RURAL IMPACT LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Recognising Leadership, Impact, and Legacy
he Rural Impact Leadership Awards, instituted by the Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI), are designed to recognise and celebrate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and created measurable impact in India’s rural and emerging markets.
RMAI is a not-for-profit industry body committed to strengthening the rural and development ecosystem by fostering knowledge exchange, encouraging best practices, and promoting collaboration among industry, government, academia, and grassroots stakeholders. Through its initiatives, RMAI aims to highlight work that contributes to inclusive growth, sustainable livelihoods, and meaningful transformation at the grassroots level.
The Rural Impact Leadership Awards seek to honour individual changemakers—professionals, entrepreneurs, practitioners, and leaders—who have shown vision, innovation, and commitment in addressing rural challenges and unlocking opportunities. These awards acknowledge leadership across different stages of life and career, recognising that impact can be created at any age.
To ensure equitable recognition, the awards are presented across three age-based categories:
– Under 30 – Emerging leaders who have shown early promise and significant impact
– 30–40 – Mid-career professionals driving scalable and sustainable rural initiatives
– Above 40 – Seasoned leaders whose long-term contribution has shaped rural development and markets
By celebrating individual excellence, the Rural Impact Leadership Awards aim to inspire the next generation of leaders, showcase role models from the sector, and reinforce the importance of committed leadership in building a resilient and future-ready rural India.