MUMBAI: Bajaj Group chairman Kushagra Bajaj’s daughter Anandamayi (22) joined the $2.5-billion family business as general manager (strategy) earlier this month. Her entry into the group is part of a growing trend of women from major business families taking up management roles. Anandamayi, whose mother Vasavadatta Bajaj is the sister of Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, graduated in June from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in financial economics & mathematics.In her new role, she will collaborate with leadership teams across the group’s various businesses before being inducted into boards of companies. Anandamayi, who is passionate about animal care and women empowerment, has two brothers: Yugadikrit (20) and Vishwarupe (17). Yugadikrit is pursuing a degree and is set to join the group in two years. Vishwarupe, a student at HR College, is a polo champion. Upon Anandamayi’s appointment, Kushagra told employees that she brings a “unique blend of youthful curiosity and grounded responsibility. Her journey is not just hers – it is a continuation of our collective story”. Bajaj Group has interests in sugar, ethanol, power, and personal care businesses and employs over 12,000 people. It was split from the original Bajaj Group in 2008. The initial Bajaj Group, founded by Jamnalal Bajaj in the 1930s, is led by Kushagra’s cousins, including Rajiv Bajaj (Bajaj Auto MD) and Sanjiv Bajaj (Bajaj Finserv CMD). Rajiv’s son, Rishab, works at Bajaj Auto as a divisional manager (product strategy), while Sanjiv’s daughter, Sanjali, worked with Bajaj Finserv before pursuing an MBA from Harvard.