The SheMaker Summit Season 5, held on October 17, 2024, at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, marked another successful gathering celebrating the growing influence of women in manufacturing. With inspiring discussions and valuable industry insights, the event honoured exceptional contributions through the SheMaker Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations committed to driving gender diversity. Powered by the Aditya Birla Group, the summit emphasized women’s transformative role in shaping the future of manufacturing in India.
The SheMaker Summit, organized by People Konnect and powered by the Aditya Birla Group, showcased the success of the initiative led by Anjali Gulati, fostering inclusivity across its many sectors. With support from Silver partner Gestamp and segment partners Kenvue and TVS Motors, the summit reinforced the crucial role of gender diversity in an industry historically dominated by men. This fifth edition emphasized the underutilized potential of women makers, aiming to champion their transformative impact on the manufacturing industry.
In a powerful opening address, Purba Bhattacharya, COO of People Konnect, captured the essence of the summit, stating, “The future of manufacturing is women.” She emphasized that, with most manufacturing facilities located outside major cities, hyper-local hiring is urgently needed to create a more inclusive workforce. Deeksha Vats, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Aditya Birla Group, highlighted the traits women bring to manufacturing—collaboration, persistence, adaptability, and patience—and how these qualities drive lasting and meaningful change when embraced within an organization.
An engaging plenary session, moderated by Anjali Gulati, CEO and Founder of People Konnect, brought industry experts together to discuss sustainable leadership driven by women. Leaders such as Gagandeep Kochar from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Mona Hakeem from Sun Pharma, and Shivin Tikoo, CHRO of Mahindra First Choice Wheels, shared insights on the progression of diversity initiatives. The discussion transitioned from debating the business case for diversity to implementing structural changes that retain and support women leaders. Their combined experiences underscored the need for infrastructure and policy support tailored to female talent within manufacturing.
4 Companies & 4 Stories Elevate SheMaker Season 5
One of the day’s highlights, 4 Companies, 4 Stories, showcased inspiring best practices from organizations that champion gender diversity. Speakers like Priyadarshini Anand from UltraTech Cement and Capt. Jyotsna Malhotra from TVS Motor emphasized the value of inclusive practices. At the same time, Vishal Bhange and Avdhut Musale from Gestamp praised the problem-solving perspectives women bring to engineering and manufacturing roles.
Expanding its reach, the SheMaker Campus Roadshow debuted on October 14, 2024, at Dr. DY Patil College of Engineering, Akurdi, Pune, gathering over 500 participants. This introductory event featured an inspiring panel discussion led by industry figures like Kavita Sanikop from JSW Group and Shweta Jahagirdar from Tata Motors. The success of this campus event signals plans to expand the roadshow to colleges across India’s remaining zones, with the next stop set in the Northern region.
In the Red Carpet Stories segment, women trailblazers such as Stuti Kelawala from Kenvue and Mansi Chamankar from Sandvik shared personal journeys of resilience and professional growth in traditionally male-dominated environments. Each story illustrated the diverse pathways available to women who choose to make their mark in manufacturing.
Culminating the event, the SheMaker Awards honoured trailblazing women across categories. Notable winners included Pallavi P from TVS Motor, Dipashri Ramesh Chaudhari from JSW MG Motor India in the Rising SheMaker category, and Pooja Patil from CEAT in the Emerging Leader category. The SheMaker Catalyst and SheMaker Evangelist categories recognized influential entities like JSW Steel and Ashok Leyland for their commitment to diversity and support for women in manufacturing.
Machine Maker, the event’s ecosystem partner, celebrated these collective achievements, reflecting the essential role of gender diversity in advancing India’s manufacturing sector. The stories, insights, and vision shared at SheMaker Summit Season 5 continue to pave the way for an empowered, inclusive future in manufacturing.
