Emerging Women Corporate Directors Institute

A one-day workshop was organized under the FLO – WCD affiliation. The programme was dedicated to preparing women to serve on Indian corporate boards. The programme was held on 9th of January, 2013 at the JW Marriott, Juhu Mumbai.

Why an Emerging Women Corporate Directors Institute ?

Both in India and globally, the demand for women directors is increasing as corporations seek to add diversity to their boards in response to competitive challenges or mandated quotas.

In the Indian context the appointment of one woman director is proposed to be mandatory under the new Companies Act 2012. The goal of the Institute / workshop was to educate potential women executives and professionals about taking advantage of these opportunities. Interactive Sessions at the Institute provided an excellent opportunity for participants to acquire the tools required to face the challenges of senior corporate roles.

Past President Ranjana Agarwal, had signed a MOU with Women Corporate Directors, USA in 2010-11 and as the India Chair took the responsibility for this initiative.

The Institute in Mumbai was the 2nd programme under the affiliation. The first was in Delhi in Februrary 2012, in which Naina Lal Kidwai was the main speaker and mentor. The other speaker was Susan Stautberg the founder of WCD , USA

In Mumbai, Kaku Nakhate, President Bank of America, Nancy Jo Powell, US Ambassador to India and Zarin Daruwala, President Wholesale Banking Group ICICI Bank Ltd. gave the key note address and Sonal Agarwal, Country Head, Accord Group and Nancy Calderon, India Board Director, KPMG gave the training.

Participants in both the programmes were senior corporate women. There were 30 participants in Mumbai and it was a paid event.

The co organizers for the Mumbai event were :

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank. IFC is expanding its internal database of potential candidates who could be asked to serve as IFC nominees on boards of directors of its equity clients and were happy to associate with us.

The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration helps U.S. companies get started in new global markets and supports good governance practices. This initiative therefore fitted well with their good governance agenda.

FLO – WCD is now looking at creating a pool of prospective women directors who are willing and have the requisite qualifications and experience. FLO members who are interested in being trained, will be requested to apply.