CII Organizes First-Ever Corporate Women Leadership Awards in New Delhi

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), instituted the 'Corporate Women Leadership Awards 2022-23' on September 5, 2023, in New Delhi. The event recognized and acknowledged the exemplary achievements of corporate women leaders whose innovative approach has created positive changes in the business world.

This marked the first-ever CII Corporate Women Leadership Awards that set a benchmark of success for women in business, to inspire others to come forward and portray their excellence.

CII Corporate Women Leadership Awards

The role of women is rapidly increasing in sectors of development, innovation, and entrepreneurship and is creating a difference despite the gender inequality prevailing in the country. CII honoured women for their leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities for creating greater values in people's lives and businesses worldwide.

"Women in India have shown exceptional leadership skills and have driven their careers to the peak of their success against many odds. However, despite recent economic advances, India's gender balance in the economic domain is among the lowest in the world. Though women account for 48% of India's population, they have not been equal beneficiaries of the country's economic growth. For India to become a 5-trillion dollar economy, reducing gender disparities in the economic domain will need to play a bigger role in economic growth and development," said, Rumjhum Chatterjee, Chairperson, Steering Committee on CII Corporate Women Leadership Awards, Past Chairperson, CII Northern Region, Co-Founder & Managing Trustee The Infravision Foundation.

The winners of the CII Corporate Women Leadership Awards 2022-23, were selected by a very accomplished panel of jury members who are leaders in their specific domains.

CII Corporate Women Leadership Awards 2022-23: Awardees

• Rohini Ajay, Managing Director, Regional Head KYC Operations - Deutsche India, Deutsche (BFSI & Fintech)

• Renuka Gera, Director, Bharat Heavy Electricals (Infrastructure & Real Estate)

• Rituparna Chakraborty, Co-Founder, TeamLease Services (Services)

• Prabha Goyal, General Manager, Bharat Electronics Ltd (Technology)

• Priti A Sureka, Director, Emami Limited (Consumer Products)

• Namrita Mahindro, Chief Digital Officer, Aditya Birla Chemicals Limited (Business Transformation)

• Anu Chaudhary, Global Head of ESG Consulting, Uniqus Consultech Inc ( Environmental, Social, Governance)

Lead Awards

• Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Asset Mgt Ltd (Young CWL of the Year)

• Ameera Shah, Promoter & MD, Metropolis Healthcare (CWL of the Year)

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Renu Sud Karnad, Former Managing Director, HDFC Ltd

Congratulating the winners, R Dinesh, President, CII, said, "It is a true spirit of not just corporate excellence but the initiative to become standard-bearers for all of us to follow. It is equally important that we do not just speak about the leaders, but how they set the example for others to follow. Other than winning awards, these eminent women are getting things done in the best manner possible, which is what the future of India must stand for."

Panel Discussion on Women in the Corporate World: Changing Economic Landscape & Driving Growth

Women have demonstrated through their work and leadership that 'Women can make a Difference' – not just a small difference but a significant and critical one. Alongside, women have also proved their mettle in entrepreneurship over the years as more and more women entrepreneurs have joined the bandwagon and proved their worth by owning businesses across the spectrum. 

The panel discussion explored the initiatives that can be pursued by the Indian Industry to include more women in corporate roles, and more importantly as part of the leadership. Panelists included:

• R Dinesh, President, CII; Executive Vice Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd

• Renu Sud Karnad, Former Managing Director, HDFC Limited

• Rhumjhum Chatterjee, Chairperson, Steering Committee on CII, Corporate Women Leadership Awards; Past Chairperson, CII Northern Region; Co-Founder & Managing Trustee, The Infravision Foundation

• Susan Ferguson, Country Representative UN Women India

• Ashmita Sethi, President & Country HeadPratt & Whitney and; Managing Director, United Technologies Corp India

"In India, the statistics acquired show a large disparity between men and women. I think women in India do 9 times the amount of work in their homes than men do, which is on the high side but, this will eventually fade away. So, the social norms are to be taken care of. Women are more likely to employ women in their businesses as they don't have the discrimination that is seen as present in other places," said, Susan Ferguson, Country Representative UN Women India, commenting on women's participation and gender disparity.

She further added, "One must follow their dream and be passionate as it helps on not giving up. If you have something in your mind that you want to achieve, you must work on that, whether it is a high-income earning job or an artist that may not earn so much."