Team News Riveting
Raipur, March 08
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur successfully hosted “ShaktiRath 2026” on the occasion of International Women’s Day. This inspiring summit celebrated women in leadership, under the theme “Bharat-Bhagya-Vidhata: Women Scripting the Rise”.
The event brought together distinguished leaders, industry experts, and academicians to engage in meaningful dialogue on the evolving role of women in shaping organizations and driving India’s growth story.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Neelam Shah, Executive Vice President at TKIL Industries, and Guest of Honour Payal Panda, Managing Director (CTIO – Workday Business Group) at Accenture, along with several eminent speakers from leading organizations.
The summit began with a welcome address by Prof. Mohit Goswami, Chairperson – Corporate Relations and Placements, IIM Raipur, followed by remarks from Prof. Sanjeev Prashar, Director-In-Charge, IIM Raipur, who highlighted the importance of fostering inclusive ecosystems that enable collaboration, growth, and equal opportunities for leadership.
Chief Guest Neelam Shah, Executive Vice President, TKIL Industries, shared insights from her leadership journey, highlighting how the achievements of one woman can inspire generations. She encouraged young leaders to recognize the Shakti within themselves and pursue leadership with purpose and conviction. Emphasizing key aspects of leadership, she stressed the importance of building strong competencies, speaking up with clarity and intent, staying authentic, and believing in one’s dreams.
The summit then moved to its first panel discussion on “Navigating the Work-Life Paradox: Redefining the Ideal Worker,” moderated by Prof. Prakriti Soral, IIM Raipur, featuring Juveri Mukherjee, Global Human Resources, Aurionpro Solutions Limited; Melrose Rebeiro, Head Human Resources – N&ECS | DX&DWP Capabilities, Fujitsu; Rashmita Parija, Head Human Resources (India), Lexmark International Inc; Ruchita Bansal, Partner, PwC; and Vidita Chawda, Director, Human Resources, World at Work. The panel explored how the definition of the “ideal worker” is evolving in modern workplaces, emphasizing a shift from presence- based evaluation to outcome-driven performance. Discussions highlighted the importance of strategic flexibility, empathetic leadership, accountability, and lifelong learning, while also addressing the growing role of technology and AI in reshaping work dynamics.
The event then moved to its second panel discussion on “Boardroom Influence & Corporate Governance,” moderated by Prof. Smriti Pande, IIM Raipur, featuring Payal Panda, Managing Director (CTIO – Workday Business Group), Accenture; Sonal Shrivastava, Chief Financial Officer, Waaree Energies; Vishnu Priya Gudivada, Director – Information, App, Data & Cloud Security, Cargill; and Neelam Shah, Executive Vice President, TKIL Industries. The discussion highlighted that robust governance goes beyond compliance, emphasizing accountability, transparency, ethical decision-making, and proactive risk management. The panelists also shared insights on establishing credibility and influence in boardroom settings by mastering one’s domain, communicating with clarity, and aligning perspectives with broader organizational goals.
During the valedictory address, Payal Panda, Managing Director (CTIO – Workday Business Group), Accenture, emphasized the importance of clear and calm communication in leadership spaces, highlighting that impactful ideas carry weight when presented with clarity and purpose. She encouraged professionals to understand stakeholder perspectives, speak the language of business and KPIs, and communicate their ideas effectively to create meaningful influence in decision-making forums.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Mohit Goswami, Chairperson –Corporate Relations and Placements, IIM Raipur, who expressed his gratitude to the distinguished speakers, guests, and participants for their valuable insights and for making ShaktiRath 2026 a meaningful and inspiring platform for dialogue.
