IIM Raipur hosts ShaktiRath 2025 to Celebrate Women in Leadership on International Women’s Day

Under the theme "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Women Leading the Way", the summit celebrated the exceptional leadership of women across industries, showcasing their role in driving transformation, innovation, and change.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, renowned for #BuildingBusinessOwners, successfully hosted its third consecutive edition of ShaktiRath 2025 on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Under the theme "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Women Leading the Way", the summit celebrated the exceptional leadership of women across industries, showcasing their role in driving transformation, innovation, and change.

Distinguished Speakers and Industry Leaders at the Summit

The event was honored by the presence of Chief Guest Mayuri Srivastava, Managing Director of FedEx, and Guest of Honour Pankhuri Gupta, Director at Tata Consumer Products. They were joined by a panel of distinguished speakers and thought leaders, contributing to meaningful discussions on women’s leadership and empowerment.

In her welcome address, Professor Rashmi Shukla, Chairperson Corporate Relations and Placements at IIM Raipur, emphasized the significance of the summit as an ongoing journey for female MBA students. She said, “This is the third consecutive year of ShaktiRath, aimed not just to celebrate a day, but to take the journey forward for female MBA students, celebrating women’s successes and allowing it to shape us.”

Empowering Women to Excel in Leadership

During the event, Professor Kamal K Jain, Distinguished Professor and Faculty Coordinator at IIM Raipur, highlighted the power and resilience of women, acknowledging the challenges they face in balancing career and family life. He stressed that respect is a fundamental right, not a favor, and encouraged women to speak up when it matters. “Learning to speak up for yourself and for others is necessary,” he said.

Creating an Equitable Professional Environment

Mayuri Srivastava, in her address, shared insights on true empowerment and how to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where women can manage both their careers and family responsibilities without the burden of dependency. She added, “Breaking the glass ceiling requires collective effort both from women striving for leadership and from men supporting an equitable and diverse professional environment.”

Keynote on Self-Confidence and Future Preparedness

In the valedictory address, Ms. Pankhuri Gupta stressed the importance of self-confidence, proving one’s worth, and bracing for the future. Reflecting on the transformative nature of ShaktiRath, Professor Rashmi Shukla concluded with a vote of thanks, urging attendees to embrace the 3 Cs—Confidence, Command, and Courage—as essential elements for success in their professional lives.

Engaging Panel Discussions and Networking Opportunities

ShaktiRath 2025 featured two thought-provoking panel discussions:

1. "Power and Presence: The Art of Negotiation" – Featuring Ms. Mayuri Srivastava (FedEx), Annu Mathew (GE Healthcare), Manisha Hrishikesh (Thermax Limited), Palak Saboo (Kapable), and Ranjanmala Hegde (Nutreco), this session explored negotiation strategies, influence, and leadership.
2. "The Power of Perspective: How Women Are Shaping a New Leadership Narrative" – This panel featured Ms. Pankhuri Gupta (Tata Consumer Products), Priyanka Nayak (PayPal), Gopika Nair Bhanot (Vedanta Power), Neelakshi Misra (Gensol), and Surbhi Gupta (Aditya Birla Grasim - Opus Paints), discussing inclusive workplaces, leadership impact, and sustainable organizational growth driven by women leaders.

The summit also provided high-impact networking opportunities, creating connections between emerging women leaders and established industry stalwarts, fostering collaboration and mentorship.

Milestone for Women’s Empowerment in Leadership

ShaktiRath 2025 not only celebrated the leadership of women but also paved the way for further conversations and actions aimed at achieving gender equality in leadership roles. By providing a platform for discussion, empowerment, and collaboration, IIM Raipur continues to build on its mission of shaping future leaders and breaking the barriers that women face in leadership positions.

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