On a quiet morning in Delhi, Dr. Malini Saba holds a sample of her newest project in her hands. It is thin, light, and deceptively simple: a biodegradable sanitary pad designed for comfort and dignity. For her, it represents more than a product launch. It is a statement about equity, education, and the future of women’s health.
“Success is personal,” she often says. “To me, it is about being happy and content, and using that clarity to give back.”
This month, Saba is channeling decades of entrepreneurial grit and philanthropic leadership into Elara, a new brand dedicated to sustainable menstrual health. The company’s first product, an affordable sanitary pad, is designed not just for markets but for the millions of girls whose education and opportunities are interrupted by a lack of access to hygiene.
From Boardrooms to Classrooms
Dr. Saba’s business journey spans more than 35 years, with ventures in commodities, trade, real estate, healthcare, and technology. As the founder of Saba Inc. and the Saba Family Foundation, she has leveraged her corporate success to fund initiatives in education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment.
Her latest move, investing in sanitary health products, aligns seamlessly with her long-standing mission. The stakes are high: the global sanitary pads market was valued at $34.22 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $56.83 billion by 2032. Yet, for many girls in Asia and Africa, the most pressing issue is not market growth but access.
“Too many girls miss school because they lack something as basic as sanitary pads,” Saba explains. “If we can change that, we can change the trajectory of their entire lives.”
Breaking the Cycle
Elara’s pads are thin, long, and highly absorbent, catering to consumer preferences while addressing hygiene concerns. More importantly, they are biodegradable and priced to reach underserved communities. By subsidizing products in specific regions, Saba aims to make them widely available to those who need them most.
The initiative is deeply personal. As a psychologist and a mother, she has witnessed how small barriers accumulate into systemic disadvantages. For her, sanitary pads are not just about health. They are about opportunity.
“We cannot allow biology to be a reason for lost education,” she says. “By giving girls the tools they need, we are telling them they belong in school, in careers, and in leadership.”
Lessons in Resilience
Saba’s path to this moment has not been without struggle. She has spoken openly about facing sexism, racism, and even violence in her life. She has lost everything more than once, rebuilding each time with a sharper vision and a stronger sense of purpose.
“I used the knowing of my pain and loss to rebuild in two years,” she recalls. “It’s important never to have self-pity. You learn from the mistakes, you move forward, and you protect your clarity.”
This philosophy shapes her business approach. She does not raise money for her foundation. Instead, she uses her own resources, ensuring autonomy and alignment with her values.
A Global Advocate
Over the years, Dr. Saba has collaborated with leaders such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and partnered with organizations including Stanford Medical Center and the Women Refugee Commission. Her foundation has supported tsunami victims in India and Sri Lanka, funded heart research for South Asians, and built programs for women entrepreneurs across continents.
Recognition has followed. She has received the Mother Teresa Award (2004), the Kalpana Chawla Award (2005), and was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Women’s Network in Washington, D.C. Yet, she resists defining her life by accolades.
“My motivation is not to show the world I have money,” she says. “I am here to make lives better for others. That is the god-given truth.”
Beyond the Spotlight
Outside of boardrooms and foundations, Saba is a passionate cook, a published author of The Abbreviated Cook, and a devoted mother who balances career with family and pets. She meditates daily and credits solitude with helping her maintain clarity in decision-making.
It is this balance, between ambition and humility, innovation and tradition, that keeps her work relevant and human.
The Next Chapter
With Elara, Dr. Malini Saba is not simply entering a new industry. She is continuing a lifelong commitment to breaking cycles of disadvantage. The sanitary pads may start as a product, but their impact will ripple into classrooms, workplaces, and futures.
“Life is a learning planet,” she reflects. “We are here to give, not take. Every initiative I build is for the generations that come after us.”
Elara is just the beginning.
Interview with Dr. Malini Saba
What inspired you to launch Elara and start with sanitary pads?
I’ve spent years working to create opportunities for women and girls. Too often, I saw something simple, a lack of access to sanitary pads, holding them back. It kept them from going to school or fully participating in society. Elara is about making sure biology is never a reason to miss out on education or opportunity.
What makes Elara pads different from what’s already on the market?
They’re thin, long, and highly absorbent, which girls prefer. But just as important, they’re biodegradable and affordable. I don’t believe sustainability should come at a premium. Our goal is to make them accessible even in underserved regions, with subsidies where needed.
You’ve faced many setbacks in your own life. How have those shaped this project?
I’ve lost everything more than once. The last time was very painful, but I rebuilt in two years. That experience gave me perspective. It taught me resilience and reminded me that real success is not about money, it’s about clarity, happiness, and the ability to give back. Elara reflects that belief.
How does this initiative connect with your philanthropic work in education?
They are one and the same. Girls cannot thrive in school if their basic needs are not met. Providing sanitary pads removes one barrier that keeps them from attending. Education is the foundation for independence, and independence is the key to empowerment.
What advice do you have for women entrepreneurs trying to build impact-driven businesses?
Don’t listen to outside noise. Compete only with yourself. When you stop measuring against others and focus on your clarity, everything else falls into place. Impact-driven businesses need leaders who are strong enough to stay true to their values, even when it’s hard.
Beyond business and philanthropy, what brings you joy?
Cooking, writing, and being with my daughter and my animals. Meditation and solitude keep me balanced. I love creating, whether it’s in the kitchen, in business, or in philanthropy. That creative energy is what gives me clarity.
