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.

Phumza Dyani

Phumza Dyani

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

Ritu Singh

Group Head - IT Governance, Adani Enterprises Ltd
Geeta Goti

Geeta Goti

Director, EDC, TSWRDCW
Ingrid Orozco

Ingrid Orozco

CEO, Ulead International
Dr. Rashi Gupta

Dr. Rashi Gupta

Founder Director, Vision Mechatronics Private Ltd
Esther Asante

Esther Asante

CEO, Organic Trade & Investments (OTI)
Dr Ruby Bakshi Khurdi

Dr Ruby Bakshi Khurdi

Founder, RAY Academy Swiss
Andrea Zsapka

Andrea Zsapka

Brand Strategist, Globalicous Consultancy
Jillian Godsil

Jillian Godsil

Journalist, Broadcaster and Author
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh

Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh

CEO & Founder, Gaintastic
Phan Hoang Lan

Phan Hoang Lan

Head of Exploration, Accelerator Lab at UNDP
Rita Kakati-Shah

Rita Kakati-Shah

Founder & CEO, Uma -- Be Bold. Be You. Be Uma
Dr. Srimathy Kesan

Dr. Srimathy Kesan

Founder & CEO, Space Kidz India
Anindita Mookerjee Sinha

Anindita Mookerjee Sinha

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

Jasmina Siderovski

Founder and CEO of eYs Magazine
Ipshita Sen

Ipshita Sen

Founder, Engendered
Christina Scott

Christina Scott

Managing Director, BeYonder Ltd
Wendy Alexander

Wendy Alexander

CEO, Inspiring-decisions LLC
Claudia Segre

Claudia Segre

President, Global Thinking Foundation
Michelle Prince

Michelle Prince

Executive Coach, MPrince Consulting LLC
Carla Holder

Carla Holder

Research Director, SHERPA Institute
Lekha Satish

Lekha Satish

Professional Leader
Pooja Bhatia

Pooja Bhatia

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

Jeanette Uddoh

Head of Innovation, Access Bank
Harita Vinnakota

Harita Vinnakota

Designation-IIoT Sales, Europe
Lavina Ramkissoon

Lavina Ramkissoon

Chairperson, Empire Partner Foundation
Dr. Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes

Dr. Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes

CEO, The Science, Entrepreneurship and Investments Institute
Nomsa Nteleko

Nomsa Nteleko

CEO, OS Holdings
Aparna Viswanathan

Aparna Viswanathan

Educationist and Founder, Zocio
Theresa Blissing

Theresa Blissing

Director & Founder, Accelerating Insurance
Zine Nkukwana

Zine Nkukwana

President, Progressive Blacks in ICT
Eija Salmi

Eija Salmi

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

Lara Khalaf

Women's Empowerment & Feminine Leadership
Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury

Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury

EVP and CHRO at Datamatics Global Services Limited
Dr. Hina Shah

Dr. Hina Shah

Director, ICECD
Lori McNeill

Lori McNeill

COO, Global PPE
Fizza Khalid

Fizza Khalid

Doctoral Researcher, University of Edinburgh Business School.
Rama NS

Rama NS

CEO, ELCIA & ELCITA
Ayanthi Gurusinghe

Ayanthi Gurusinghe

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

Karen Airola

Innovation Strategist, Africa
Lisa Cashmore

Lisa Cashmore

Vice President, Start and Scale, Communitech
Andrea Hoffmeier

Andrea Hoffmeier

Co-Founder of the non-profit SHERPA Institute
Nomthandazo Mpande

Nomthandazo Mpande

Founder, Phoki Holdings (PTY) Ltd
Dr. Lopa Mudraa Basuu

Dr. Lopa Mudraa Basuu

Leading Security Evangelist in Cyber Security
Beth Howell

Beth Howell

SDG 8 Team Co-Lead / Co-Author at SHERPA Institute
Indrani de Silva

Indrani de Silva

Co-Team Lead and Co-Author, SHERPA Institute
Derya Uzun

Derya Uzun

Co-Founder at SUS TALKS
Achia Nila

Achia Nila

Founder, Women In Digital
Abir Sassi

Abir Sassi

Founder, Abir Sustainable Advisory
Shefali Sonpar

Shefali Sonpar

Data & Digital Transformation | Customer Advocate | Keynote Speaker
Tabatha Laverty

Tabatha Laverty

Director, Marketing and Communications at Accelerator Centre, Canada
Priyadarshini Bharath

Priyadarshini Bharath

Passionate People and Organisation Development Specialist
Pattathil Dhanya Menon

Pattathil Dhanya Menon

Cyber Crime Investigator / Director, Avanzo Cyber Security Solutions
Reema Sahni Mediratta

Reema Sahni Mediratta

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

Uma Rao G

VP HR at Ashok Leyland Limited
Olga Kozlova

Olga Kozlova

Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement, University of Strathclyde
Dr. Irina V. Birman

Dr. Irina V. Birman

Founder and Partner of Stroomi B.V.
Cielo Hernandez

Cielo Hernandez

C-Suite | Global Executive CFO
Dr Lopamudra Das Roy

Dr Lopamudra Das Roy

Founder & President, Breast Cancer Hub
Amisha Vora

Amisha Vora

Joint Managing Director at Prabhudas Lilladher
Rajashree Rao

Rajashree Rao

Industry Thought leader, visionary, advisor,
Aarati Savur

Aarati Savur

CEO Parisar Asha -Centre for Educational Research and Research
Chiara L. Milani

Chiara L. Milani

Journalist, Anchorwoman and Author of TV shows
Apala Lahiri Chavan

Apala Lahiri Chavan

Founder, Human Factors International
Alisa Eshet moses

Alisa Eshet moses

Director, Asian-Arab Chamber of Commerce