Honeywell India hosted its inaugural ‘LeadHERS in Tech’ event at its Bengaluru campus, bringing together over 200 women professionals from across the tech industry. This landmark gathering showcased the contributions of women to technological breakthroughs and aimed to encourage future generations of women leaders in tech. The full-day event facilitated meaningful discussions on overcoming barriers and creating opportunities for women to not only participate but lead the way in technological transformation.
In his keynote speech, Anant Maheshwari, President & CEO of Global Regions at Honeywell, stressed the significance of diversity in shaping the future of technology. He pointed out that women are central not only to current technological advancements but also to the innovations that will define the next era. He urged more initiatives like ‘LeadHERS in Tech’ to create platforms for women to take charge in shaping the future of technology.
The event featured a fireside chat with Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India, and Niranjan Kalyandurg, President of Honeywell Technology Solutions. The leaders discussed the role of male allies in fostering an inclusive workplace and the importance of mentorship for advancing women’s careers. They also tackled gender biases and the need for training to address unconscious biases, encouraging women to be confident, outspoken, and actively influence the direction of technology.
A key moment of the event was the panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers in Tech: Stories of Resilience and Innovation,” with industry experts like Latha Chemrakalam, Vice President at Continental; Sidharth Balachandran, Head of the AirBus Innovation Centre; Ashwini Siddhi, AI Head at GoDaddy; and Sumedha Limaye, VP of Engineering at Quest Global. The panel focused on how women are challenging the traditional norms in tech and reshaping the landscape with innovative approaches. Vandana Suri, founder of TAXSHE, and Nisha Millet, former Olympic swimmer, also shared their inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
Anita Vijaykrishnan, VP of Engineering and India Leader at Honeywell Technology Solutions, remarked, “Women in tech are not just solving problems—they are shaping the future. ‘LeadHERS in Tech’ is just the beginning of a journey that will inspire and empower women in the tech industry. At Honeywell, we recognize the leadership of women in every breakthrough and are committed to fostering an environment where women-led innovations thrive.”
The event also featured the ‘InnovateHER’ contest, where women-led teams presented tech solutions for real-world challenges. This competition highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in problem-solving and the vital role of women in shaping technological futures. Participants also took part in specialized masterclasses and toured the Honeywell Experience Center, showcasing innovations in aviation, automation, energy transition, and the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Honeywell remains dedicated to empowering women and driving innovation through leadership in various sectors. In building automation, Honeywell has revolutionized communication technologies with twisted-pair cabling for high-speed, cost-effective networks. In fire safety, the company’s cloud-connected IoT solutions offer real-time alerts, remote monitoring, and smarter evacuation strategies. In industrial automation and energy transition, its Protonium suite enhances green hydrogen production, improving energy efficiency across industries like cement and steel.
