neha has become a name associated with credible communication and strategic excellence. Her journey began at Hindustan Times, where she learned the significance of clarity and patience in storytelling. From there, she grew rapidly, embracing diverse mandates at ICPAR Planman Marcom and later at Percept Profile, where she now leads the organization’s PR vision.

Across her career, she has led communication strategies for some of India’s most prominent platforms — the Commonwealth Games 2010, International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and the Asian Athletics Championship 2017, among others.
Her portfolio extends across globally recognized brands: Panasonic India, Daikin, Somany Ceramics, Relaxo Footwears, and key tourism boards.

Her excellence has been widely recognized. Neha has received awards such as the Feathers Touch Women Super Achievers Award, E4M Women Achievers Award, BW Marketing World Comms 40 Under 40 Award, National Feather Award, Indian Television Wonder Women Award, and multiple “PR Professional of the Year” recognitions.

Behind these achievements is a commitment to raising the standard of communications in India — building strategies that are intelligent, insightful, and human at their core.

Challenges and Triumphs: Lessons from the Pressure Zones

Public relations is an industry where every second counts, and Neha’s challenges have been both intense and transformative. Managing unpredictable crises, steering communication during large-scale international events, and aligning diverse client expectations required not just skill but composure.

She recalls moments during the Commonwealth Games and other high-visibility assignments where swift action, transparent communication, and focused leadership became imperative.
What helped her navigate these challenges?
“Clear communication, strategic planning, and a strong, collaborative team,” she says.

Building that team was itself a milestone — creating a culture rooted in innovation, accountability, and mutual respect. Each challenge strengthened her belief that PR is not merely about information; it is about trust.

Personal Insights: The Principles That Guide Her

Neha’s most significant lesson from PR is simple yet profound: credibility is everything.
The industry reinforced her belief that:

• Relationships matter more than tactics.
• Authenticity wins in the long run.
• Transparency builds trust.
• Every interaction shapes reputation.

These values anchor her leadership. She emphasizes listening over assuming, clarity over complexity, and collaboration over hierarchy. These principles have shaped not only her professional identity but also her personal philosophy.

Her journey has taught her resilience, grace under pressure, and adaptability — qualities that allow her to lead teams with confidence while nurturing an environment where creativity thrives.

How Her Journey Shaped Her Today

Professionally, Neha has evolved into a leader who blends strategy with sensitivity. She believes in empowering teams, guiding them with purpose, and then giving them the space to excel. Personally, her experiences have taught her the importance of balance — staying grounded, embracing change, and remaining open to learning.

“Every experience, whether success or setback, has strengthened my belief in the power of people,” she shares. It’s this people-first mindset that makes her leadership not just effective, but deeply impactful.

Impact and Vision: Creating Stories That Change Perception

Neha sees communication as a force that can shape perspectives and influence societal conversations. Her work has helped strengthen the credibility of the PR industry itself, demonstrating that thoughtful storytelling can build trust between brands and communities.

She hopes her contributions inspire a more transparent, empathetic form of communication across the industry — one where narratives are crafted with responsibility and purpose.

Looking ahead, Neha is driven by her passion for creating meaningful campaigns and developing purpose-driven teams. Mentoring young professionals excites her most, especially helping them view PR not just as a profession but as a craft of influence and integrity.

Inspiring Leadership: How She Lifts Others

Neha leads with authenticity. She focuses on enabling people to think boldly, speak freely, and take pride in their work. For her, leadership is about seeing potential where others may not and nurturing it with trust and encouragement.

“When teams feel valued and trusted, they naturally deliver their best,” she says — a philosophy she lives every day.

Conclusion: Wisdom for the Journey Ahead

If she had to sum up her life lessons in one line, Neha states:
“Keep showing up, stay true to your values, and trust the process.”

To women who dream big but hesitate, she offers this powerful reminder:
“Courage is built in motion, not in planning. Take the first step — the path reveals itself.”

What keeps her inspired each day?
The joy of seeing ideas turn into impact — a campaign that works, a team member who grows, or a conversation that sparks change.

Because, for Neha Agarwal, the real story is not in the spotlight — it’s in the lives touched behind the scenes.