Women Empowerment Speakers in India

Priyanka Chaturvedi is a distinguished Member of Parliament representing the Rajya Sabha. Currently serving as the Deputy Leader and National Spokesperson for the Shiv Sena, she holds key positions in parliamentary committees, reflecting her commitment to public service. Priyanka is an active participant in the Parliament Standing Committee on Commerce, the Select Committee on External Affairs, and the Parliament Committee on Women Empowerment. Her multifaceted role demonstrates her dedication to shaping legislative initiatives and advocating for significant issues. With a strong voice and a strategic leadership approach, Priyanka Chaturvedi is a dynamic force in Indian politics, contributing significantly to national discourse and governance.

Sudha Menon is an author, a columnist and a writing coach, and spent over 20 years as a journalist with leading newspapers. She is the author of three non-fiction books. A writing coach, Sudha is the founder of ‘Get Writing! , a writing workshop that helps people kick start their writing journey and ‘Writing In the Park’, an initiative that she started to get people to spend time in the outdoors, exploring their creativity while writing with her in public parks and gardens. Sudha is also a motivational speaker who has conducted numerous inspirational workshops and women’s leadership sessions for various corporates, educational institutions and NGO’s across the country. She was also a speaker at TEDxPune 2013 edition.

The expert is a 1996 batch DANIPS officer having served in NCR and Andaman and Nicobar Island. Presently, she is posted as DCP- Training and Principal, Police Training School. She was earlier working as Dy. Commissioner of Police in Special Police Unit for Woman and Children, a nodal unit of NCR Police on women and children issues. She is a strong advocate of women rights and has also worked as Sub-Divisional Officer in the Crime against Women and in Anti-Corruption Units. As an additional deputy commissioner, she is in charge of the Delhi police's special unit for women and children.

Chetna Gala Sinha is an Indian social entrepreneur working to empower women in areas of rural India by teaching entrepreneurial skills, access to land and means of production. She has served as a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum in Davos (2018), Switzerland and as a Co-Chair of Financial Inclusion at the W20 Summit (2018) in Argentina. Chetna Gala Sinha has been awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian award for women who work in the area of women’s empowerment.

She is the founder and the current president of the Mann Deshi Mahila Bank, a micro-enterprise development bank. Mann Deshi's clients are women from low-income groups, averaging INR 40 (USD 1) per day. The Bank currently has seven branches, over 185,000 clients, and conducts 10,000 transactions on a daily basis.

Saachi Soni had already achieved extraordinary feats in the realm of mountaineering when she was only 23. Scaling peaks across continents, including the formidable Mount McKinley and Europe's highest, Mount Elbrus, making her the first Indian to conquer it, showcasing her exceptional resilience and adventurous spirit. Introduced to mountaineering, hiking, and skiing at the age of seven by her father, Saachi has become India's trailblazing woman selected for an Everest expedition by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Her triumphant ascent of Mt. Everest in 2013 marked a historic milestone. Through her teenage years, she conquered challenging Himalayan peaks, demonstrating unwavering determination. Saachi's involvement in Adventure Mountaineering courses, interviews, and contributions as a Citizen Journalist for CNN IBN exemplifies her commitment to adventure and resilience. Invited as a panelist for Narendra Modi's Chai Pe Charcha on International Women’s Day, Saachi continues to inspire through her indomitable spirit.
 

With 18 years in Sales Analytics and Consulting as a Data Scientist, Hema's journey resonates with problem-solving, rooted in her early dreams of being a doctor or detective. At Schneider, she spearheads AI and Generative AI initiatives, innovating processes and bridging business needs. Previously, she led diverse portfolios including People Analytics and HR Applications, managing a team of 170+. Passionate about mentoring, she thrives on challenges and fosters a culture of inclusion as chairperson of a DE&I initiative. Her drive for excellence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion underscore her impactful contributions to Schneider's growth and innovation.

Sonia Kararha, an Executive & Leadership Coach and Corporate Trainer, brings over 18 years of diverse industry expertise. With a Professional Certified Coach accreditation from the International Coach Federation (ICF-PCC), she has delivered 500+ hours of coaching to CXOs and various management levels. Her role as a Certified Career Coach from ICCC USA involves guiding individuals, from students to professionals, in defining career paths, fostering growth, and navigating transitions. Recognized for her impactful work, Sonia received the Women Economic Forum's 2022 award for "Iconic Women creating a better world for all" and was honored as the 40Under40 India's top Corporate Wellbeing Influencer by BW BUSINESSWORLD in 2021 for her transformative coaching and training solutions.

Geeta Phogat, an Indian wrestling trailblazer, shattered barriers in a male-dominated sport. Her journey, depicted in the film "Dangal," showcases her dedication and triumphs, becoming the first Indian woman wrestler at the Olympics. A recipient of Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, she's an inspiration to aspiring athletes. Geeta's relentless pursuit of excellence propelled her to gold at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Wrestling Championships. With an unwavering spirit and pioneering achievements, she continues to empower women and foster change in the wrestling arena, leaving an indelible mark on India's sports landscape.

Dr. Meeran is an Indian Police Service Officer (Maharashtra Cadre-1981 batch). She was the Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development, Director General of National Crime Records Bureau, Chief of Maharashtra Prison Department, Commissioner of Police in Pune, Chief of Crime Branch Mumbai and also the Deputy Commissioner of Police Mumbai. She also worked in Economic Offences and Anti-corruption wings of CBI. The first woman District Police Chief in Maharashtra (Aurangabad-Satara districts), Dr. Borwankar received her Doctorate in Organizational Management from Pune University and is a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow from University of Minnesota USA. A Law graduate, she was an Independent External Monitor (IEM) for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Gas Authority of India and Air India. Currently she is IEM for the Union Bank of India (UBI) and National Aluminum Company Ltd. (NALCO). As an empowered woman, she is on a mission to motivate and empower women.

Dr. Charu is a leading women's rights lawyer, former Member National Commission for Women (NCW), and Executive, Supreme Court Bar Association. Nominated by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as Member Core Group on Women, she has been working on gender issues for over two decades. A Ph.D. in Law, Group Panel Counsel for the Union of India in the Supreme Court, she is also an eminent jurist serving on a number of public sector and college committees under the POSH Act. Charu started her career in the world of advertising and achieved success at an early age. Disturbed by the inequalities in society she founded the Social Action Forum for Manav Adhikar(SAFMA), an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations.

Gauri Kacherikar is the Head of Public, Customer Experience India team from Business Applications, Digital Consulting services atTietoEvry. Value for Business: A people person, relationships have always been at the core of what she does. This innate love and thrill of networking makes her an Insightful Global Leader with strong business acumen and extensive experience in leading global teams. 
As a Coach, she brings an uncanny ability to nurture, coach people so that they achieve their goals and advance on their career paths. Gauri's mission as a Business Coach is to empower women to grow as successful entrepreneurs.

Neeraja Ganesh is a distinguished TEDx speaker, renowned for her captivating talks at prestigious forums worldwide, including Lean In, IEEE, PMI, TIE, NASSSCOM, CII, SWE, and Womentech Network. With signature programs like "Networking for Results" and "How to tell your Story," Neeraja inspires audiences globally. She has been featured on chat shows and podcasts, sharing her leadership insights. Neeraja's influence extends to book reviews, book launches, and jury panels for innovation competitions, including MIT Sloan School of Management's Inclusive Innovation Challenge. Recognized as one of the "Magical 40 @ 40" women, Neeraja mentors across platforms and conducts leadership and behavioral training programs, leaving a profound impact.

Ethel is an accomplished Lifestyle Journalist, Media Entrepreneur, Public Relations, Marketing, Brand Management, Content and Communications Expert with a diverse media career of over 30 years. She has received several accolades for her work and is the Founder-CEO of Think Geek Media, a renowned media company. She established Think Geek Media in 2003. Her extensive media background includes prominent roles such as Regional Editor Femina and Editor-Goa Plus at The Times of India Group, as well as Programming Head & Station Director at Radio Mirchi 98.3FM in Goa. As the Founder & CEO of Think Geek Media, she successfully manages media, PR, fashion, and lifestyle content and communications projects across India, the UAE, Bangkok, and more. She has also authored two books, "Eve's Revenge: Stories of Nemesis" in 2008 and "The Stiletto Foodie - A Blog Binge in Malaysia" in 2021, with a sequel in progress titled "Eve's Light: Stories of Passion."

Sutapa Banerjee boasts over three decades of professional expertise, notably spending 24 years in esteemed financial institutions like ANZ Grindlays, ABN AMRO, and Ambit. As a visionary leader, she pioneered and led successful ventures in Wealth Management, earning global recognition as one of the 'Top 20 Global Rising Stars of Wealth Management' by Institutional Investor Group. She further cemented her leadership as CEO of Ambit Private Wealth, clinching 'Best Private Bank in India' in the 2013 AsiaMoney polls. With an illustrious career, Sutapa now serves on the boards of diverse companies, including Zomato Limited and Godrej Properties, and contributes as a visiting faculty at prestigious institutions like IIM Ahmedabad and IICA. A gold medalist in Economics from XLRI and an advocate for gender parity, she continues to influence decision-making and corporate practices globally.

Sutapa Sanyal is an international speaker, writer and advisor on issues of diversity, gender and women in leadership. She is the former Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, where she was the highest-ranking woman I.P.S. officer. She has been awarded the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Services, Police Medal for Long and Meritorious Service, Hindustan Times International Women's Day Award, and the FICCI-FLO Outstanding Police Women Award. Her work for women and child empowerment has been highly appreciated by the Govt. of India, the Govt. of UK, INTERPOL and the US Department of State.

She has been awarded the Indian Express Devi Award, MSME/BRICS Women's Leadership Award, FICCI FLO Outstanding Police Woman Award, WEF Iconic Women Award & the HT International Women's Day Award. Ms. Sanyal is a former Member of the Advisory Committee of CARA (WCD Ministry) and works as an independent consultant to Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation

Barkha Dutt is an award-winning TV journalist, anchor, and columnist with more than two decades of reporting experience. She is India's only Emmy-nominated journalist who has won multiple national and international awards, including the Padmashri, which is India's fourth-highest civilian honour. Barkha Dutt has reported from some of the toughest spots and conflict zones in India and across the world including Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Egypt. Her frontline reporting of the Kargil war first made her a household name.

This expert is a senior management professional with Ennoble IP, and Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation (STEP UP 360). She is mentor, evangelist, wealth manager, advisor and guide to many tech-based start-ups and SMEs, and is actively involved in supporting women-based ventures. She provides specialized techno-legal and innovation consulting services to help inventors/start-ups/SMEs in building strong intellectual property for long term strategic benefits and competitive edge.

Gunjan, an accomplished Human Resource Management Professional, excels in driving HR initiatives to achieve organizational goals and enhance employee engagement. With expertise in Organization Development, Employee Lifecycle Management, and Business Partnering, she ensures optimal resource utilization and profitability. Recognized as a top 50 CHRO and recipient of HR excellence awards, Gunjan leads HR teams to align strategies with business objectives while fostering collaboration and high performance. Her ability to cultivate strong stakeholder relationships yields results in talent management, employee engagement, HR tech, and diversity and inclusion. Committed to continual improvement, Gunjan strives to drive success for her organization and support colleagues' growth and development.

Dr. Gurpreet Singh is a dynamic entrepreneur, life coach, business coach, motivator, and educationist. As the founder of "Script Your Life," she empowers individuals in parenting, relationships, life, and business growth. With a mission to foster a clearer mindset regarding goals, responsibilities, and relationships, Gurpreet focuses on building self-esteem & stronger relationships and advocating for women's empowerment in society. She has trained over 100,000 teachers and school heads on transformational leadership and provides business coaching to companies like Degree 360 India Pvt. Ltd. and Silverlining Finance. Gurpreet holds certifications from the International Coach Federation and is trained in programs by industry leaders like Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, and Rajiv Talreja. Her sessions on relationship building add immense value to the audience and has been creating successful relationships, health, and wealth.

Sudha Muthaiah, a seasoned educator, guides individuals towards fulfilling career paths with zeal. With 15 years in the edtech industry, she's impacted 30,000+ young learners, instilling confidence in career decisions. Sudha's support extends to 10,000+ professionals securing placements and mentoring 500+ edtech experts, fueling industry growth. Hailing from Ambasamudram, Tamilnadu, she blends rural roots with urban aspirations, adept at adapting to diverse challenges. Passionate about education and technology, Sudha thrives on empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential. Her journey reflects a commitment to bridging gaps and fostering success in an ever-evolving landscape.

Lakshmi Seshadri, an engineer, mother of three, and former Mrs. India Universe, ignites global empowerment for mothers. Through Mompower360, she fosters holistic transformation, enabling mothers to embrace confidence and self-assurance. Lakshmi's annual conferences and webinars cultivate a nurturing space where mothers thrive collectively. Beyond, as the visionary behind The Joybox project, she channels societal surplus to those in need, showcasing profound compassion and impactful generosity without monetary donations. As a motivational speaker, Lakshmi shares insights on Mindful Motherhood, Work-Life Balance, and Making a Difference, inspiring audiences worldwide with authenticity and actionable wisdom. Her blend of expertise and empathy renders her an irresistible force for positive change.

Deepa is a seasoned Career Acceleration Expert, Leadership Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Coach, and Delivery Specialist, boasting 25 years of industry experience. She has guided corporate leaders from top-tier organizations such as Microsoft, GE, Wipro, and Infosys to overcome career obstacles and ascend to next-level leadership positions. Deepa's expertise extends to workshops and keynote sessions on various topics including Branding for Success, Time Management, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Development, and Interpersonal Skills. She has collaborated with esteemed institutions like General Mills and BNP Paribas, delivering impactful workshops and keynote addresses, contributing significantly to the professional development landscape.

Neelam Tewar, founder of Maven Magpie Consulting is a published poet, a two-time TEDx speaker and strategy consultant to impact-focused corporations, conscious entrepreneurs, creators, educational institutions and High Networth Individuals (HNIs) globally. Her areas of focus are leadership, personal branding, social media & digital strategy, health & mental wellness, ethical entrepreneurship, and personal development which is delivered through self-study + licensed courses, bespoke training, speaking events and seminars globally. Neelam's organization YouthMojo works on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, skill development initiatives with government, policy makers and educational institutions. She is the creator and host of 'words and voices' podcast where she talks with people impacting the world in their own way.

Dr. Sonali is a medical doctor with a diverse background in clinical practice and multinational companies. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise with as many people as possible through this forum. Dr. Sonali offers support to healthtech startups as an advisor and consultant, guiding them from ideation to brand planning and launch. She has been a speaker at multiple forums and has strong leadership experience, holding key positions in medical societies and associations. Additionally, she provides career guidance and assistance to aspiring medical professionals, helping them reach their full potential.

Guru is a highly motivated, performance-oriented, and results-driven business coach, HR strategist, and industrial entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience. He has successfully led a startup manufacturing home utility products and offers strategic consulting and business coaching for SMEs and startups. Guru is also a sought-after motivational speaker for entrepreneurs and management professionals across Tamil Nadu. His resilience, combined with a rational and enterprising philosophy, helps SMEs scale new heights through strategic leadership coaching and a unique blend of performance, process, and practice consulting. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades and awards from reputable sources.

Soumya Dabriwal is the Co-Founder of Project Baala, addressing the global challenge of menstrual hygiene. With development experience in Ghana, South Africa, and India, she founded the initiative after witnessing the educational disruption caused by inadequate menstrual protection, especially in Ghana. Her mission is to provide sustainable menstrual management solutions with dignity, aiming to impact 2 million girls and create jobs for 5,000 women by 2026. Recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Yash Entrepreneurs Award, Youth Co:Lab Winner, and Acumen Fellow, Soumya has also been acknowledged by organizations such as NATHEALTH, Path, and Rivet. As a TEDx speaker and Swedish Institute Gender Advocate, she is dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls through social entrepreneurship.

Nidhi Banthia Mehta is a visionary entrepreneur who transformed her passion for dance and fitness into a global brand. Leaving her role at McKinsey & Co., she founded BollyBeatz.com from her Silicon Valley garage, now an internationally recognized Bollywood dance fitness company with classes worldwide. A dynamic keynote speaker, Nidhi shares inspiring insights on entrepreneurship, motivation, leadership, team building, and customer service. Known for her energy and innovation, she empowers individuals to excel both professionally and personally, fostering a brighter, collaborative future.

Deeksha Khera is a leadership coach and talent strategist with over 18 years of experience in people development and women’s empowerment. She has collaborated with global organizations such as LinkedIn, Accenture, and Amazon, leading initiatives to nurture talent and build inclusive workplaces. As the founder of The Power Pivot, Deeksha is dedicated to empowering women at every stage of their personal and professional journeys, helping them uncover their potential and make impactful, authentic choices.

An ICF-accredited life and leadership coach and certified NLP practitioner, Deeksha combines her expertise in human behavior with a passion for leadership to create tailored programs that inspire confidence and authenticity. Through her work, she equips women to lead with purpose and resilience, driving transformative change in their lives and organizations. Her innovative approach makes her a trusted guide for individuals striving to realize their full potential.