Join India’s Premier Skill Building and Networking Program for Women Professionals
SEGUE Sessions 2024
Power The Shift
Session Sneak Peek
- Personal Stories of Inspiration from Women Leaders
- Expertly-curated Workshops on Leadership and Career Development
- Panel discussions on DEI, recruitment, retention, and leadership
- Interviews on navigating the workplace as a diverse individual
Gain leadership strategies, insights, and network
with women professionals from diverse industries.
Connect with like-minded women professionals and build a strong network of supportive peers.
Participate in interactive workshops and discussions to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Enhance your understanding of key trends and developments in your industry and beyond.
Receive recognition and awards for your exceptional achievements and contributions in your field.
Hear inspiring success stories from women who have overcome challenges and achieved great things in their careers.
Gain practical tools and techniques to overcome career obstacles and achieve your professional goals.
Build your confidence and resilience, and develop a clearer sense of purpose and direction in your career.
Have fun and enjoy a positive and empowering experience that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to take on new challenges in your career.
Who Should Attend?
Rising Women Professionals
If you're an entry-level or mid-career professional looking to make a transition in your career, this conference will give you the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
Women in Leadership
If you're already in a leadership role, this conference will help you enhance your leadership competencies and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies.
Diversity and Inclusion Professionals
If you're an HR/DEI professional, Chief Diversity Officer, Talent Management Professional, or L&D Professional, you’ll gain valuable insights and best practices to help recruit, retain, and advance women in your organization.
SEGUE
Sessions 2024
- In-person
- 15/03/2024
HackEquity
Connect with like-minded women professionals and build a strong network of supportive peers.
Transformative Sessions on Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion
Agenda for SEGUE 2024
TIME (IST)
DESCRIPTION
Program begins
Welcome Address
Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder – President, Avtar Group
2:10 PM – 2:25 PM
Opening Keynote Conversation
Geetha Ramamoorthi, Managing Director, KBR India in conversation with Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder –President, Avtar Group
2:30 PM – 3:20 PM
Panel Discussion – Navigating the Risks on Your Professional Climb
This panel will delve into the unique professional landscape that women traverse through the potential risks they face in the workplaces and careers. There are several risks and blind spots an Indian Woman Professional (IWP) often faces that can silently sabotage even the most strategic career plans. This panel of esteemed speakers will help women professionals gain deeper understanding of the risks, work towards solutions to mitigate and overcome risks in their professional journeys.
Bhavani Balasubramanian, Chief Strategist, Diversity Evaluations, Avtar Group
Kavita Singh, Director – Applications Development, TransUnion Global Technology Center, India
Vanita Aggarwal, Digital Engagement Practice Head, EPAM Systems India Private Limited
Moderator: Karthik Ekambaram, Executive Vice President, Director, DEI Solutions, Avtar Group
3:25 PM – 4:10 PM
HackEquity: Cracking the Inclusion Code
Changing perceptions and social conditioning about women’s rights and the need to work
According to the findings from the Top Cities for Women in India 2023 study done by Avtar, one of the key action points that emerged from working women was the dire need for social transformation. As such, society is yet to evolve as an enabler towards increasing women’s workforce participation. The need to increase women’s economic contribution to build the nation is well established. One of the key factors that will help increase women’s workforce participation is normalising the role of working women in society. How can we promote women’s economic contribution to society and thus be the changemakers?
Building consensus on male allyship
While several male allies are now visible in organizations, a large number of men are not forthcoming about their views on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In Avtar’s research, we found women are still not accepted at workplaces and are often dismissed as weak, questioned meritocracy and having the benefit of gender card. As future organizations, we need to build a culture of inclusion by way of continuous conversations with men. What are the structural policies that organizations can build that promote male allyship to enable and build inclusive and equitable workspaces?
Bhavani Balasubramanian, Chief Strategist, Diversity Evaluations, Avtar Group
Eswar Balasubramanian, VP – Outreach, AHCT
V Rajesh, Author, Retail & Shopper Behavior Expert
4:10 PM – 4:40 PM
High Tea & Networking
4:40 PM – 5:15 PM
Role Model Talks – Power Through: Inspire Inclusion
This session will be interactive and aspirational. Established women professionals will talk on their stories of being inspired to be included for the sense of belonging, relevance that resulted in a more equitable workspace.
Madhavi Deshmukh, Head – Aftermarket Function, Ashok Leyland
Latha Subramanian, Engineering Leader, Dow Chennai Engineering Center
Moderator: Rashmi Ravindran, AVP, Digital Learning, Avtar Group
5:20 PM – 5:50 PM
Fireside chat: Love Yourself, Protect Yourself
An inspiring conversation with an insurance expert on how self-love translates into financial empowerment. This conversation will bring out insights for women professionals on the rise to learn valuable strategies and gear up to safeguard their futures.
Harini Kannan, Head – Product Innovation and Development, Specialty UW, Liability & Specialty claims, HDFC ERGO
Moderator: Lakshmi Vijaykumar, AVP – Events & Media Relations, Avtar Group
5:55 PM – 6:40 PM
Panel Discussion
The Double-bind Paradox: Shifting the narrative to find your unique Authentic Voice
The narrative for the Indian Woman Professional often follows a tightrope between being “likeable” and “competent.” When she is assertive, she gets labelled as “bossy,” while collaboration becomes “wishy-washy.” This “double bind” creates an uncomfortable environment where women professionals face criticism or get branded regardless of their choices. Breaking the double bind is an ongoing journey. This session aims to take the first few steps that will enable women professionals with knowledge for continuous self-reflection, support and collective action by organizations and leaders for lasting change.
This panel will delve into the origins and mechanics of this limiting perspective, to uncover its societal conditioning often non-consciously. The set of panelists will through insightful discussions and shared experiences identify how the double-mind manifests in various aspects.
Celestina George, Internal Communications Lead, KBR India
Sudha Jenslin Kanagaraj, Director, Software Development and Data Engineering, Site Lead – Data Platforms and Analytics, Genesys
Prasanna Venkatraman, Delivery Director, UST
Moderator: Usha Pillai, VP, Recruitment Delivery, Avtar Group
6:45 PM – 6:55 PM
Announcement of Hack Equity Winners
6:55 PM – 7:00 PM
Closing remarks by Umasanker Kandaswamy, Co-founder, Senior Vice President, Sales & Relationship, Avtar Group
Leaders, Pioneers, and Change Makers Meet Our Esteemed Speakers
Dr. Saundarya Rajesh
Chief Executive Officer
Krishma Narayanan
Medical Devices, Cognizant
Priyanka Chaudhry
Tax Leader
Tryphena Edward
Beena Sarkar
Crux Intelligence
Suchita Dantre
Network Access
