VMware India hosted Nirmaan 2019, a unique forum that aims to build a strong ecosystem to create a more gender-balanced leadership talent pipeline. The event featured industry leaders such as Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP and Managing Director, SAP Labs India; Anitha Prasad, Head End-user support and experience-CIO function, Wipro; Shiv Bhasin – CTO/COO at National Stock Exchange of India Limited; Anshu Sharma Raja – Managing Director, Global Head – Retail Banking Technology at Standard Chartered Bank.

The forum brought together over 250 women professionals keen to strategize on building a more equitable industry where women are represented without bias across levels. Panelists shared their views on how technology has a crucial role to play in helping address gender inequalities in the workforce and inspire technology-driven positive change across hierarchies.

The speakers and panelists discussed the importance of focusing on developing leadership qualities, gaining industry insights and leveraging opportunities at the workplace to build their personal brand and develop a distinct leadership style. Women have to contend with a number of unique challenges on their career journey. This event aimed at helping women understand and address the pressure they place on themselves as well as provide an overview of the possibilities that can be unlocked with technology. It placed equal emphasis on diversity and inclusion programs, mentorship and individual action on tech-fueled innovation and lateral thinking.

Through its progressive agenda, Nirmaan touched upon many aspects of emerging tech and leveraging innovation for good. It highlighted how technology can play a role in elevating the Indian economy. It delved into the reasons why women hold themselves back from reaching for the stars and the factors that prevent them from achieving their potential and brainstormed over the ways to overcome the same special workshop, Astitva focussed on intersectionality and experiencing diversity in different settings. The workshop on Shaping Your Thoughts examined the stereotypes that are communicated in the myths and fairytales and introspecting on the impact these could have on women. The versatility of the topics covered at Nirmaan had the attendees engaging in progressive interactions, exchanging experiences and perspectives, and most importantly understanding how they could take charge of their career growth.

Mr. Pradeep Nair, VP & MD, VMware India said, “An inclusive work culture should be a part of every organization’s priorities and act as an accelerator for cultural transformation. A leadership team with a fair representation of women is an asset for any organization aiming for greater innovation. It is imperative that technology companies engage in conversations and support leadership training for women professionals with growth potential. Leaders must commit to foster talent and shield their colleagues from unfavorable work practices, making way for technology-driven progress and culture of unbiased meritocracy. Nirmaan is a step forward in that direction. VMware will continue to advocate for an inclusive workforce in the industry.”

Ms. Anita Vijayakrishnan, Vice President IT, VMware India said, “Nirmaan 2019 was conceptualized out of the need to discuss the changing narrative for women at the workplace. As women from different industries and demographics prepare to adapt and unlock new opportunities for growth, companies need to undergo a fundamental transformation themselves and rethink workforce planning and diversity in the talent pool. Nirmaan aims at facilitating and empowering women towards how they can perceive themselves in leadership roles.”

India’s ranking in gender diversity has improved with the representation of women in top leadership positions rising to 20 leadership in 2018 according to Grant Thornton’s Women in Business: Beyond Policy to Progress report. While the country has seen a definite upswing in diversity and inclusivity initiatives across organizations in India, it is only inching to close the gender gap in the industry, supporting women in their journey of growth at the workplace.

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