Ujjwala Singhania National President & Director, JK International Ujjwala Singhania is the 38 th National President of FICCI Ladies Organisation. She is a part of the fourth generation of one of India’s leading families, the JK Organisation, which was founded over 125 years ago by Shri Lala Kamlapat Singhania. JK Organisation is a global enterprise with multi-business operations around the world. She holds numerous leadership positions, bringing positive changes wherever she goes. She is a director at JK International, a firm that invests, through private equity and venture capital. She is also a Director at General Data Private Limited, a company specializing in software development and engineering analysis. Ujjwala has always been passionate about education and has taken an active interest in her family’s educational institutions in Mumbai, Vapi and Chindwada. She was also instrumental in introducing the global International Baccalaureate curriculum in the Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School in Mumbai. Unwilling to rest on her laurels, she forayed into vocational training for underprivileged children at the Raymond Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai and for tribal women in their centre in Chindwara. She is a natural leader who strongly advocates women empowerment. Her drive and tireless efforts, to make a difference to women in all walks of life, led her to initiate the FLO Women Directors initiative in 2015. Ujjwala realized that there was a need to bring about gender parity into the boards of corporate companies. She took up this challenge and conducted training programs for women, across all the chapters with KPMG in India. Additionally, FLO directors conduct panel discussions, mentoring sessions and networking events.
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Ujjwala Singhania
National President & Director, JK International
Ujjwala Singhania is the 38th National President of FICCI Ladies Organisation. She is a part of the fourth generation of one of India’s leading families, the JK Organisation, which was founded over 125 years ago by Shri Lala Kamlapat Singhania. JK Organisation is a global enterprise with multi-business operations around the world. She holds numerous leadership positions, bringing positive changes wherever she goes. She is a director at JK International, a firm that invests, through private equity and venture capital. She is also a Director at General Data Private Limited, a company specializing in software development and engineering analysis. Ujjwala has always been passionate about education and has taken an active interest in her family’s educational institutions in Mumbai, Vapi and Chindwada. She was also instrumental in introducing the global International Baccalaureate curriculum in the Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School in Mumbai. Unwilling to rest on her laurels, she forayed into vocational training for underprivileged children at the Raymond Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai and for tribal women in their centre in Chindwara. She is a natural leader who strongly advocates women empowerment. Her drive and tireless efforts, to make a difference to women in all walks of life, led her to initiate the FLO Women Directors initiative in 2015. Ujjwala realized that there was a need to bring about gender parity into the boards of corporate companies. She took up this challenge and conducted training programs for women, across all the chapters with KPMG in India. Additionally, FLO directors conduct panel discussions, mentoring sessions and networking events.
She also took the initiative to organize numerous leadership training programs at the IIMs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Lucknow. As a humanitarian who cares deeply about underprivileged women, Ujjwala joined the FLO ‘Trends’ committee to raise funds in order to build toilets for women living in a village. She wished to motivate the younger generation of women and hence, along with her multiple projects, she revived the YFLO chapter in Mumbai and mentored it for a year. Ujjwala studied commercial art at the Sophia Polytechnic College in Mumbai and was awarded a scholarship for her unique designing and creative talents, which she continues to utilize in different ways. She is multi-talented and thoroughly enjoys painting, photography, golf and gardening. She has proved time and again that she is a leader, an independent thinker and a team player taking giant steps towards the cause of women empowerment.
Jayanti Dalmia, is the Sr. Vice President of FICCI Ladies Organization. She is Adviser in Dalmia Brothers Private Limited. Dalmia Group is one of the most oldest and distinguished Business Houses. Dalmia Group was founded in early 20th Century by Late Shri Ramakrishna Dalmia and Late Shri Jaidayal Dalmia. The legacy which was passed on to Shri Vishnu Hari Dalmia has now further strengthened and expanded by his sons Shri Sanjay Dalmia and Shri Anurag Dalmia. Today it has progressed into a dynamic and globally progressive corporate entity with an annual turnover of over Rs.2500 Crores, with the flagship company being GHCL Limited. Some of the core areas of the group are
Textiles Spinning, Weaving, Fabric Processing, Cut & Sew and Finishing. Heavy Chemicals
Soda Ash, Edible & Industrial Salt. Healthcare Alternative Healthcare Solutions with medical solutions for Lung Care, Diabetes,
Arthritis, Kidney Stones, Mental Deficiency, ADHD etc. ITES Business Process Outsourcing
Besides business interests, Mrs Dalmia is keenly involved in various social activities. She is the founder & Chairperson of Four Steps, a Research, Training & Rehabilitation Institute for persons with special needs.
She has successfully turned its Vocational Training division into a vibrant manufacturing unit which churns out various paper, craft and bakery products in sizable quantities. She is also Jt. Managing Trustee of Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Santhan, Mathura - A temple of utmost historic importance, an member of Advisory Board of Disha Foundation, Jaipur.
Sudha Shivkumar
National Vice President, FLO
Ms. Sudha Shiv kumar is a lawyer and investment banker by profession. Her prolific career spans over 32 years and includes leading large organizations and mutual funds, managing international portfolios, spearheading non-profit ventures, all while keenly mentoring and inspiring women from all walks of life.
A gold medalist and a state topper in her undergraduate studies, Ms. Shivkumar completed her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Madras. She specialised in Corporate and Bankruptcy laws to build her expertise in these fields and completed a Master of Applied Finance with specialization in Investment Banking from Macquarie University, Sydney, with distinction.
For 13 years, Ms. Shivkumar headed a leading non-banking reputed finance company, following which she led the operations of a South-India-based mutual fund with assets under management of Rs 25,000 crores. For 7 years, she handled a Rs 350-crore portfolio of an international group of high net worth individuals.
Currently, Ms. Sudha is the Director of her family’s business in manufacture of Auto ancillaries. She was the managing director of family owned foundry – a role that she held for 5 years. She was also on the committee of Banking & Finance for CII, Southern Region.
She was actively involved with the World Craft Council in its projects, ‘Abhushan’ and ‘Kaivalam’. She is currently Joint Treasurer, Crafts Council of India. In her spare time, Ms. Shivkumar helps run a vocational training centre for the mentally challenged as a trustee of Navajothi Trust.
Ms. Shivkumar has, throughout her student and professional careers, displayed a penchant for leadership in various roles. In her early days, she was a school pupil leader, the president of her college union, and an under officer of the NCC movement at the state level. At the young age of 29, she was not only the CEO of a financial services company, but also pioneered the operations of a mutual fund. Her experience as
Managing Director of her family’s foundry exposed her to the nuances of leading and motivating people of varied backgrounds. She was on the Committee of Madras Management Association and led “MMA Women Managers Convention 2018.
Her leadership abilities extended to FLO as well. While as a FLO Chairperson
380 women were up skilled based on their interest; 93% were economically empowered earning between Rs.4000- Rs.9000.
FICCI-FLO Women Achievers Award was broadened with over 100 applications and aired for the first time on CNBC TV18.
Over 175 toilets were built at an adopted village and 4 tuition centers were set up that are functional even today.
44 programs were conducted, with several prolific writers, influential speakers and acclaimed spiritual coaches taking the stage.
For the first time as FLO chairperson, Ms. Sudha Shivkumar was co-opted to the Committee of FICCI Tamil Nadu.
Ms. Shivkumar also partakes in sports and leisure activities. She has won the All-India Best Shot in Rifle shooting and has undergone advanced training in para-jumping. She also holds the state record for javelin throw.
Focussed, strategic planning, penchant for process improvement and the ability to inspire teams to reach higher goals are her inherent skills. She’s a natural leader, one who can bridge cultures with her affable ease and grounded nature someone who is simple and approachable with achievements that command respect.
Poonam Mahajan
National Treasurer, FLO & CEO, Signages Systems India
Mrs. Poonam Mahajan combines the experience of a professional and a businesswoman to bring a unique perspective to the table. A holder of a Masters in Finance and a qualified Chartered Accountant, Mrs. Mahajan has experience of providing Taxation, Audit, Financial Analysis and Management Consultancy solutions using her expertise in the field. As the founder and CEO of Signage Systems India, she is an accomplished entrepreneur who has used her perseverance and vision to carve out a niche for her company in a competitive market. She has been felicitated by IWEC with the International Women’s Entrepreneur Award for the year 2014 at a function held in Stockholm, Sweden. Her company, Signage Systems India, has been lauded for its work by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, All India Institute for Medical Sciences and Tata Motors. The company was chosen as the Nakshatra awardee for the year 2012 by DuPont South Asia for being one of the highest performing Indian companies in the DuPont network. She is also a consultant for Lachmandass and Co and a director in Aztec Identity Solutions pvt ltd Mrs. Mahajan has been an active member of the FICCI Ladies organization (FLO) since her joining in the year 2014. She was the chair of the FLO Women Directors committee, Delhi chapter. In this capacity, she had facilitated the organizing of the FLO Women Directors Panel meet as well as the Training Workshop in collaboration with KPMG India. She was also an active member of the Swayam Committee to promote woman entrepreneurs. She is the National Joint Treasurer of FLO for the third consecutive year.
Mrs. Mahajan is a member of Women Corporate Directors India (WCD) and was one of the representatives from India at the International Conference at the WCD Global Institute at New York. She started a Scholarship program for supporting small-scale industries set up by blind and handicapped women under the purview of the Indian Confederation of the Blind. She has also worked on the introduction of equal opportunities initiatives for handicapped workers within her own enterprise.
Smriti Puri
National Joint Treasurer Head-Corporate Communications SCV & Co
and Partner Kallisto815 Events
Smriti Puri is the Joint Treasurer of FLO and Partner at Kallisto Events. She is commerce graduate from Hindu College, Delhi University, is a keen entrepreneur. Married into a family of chartered accountants, she spearheads the corporate communications and public relations at their firm SCV & CO. LLP, one of the premier accounting firms in India, with a standing of more than 40 years. The firm renders tax advisory, risk advisory, assurance, transaction advisory, corporate advisory, accounting outsourcing services. Alongside, she has co-founded an event management company. The company’s focus is to organise events that showcase the creations, talents and innovations of individual entrepreneurs, thereby giving them an opportunity to come to the forefront. A nature lover with a deep sense of duty towards women empowerment, she was moved by the plight of hill women who work tirelessly. With the support of her family, she set up Devbhoomi Handicraft Felt Centre, a small artisans’ self-help group in Bhatrojkhan village, Uttrakhand. The women there are being trained to make pure wool felt items. The focus is to provide skills and an additional source of income in this non-traditional sector. She hopes that through her expertise, she can further the causes that FLO aims to propagate and act as a catalyst for positive change.
Rashmi Sarita
Executive Director, FICCI Ladies Organization
Rashmi Sarita is currently the Executive Director, FICCI Ladies Organization. She brings along 15 years of rich experience across various sectors and verticals of the economy that covers intellectual property rights, science and technology, innovation and R&D, homeland security, Private security industry, and geospatial technologies, among others. In FICCI, she has been involved with policy and regulatory issues in different economy verticals. Rashmi has been responsible for conceptualizing the concept of “safe and secure nation” in FICCI, and in providing key inputs to amendments of the PSAR Act 2005 and in putting forward the demands for amendments in the Public Procurement Bill and Public Funded R&D bill. She has engaged the government’s attention in the creation of Standards for Security at Public particularity in connection with the internal security of the country. She was also engaged with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Department of Policy and Promotion (DIPP), GOI to get India off the 301 lists by spreading IPR awareness in India. She has represented FICCI at various national and international forums and executed Euro- India Projects successfully. Rashmi is a commerce graduate from the Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. She also has a Post Graduate Degree in International Business from the Faculty of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics, and University of Delhi.
Jahnabi Phookan
Imm. Past President, FICCI Ladies Organisation
Jahnabi Phookan is the Immediate Past President of FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO),
women’s wing of the apex industry body, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Representing over 8000 women entrepreneurs and professionals, FLO works aggressively towards promoting economic empowermentn and equal
opportunities for women. Jahnabi is an entrepreneur, a co-founder of two National Tourism Award-winning companies: Jungle Travels India and Assam Bengal Navigation Company under JTI Group. Her companies are encompassed in travel & hospitality – boutique river cruising, a small group specialized tours, tea and textiles – all of which empower young people’s livelihoods, especially women and their communities. Jungle Travels India ( JTI Group ) was established in 1989, to draw tourists and nature enthusiasts to the unexplored North-east Indian jungles, wildlife, dense forests and
water bodies. Jungle Travels India was the first IATA agent of the entire Northeast and still continues today as the most experienced, bespoke outbound and inbound tour operator in this region. Assam Bengal Navigation Co. (ABN) established in 2003, is the pioneering long-distance river cruise company in India with a portfolio of boutique river cruise ships, houseboats and safari lodges along the Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers.
Worthy to mention that, 5% of every room booked in the ABN portfolio is contributed to
ABN Foundation that supports projects in education, environment and community development in their operating regions. Jahnabi has been responsible for setting up the FLO Northeast chapter as its Founder Vice Chairperson in 2007. During her tenure, she conceptualised the ‘Iconic Women of Northeast’ Awards that honour 5 women from across diverse genres in the NE who have overcome difficulties to achieve their dreams. Jahnabi was a recipient of the FLO Outstanding Women Achievers Award in December 2013. Passionate about women’s empowerment Jahnabi strongly advocates and tirelessly works towards building sustainable livelihoods for women’s economic upliftment, policy and legislative levels, equality, social justice and skill development in order to make them confident, employable and economically independent. Since 2008, she has
been involved with GOLD, the NGO for the rehabilitation of trafficked women. Through FLO, batches of rescued women were provided with a sustainable livelihood with the requisite weaving skills with the master trainer given by Central Silk Board to the shelter homes. Jahnabi started the platform ‘KONYAK’ with her partner from Nagaland in 2008 for the artisans and weavers of Northeast India with a curated collection of handlooms, handicrafts and artefacts from this region. This platform effectively combined textiles and tourism to help artisans and weavers learn, adapt and stay in sync with the latest in designs and techniques in order to garner a regular source of income.
She has worked for the cause of women weavers of Assam and runs her own signature line as Tribal Heritage and Lahe Looms since 2014. She has been a member of the National Board of Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) under the Ministry of Small Medium Micro Enterprises (MSME) since 2012. As an alumna of the US Govt Exchange Program, she has been the US Citizens Warden for Assam since 2011. Jahnabi is a graduate from Calcutta University with a PG from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. She is also an alumnus of Indiana University USA.
