Procter and Gamble India (P&G India) and Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai (IIM-M) today hosted the 2024 edition of the ‘IIM-Mumbai – P&G Equality Summit 2024’.
The one-day summit themed, “Women Revolutionizing Supply Chain and Manufacturing” convened key stakeholders from the government, corporate sector, and academia to deliberate on topics pertaining to advancing gender equality in supply chain and busting myths associated with representation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers, with a keen focus on Supply Chain and Manufacturing.
The guest of honor was Mr. Mike Hankey, Consul General, US Consulate, Mumbai. The event was graced by dignitaries including noted leaders like Prof. Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Founding Director, IIM Mumbai; Sachin Mirashi – Senior Vice President, Product Supply, P&G Asia, Middle East and Africa; Venkat Venepally, Vice President, Supply Chain, India Mondelez; Kusum S – Head of Supply Chain Digitization & Transformation, AMESA Sector, PepsiCo; Monika Pothirkar, Site Lead, General Mills, India Center among several others.
P&G India and IIM-Mumbai have continued to come together for this annual event with the aim of sparking conversations on issues that perpetuate a glass ceiling for women, uncover deep-rooted stereotypes that still exist, and motivate change specifically linked to equal representation in STEM and Supply Chain.
The event this year left a lasting impact, featuring inspiring keynote speeches and dynamic panel discussions that centered around promoting greater inclusion for women in the workforce. The discussions delved deep into the strategies and initiatives required to accelerate the representation of women in supply chain fields, setting a powerful tone for advancing gender equality.
Further, during the event, P&G India recognized and awarded P&G Shiksha Betiyan Scholarship to two girl students pursuing STEM courses at IIM Mumbai. Launched two years back, the Scholarship is part of P&G India’s flagship CSR initiative – P&G Shiksha, where, in partnership with Centre for Civil Society, the Company is working to provide financial aid and mentorship to girls aspiring to pursue STEM education across the country.
Speaking on this occasion, Ankur Bhagat, Vice President, and Chief Supply Chain Officer, P&G India said, “As a company, over 185 years we have continued to be deeply committed to serve billions of consumers around the world, and in India. We firmly believe that our ability to serve them best is rooted in respecting and embracing their diversity, understanding their unique needs, and providing them with exceptional products and services. We also aim to represent this diversity within our company and embracing Equality and Inclusion as a cornerstone of our culture. In line with this belief, we have continued our collaboration with IIM Mumbai to host the 4th edition of the Equality Summit to continue our efforts of advancing women representation in STEM fields. This partnership has allowed us to convene leading voices and tackle the root causes of underrepresentation. This summit not only exemplifies our collective efforts but also demonstrates how we, as stakeholders, can expedite the pace of change.”
Prof. Manoj Tiwari, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai said, “It is with great pride that IIM Mumbai partners with P&G India once again for the 4th edition of IIM-Mumbai P&G Equality Summit. The theme, ‘Women Revolutionizing Supply Chain and Manufacturing,’ resonates deeply with our institute’s core values of diversity and inclusion. Through our admissions process and dedicated DEI Cell activities, we’re actively fostering a more diverse student body and equipping future leaders to champion inclusion. This year’s edition goes beyond awareness-raising; it’s a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and action. We aim to equip participants with the tools and strategies to dismantle existing barriers and champion women’s leadership in these critical industries. This summit is yet another testament to the power of collaboration, and we believe it will pave the way for a future where women are not just well-represented, but actively shape the future of supply chain and manufacturing.”
This year, the summit has extended its reach to over 400 STEM institutes, initiating crucial discussions on dismantling barriers that impede the advancement of women in entering and excelling in STEM fields.