What Makes the Women in Product Summit a Must-Attend Summit?

January 2, 2024
5 min read

Until merely a decade ago, the product management industry boasted a commendable balance between men and women. However, recent years have witnessed a notable shift, with women now holding only 35% of product management positions, while men dominate higher-level roles at approximately 64%. This disparity begs the question: Where have the influential women in product management disappeared to?

In response to this challenge, the professional world is undergoing a transformation, with gender equality and diversity taking center stage, especially within technology and product management.

Despite the obstacles, there’s hope for women in the professional world. Initiatives like the Women in Product Summit community, created by Product Leaders Forum in partnership with Institute of Product Leadership, have been pivotal catalysts for change. This community paved the way for the first Women in Product Summit, held in Bangalore in May 2023.

Many influential women have been a part of this community such as Mithila Holla, Vice President of Product and Innovation at Trinity; Padmini Janaki, CEO & Co-founder at m&m; Geethanjali Radhakrishnan, Founder and Managing Director of Adiuvo Diagnostics; Sonali Nanda, Senior Vice President & Head of Products at Exxat; Srividya Natarajan, Director of Head of Learning Tech & Product at Flipkart; Naina Taneja, VP of Growth & Integrations at Casaone; Rajeshwari Muppala, Technical Product Manager at Incture and so many more.

Mithila Holla

Vice President of Product and Innovation at Trinity

Padmini Janaki

CEO & Co-founder at m&m

Geethanjali Radhakrishnan

Founder and Managing Director of Adiuvo Diagnostics

Sonali Nanda

Senior Vice President & Head of Products at Exxat

Srividya Natarajan

Director of Head of Learning Tech & Product at Flipkart

Naina Taneja

VP of Growth & Integrations at Casaone

In keeping with this tradition, we are excited to announce the Women in Product Summit 2024.

It is scheduled between March 19th to April 7th consisting of 6 Online sessions leading upto an In-Person summit in Bangalore on 7th April, 2024. This summit symbolizes a movement dedicated to celebrating women in the space of product, technology, marketing, leadership and many more, nurturing their professional growth, and fostering a supportive community.

Key Takeaways:

The Women in Product Summit is a pivotal event celebrating women’s achievements in product management.
It addresses the gender gap by providing tools and support for women in leadership.
The summit features workshops, keynote speeches, and networking to foster skills and connections.
The 2023 summit highlighted issues like imposter syndrome and work-life balance, offering practical solutions.
The 2024 event, under “Leadership Reimagined,” aims to inspire inclusivity and diversity in leadership.
Opportunities for participation include attending, volunteering, or speaking, enhancing the event’s collaborative nature.

In this article

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What does the Women in Product Summit aim to achieve?

The Women in Product Summit is not just a gathering of women; it’s an event with a mission to break down barriers and provide women with the tools and support needed to thrive in product management. Despite vast advancements in the corporate field, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within these fields. This event serves as a platform to address this issue head-on by showcasing the talent, expertise, and achievements of women in product management.The summit serves as a platform where women can immerse themselves in a myriad of workshops, absorb insights from compelling keynote speeches, and make meaningful connections through networking sessions. Its mission is to instill inspiration, offer comprehensive education, and empower women with the tools and capabilities required to excel as leaders in the industry. By shining a spotlight on the achievements of women in product management, the event serves as both a celebration of success and a call to action for greater gender diversity and inclusion. Events like these can play a critical role in addressing the gender gap prevalent in technology and product management. By providing resources for professional development and facilitating networking opportunities, the event is instrumental in promoting gender equality and diversity within the industry.

Women in Product Summit 2023: A Brief Recap

The Women in Product Festival from the previous year left a lasting impact on both attendees and the industry as a whole. The event had an impressive lineup of speakers, including industry pioneers and advocates for gender equality, and addressed critical issues faced by women in the corporate workplace such as imposter syndrome, work-life balance, and navigating male-dominated spaces. The workshops of the event offered training in many skills such as negotiation, leadership development, and product strategy, empowering attendees to overcome these obstacles and advance in their careers faster.

One of the most significant highlights from the previous festival was the sense of community among attendees. Networking sessions provided opportunities for women to connect, share experiences, and forge meaningful relationships, fostering a supportive ecosystem for professional growth and development.

Women in Product Summit 2024

Building upon the successes of previous years, the Women in Product Festival 2024 aims to redefine leadership in the product management domain. Under the theme “Leadership Reimagined: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures,” this year’s event seeks to inspire attendees to challenge traditional notions of leadership and champion inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

The lineup of speakers for the 2024 festival is nothing short of exceptional. It features women from diverse backgrounds and industries. From professional executives to emerging leaders, each speaker brings valuable insights into product management. Sessions will cover a broad range of topics, including diversity and inclusion, innovation, and the future of work, providing attendees with invaluable knowledge and inspiration.

Features of the Women in Product Summit 2024

Attendees can expect to see a diverse array of workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities designed to enhance their skills and make connections within the industry. Workshops will offer practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving success in the workplace, while keynote speeches will inspire attendees to embrace their leadership potential and effect positive change in their organizations.

One distinguishing feature of the Women in Product Festival is its focus on tangible outcomes for participants. Whether it’s gaining new skills, expanding professional networks, or finding mentorship opportunities, attendees can expect to leave the event with a renewed sense of purpose and direction in their careers.

How to Get Involved

For those interested in participating in the Women in Product Festival 2024, registration is now open. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out in your career, there are opportunities for everyone to engage and contribute to the conversation. Additionally, those interested in volunteering or speaking at the event are encouraged to reach out and get involved, further enriching the experience for all participants.

The Women in Product Summit showcases the power of community, advocacy, and empowerment. By providing a platform for women to come together, share experiences, and support one another, the summit is breaking barriers and building futures. As we look ahead to the 2024 event, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and work towards a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive in product leadership roles.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of women in product management and advocating for gender equality within the industry. Whether you attend as a participant, volunteer, or speaker, your presence and contribution are invaluable to our institute. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

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