These distinguished panellists engaged in thought-provoking discussions on ways to mitigate biases and stereotypes in the tech workplace, sharing their experiences and best practices to promote gender diversity.
Hyderabad, September 21st, 2023: The technology industry took a significant step towards achieving gender diversity and inclusion with the successful conclusion of the “Path to Parity: Perspectives from Tech Partners” event, organized by the India Technology team at Synchrony, a premier consumer financial services company. Hosted at the prestigious HKC, Salarpuria Sattva Knowledge City, on September 4, 2023, the event brought together industry leaders, experts, and visionaries to discuss and share insights on promoting female diversity within the technology sector.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Carol Juel, EVP & Chief Technology and Operating Officer; Michael Matthews, SVP, Chief Diversity & Corporate Responsibility Officer; and Michael Barber, SVP, Engineering. Andy Ponneri, SVP, Business Leader India; Gaurav Sehgal, SVP, HR Asia; Kameswari Gangadharabhatla, VP, HR Asia Diversity & Recruitment COE Leader; and Chintan Chawla, SVP, India Technology at Synchrony, elaborated on the motivation behind Synchrony’s decision to host this event, highlighting the imperative need for it. The leaders emphasised Synchrony’s commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for all and shaping the future of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, particularly within the technology sector.
Kameswari Gangadharabhatla, VP, HR, Asia Diversity & Recruitment COE Leader at Synchrony, said, “Path to Parity was a remarkable testament to the commitment of corporate leaders to fostering diversity. We share a responsibility to build a future where diversity is not a goal but a fundamental strength that drives innovation, inclusivity, and success in the corporate world. We look forward to more such dialogues and actions to advance diverse talent and build an equitable future for all.”
Nirmala Menon, founder and CEO of Interweave Consulting, delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for the day with her inspirational insights and vision for a more inclusive tech industry. She emphasised the importance of creating equal opportunities for women in leadership roles and addressing biases and stereotypes that persist in the workplace.
The panel discussions brought together some of the most influential personalities, including Chandini Kamal, Global Head, People & Culture at HCLTech; Shubha Polisetty, Managing Director and I&D Head at Accenture; Charu Singh, Director, HR at Synechron; Sarika Saini, Senior Director at Birlasoft; Neha Richharia, Senior Director, HR at Cognizant; Sreya Ghosh Oberoi, Senior Director and India Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Capgemini; Neha Bagaria, CEO of HerKey; and Wayne Unger Joseph, VP, HR—India Functional HR & Asia Learning at Synchrony.
These distinguished panellists engaged in thought-provoking discussions on ways to mitigate biases and stereotypes in the tech workplace, sharing their experiences and best practices to promote gender diversity. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in engaging fireside chats, where they interacted with industry leaders, gaining valuable insights into the path to gender parity in the technology sector.
“Synchrony India’s Path to Parity: Perspectives from Tech Partners was a significant initiative on gender parity in the workforce. The event drove pertinent conversations and provoked new ideas to ensure a more diverse and inclusive workforce,” said Chandini Kamal, Associate Vice President HR, Global Lead, People & Culture at HCLTech.
Sarika Saini, Senior Director HR, DEI Lead at Birlasoft, said, “The Diversity Growth Award by Synchrony is an encouragement to nurture and propagate the culture of DEI to the next level.
Video messages from synchrony leaders signified the level of commitment towards DEI, which is highly commendable and motivating for all of the other tech partners.”
Sreya Ghosh Oberoi, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, India-HR at Capgemini, said, “Equal rights and opportunity are fundamental human rights for every individual, regardless of their gender. Path to Parity was an incredible effort to bring together Synchrony and all partnering organisations to learn from each other, share their best practices, and promote gender equality in the workplace. My personal favourite was ‘an open ticket for women who resign for caregiving breaks to join back’. This promotes their chances of having a career and creates a positive outlook for women on break.”
In recognition of outstanding efforts in promoting gender diversity and inclusion, the event also featured awards, celebrating organisations and individuals who have made a significant impact in this domain.
The “Path to Parity: Perspectives from Tech Partners” event served as a crucial platform for sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and creating tangible pathways towards achieving gender parity in the technology sector.
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