Malini Gowrishankar | F5 Escapes
I have had two career switches and three professions - a techie, a dubbing artist and an entrepreneur. I am currently working on my dream to redefine women's travel in India through 'F5 Escapes'.
My love for building communities has led me to volunteer with Headstart Network for three years - conceptualised and headed the Women Entrepreneurs initiative nationally, directly impacting over 500 lives.
I have also delivered motivational talks at IIM Bangalore, IIM Vizag, PES and SAP Labs amongst others.
My dream is for India to be a safe haven for female travellers and global sisterhood, achieved through travel.
I already believe I am a Rising Star. This award will just validate that.
Garima Aggarwal | Barclays
Life for girls born in middle class in rural Haryana in the 80s was tough, but I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to work hard and dream big. And dream big I did!
My father's transferable job took us to towns with little quality-education, but I learnt to make the most of my situation; a value that helped me win a Gold-Medal in MCA.
My first step in a metropolis came with my placement in Infosys, where my performance exposed me to what would later become a passion for Information Security. This passion has taken me to many countries, but I particularly enjoyed my time in Australia, which was as challenging as it was exciting - what with working on new technologies, winning excellence awards, and earning CISSP certification.
I initiated vastly successful Identity-Access Management (IAM) practice for our vertical at Infosys. There has been no turning back since, and I went on to lead various IAM solutions and Innovations with Oracle, Deloitte and Barclays. I am currently an Assistant Vice-President leading IAM solutions.
At personal level, I love trekking, travelling and adventure sports. I think learning is a life-long process, and I keep it going!
Sneha Lugade | Barclays
I graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering in 2009 from Goa University.
I have six and a half years of software industry experience and am always enthusiastic about giving my bit to society.
i have taken part in a number of citizenship activites including MAD (Make a Difference) Day's in October 2014; and a visit to Katraj dairy and Sakal Newspaper in October 2014 in which 33 girls from 9th Std participated. The functioning of the dairy and newspaper functioning was explained to the students.
I also conducted activities such as paper quilling, crafts, painting, essay writing and English speaking with 40 children from the Rachana Hostel, an underprivileged hostel in the village.
In 2015, I held fundraising activities via food stalls and games at Masti ki pathshala and I actively participated in the organisation and management of the event. We raised 85 K INR
I have also been involved in assembling school kits for distribution; fundraising for the Nepal Earthquake disaster; and supporting farmers of the Dhule district through the Farmer's Helping Hand programme
Outside of Barclays, I am associated with below NGO's social activities such as the Helping Hands group, volunteering activites at Aksharbharti and Seva Sahyog
At work I pride myself on customer satisfaction, optimisation at work, getting innovative ideas at work, coordination between users.
I have conducted a number team building exercises including setting up a Team Vibrant committee with other team members; celebrating at work on birthdays, work anniversaries and festivals; and fire marshalling. This has helped me progress in team building, mentoring and self learning in leadership and organising qualities. This has also made an impact on society which has created a positive change in society. The recognition that the small efforts make a big difference in other people's lives. By extension these initiatives help inspire work related empathy and sensitiveness to colleagues. This only motivates me to do bigger and better for the team and community at large.
Shripriya Venkataraman | Aon
As a India Delivery Manager at Aon, my role demands execution with excellence on business priorities, identifying opportunities to improve delivery, influence teams to excel, resolve client escalations and ultimately help to improve governance and execution of our client delivery and relationships. In my accolades, I recently received the Annual Platinum Award for Business Results in 2016, for delivering with excellence. I enjoy mentoring and coaching my front line managers, and feel that it is my responsibility to ensure the knowledge that is gained is shared and hence am also partnering with the talent and development teams in facilitating corporate trainings both technical and management workshops
We have over 700 female colleagues in the location and my interest in empowerment of the women workforce has given me the opportunity to lead the Women's International Network Chennai Chapter. Alongside this I am also leading the CSR projects and activities for the location, which has earned the Global Innovation Award recently. As the core theme of the CSR is on education, we support on the projects that support the economically in need, visually challenged and hearing impaired students. As a part of the diversity workforce project team, currently working on implementing and imparting hearing impaired potentials into the organization. 'How deeply you touch another life is how rich your life is', is my mantra. My future vision is focused on enriching and enabling the lives of physically challenged through technology.
Farah Siddiqui Matin
Farah Siddiqui Matin holds a Ph.D from the University of Allahabad and is a poetess of her own choice. She was born and raised in Allahabad and is currently residing in Ireland with her scientist hubby Shafique Matin. She started composing poems in January 2014 and published her first book 'The Bliss of Solitude' in May 2014, which was a collection of 50 poems. Her second book, 'Like I Born in Venus', comprising of 70 poems was inaugurated in 2015. Besides this she has 12 anthologies and numerous poems in international and national offlne and online magazine. She has also been awarded 'The Best Poetess Debut Award in 2015. Her third book based on "Nirbhaya" dedicated to every woman, will arrive on the market in November this year. She writes mainly on female empowerment and the issues that they are facing in our current society. Farah has had her poems published in the very famous International American Magazine, Life and Legends and famous French magazine Levure Litteraire in 2015. She was also nominated along with 100 other women in a honour ceremony in 2016 and has also been interviewed in Indian National television that was aired on 25th March 2016.
Shilpa Gupta | Barclays
Shilpa Gupta is a go getter, the most talkative person around and finally a girl with a shiny nose!
She has always been like that - from being a naughty, only child to two ex-iitians, to having an awesome childhood troubling parents and then going on to become an engineer followed by an MBA. The professional journey has been encouraging as well. Shilpa had a good stint at ICICI, followed by Wipro and then Barclays. A couple of certifications and trainings have been sprinkled on top and that's been a good professional salad.
That's the boring part! The more interesting part is her creative side wherein she has been able to translate her dreams to thought-churning prose and poems, much to her delight. She has travelled a good deal and played some refreshing sports.
She has been associated with the Spastics Society and multiple schools for the needy. To be able to make a difference to the lives of some of our brothers and sisters has been food for her soul. Lastly, she takes pride in carrying on a self-imposed agenda to make two different pairs of eyes smile each day.
That's her smiling indeed. Wouldn't you smile back?
Puja Mapxencar | Kandida
Puja's passion and love for innovation has been instrumental in ensuring that Kandida becomes a name to reckon with across the country. This 23-year-old is driven, always on the go and is ready to explore new avenues. Puja, the young entrepreneur, has always had an eye for detail. She has been able to understand the lifestyle of her target audience and thus come up with Kandida. A dreamer and a believer, Puja's inclination to create and reinvent, has pushed her to become a successful designer. Versatile, independent and an ethnic lover are some words that describe Puja.
Primarily from Goa, she spent eight years of her life in Germany. She is grounde and in touch with her roots. Simple and traditional, Puja finished her schooling from St. Josephs Institute, Goa. Puja did not end up being a tech geek, and took up a vocational stream in Commercial Garment Designing and Marketing at the Carmel College. She is also a Fashion Design Graduate from NIFT, Bangalore.
The brand, Kandida is a dedication to her three Idols of her life. Her grandmother Kanchan, father Dinesh and grandfather Damodar. The family lived in Germany for more than three decades and were referred to as 'Indisch Artz Famille' (The Indian Doctor Family). Despite all the German influences, India was the only source of inspiration for this brand. The name Kandida was created using the first syllable of their names, Kan(chan) + Di(nesh) + Da(modar) = Kan-Di-Da.
Puja was always passionate about Indian ethnic wear but felt that there was a need for something fresh and aesthetically pleasing. Hand printing techniques ruled the design scene and Puja began her journey playing with fabrics sourced from organic roots paired with handmade digital funky prints. Puja wanted create experiences, rather than just outfits. The brand is an online designer wear brand that sells Indian eco-ethnic funky wear. It is also available on shopping portals like Amazon, Flipkart, Shopclues, Cheerkart.com, Paytm, Snapdeal, Craftsvilla, Shopo and Kraftly.
Its first flagship store opened at Nizmar Centre, AB Road, Panaji Goa. The brand has also extended its creative wingspan and tried its hand at making silver, semi-precious, terracotta, poly-clay, ceramic and gold plated jewellery. Organic, quirky Indian fusion wear at Kandida gives the customer a never-before experience.
Puja is multifaceted and wears many hats. She is also the CEO of Cheerkart.com and founder of a travel group 100 Sundays Throwback Goa. She has many awards and accolades in her kity. She has been awarded as the best Rotaractor of the Year 2015 at Rotaract Club of Vasco-da-gama for her excellence and Professional, community and Club service for Rotaract Vasco-Da-gama. She also showcased Kandida's latest collection, Escape-O-Nature, at Bangalore Fashion Week Winter-Festive 15th edition along with South Indian Actress Shubra Aiyeppa.
In Goa, Puja's efforts and dedication as a budding designer and entrepreneur has been featured in Timeline Goa Magazine, Vasco Watch, Goan Observer, Viva Goa, Nahvind Times(Zest Edition), Business Goa Magazine, Danik Herald, Tarun Bharat, Gomantak times, Gomatak Varta, Goa TV, RDX Goa and Goa doot local TV channels. She has also had the opportunities to speak about her label and achievements on air for Hello Goa with RJ Pankaj at Radio Mirchi Goa 98.3 FM. In Bangalore she has been featured in many newspapers like Indian Express (INDULGE), Eenandu, Andhra Jyoti, Deccan Herald and Deccan Chronicles. In August 2016, she got a chance to write an article for the startup designers on entreprenur.com. Many online bloggers like werearethecity.in, unkrate.com, whatshot.in, lookbangalore.com etc interviewed her as one of the budding designers of India. She was also invited to be the judge for a Goa state level Fashion Show Topsy-Turvy at Ravindra Bhavan, Goa.
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Anurima Roy | Entrepreneur
I have held top positions across the publishing industry in India, with the biggest players in both editorial and marketing. Having worked with the world's biggest writers, I realized it's time to do something for India, small publishers and Indian writers who have been struggling to make a mark in an ecosystem which is dominated by the big international players. I am a consultant and entrepreneur now helping to make a difference to take majority of the Indian writing abroad and promote our literature.
Megha Bajaj | Miraaya Holistic Growth Centre
I have grown up in the ever changing, ever alive city of Mumbai. I come from a land that is steeped in sages and spirituality, in yoga and meditation, in diversity and divinity. All of these have been an integral part of my growing up years as the youngest member of a 25-member joint family. Loud, opinionated, loving family – who would suddenly turn silent as I would ask them questions like, what is love, who is god, who makes everything work? An unconventional student of sorts, I would prefer bunking school, sitting on my terrace that faced the sea and think about Life.
This, I believe, lay the foundation of Miraaya Holistic Growth Centre – the first centre across the world dedicated completely to working on the BEING of a child or adult, with little focus on the DOING. I believe we need an education system that needs to get children LIFE READY and not just EXAM READY. We don’t teach children chemistry, but we do teach them about the chemistry of relationships. We don’t teach children history, but we do teach them about how to become history makers. We don’t teach children language from the text books – but instead make them fall in love with communication itself. We operate as an after-school development set-up and also tie up with schools to bring in the miraaya magic within curriculum.
We started with one centre at Chembur and today have franchisees at Tardeo, Lokhandwala, Pune, Ghatkopar and three more coming up at New Jersey, Singapore and Dubai.
I also happen to be a word-a-holic. I have written a few books – and each has given my soul deep fulfillment. The first, at 23, was Thank You Cancer published by Hay House. This won a lot of media acclaim and was written about in Times of India, The Hindu, DNA, Dainik Bhaskar, Mumbai Mirror, Life Positive, Reader’s Digest and many more. It also got translated into two languages.
The next was a series for Grade 1-Grade 8 called the WoW Text books. I have attempted to make English come alive with key life skills and this series has been adopted by a few schools in India.
Finally, the last book is called I Inspire – the story of Neerja Malik as told to Megha Bajaj. This has been published by one of the oldest publishers in India called Jaico. Thousands of copies have been sold and the publishers see this as a potential best seller.
Children, words, love and laughter– keeps me waking up each morning believing Life is Beautiful.
Suniti Nanda | Barclays
A leader, executor and innovation evangelist - with an executive business management from IIM-C, I have been in the Banking industry for over 15 years.
I have completed a B-Tech from NIT Rourkela, and come from a conservative family background. In the past I have taken some hard stands to pursue my career to this stage.
Currently, I am heading the Mobile channel development for South Africa in Barclays. Innovation is my passion; hence I led the Rise Mumbai setup and currently part of the execution core committee (www.thinkrise.com). This is the global innovation co-creation platform created by Barclays.
At work I have taken credit for starting from scratch and setting up highly energetic dynamic team to deliver excellent products to market in most agile manner. I have deployed Agile in cross location dynamic development environment in banking development areas.
Outside work, I am a Social Investor and Member, Engagement committee for Rang De Pune. Rang De is a crowd funding platform which works in financial inclusion space and has a target to enable people and eradicate poverty from India. I am also a marathon runner and follows a fitness regime through yoga or gymnasium. My long term goal is to become a social entrepreneur.