Global Women Leaders 2021

In a marketplace defined by complexity, disruption and change, today’s most successful enterprises are those that bring diverse perspectives and experiences to each new challenge. Along with being the right thing to do, diversity and inclusion offer a strategic advantage – especially at the leadership level.

That is why it is critically important for businesses to look at the challenges women often face, and clear the path for talented and dynamic leaders to rise to the top.

This understanding – together with our own commitment to fostering a culture at GCPIT & CIMSME that is both diverse and inclusive – inspired us to commission this study on women and leadership. At GCPIT & CIMSME, we have long believed that creating and promotion of a work environment where women can thrive, and implementing initiatives that support, advance, retain and reward them, is not only the right thing to do, it is a smart and strategic business approach.

The Women’s Leadership Study is a comprehensive survey of more than 500 professional and college women, exploring the qualities and experiences that contribute to women’s leadership and advancement in the workplace.

The Global Women’s Business Summit, Womenomics & SheTrades and follow-on programming have one objective: to move more women into the C-suite. The event will bring together today’s most accomplished leaders from the worlds of business, politics, sports and the media, to inspire the next generation of women leaders.

It is our fervent belief that outcome of this study will inform and encourage leaders to take clear and decisive steps to develop the leadership potential of their female employees—and that we will all be stronger for it.

A woman’s perception of leadership begins not with collegiate academic success, her first big break or when she’s named to a position of power. The trajectory to female leadership starts much earlier and is defined by key influences throughout life.

Geography/Board

Dr Poonam Malik

Jane Morriso-Ross

Shipra Sharma Bhutani

Phumza Dyani

Founder, Pan African Network for Investment and Development (PANfID)

Ritu Singh

Group Head - IT Governance, Adani Enterprises Ltd

Geeta Goti

Director, EDC, TSWRDCW

Ingrid Orozco

CEO, Ulead International

Dr. Rashi Gupta

Founder Director, Vision Mechatronics Private Ltd

Esther Asante

CEO, Organic Trade & Investments (OTI)

Dr Ruby Bakshi Khurdi

Founder, RAY Academy Swiss

Andrea Zsapka

Brand Strategist, Globalicous Consultancy

Jillian Godsil

Journalist, Broadcaster and Author

Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh

CEO & Founder, Gaintastic

Phan Hoang Lan

Head of Exploration, Accelerator Lab at UNDP

Rita Kakati-Shah

Founder & CEO, Uma -- Be Bold. Be You. Be Uma

Dr. Srimathy Kesan

Founder & CEO, Space Kidz India

Anindita Mookerjee Sinha

Head Of Corporate Communications, L&T Metro Rail (Hyd) Ltd

Jasmina Siderovski

Founder and CEO of eYs Magazine

Ipshita Sen

Founder, Engendered

Christina Scott

Managing Director, BeYonder Ltd

Wendy Alexander

CEO, Inspiring-decisions LLC

Claudia Segre

President, Global Thinking Foundation

Michelle Prince

Executive Coach, MPrince Consulting LLC

Carla Holder

Research Director, SHERPA Institute

Lekha Satish

Professional Leader

Pooja Bhatia

Chief Manager, Innovation-Technology Transfer Office (i-TTO), FITT

Jeanette Uddoh

Head of Innovation, Access Bank

Harita Vinnakota

Designation-IIoT Sales, Europe

Lavina Ramkissoon

Chairperson, Empire Partner Foundation

Dr. Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes

CEO, The Science, Entrepreneurship and Investments Institute

Nomsa Nteleko

CEO, OS Holdings

Aparna Viswanathan

Educationist and Founder, Zocio

Theresa Blissing

Director & Founder, Accelerating Insurance

Zine Nkukwana

President, Progressive Blacks in ICT

Eija Salmi

Founder, Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges in Art, Design and Media

Lara Khalaf

Women's Empowerment & Feminine Leadership

Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury

EVP and CHRO at Datamatics Global Services Limited

Dr. Hina Shah

Director, ICECD

Lori McNeill

COO, Global PPE

Fizza Khalid

Doctoral Researcher, University of Edinburgh Business School.

Rama NS

CEO, ELCIA & ELCITA

Ayanthi Gurusinghe

Secretary, National Trade Policy Formulation Unit, Ministry of Trade and Trade promotion

Karen Airola

Innovation Strategist, Africa

Lisa Cashmore

Vice President, Start and Scale, Communitech

Andrea Hoffmeier

Co-Founder of the non-profit SHERPA Institute

Nomthandazo Mpande

Founder, Phoki Holdings (PTY) Ltd

Faith .C. Titus

Dr. Lopa Mudraa Basuu

Leading Security Evangelist in Cyber Security

Beth Howell

SDG 8 Team Co-Lead / Co-Author at SHERPA Institute

Indrani de Silva

Co-Team Lead and Co-Author, SHERPA Institute

Melissa Pierre

Derya Uzun

Co-Founder at SUS TALKS

Achia Nila

Founder, Women In Digital

Abir Sassi

Founder, Abir Sustainable Advisory

Shefali Sonpar

Data & Digital Transformation | Customer Advocate | Keynote Speaker

Tabatha Laverty

Director, Marketing and Communications at Accelerator Centre, Canada

Priyadarshini Bharath

Passionate People and Organisation Development Specialist

Pattathil Dhanya Menon

Cyber Crime Investigator / Director, Avanzo Cyber Security Solutions

Reema Sahni Mediratta

Project Manager at Innovation- Technology Transfer Office (i-TTO) at Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer

Uma Rao G

VP HR at Ashok Leyland Limited

Olga Kozlova

Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement, University of Strathclyde

Dr. Irina V. Birman

Founder and Partner of Stroomi B.V.

Cielo Hernandez

C-Suite | Global Executive CFO

Dr Lopamudra Das Roy

Founder & President, Breast Cancer Hub

Amisha Vora

Joint Managing Director at Prabhudas Lilladher

Rajashree Rao

Industry Thought leader, visionary, advisor,

Aarati Savur

CEO Parisar Asha -Centre for Educational Research and Research

Chiara L. Milani

Journalist, Anchorwoman and Author of TV shows

Apala Lahiri Chavan

Founder, Human Factors International

Alisa Eshet moses

Director, Asian-Arab Chamber of Commerce