WOMEN WHO MAKE WAVES 2025

Akriti Kakar

A Versatile Singer in Bollywood

"Be your number 1 priority."

Akriti Kakar's path in music began at a young age, shaped by her passion and dedication. She started performing at 5 years old, touring with Kalyanji Anandji's Little Stars and gracing Wembley Arena by 11. Her talent and versatility have led her to excel in Bollywood, Sufi, Retro, Ghazals, EDM, and regional Punjabi and Bengali music. Known for hits like Marjaani (Billu), Abhi Abhi (Jism), and Saturday Saturday (Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania), she has also judged Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Little Champs on Zee Bangla.

Beyond the stage, Akriti believes in the power of self-care and balance. "In the hustle of life-balancing work, family, and responsibilities-don't forget yourself. Find time to do what makes you happy and reenergized. Be your number 1 priority. Only then will balancing work and personal life become easier and smoother."

Music has sharpened her communication, memory, and confidence, while her career has allowed her to embrace her passion. She also advocates for equal opportunities in the music industry, believing that talent should always take precedence over gender.

As she celebrates her journey on International Women's Day, Akriti encourages women to uplift one another, pursue their dreams, and create an industry where talent, equality, and empowerment thrive.

Jenny Chin

Malaysian Musician and Musical Director

"Don't just make it good; make it unforgettable."

Also known as Nadhirah Chin Abdullah, Jenny Chin is a celebrated Malaysian musician and musical director with a career spanning over 40 years. A Berklee College of Music graduate, she has toured internationally, collaborated with renowned artists, and produced albums. Her versatile contributions extend to TV music direction, film scoring, orchestration, and digital music education.

Jenny's career has been profoundly shaped by her family's unwavering support. Her mother continues to help at home, while her husband, a fellow musician, fully understands the demands of her profession. Inspiration also comes from the talented musicians she collaborates with, each offering new insights and enriching her artistic growth.

Jenny Chin finds emotional release in music while channeling complex feelings into sound. Her motto on her musical journey and advice to the pursuing musicians is to, "Don’t just make it good; make it unforgettable."

While grateful for a life in music, she advocates for equal opportunities in the Malaysian industry, supporting underrepresented groups, fair royalties, and accessible performances.

Celebrating 40 years in music on International Women's Day, Jenny encourages women to uplift one another and build an industry rooted in talent, equality, and empowerment.

Olive Karmen

Drummer and Creative Force

"Believe in yourself and love what you do."

Born in Nairobi, Olive began her professional music career at 18 in 2011, inspired by her drummer brother Marvin Maveke and Nikkie Glaspie. A versatile artist, she excels as a drummer, singer, and creative force, known for her energy and optimism. Karmen has collaborated with top artists in Nairobi and served as an ambassador for numerous brands.

"Building my career as a drummer has been a beautiful yet challenging journey. I've learned to cultivate confidence, embrace failure, and focus on the positives. Surrounding myself with a supportive Tribe of family, friends, and peers has been invaluable-they've pushed me to grow in my craft.

Being a woman in music comes with risks, but: Believe in yourself and love what you do. Discover your strengths and align your career with them. Surround yourself with people who uplift your aspirations. Don't compare your journey to others-enjoy it, give your best, and celebrate every achievement."

On International Women's Day, Olive encourages women to embrace their passions and support others in creating a more inclusive music industry.

Manjari

Bollywood Playback Singer

"More Than the Roles You Play"

Manjari is a highly accomplished and classically trained Indian playback singer and Hindustani vocalist, renowned for her soulful and versatile voice. With a career spanning decades, she has lent her vocals to over 300 songs across Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films, as well as numerous devotional and solo albums. Since 2003, she has captivated audiences globally with her performances under the prestigious banner of "Soorya," showcasing her mastery of classical ragas. Manjari continues to inspire music lovers worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on both the film and classical music industries.

"To every woman navigating the pressures of work, life, and personal dreams-you are not alone. The world often demands everything from us, making it easy to lose touch with what makes us feel alive. I encourage you to find moments of stillness and reconnect with your own voice. Music, for me, has been that voice-a safe space to let go, to breathe, and to feel whole.

Whether you play an instrument or simply listen to songs that lift you up, let music remind you of your strength and resilience. Pursue something that resonates with you-not as another responsibility, but as a way to nurture yourself. You are more than the roles you play; you are a rhythm, a melody, a work of art in progress. Keep going-one beat at a time."

Mariia Stoianova

General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Yamaha Music Gulf FZE (YMGF)

"Breaking barriers through music"

Joining Yamaha Music Gulf FZE in 2012, I was truly inspired by the rich and unique music culture of Africa and Middle East. A significant portion of my work was concentrated on finding ways to help artists enjoy and create music with the help of Yamaha keyboards.
For me, this has been the best part of my job in Yamaha - discovering and supporting people of diverse backgrounds in their music journey.

Some years later I was assigned to lead Middle East sales. The decision was rather unusual considering gender-related challenges that existed in the region.

I valued the opportunity and put all my efforts into building strong partnerships and successful realisation of strategies, which led to business growth as well as increasing Yamaha's contribution to the society, including promotion of music education and empowering female artists.

I believe providing equal opportunities and support is the key for companies and societies that aim to evolve.

Retna Setyaningsih

Deputy General Manager of Production Control Division, Yamaha Music Manufacturing Asia (YMMA)

"Embracing Growth and Opportunity"

Retna joined Yamaha in 2001, aquiring expertise in procurement before training in Japan under the PPJP (Program Pendidikan Jangka Panjang) in 2013, contributing to KAIZEN activities and major development projects, including the 2017 Cost Reduction Project. Since July 2023, Retna has continued to focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.

A strong drive for personal development has shaped her career.
"Procurement challenges sharpened my analytical skills, broadened my perspective, and refined my communication."
When offered training in Japan, she hesitated due to the long-term overseas assignment but ultimately embraced the opportunity for growth. "The chance to grow was a big motivator."

"In Indonesia today, women have equal opportunities-a major shift from my childhood when girls had limited access to education. Now, empowerment is growing, and women are playing a bigger role in various industries."

Retna believes in fostering talent and supporting women in leadership.
"Let us embody strength, integrity, and determination. When we support one another, we create a stronger and more inclusive future."

Taro Tokuhiro

Operating Officer, Deputy Executive General Manager of Corporate Administration Unit, Chairperson of the Working Group for Human Rights, DE&I

"Shaping Tomorrow: A Vision for a Harmonious Future"

Just like when we create a piece of music together, people from different backgrounds must harmonize and cooperate toward a single goal. We believe this approach continues to offer new value to both the company and society as a whole. At Yamaha, we are working toward a world where everyone can fully realize their potential, both within the company and beyond. What’s crucial is creating an environment where everyone has equal opportunities, and, regardless of their individuality or background, can contribute meaningfully. It’s about providing an environment that encourages those who have avoided stepping forward for various reasons to confidently take that first step.

Today, the world is undergoing rapid changes. Just as music evolves with time, we at Yamaha also continue to adapt to societal changes and, moving forward, we aim to take positive steps to provide an environment where even more people can unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.