CNBC-TV18 proudly announces the third edition of ‘Future. Female. Forward – The Women’s Collective’, presented by HSBC and co-presented by Cognizant.

Taking place on March 10, 2025, in Mumbai, this season’s theme, #PathToPeak, focuses on accelerating progress toward gender inclusivity, leadership, and equal opportunities for women in the workplace.

This year’s event is more than just a dialogue—it’s a movement toward concrete action. A key highlight of Season 3 is the launch of the Future Female Forward Close the Gender Gap Charter, a commitment by leading organizations to foster workplace environments that enable women to thrive. Additionally, CNBC-TV18, in collaboration with The Udaiti Foundation, is unveiling the Close the Gap Index, a data-driven ranking system that evaluates companies based on gender inclusivity metrics.

The summit will bring together industry leaders and changemakers for thought-provoking discussions, exclusive insights, and impactful panels. The speaker lineup includes:
Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India
Rajesh Varrier, EVP, Global Head of Operations, Chairman & MD, Cognizant India
Prabha Narasimhan, MD, Colgate Palmolive India
Vartika Shukla, Chairman & MD, EIL
Ashish Dhawan, Founder & CEO, Convergence Foundation
Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO (Auto & Farm Sector), Mahindra Group
Ameera Shah, MD, Metropolis Healthcare
Pooja Sharma Goyal, Founding CEO, The Udaiti Foundation

Fashion visionary Sabyasachi Mukherjee will also join for an exclusive conversation on gender representation in creative industries, while globally renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary and Tara Singh Vachani, Founder of Antara Senior Care, will discuss success, mindset shifts, and self-transformation.

The FFF Icons felicitation will recognize extraordinary women who have broken barriers and set new benchmarks in their fields.

Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, stated, “Future. Female. Forward has evolved into a movement that not only highlights workplace challenges but fosters meaningful change. This year, with the Close the Gender Gap Charter, we’re encouraging organizations to move beyond intent and take real action.”

Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, added, “At HSBC India, gender representation is a key priority. This summit provides a critical platform to build workplaces where every individual can excel.”

Smriti Mehra, CEO, Business News, Network18, emphasized, “The Path to Peak theme is about tangible steps that create lasting impact. We aim to drive conversations that lead to real progress, making inclusive workplaces the norm.”

Rajesh Varrier, EVP & Chairman, Cognizant India, noted, “Bridging the gender gap requires a collective effort. This platform plays a vital role in shaping a more inclusive future of work.”

Catch Future. Female. Forward Season 3 LIVE on March 10 from 5:30 pm onwards on CNBC-TV18, CNBCTV18.com, and CNBC-TV18’s YouTube channel.