The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has conferred the prestigious CA Women Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 on CA Neeraj Ghei at the World Forum of Accountants 2026, held in Greater Noida on February 1, 2026. The honour recognises her exceptional four-decade career marked by leadership excellence, industry innovation and sustained social impact.
Instituted in 2023, the CA Women Excellence Awards celebrate women professionals who have made long-term contributions to the accounting profession, corporate leadership and society. Neeraj Ghei’s selection reflects her wide-ranging influence across business, tourism, retail infrastructure and philanthropy.
A Message Rooted in Professional Values
Accepting the award, Neeraj Ghei expressed gratitude and reflected on the evolving nature of the profession. She described chartered accountancy as a lifelong journey built on discipline, learning and responsibility. Emphasising the importance of ethics, she urged young professionals to protect the trust placed in the profession.
She highlighted that while technology and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the core values of integrity, independence and public service remain unchanged. According to her, credibility remains the strongest asset for any professional.
A Career Marked by Industry Firsts
Neeraj Ghei qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1985 and began her professional journey with Mohinder Puri & Co. Over the years, she built a diverse portfolio of leadership roles across multiple sectors.
In the travel and tourism sector, her tenure at SITA World Travel witnessed major operational expansion, including the rapid growth of the company’s branch network and market reach. She continues to serve as Director at TRAC Representations (India) Private Limited, one of India’s leading organisations representing national tourism boards.
In 1997, she created history by becoming the youngest and first woman President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI). Her leadership helped secure export industry recognition for the travel sector, strengthening its policy standing with the Government of India. She also served on the Ministry of Commerce’s Board of Trade.
Transforming Retail Infrastructure
Neeraj Ghei played a central role in shaping modern retail infrastructure in India. As Promoter Director, she was instrumental in the development of Select CITYWALK, one of Delhi’s most prominent shopping and lifestyle destinations.
In 2023, she further contributed to a landmark financial transaction by helping steer the merger of Select CITYWALK with the Blackstone-backed Nexus Select Trust REIT. This move created India’s first publicly listed retail real estate investment platform.
Multiple National Recognitions
Her contributions have been recognised by several national institutions. These include the Outstanding Businesswoman Award from PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award, the IMM Women Entrepreneur Award and the SRCC Alumni Award for Excellence.
Strong Commitment to Social Responsibility
Alongside her corporate achievements, Neeraj Ghei remains deeply engaged in social development initiatives. She serves as Trustee for organisations such as the Ghei Foundation, Florimond Volckaert Benevolent Fund and the Rotarian Naqshband Institute for the Physically Challenged.
Her philanthropic efforts include providing advanced medical equipment to hospitals, supporting education initiatives and promoting women empowerment through the Golfing Girl Child Programme. The programme focuses on sports training, skill development, academic support and environmental awareness for underprivileged girls.
A Lasting Professional Legacy
With over 40 years of experience across finance, tourism, retail development and social leadership, Neeraj Ghei’s career reflects the expanding role of chartered accountants beyond traditional accounting practice. Her recognition by ICAI marks not just personal achievement but also the growing leadership footprint of women in India’s professional ecosystem.
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