Bodhi Stree LinkedIn Live special : The All-Rounder Advantage - Mastering Business to Earn a Seat at the Table
Guests / Experts -
Sonali Dutta:
Sonali Dutta is the National President of the Corporate Sustainability Council at WICCI (Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), bringing over three decades of leadership experience in corporate affairs, human resources, and sustainability.
She served as Vice President – Corporate Affairs & HR at Bry-Air Asia Pvt. Ltd. for 33 years, driving strategic communications, marketing, and people initiatives. With a Master’s degree in Economics from Punjab University and a diploma in Marketing Management from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Sonali blends business acumen with a deep commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth.
Specializing in marketing strategy, strategic communications, and online advertising, she continues to influence corporate India’s approach to sustainability, diversity, and ethical business practices has the pride privilege of being invited to be on the board of large publicly listed companies in India
Swapnalekha Basak:
Dr. Swapnalekha Basak is a seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of experience in human capital, social impact, and enterprise development. She holds a PhD in Workplace Wellbeing, an MBA in Finance, and training across diverse fields including philosophy, counselling, engineering, and classical music.
She is the founder of Computer Shiksha, Sthir, and Bodhi Stree, through which she has impacted over 750,000 students and thousands of professionals. Her textbook, Human Resource Management – Text & Cases, is widely used in postgraduate management programs.
Dr. Basak hosts the podcasts Sushumna Vani (English) and सुषुम्ना वाणी (Hindi), which explore Indian wisdom in the context of modern leadership. She integrates Indian knowledge systems like the Arthashastra into her leadership coaching.
Her contributions have earned her the ‘Karmasheel’ and ‘Karmath’ awards from NSS Uttar Pradesh and recognition as a ‘Woman of Substance’ by FOGSI.
About Bodhi Stree -
‘Bodhi Stree’ is a term inspired by the concept of the Bodhi Tree (also known as the Tree of Awakening) which was a large and ancient sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India. Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who became known as the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment or ‘Bodhi’ under it. Stree is the Sanskrit word for woman. The purpose of the programme is to help women discover their ‘strength inside out’
Vision: To leverage woman power for a better tomorrow.
Mission: To power and sustain a forum for women (anyone who identifies as a woman) to network, collaborate, inspire & get inspired to realize the best (Shakti) in them in all facets of life.
Brief Description -
In today’s fast-evolving corporate landscape, inclusion must be the foundation on which workplaces are built. Under the aegis of Bodhi Stree, this session aimed at gaining insights on how to power more representation of women on boards.
Dr Swapnalekha Basak, in her conversation with Sonali Dutta addresses the critical question: “What does it really take for women to earn a seat at the table where decisions shape the future of a company?” It aims to inspire and guide individuals, particularly women, who are “just starting out or eyeing that seat at the table,” on their journey towards boardroom leadership.
Some important insights from the conversation are as follows-
The “All-Rounder Advantage”: The core concept of the event revolves around the idea that mastering multiple business functions is a significant advantage for ascending to leadership roles. This suggests that a broad understanding and experience across various departments (e.g., finance, operations, marketing) can contribute to a more holistic and effective leader.
From Ground Floor to Boardroom: The event explicitly outlines the journey from entry-level positions to the highest echelons of corporate decision-making. This signifies a focus on career progression and the steps required to navigate this path.
Grit, Growth, and Groundbreaking Leadership: The event will feature a “trailblazing leader” whose “story is one of grit, growth, and groundbreaking leadership.” This emphasizes the personal qualities and continuous development necessary for success, including resilience (“grit”), continuous learning and self-improvement (“growth”), and innovative approaches to leadership (“groundbreaking leadership”).
Navigating Uncharted Roles and Challenging the Status Quo: The featured leader’s experience includes “navigating uncharted roles to challenging the status quo.” This indicates the importance of adaptability, willingness to take on new challenges, and the courage to question established norms in pursuit of progress and effective leadership.
Purpose and Persistence: The description notes that the featured leader has “worn multiple hats across business functions—and done it with purpose and persistence.” This highlights the importance of having clear objectives and unwavering dedication in one’s career journey.
Women on Boards / Diversity in Leadership: As part of the ‘Women on Boards’ series, a significant underlying theme is the promotion of female representation and overall diversity within corporate leadership and boardrooms. This is reinforced by the associated hashtags such as #WomenOnBoards, #WomenInLeadership, and #DiversityInLeadership.
LinkedIn Live -
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