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Indian American leaders gather for AIWF Women's Day summit
The sold-out event brought together leaders across entrepreneurship, healthcare, and advocacy for a day of dialogue and community
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 15, Apr 2026
- 15:51 EDT
- 26
Glimpses from the sold-out event / Handout
The Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a sold-out, daylong summit in Atlanta, bringing together Indian American leaders, entrepreneurs, physicians, and changemakers for discussions on leadership, empowerment, and sisterhood.
Held on March 22 at Jade Banquets, the event opened with remarks from co-founders Suma Potini, Jyothsna Hegde, and Gita Vemparala, who highlighted the forum’s core pillars of leadership, empowerment, and sisterhood.
Also Read: FIA marks Women’s Day with Boston event
Mentor Chand Akkineni underscored the organization’s mission, stating, “AIWF will be focusing on the needs of Atlanta Indian women while promoting Leadership, Empowerment and Sisterhood. AIWF will collaborate with the Women’s Forums to be created by regional community organizations in Atlanta.”
The ceremonial lamp lighting was led by chief guests Renuga Subramaniam and Madhu Sheth, followed by an invocation by Vaibhavi Mathapati. In her address, Subramaniam spoke about the evolving role of women in leadership and the importance of building supportive ecosystems.
Keynote speaker Sandeep Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of Cove, highlighted her journey in building an AI-driven architecture company and spoke about how technology is reshaping design processes, while emphasizing the importance of community in scaling ventures.
The entrepreneurship panel, moderated by SreeRatna Kancherla, featured Asha Chaudhary, Anju Mathew, and Kanchana Raman, who discussed early-stage risks, funding challenges, and strategies for scaling businesses. Panelists also reflected on redefining success to include impact, resilience, and fulfillment.
Keynote and spotlight speakers / Handout
A leadership panel moderated by Jyothsna Hegde brought together Sweta Sneha, Priti Bandi, and Priti Bhatia, focusing on authentic leadership, self-awareness, and navigating professional and personal challenges.
The medical panel, moderated by Dr. Savitha Kootil, included Dr. Haritha Sishtla, Dr. Sumana Moole, Dr. Lalitha Medepalli, and Dr. Sonali Bora. The discussion emphasized preventive care, early detection, and informed decision-making in women’s health.
The afternoon session opened with a spotlight talk by Vanita Boswell, who spoke about sustainable leadership and reframed success as a purpose-driven journey, emphasizing the importance of balance and self-awareness.
A keynote by Moni Basu traced her career from Kolkata to international newsrooms, drawing on her reporting experience and underscoring the role of storytelling in bridging cultures.
The “Breaking Norms” panel, moderated by Gita Vemparala, featured Reshma Mahendra, Aparna Bhattacharyya, and Judge Neera Bahl, and addressed domestic violence in the South Asian community, focusing on prevention, barriers to reporting, and legal realities.
An immigration panel moderated by Anita Ninan included Bhavya Chaudhary and Lalitha Alladi, offering guidance on visa pathways, residency, and the broader challenges faced by immigrant families.
The event also featured cultural performances, including a musical interlude by Swara Kapilavai, and a sustainability segment led by Malini Devi.
Awardees / HandoutSpecial honors were presented to Deepika Chalke for completing marathons across all 50 U.S. states and Vani Ghanate for designing the AIWF logo, with awards presented by Veena Rao.
The summit concluded with “Sisterhood Circles,” facilitated by Pavithra Nagarajan, encouraging smaller group discussions and community engagement.
Emcees and Artists / Handout
Sisterhood Circle leaders / HandoutOrganizers noted that the event reflects the growing momentum of diaspora-led platforms focused on mentorship, collaboration, and leadership development.
Founded in 2024, the Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum continues to expand its role as a space for Indian American women to connect and grow across professional and community spheres.
Organizing Committee / Handout
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