VIT Business School and Women-Up Tamil Nadu host Successful Women's Leadership Conclave

Chennai, January 5, 2024 – VIT Business School, a distinguished entity within Vellore Institute of Technology Chennai, partnered with Women-Up Tamil Nadu to orchestrate a highly successful Women’s Leadership Conclave on January 5, 2024, at VIT Chennai. Under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Sandhya Pentareddy, Executive Director of Vellore Institute of Technology and Member of Women-Up, the event served as a pivotal platform for empowering women in leadership.

The proceedings commenced with a gracious welcome from Dr. Sandhya Pentareddy, who, in her opening address, underscored the conclave’s mission to address gender imbalances in management. Key objectives included overcoming ingrained biases, fostering confidence, and encouraging women to establish themselves in leadership roles. The overarching goal was to inspire women to surpass perceived limitations, cultivating an environment conducive to their active and confident participation.

Following the welcome address, Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice President of VIT, felicitated the distinguished panelists. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. V S Kanchana Bhaaskaran, Vice Chancellor, and the conclave was officially inaugurated with a compelling presidential address by Dr. G. Viswanathan, Founder & Chancellor of VIT. Dr. Viswanathan set the stage for insightful discussions on the evolution of women’s roles and the need for their empowerment.

The panel discussion, titled “Journey to the Top,” was led by Dr. Valli Arunachalam, a distinguished scientist, semiconductor technology consultant, and philanthropist and Founder of Women-Up. The esteemed panelists included Ms. Ayshwarya Desikan, Director & Head – South India, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC Bank; Ms. M. Neelavathy, Project Director – GSAT 7R (ISRO); Ms. Punitha Anthony, Associate Vice President – Human Resources, Movate; Ms. Rajalakshmi Srinivasan, Director – Product Management, Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd.; Ms. Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh, CFO turned Business and Leadership Coach and Ms. Vanipriya Jayaraman, CTO, Xerago.

The event featured interactive sessions conducted by these senior C-suite leaders who have significantly contributed to shaping inclusive corporate landscapes. These sessions addressed the challenges faced by women in leadership roles, providing insights on excelling in such positions and motivated the participants. The conclave successfully provided a valuable platform for first-level to mid-level women managers/leaders and students, offering insights and strategies to overcome obstacles in their professional journeys. The event culminated as a resounding success, fostering an environment of empowerment and encouragement for women in the corporate world.