Past Chairpersons Conclave & Retreat-Legacy of Leadership: Charting the Future Together

Under the visionary leadership of Ms. Joyshree Das Verma, National President the organization hosted the Inaugural Edition of the Past Chairpersons Conclave & Retreat on January 10, 2025. Held at the serene Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurgaon, the conclave was themed “Legacy of Leadership: Charting the Future Together.”

The Conclave aimed to bring together the Past Chairpersons of all 20 FLO chapters and 4 YFLOs, celebrating their invaluable contributions to the organization since its inception in 1983.

This Conclave was a direct outcome of the inaugural Past Chairpersons Meeting held virtually on September 20, 2023, where we began to harness the collective wisdom of our Past Chairpersons, totalling around 300 in strength.

The strength of our Past Chairpersons is immense, as they have been instrumental in shaping FLO’s Vision and Mission over the years. This Conclave served as a platform to reinforce our commitment to women’s empowerment, discuss strategies for future growth, and foster collaboration among Past Chairpersons across different chapters.

The conclave commenced with a warm welcome lunch, setting the stage for an engaging and interactive session. Ms. Joyshree Das Verma, National President, delivered an inspiring opening address, emphasizing the enduring legacy of FLO and the collective responsibility to shape its future.

The event featured an exclusive session led by Ms. Gayatri Das Sharma, Co-Founder of Timshel, Executive Coach, and Leadership Consultant. As a leading expert in institutional transformation, Ms. Sharma guided participants through an engaging discussion on institutionalizing FLO—building sustainable frameworks, processes, and systems to ensure long-term impact. She emphasized the importance of shifting from leadership dependency to an organization-driven culture rooted in best practices and strong governance.

The interactive session encouraged attendees to reflect on their leadership journey, focusing on the themes of Love, Hope, and Fear in FLO’s context. This led to four significant discussions: Selecting the Right Leadership, Standardizing Processes at the Chapter Level, Ensuring Continuity of Programs and Initiatives, and Enhancing Member Engagement and Retention. Participants actively shared innovative ideas to strengthen FLO’s reach, efficiency, and sustainability, ensuring that impactful projects are sustained beyond individual leadership terms.

The evening celebrations featured an elegant gala dinner, complemented by a mesmerizing live performance by Teesta Galway’s band, creating the perfect blend of reflection and celebration.

The Past Chairpersons Conclave & Retreat marked a significant milestone in FLO’s history, reinforcing the power of collective leadership. It set the stage for stronger governance, enhanced collaboration, and a renewed commitment to empowering women across all levels. This initiative stands as a testament to FLO’s dedication to not just preserving its legacy but actively shaping the future with strategic vision and unity.