December 18th, 2024 – The U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, in collaboration with Ideabrew Studios, is proud to announce the launch of Naari Network, a transformative video podcast series dedicated to addressing systemic barriers and championing women’s active participation in the workforce. Spanning 24 episodes over the course of one year, the podcast will amplify the voices of trailblazing women leaders and supportive male allies working to foster supportive professional spaces.
U.S. Consul General Mike Hankey shared his thoughts on the initiative: “Advancing gender equity in the Indian workforce is a key priority for the U.S. Consulate. With Naari Network, we aim to ignite impactful conversations that empower women to break barriers, inspire men to become stronger allies, and encourage businesses large and small, Indian and American to adopt forward-thinking policies. Together, we can build a workforce that mirrors the strength and potential of everyone.”
Naari Network, hosted by social media influencer and climate activist Freishia Bomanbehram, will delve into critical topics such as Workplace Policies, The Future of Work for Women, and Role Models Inspiring the Next Generation. The series will feature conversations with prominent Indian and international thought leaders. The illustrious lineup includes illustrious names like Nikhil Taneja, Founder, Yuvaa Priyanka Khimani, Founder, Khimani & Associates, Malini Agarwal, Co-founder, MissMalini, Ratna Mehta, CEO & MD, Fundalogical Ventures, Naiyya Saggi, Co-founder, Good Glamm Group and BabyChakra, Mitu Jha, CEO, Eminence Strategy Consulting, Tarun Katial, Co-founder, Coto, Tejas Parulekar, Co-founder, Saffron Stays, Aisha Bowe, Founder & CEO, STEMBoard, Priti Rathi Gupta, Founder, LXME, Darshana Shah, Head of Marketing & Customer Experience, Aditya Birla Capital, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Dasheika Ruffin, Global Head of Community Engagement & DEI Strategy, Google, Alison Williams, Founder, Willco Consulting, Naghma Mulla, CEO, Edelgive, Shweta Shalini, State Secretary, BJP.
Aditya Kuber, CEO of Ideabrew Studios, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “Naari Network celebrates women who are making a difference in the workforce and beyond. By sharing their stories, we hope to inform, inspire, and motivate women across India to achieve their goals while fostering a culture of equality and allyship.”
This initiative extends beyond storytelling. It integrates surveys, feedback mechanisms, and entrepreneurial skills development to holistically address workplace empowerment.
The podcast will be available on leading platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and JioSaavn. Complementing the online content, a series of live events at Dosti House at the U.S. Consulate General-Mumbai will bring together students from India’s top business schools, industry leaders, and changemakers for thought-provoking discussions on women’s empowerment. Together, Naari Network aims to inspire real-world action, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for the Indian workforce.