Closing the Gap, Opening Doors: CNBC-TV18’s Future. Female. Forward Season 3 is Here

Mumbai | March 7, 2025: CNBC-TV18 proudly announces the return of HSBC presents Future. Female. Forward – The Women’s Collective, Co-presented by Cognizant, set to take place on March 10, 2025, at The St. Regis, Mumbai. Under the theme #PathToPeak, the third edition takes a decisive step forward in the journey toward greater representation, leadership, and opportunities for women in the workplace. More than just conversations, this year’s summit brings together influential voices and industry leaders to champion real progress and collective action.

A defining feature of Season 3 is the launch of the Future Female Forward Close the Gender Gap Charter, a pledge from leading organizations to create workplaces that truly enable women to thrive. This will be complemented by the Close the Gap Index powered by Knowledge Partner The Udaiti Foundation, is a data-driven ranking and comprehensive dashboard that evaluates and highlights companies leading the way in workplace gender inclusivity.

The summit will feature power-packed conversations, thought-provoking panels, and exclusive insights from global changemakers, with an impressive speaker lineup including Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, Rajesh Varrier, EVP, Global Head of Operations, Chairman & MD, Cognizant India, Prabha Narasimhan, MD, Colgate Palmolive India, Vartika Shukla, Chairman & MD, EIL, Ashish Dhawan, Founder & CEO, Convergence Foundation, Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO (Auto & Farm Sector), Mahindra Group, Ameera Shah, MD, Metropolis Healthcare, Pooja Sharma Goyal, Founding CEO, The Udaiti Foundation.

An exclusive chat with celebrated designer and fashion visionary Sabyasachi Mukherjee will offer fresh perspectives on gender representation in creative industries, breaking stereotypes and women owning their identity. Additionally, a special conversation between Dr. Shefali Tsabary, globally renowned clinical psychologist, and Tara Singh Vachani, Founder, Antara Senior Care, will engage in a powerful dialogue on mindset, success and self-transformation. The summit will also recognize extraordinary women through the FFF Icons felicitation, honouring those who have broken barriers and set new benchmarks for others to follow.

Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, said, “At CNBC-TV18, we believe in turning ideas into action. Future. Female. Forward has grown into a movement that not only highlights the challenges women face at the workplace but also fosters meaningful change through collaboration and accountability. This year, we take a step further with initiatives like the Close the Gender Gap Charter, encouraging organizations to go beyond intent and drive real impact. By spotlighting solutions and inspiring accountability, we are setting the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable corporate landscape.”

Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, emphasized, “Embracing diversity and inclusion is not merely about upholding ideals—it’s about fostering an environment where innovation and growth are powered by a multitude of perspectives. At HSBC India, we prioritize gender representation as a cornerstone of our ethos. The Future. Female. Forward summit provides a pivotal platform for businesses to not only commit but also to actively construct inclusive workplaces where every individual has the opportunity to excel.”

Smriti Mehra, CEO, Business News, Network18, added, “Future. Female. Forward has always been about action. This season strengthens our commitment by bringing together industry pioneers who are not just advocating for change but actively shaping the future of workplaces. The theme of Path to Peak is all about encouraging tangible steps that lead to lasting impact. By driving conversations that translate into real progress, we aim to create a future where inclusive workplaces are the norm, not the exception”

Rajesh Varrier, EVP, Global Head of Operations, Chairman & MD, Cognizant India, shared, “Bridging the gender gap is a collective effort that requires commitment from businesses, policymakers, and leaders. At Cognizant, we recognize the role of inclusive leadership in shaping the future of work. Future. Female. Forward has been instrumental in driving this dialogue, and with this season’s initiatives, we aim to create a more empowering ecosystem for talent to thrive.”

As HSBC presents CNBC-TV18 Future. Female. Forward Season 3, Co-presented by Cognizant sets the stage for impactful conversations and meaningful action; it promises to inspire change and drive parity at the workplace and beyond.

Catch the event LIVE on March 10 from 5:30 PM onwards, exclusively on CNBC-TV18, CNBCTV18.com, and CNBC-TV18’s YouTube channel.