Honeywell recently held its flagship event, ‘LeadHERS in Tech,’ at its Bengaluru campus, uniting over 200 accomplished women professionals from across the technology sector. The event served as a platform for these innovators, thought leaders, and change-makers to highlight the significant impact of women-led advancements in technology and to promote a future where women take the helm in driving innovation. The full-day gathering featured industry-wide discussions focusing on overcoming obstacles and establishing opportunities for women not just to participate, but to take the lead in shaping the future of technology.
Anant Maheshwari, President & CEO of Global Regions at Honeywell, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical value of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of technology. He noted that women in tech are vital not only for current progress but also for catalyzing the innovations that will define the next technological era. Maheshwari called for increased empowerment of women in leadership roles, underscoring the importance of initiatives such as ‘LeadHERS in Tech’ in providing a supportive platform for women to influence the direction of technology.
The event also included a fireside chat with Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India, and Niranjan Kalyandurg, President of Honeywell Technology Solutions. This discussion centered on the significance of male support in cultivating an inclusive workplace and the crucial role of sponsorship in advancing women’s careers. The leaders also addressed gender biases, highlighting the need for training to address unconscious biases. They concluded by urging women to be bold, vocal, and actively involved in shaping the future of technology.
A highlight of the day was the panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers in Tech: Stories of Resilience and Innovation.” The panel featured notable industry leaders: Latha Chemrakalam, VP at Continental; Sidharth Balachandran, Head of the AirBus Innovation Centre; Ashwini Siddhi, AI Head at GoDaddy; and Sumedha Limaye, VP of Engineering at Quest Global. The discussion explored how women are challenging conventional norms in technology and reshaping the technological landscape through innovative approaches.
Inspirational talks were delivered by Vandana Suri, founder of TAXSHE, India’s women-only taxi service, and Nisha Millet, former Olympic swimmer. They shared their journeys of dedication and success, offering motivation and insight to the participants. Anita Vijaykrishnan, VP of Engineering and India Leader at Honeywell Technology Solutions, stated, “Women in tech are not just solving problems—they are shaping the future. ‘LeadHERS in Tech’ marks the beginning of a transformative journey, serving as a call to action to inspire and empower women across the tech industry. At Honeywell, we recognize women’s leadership in every breakthrough and are proud to support and elevate their capabilities and contributions. Our mission is to continue fostering an environment where women-led innovations can thrive and lead the way forward.”
The event additionally featured the ‘InnovateHER contest,’ which presented tech-driven solutions from women-led teams designed to tackle real-world challenges. The contest showcased the power of varied perspectives in problem-solving, reaffirming the essential role of women in shaping the future of technology. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in specialized masterclasses and tour the Honeywell Experience Center, exploring the company’s innovations in aviation, automation, and energy transition, as well as its diversity and inclusion strategies.
Honeywell remains deeply committed to empowering women and fostering technical leadership through groundbreaking innovations across multiple domains. For example, in building automation, Honeywell’s enhancements to communication technologies, such as using twisted-pair cabling, have enabled cost-effective, high-speed networks that facilitate seamless upgrades. In fire safety, Honeywell’s cloud-connected and wireless IoT solutions provide real-time alerts, remote monitoring, and smarter evacuation processes for improved protection. Furthermore, in industrial automation and energy transition, its Protonium suite optimizes green hydrogen production to address renewable energy variability, reduce costs, and increase efficiency across sectors like cement and steel.
