New Delhi: Women make up nearly half the global population, yet their representation in leadership positions and the formal workforce remains disproportionately low. The upcoming News9 Global Summit – Germany Edition will feature a high-powered panel discussion titled “Strength to Strength: Women in Leadership” at a time when conversations around equity and inclusion are gaining momentum worldwide.
The session seeks to move the dialogue beyond symbolic representation, focusing instead on execution, structural reform, and systemic change. Scheduled as part of the two-day summit (October 9–10, 2025), it will examine how women can transition from the margins to the mainstream in leadership roles across industries.
Panelists will discuss why inclusion is not just a moral imperative but also an economic one—unlocking women’s full potential could add trillions to the global GDP. From breaking glass ceilings to reshaping institutions, the conversation will map the policies, cultural shifts, and organisational strategies required to drive genuine participation.
Trailblazers on stage
The session will bring together leaders from India and Germany who have carved distinct paths in business, aviation, technology, and entrepreneurship:
- Dr. Sarita Ahlawat, Managing Director & Co-Founder, BotLab Dynamics
- Vanessa Bachofer, President, Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Esslingen-Nürtingen, Germany
- Captain Zoya Agarwal, Senior Commander, Air India | UN Women Spokesperson & Ally
- Somdutta Singh, Founder, Assiduus Global Inc.
- Evelyne de Gruyter, Managing Director, Association of German Women Entrepreneurs
Theme of this year’s summit
The theme of the News9 Global Summit this year is ‘Democracy, Demography, Development: The India-Germany Connect’. It highlights the strong bond that the two countries share, which has gone from strength to strength over the years.