Building on the success of events in New Delhi and the leadership circle in Mumbai, CNBC-TV18 is set to host the Bengaluru edition of ‘Future. Female. Forward: The Women’s Collective – Leadership Circle’, on May 31.

This initiative, presented by HSBC India, continues to advance gender parity by highlighting inspirational stories of women who have broken barriers and achieved remarkable success.

For over a decade, CNBC-TV18 has been a purpose-driven brand committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace, recognizing its positive impact on the economy and national growth, the news channel said in a press statement.

Renowned for its vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and culture of innovation, Bengaluru serves as the ideal backdrop for this exclusive event. The leadership circle will bring together a curated group of women leaders from various fields to share their challenges and journeys, fostering inspiration and progress.

The speakers for the leadership circle are the following:

• Hitendra Dave, CEO of HSBC India
• Kavita Shenoy, Founder and CEO of Voiro
• Nandita Sinha, CEO of Myntra
• Sahar Mansoor, Founder of Bare Necessities
• Vaishali Kasture, Co-Founder of SonderConnect
• Piyush Chopra, Vice President ofChairman’s Office, Reliance Industries
• Shalini Kapoor, Chief Technologist APJ of Amazon Web Services
• Lathika Pai, Country Head – Venture Capital and Private Equity Partnerships, Microsoft
• Pavitra Shankar, Managing Director of Brigade Group
• Dr. Meeran Chadha Borwankar, IPS Officer
• Megha Asher, Co-Founder & COO of Juicy Chemistry
• Anisha Padukone, CEO of The Live Love Laugh Foundation
• MS Vinutha Rao, Sr. Vice President of HCLTech
• Kavita Chaturvedi, COO of Snacks Business, ITC Foods
• Malini Adapureddy, Founder & CEO of Deconstruct
• Vidya Shah, Musician & Singer

The event will commence with an opening address by Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor of CNBC-TV18, followed by a keynote address from Hitendra Dave, CEO of HSBC India.

The theme, ‘The Road Less Travelled,’ will be explored through a special chat with Dr. Meeran Borwankar and Anisha Padukone, shedding light on their insightful journeys. This will be succeeded by a panel discussion on‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging the Gap’ and a special interaction titled ‘The Founders Forum; Dream Catchers’. Vidya Shah, a renowned singer, and musician, will mesmerize the audience with her performance, and the evening will conclude with dinner and networking.

Bhan said, “Bengaluru, the OG of India’s Startup ecosystem, serves as the ideal setting for this edition of Future. Female. Forward’s Leadership Circle. Our goal is to foster a community where women leaders can share their unique startup stories and insights. By bringing together diverse voices, we aim to inspire a new wave of leadership that transcends traditional boundaries and empowers more women to realize their full potential. This event is a celebration of the resilience of women in leadership roles.”

Dave added, “Encouraging diversity in the workforce is crucial for innovation and sustainable growth of a business. At HSBC, we believe it is a part of who we are, and our priority is to create a workplace that welcomes and promotes inclusivity. Platforms like Future Female Forward’s Leadership Circle can play a significant role in advocating diversity by showcasing inspiring stories of successful women leaders.”

Smriti Mehra, CEO of Business News, Network18, said, “As we gather in Bengaluru, a city synonymous with innovation and progress, we are reminded of the critical role that gender parity plays in shaping a prosperous economy. CNBC-TV18 has always been at the forefront of promoting gender equality, and through this Leadership Circle, we aim to highlight the transformative impact of women in leadership roles. Our sessions will explore the personal and professional journeys of these remarkable women, offering invaluable insights and inspiration for all attendees.”