Niharika Yadav leads PT AXA Financial Indonesia, driving the financial services giant towards building a sustainable and professional agency network while expanding partnerships and direct business growth.
Originally from Ajmer, Rajasthan in India, Niharika holds a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance and brings over a decade of experience in the insurance industry. Her expertise lies in distribution strategy and performance management, helping AXA stand out in Indonesia’s competitive market, which includes more than 130 industry players. With a strong focus on customer-centricity, she ensures that AXA Financial Indonesia delivers products that truly meet customer needs while maintaining a comprehensive range of offerings.
Adapting to a Changing Business Landscape
The Covid-19 pandemic significantly changed the way Niharika and her team work, communicate, and operate. Fortunately, a forward-thinking investment in digital transformation helped the company navigate these challenges. The AFI DNA platform, designed as a paperless and non-face-to-face sales tool, allowed agents to continue selling efficiently during the pandemic, maintaining productivity despite the uncertain business climate.
Under Niharika’s leadership, AXA Financial Indonesia achieved notable milestones, including an increase in customer trust, as reflected in their Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 51.5—well above the market average of 41.4. Their digital platforms, AFI DNA and AFI ONE, played a crucial role in supporting the agency sales force, enabling them to sustain nearly the same level of results as the previous year despite the economic downturn.
Leadership Inspired by Values
Niharika attributes her leadership values to her father, who instilled in her the importance of responsibility, integrity, and perseverance. On the corporate front, she acknowledges the influence of global leaders at AXA and the mentorship of Akhil Gupta of Bharti Enterprises, who helped shape her perspectives and leadership approach.
With a hands-on leadership style, Niharika is deeply involved in the company’s daily operations, believing that her presence motivates her team and fosters a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect. She applies the 3E Principle—Empowerment, Engagement, and Execution—to ensure that employees align with the company’s vision while being encouraged to grow, contribute, and remain motivated.
Supporting her leadership philosophy is the CSE Principle, which emphasizes Clarity, Speed, and Execution. She believes that having a clear vision, acting swiftly, and executing effectively are key drivers of success. Additionally, she values authenticity in leadership, promoting open communication and breaking down hierarchical barriers to build strong relationships within her team.
A Legacy of Inspiration
For Niharika, success is about inspiring and empowering others to become the best versions of themselves. Her contributions to the industry have earned her multiple accolades, including ‘The Best CEO, Employee’s Choice Award 2020’ by The Iconomics and ‘Most Innovative Women Award 2020’ by the National Award Foundation.
Her impact is evident in the company’s workplace culture. A full 100% of PT AXA Financial Indonesia’s staff participated in their recent pulse survey, reflecting the strong buy-in to the organization’s values and leadership. As Shanggari Balakrishnan, CEO of MORS Group, puts it, “This is in no small part due to Niharika Yadav’s belief that employees are her most valuable asset. Her merging of her Indian heritage and philosophy that values kinship is also one of the things that make this top executive inspiring.”
