Date: 11th July 2025
Time: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm
Venue: We School, Matunga, Mumbai
Resource Person: Dr. Apoorva Palkar, Vice Chancellor, Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University
Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University (Keynote Speaker)
Dr. Ujwala Chakradeo, Vice Chancellor, SNDT Women’s University (Keynote Speaker)
Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool
Participants: Women Faculty leaders from various Institutes
Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Asha Kiran, Dr, Lokesh Arora
Organizer: Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS)
In association with Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University
Objectives:
The event “Women in Leadership for Viksit Bharat” aimed to recognize, celebrate, and promote the contributions of women leaders in shaping the future of India. It served as a platform to bring together influential women from business, public policy, academia, and entrepreneurship to share their journeys, challenges, insights, and strategies. The purpose was to encourage inclusive leadership and inspire future generations of women professionals to take on leadership roles that contribute to the vision of a developed India — Viksit Bharat.
Detail Report
Session-wise Summary
Inaugural Ceremony
Time: 10:15 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.
The event began with the National Anthem followed by the ceremonial Lighting of the Lamp and Saraswati Vandana, setting an auspicious tone for the day. The inaugural session featured distinguished guests and keynote speakers:
1. Dr. Apoorva Palkar, Vice Chancellor, Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, welcomed the audience with an inspiring opening address.
2. Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, emphasized the importance of academic partnerships and skill-based education in promoting women’s leadership.
3. Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, in her keynote address, spoke about the transformational role women play in academia and how institutions can become enablers of women empowerment.
4. Dr. Ujwala Chakradeo, Vice Chancellor, SNDT Women’s University, delivered a powerful keynote on the need for female representation in decision-making positions.
5. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, spoke about the changing landscape of leadership in India.
6. Dr. Ganesh Rao, Group Advisor, P.C.E.T.’s S. B. Patil Institute of Management, extended the Vote of Thanks for the inaugural session.
Panel 1: Public Policy & Business Leadership
Time: 11:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
This panel shed light on the strategic roles played by women in shaping public policy and leading in administrative and corporate domains.
Speakers:
1. Mrs. Manisha Verma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, GoM, focused on government initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, especially among rural women.
2. Mrs. Vinita Singhal, IAS, Principal Secretary, GoM, highlighted consumer protection frameworks that address gendered concerns.
3. Mrs. Radhika Rastogi, IAS, Principal Secretary, Home Department, GoM, spoke about leading with integrity and resilience in male-dominated spaces like internal security.
4. Mrs. Sonia Singh, Associate Partner, KPMG India, discussed the significance of building trust-based leadership in consulting and governance.
5. Dr. Apoorva Palkar emphasized the value of aligning public policy with grassroots skill development initiatives.
The session collectively brought out how business acumen, governance, and policymaking intersect to build a stronger ecosystem for women in leadership.
Panel 2: Women as Business Heads
Time: 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This panel featured women who lead organizations across diverse industries, sharing their professional journeys and strategic insights.
Speakers:
1. Dr. Tanaya Mishra, Global CHRO, In-Solution Global Ltd., discussed the future of inclusive HR policies and building resilient organizations.
2. Mrs. Akruti Bagye, Director Operations, World Trade Center Mumbai, spoke about international business opportunities for Indian women professionals.
3. Dr. Suchitra Surve, Director, Growth Centre Mumbai, focused on innovation and adaptive leadership.
4. Ms. Aarti Harbhajanaka, Founder & MD, Primus Partners, shared her entrepreneurial path and the role of mentorship.
5. Dr. Indu Nair, Group Director, SCMS Cochin, emphasized ethical leadership and academic excellence.
This engaging discussion focused on real-life examples of breaking glass ceilings and creating cultures of diversity and inclusion.
Participants utilized this lunch break to network, interact with speakers, and share ideas informally.
Panel 3: Teaching Business to Create Leaders of Tomorrow
Time: 2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This panel brought together academic leaders who discussed the role of business education in shaping future women leaders.
Speakers:
1. Dr. Upasna Agrawal, Area Chair-OBHR, IIM Mumbai, highlighted gender dynamics in management education.
2. Ms. Nivedita Ekbote, Deputy Secretary, Progressive Education Society, spoke on inclusive curriculum development.
3. Dr. Madhumita Patil, CEO, Chetana’s Institutes of Management Mumbai, emphasized the need for entrepreneurship in education.
4. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, reiterated the importance of future-ready leadership skills.
5. Dr. Shefali Gautam, Director, Shiva Institute of Management Studies, acted as the moderator, facilitating a vibrant and thoughtful discussion.
Panel 4: Igniting Women in Startups – Role of Business Education
Time: 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This session focused on women entrepreneurship and how business education acts as a catalyst for startup success.
Speakers:
1. Ms. Poyni Bhatt, Former CEO, SINE – IIT Bombay, shared lessons from nurturing hundreds of startups and her own journey.
2. Ms. Sowmya Velayudham, Director – Education & Skilling, KPMG India, spoke on building capability and confidence in women entrepreneurs.
3. Dr. Rohini Patil, Founder, Nutracy Lifestyle, shared a compelling story of building a brand in health and wellness.
4. Dr. V. Srividya, Director, PSG Institute of Management, moderated the session, ensuring deep dives into the challenges and enablers in startup ecosystems.
Valedictory Session
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
The concluding session was marked by heartfelt reflections and appreciation of women leaders across various domains.
Speakers:
1. Ms. Apurva Purohit, Co-Founder, Aazol, encouraged women to own their ambition and lead with purpose.
2. Ms. Sujata Mangaraj, Director, Bhavan’s Centre for Communication and Management, stressed the importance of value-based leadership.
3. Dr. Amol Gawande, Director, Dr. D. Y. Patil B-School, gave closing remarks celebrating women’s contribution to the field of management education.
4. Felicitation of Women Board Members and Past Presidents of AIMS was conducted in a celebratory manner.
5. Dr. Durga Prasad, Executive Director, AIMS, delivered the Vote of Thanks, acknowledging the efforts of speakers, organizers, and participants.
The session concluded with the collective singing of Vande Mataram, symbolizing unity and patriotism.
Conclusion
The “Women in Leadership for Viksit Bharat” conclave was an enriching and empowering platform that brought together women change-makers from diverse domains. The event not only showcased the accomplishments of women leaders but also discussed systemic reforms, educational frameworks, and institutional support required to nurture future women leaders.
The themes resonated with the national vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) — one that thrives on equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. The dialogues, success stories, and collaborative spirit witnessed during the day will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on policy, academia, and industry.