Best women speakers for IWD 2024
India’s intellectual landscape hums with the vibrant voices of women speakers, each a thread woven into the tapestry of wisdom, passion, and innovation. As we approach International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024, let’s not only celebrate the global theme of “Count Her In Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment,” but also the indomitable spirit of Indian women leading the way.
This IWD, let’s transcend mere celebration and bring the transformative power of female voices into your workplace. Imagine a motivational woman speaker igniting conversations, challenging perspectives, and inspiring action towards gender equality. Their words can ripple through your organization, empowering employees and fostering a culture of inclusion.
But where do you find such a speaker? Look no further! Our meticulously curated list features exceptional speakers for International Women’s Day 2024. From corporate leaders driving economic change to social activists championing marginalized communities, each iwd speaker is a beacon of inspiration.
This exhaustive list of best women speakers for 2024 Women’s Day is prepared after conducting thorough research on the impact of women speakers in workplaces and the specific needs of Indian audiences. Our experts have poured their decade-plus experience of working with speakers into preparing this list. This ensures our speakers resonate deeply with your audience, addressing their concerns and igniting meaningful dialogue.
1. Vineeta Singh
A budding entrepreneur who graduated from both IIT and IIMs rejected a job offer of 1 Crore from a reputed investment banking firm and pursued her dream. She is the CEO and Co-founder of SUGAR Cosmetics. She is one of the famous judges who appeared in 2 seasons of Shark Tank India and has over 9.8 Lakh followers on LinkedIn alone.
Being referred to as the D2C queen of India, she has much experience to share with aspiring women entrepreneurs.
2. Kiran Bedi
Kiran Bedi, a trailblazer in law enforcement and social activism, is an exemplary speaker for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024. As India’s first female Indian Police Service officer, she has been a symbol of strength and innovation.
Her speeches, including her TED talk and her acceptance speech for the Ramon Magsaysay Award, showcase her commitment to social justice and her skill in engaging audiences. With her experience, Bedi will undoubtedly contribute significantly to IWD 2024 events, offering insights and inspiring action towards gender equality.
3. Sutapa Sanyal
Sutapa Sanyal, a distinguished keynote speaker and independent consultant, brings over three decades of leadership and governance experience as a former IPS officer.
Her impactful talks and training sessions have left an indelible mark on India’s corporate landscape, captivating audiences at renowned companies such as Boeing, Taj Group, Reliance-Jio, Ernst & Young, and more.
Notably, she has shared her insights on empowerment and leadership in a compelling TEDx talk titled “Be the CEO of Your Own Life,” specifically tailored for women.
4. Deepshika Kumar
Deepshikha Kumar, a renowned for her TEDx talks and author of “101 Lessons To Be A Damn Good Speaker!”, is a distinguished speaker whose clarity and inspiration make her ideal for International Women’s Day (IWD) events.
Her speeches, like “The Future Of Work,” empower and advocate for women’s voices in entrepreneurship. As an IWD speaker, Deepshikha’s insights on breaking barriers and fostering leadership would inspire action and resonate deeply with aspiring women leaders.
5. Mary Kom
Hailing from a small village in Manipur, Mary Kom stands as a stalwart in Indian Olympic boxing. She holds the distinction of achieving an unparalleled six-time victory at the World Amateur Boxing Championship, a record unmatched by any other female boxer.
Mary Kom is a role model for young women in India who are living in remote areas to pursue their dreams with grit and confidence. Her Life story was brought to the silver screen by Bollywood Actress Priyanka Chopra in the year 2014 with the movie named Mary Kom.
As a sportsperson, she has already delivered her speech across many platforms and is currently one of the top women speakers in India. She has been in the limelight for almost a decade and she is one of the best motivational speakers for International Women’s Day 2024
6. Ghazal Alagh
Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, is a beacon for women entrepreneurs in India. Her transition from corporate trainer to Chief Mama of India’s first toxin-free baby care brand showcases her versatility. With awards like Best Brand of the Year and Forty under Forty Achiever, she’s a testament to successful women in the competitive FMCG/Mother care space.
As a speaker, Ghazal’s prowess lies in her ability to articulate her entrepreneurial journey, resonating with her audience through stories of perseverance and innovation. Her speaking engagements, often centred around women’s empowerment and business leadership, make her an exemplary IWD speaker. Her insights contribute significantly to International Women’s Day events, inspiring action towards a supportive ecosystem for aspiring women entrepreneurs.
7. Neelam Dhawan
With an impressive career spanning 11 years as Managing Director for Microsoft and Hewlett Packard in India, she culminated her executive journey as the Vice President for Global Industries, Strategic Alliances, and Inside Sales for Asia Pacific and Japan at Hewlett Packard Enterprise until March 2018.
Acknowledged by renowned business publications like Fortune (international edition), Forbes, and Business Today, she is consistently recognized as one of the Most Powerful Women in Business for her influential leadership in the corporate realm.
8. Naina Lal Kidwai
Naina Lal Kidwai is an award-winning and one of the most inspiring women business leaders in the country.
She is the Chairman of Advent Private Equity India Advisory Board and serves as a non-executive director on boards such as LafargeHolcim, Max Financial Services, and CIPLA. She is a Trustee of Asia House in the UK, a member of the India Advisory Council for the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), and a former President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
Retiring in December 2015 from HSBC Asia Pacific as Executive Director and Chairman of HSBC India, she concluded her role as a Non-Executive Director on the global board of Nestle in April 2018.
9. Tisca Chopra
Renowned Indian actress, author, and film producer, Tisca Chopra, boasts a diverse portfolio of over 45 feature films in multiple languages.
Her standout performance in ‘Taare Zameen Par,’ India’s official entry to the Academy Awards, earned her Filmfare acclaim. Noteworthy for her compelling work in the Indian adaptation of “24” and the web series “Hostages,” Tisca is celebrated for her impactful roles that transcend linguistic boundaries. Beyond the screen, she passionately addresses societal issues like gender biases in her talks.
10. Upasana Taku
Upasana Taku isn’t just a name—it’s an entrepreneurial journey that resonates with aspiring business minds in India. As the trailblazing female business owner, she’s not just capturing interest but is truly owning the fintech sector.
She is the CEO and board chair of MobiKwik, a business started by her husband and herself. Having a corporate experience of more than 17 years including as a product manager at Paypal she is one of the best performance coaches in India at present.
Mobikwik recorded a robust Rs 526.5 crore in revenue in the last fiscal year, attributing its success to the ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ program that notably expanded its credit card user base. In the last funding round in December 2021, the business secured a valuation of $700 million (approximately Rs. 5,723 crore).
11. Sudha Menon
Sudha Menon, a seasoned journalist with over two decades of storytelling finesse, has graced the pages of India’s premier newspapers—The Independent (The Times Group), The Hindu Business Line (The Hindu Group), and Mint (HT Media in an exclusive collaboration with the Wall Street Journal).
Beyond the written word, she emerges as a motivational speaker, weaving inspiration through workshops and women’s leadership sessions for diverse audiences, spanning corporates, educational institutions, and impactful NGOs across the nation.
Sudha Menon graces esteemed stages like TEDx, TiECon, CII, and FICCI FLO as a distinguished speaker. Her expertise extends beyond, as sought-after invitations flow in for her insightful discussions on gender, diversity, and women’s leadership. Corporations and educational institutions alike eagerly welcome her, creating resonant dialogues that shape a nuanced understanding of these crucial themes.
12. Rhea Mazumdar Singhal
Rhea Mazumdar Singhal, the visionary Founder and CEO of Ecoware, India’s premier sustainable packaging enterprise, stands adorned with accolades. Recognized with the esteemed Nari Shakti Puraskar by Ex. President of India Ramnath Kovind, also holds the distinguished title of World Economic Forum ‘Young Global Leader’ (YGL) and contributes her expertise to the CII National Committee on Women Empowerment & Clean Air.
A scholar of the University of Bristol, Oxford, and Harvard University, Rhea’s journey began as a senior sales executive at Pfizer Inc., UK.
Upon returning to India, Rhea’s commitment to tackling the plastic crisis birthed Ecoware, revolutionizing the food packaging industry with compostable alternatives. Crafted from agricultural waste, Ecoware not only combats plastic pollution but also addresses the pressing issue of crop burning and its contribution to air pollution.
Among her triumphs, persuading the Indian Railways to adopt Ecoware’s biodegradable trays stands out, impacting one of the nation’s largest food service operators. Rhea’s global influence extends to prominent platforms like Salesforce and the National Commission for Women in India, while her story resonates through major national and international publications.
13. Yasmin Karachiwala
Yasmin Karachiwala, Bollywood’s fitness guru and India’s first BASI-certified Pilates instructor is an ideal speaker for businesses seeking wellness inspiration. Renowned for her celeb-packed studio, Yasmin’s clientele includes Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and more.
Honoured with titles like ‘Best Fitness Instructor’ at the Vogue Fashion Awards, Yasmin’s impact extends to TV programs and the Miss India pageant. Elevate your event with her motivational journey, recognized by awards like the Elle Beauty Award and the World Women Leadership Award. Yasmin’s crisp narrative on health, wellness, and excellence is the perfect fit for businesses fostering a resilient and thriving work culture.
14. Sairee Chahal
Meet Sairee Chahal, the maestro behind Sheroes, the women-only social network. As the captain of her narrative, Sairee orchestrates a symphony of empowerment, challenging norms and championing women’s triumphs.
She’s not just a CEO; she’s a fearless navigator, leading women on a journey of self-discovery and professional ascension. With Sheroes, Sairee is turning the workplace into a playground of possibilities, proving that careers can be both impactful and delightfully unconventional.
In a world of pioneers, she’s the navigator of uncharted territories, unapologetically carving out spaces where women thrive. She is one of the best women speakers in India at present too.
15. Dr. Shamoly Khera
Shamoly Khera, a versatile speaker, TV presenter, producer, and speaking coach hailing from Mumbai, possesses a global perspective, having addressed audiences in international markets.
As a face of networks like UTV and Zee TV Middle East, her theatrical background infuses dynamism into her presentations. Shamoly, adept at answering pivotal questions on presentation, dressing, and communication skills, embodies confidence and dignity.
With her enriching insights, she’s the ideal inspirational woman speaker for your International Women’s Day event, promising a transformative experience for attendees seeking empowerment and professional growth.
16. Radhika Gupta
Radhika Gupta, the dynamic CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management Limited, stands as a trailblazer in the finance industry, holding the distinction of being India’s sole female head of a major asset manager.
Renowned for her strategic prowess, she played a pivotal role in establishing India’s inaugural domestic hedge fund. Recently her statement about a long holiday in corporate offices in India as they give the Christmas holiday in US had sparked a constructive debate across social media as well.
A captivating speaker, Radhika brings a wealth of insights on leadership, finance, and overcoming challenges in male-dominated sectors. Her remarkable journey, aptly named “the girl with the broken neck,” weaves a narrative of resilience and triumph, making her an inspirational choice for International Women’s Day 2024.
As we conclude this exploration of India’s exceptional women speakers, envision the transformative impact they could bring to your event. Book these inspiring voices through us to curate an experience that transcends expectations.
Elevate your event with the strength, wisdom, and inspiration of these influential women. Unlock a world of possibilities for your audience, making your gathering an unforgettable celebration of empowerment. Seize this opportunity to bring these remarkable voices to your stage—because a powerful event starts with impactful speakers.
Connect with us now and let’s make your occasion resonate with the empowering spirit of change.
