Three Irisians Named Among India’s Top 50 Women Managers

Iris Software is proud to announce that Akanksha Saraswat, Manager – Talent Acquisition Group (TAG); Rekha Jain, Manager – Corporate Systems Group (CSG); and Sakshi Adlakha, Director – Delivery Excellence, have been named among India’s Top 50 Women – Great Managers to Work with™ 2026 by Great Manager Institute® (GMI).  

Introduced this year as a dedicated category for women leaders, the recognition celebrates excellence in people management. Around 2,000 women leaders participated in GMI’s 2025–26 Great People Manager Study® assessment cycle, making this achievement a notable milestone for Iris. 

The recognition highlights the role of effective people management in building strong teams, encouraging collaboration, and creating opportunities for professional growth. At Iris, these principles are reflected in how managers support their teams, recognize individual strengths, and create an environment where people can learn, contribute, and succeed. 

Leadership Journeys: In Their Own Words 

We spoke with Akanksha, Rekha, and Sakshi about their leadership journeys and what this recognition means to them. 

Speaking about her leadership philosophy, Akanksha Saraswat, Manager – TAG, said, “For me, leadership is about building trust, empowering ownership, and unlocking potential. When people feel valued and supported, they gain the confidence to grow, innovate, and deliver together.” 

Rekha Jain, Manager – CSG, added, “One of the most rewarding aspects of being a manager is seeing people take ownership and find their own way to solve challenges. Good leadership means listening, offering guidance, and giving people space to learn through experience.” 

Adding her perspective, Sakshi Adlakha, Director – Delivery Excellence, said, “Every individual brings different strengths and perspectives to a team. As a manager, I aim to recognize those strengths, bring people together, and create opportunities for everyone to contribute.” 

Congratulating the winners on their achievement, Sharad Verma, VP & Chief Human Resources Officer India, said, “Great people managers shape far more than team performance. They influence how people experience work, discover their potential and grow in their careers. Akanksha, Rekha and Sakshi exemplify the kind of leadership we value at Iris — one that brings out the best in people while driving excellence. Having three of our women leaders recognized among India's Top 50 is a proud moment for us and a reflection of the strength of our people leadership.” 

Congratulations to Akanksha, Rekha, and Sakshi for inspiring their teams, nurturing talent, and exemplifying great people leadership at Iris. 

This recognition adds to Iris' multi-year track record of people leadership excellence, with managers earning national recognition through GMI initiatives.