News

Published: December 18, 2023
Updated: December 18, 2023

Empowering Women in Boardrooms: A Glimpse into MentorMyBoard's Women Directors Conclave 2023

Celebrating Trailblazing Women in Indian Boardrooms

Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Irani, marked the 3rd Edition of the Women Directors Conclave and Awards hosted by MentorMyBoard. This pioneering event, held at the Bombay Stock Exchange, witnessed the inauguration of the Women Directors Awards, recognizing outstanding women directors across various business sectors.

Keynote Address by SEBI's General Manager

The conclave featured a keynote address by SEBI's General Manager, Smt. Yogita Jadhav, who emphasized the crucial role of diverse corporate boards in India's journey toward a USD 5 trillion economy. She highlighted that despite a decade passing since the Companies Act of 2013, women directors constitute only 18.5% of cumulative boards, underscoring the urgent need for transformative diversity.

Driving Change Beyond Compliance

Ms. Yogita Jadhav urged a shift from mere regulatory compliance to addressing real challenges hindering gender diversity in boardrooms. She stressed the importance of enabling companies to harness the transformative power of diversity and providing a supportive ecosystem for women directors.

Debut of Women Directors Awards

The Women Directors Awards, spanning 17 categories, received enthusiastic nominations. A panel of expert jury members meticulously selected finalists, and the awards were presented in the presence of dignitaries, acknowledging the impactful contributions of women leaders in traditionally male-dominated boardrooms.

Inauguration of WOMB Circle

In response to the shortage of trained women directors, MentorMyBoard launched the Women On Management Boards (WOMB) circle initiative. Dr. Kiran Bedi, a Governance Evangelist, praised the initiative, emphasizing the unique qualities women bring to boardrooms – heart, healing, and humanity.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Distinguished panellists and industry leaders, including Ms Anannya Saikia and Prof. RSS Mani, emphasized the urgent need for a supportive corporate governance ecosystem. The event also addressed challenges women face, such as limited opportunities, gender bias, and stereotypes.

Men and Women Unite for Growth

A noteworthy achievement was the significant male attendance, constituting up to 30% of the conclave's guests. This exemplified MentorMyBoard's commitment to building a collective ecosystem for growth, fostering inclusivity through panel discussions featuring male speakers.

The Journey Forward

MentorMyBoard, co-founder and directors Ms Divya Momaya and Neha Shah, aims to continue its efforts in building productive and inclusive boards aligned with the government's vision of a USD 5 Trillion Economy. The platform has garnered recognition from Finance Minister Shreemati Nirmala Seetharaman and Governance Evangelist Dr. Kiran Bedi.

Building Strong Communities

In line with its objective, MentorMyBoard has been building a robust community of board leaders over the past five years. The platform has trained over 450 directors, conducted 10+ board room certification programs, and engaged over 5,000 participants.

Nurturing Talent, Building Resilient Boards

The Women Directors Conclave 2023 stands as a testament to the collective effort toward nurturing talent and building resilient, diverse, and performance-driven boards. MentorMyBoard's commitment to inclusivity and empowerment echoes the sentiment that true progress in boardrooms comes from embracing diversity and providing a platform for aspiring women directors to thrive.