BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, April 10, 2026: As March marks Women’s History Month, a powerful tribute to the strength and achievements of women across generations, the Atlanta Indian Women’s Forum (AIWF) brought that spirit to life through its celebration of International Women’s Day 2026.
First formally recognized in the early 20th century as a global call for gender equality and women’s rights, International Women’s Day has since evolved into both a celebration and a catalyst for change. Reflecting this legacy, AIWF hosted a powerful, day-long gathering on March 22, 2026, at Jade Banquets—a sold-out event that underscored the growing resonance and impact of the forum within the community—bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, physicians, storytellers, and community voices for a program centered on leadership, empowerment, and sisterhood.
The morning session, led by emcee SreeRatna Kancherla, opened with a heartfelt welcome that set the tone for the day. She acknowledged the significance of women showing up for themselves and for each other, emphasizing the importance of community and shared growth.
Co-founders Suma Potini, Jyothsna Hegde, and Gita Vemparala highlighted the forum’s three pillars, noting that leadership, empowerment, and sisterhood were not just themes but values woven throughout the day’s programming. They also took a moment to acknowledge mentor Chand Akkineni for his steadfast support behind the scenes.
“AIWF will be focusing on the needs of Atlanta Indian women while promoting Leadership, Empowerment, and Sisterhood. AIWF will collaborate with the Women’s Forums to be created the regional community organizations in Atlanta. March 22, 2026 will be a new milestone in the history of Atlanta Indian Women!!!,” Chand Akkineni, Co-founder, AIWF, stated.
The ceremonial lamp lighting by chief guests Renuga Subramaniam and Madhu Sheth symbolized the beginning of a day dedicated to knowledge and collective progress. A soulful invocation by young vocalist Vaibhavi Mathapati followed, grounding the audience in reflection and intention.
In her address, Renuga Subramaniam spoke about the evolving role of women in leadership spaces and the importance of building supportive ecosystems.
In her keynote, Sandeep Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of Cove, shared her entrepreneurial journey and vision for transforming the $200 billion architecture industry through artificial intelligence. Ahuja highlighted how Cove’s AI-first model is redefining traditional design timelines, delivering five to ten fully coordinated iterations in just six to eight weeks—far surpassing the industry norm—while enabling real-time adjustments without compromising structural and MEP integrity. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and Inc. Top 100 Women CEOs, and an alumna of Georgia Institute of Technology, Ahuja also reflected on the importance of community in building high-growth ventures, often emphasizing on global platforms such as TEDx, the United Nations, and SXSW that the future of design lies in harnessing AI as a collaborative force while fostering a strong “village” to support both innovation and personal balance.
The entrepreneurship panel brought together Asha Chaudhary, Anju Mathew, and Kanchana Raman for a candid discussion moderated by SreeRatna Kancherla. The conversation explored the realities of building businesses from the ground up. Panelists shared their entrepreneurial journeys, including early risks, funding challenges, and scaling strategies. They spoke about what success personally means to them, moving beyond financial metrics to include impact, fulfillment, and resilience. The discussion also highlighted key leadership qualities such as adaptability, empathy, and decisiveness. Each panelist reflected on obstacles they faced, from navigating male-dominated industries to managing self-doubt, and how perseverance and clarity of purpose helped them move forward.
The leadership panel shifted focus to the essence of leading with authenticity. Moderated by Jyothsna Hegde, the panel featured Sweta Sneha, Priti Bandi, and Priti Bhatia. The discussion examined how leadership is often exercised in quiet yet impactful ways. Panelists shared personal definitions of success and emphasized the importance of self-awareness and integrity. They discussed qualities that define effective leaders, including the ability to listen, inspire trust, and remain grounded during uncertainty. Personal stories of overcoming professional and personal challenges added depth to the conversation.
The medical panel, moderated by Dr. Savitha Kootil, featured Dr. Haritha Sishtla, Dr. Sumana Moole, Dr. Lalitha Medepalli, and Dr. Sonali Bora. The panel provided an informative and practical overview of women’s health. Each physician spoke from her area of specialization, addressing topics ranging from preventive care and hormonal health to chronic conditions and lifestyle management. The discussion emphasized the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and informed decision-making.
Sponsors were recognized as integral partners in bringing the event to life. Supporting organizations included AssureGuru, Jaipur Living, Wellstar, KPPB Law, Alladi Law, Bhavya Chaudhary, GAPI, Sheth Foundation, Merus Gastroenterology and Gut Health, CH Banquet & Event Halls, Ziva Events & Catering, and Med Rates, all of whom were acknowledged for their commitment to supporting women-focused initiatives.
A sustainability segment led by Malini Devi, our Sustainability Champion, highlighted AIWF’s commitment to eco-conscious practices, emphasizing mindful event planning and environmental responsibility.
The afternoon session, emceed by Anandhi Rajan, began with a spotlight session by Dr. Vanita Boswell, founder of The VALO Group. In a deeply resonant address, Dr. Boswell spoke about the idea of “fueling our fire” — not in a way that leads to burnout, but in a way that sustains purpose and impact. She reflected on how the same fire within us can either warm and energize or quietly consume us if left unchecked. Centering her message around courage, clarity, contribution, and confidence, she reminded the audience that burnout does not come from caring too much, but from carrying too much alone. She emphasized that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but an act of wisdom, and that true strength lies in building support systems. Her words reframed success as something more internal and meaningful, urging women to see their fire not as a tool to prove themselves to others, but as a force to create impact both within and beyond. At its core, she underscored that self-love is the fuel that keeps that fire alive — steady, purposeful, and enduring.
A musical interlude by Swara Kapilavai added a cultural dimension to the program.
Moni Basu, an internationally renowned journalist and educator, delivered the keynote address, tracing her remarkable journey from Kolkata to the forefront of global journalism. She spoke candidly about growing up between cultures and the sense of “otherness” that shaped her perspective, ultimately informing her deeply human storytelling. Drawing on her extensive reporting career with leading organizations such as CNN and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Basu reflected on her experiences covering conflict zones across South Asia and the Middle East. Now serving as director of the MFA in Narrative Nonfiction at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, she emphasized the importance of immersive reporting and narrative depth, inspiring audiences with her commitment to storytelling that bridges cultures and brings truth to life.
The Breaking Norms panel, moderated by Gita Vemparala, featured Reshma Mahendra, Aparna Bhattacharyya, and Judge Neera Bahl. The conversation went beyond personal journeys to shine a courageous light on domestic violence in the South Asian community — a reality too often left unspoken. Reshma brought public health data to the table and spoke about prevention of domestic violence, Aparna spoke to the barriers that keep women silent, and Judge Bahl offered a powerful perspective – both through a legal lens and what she has seen around her as a long-standing member of our community. Together they challenged the audience to move from awareness to action, closing on a message of resilience, collective responsibility, and hope.
The immigration panel, moderated by Anita Ninan, featured Bhavya Chaudhary and Lalitha Alladi. The discussion focused on current immigration policies affecting South Asians and Indian Americans, offering practical guidance on visas, residency pathways, and navigating evolving legal frameworks, while also addressing the emotional realities of immigrant life.
Deepika Chalke, a marathon runner who has completed both half and full marathons across all 50 states, and Vani Ghanate, the designer of the AIWF logo, were honored at the event. NRI Pulse editor-in-chief, Veena Rao, was invited to present the awards.
The event concluded with a reflection on the collective strength of the community and transitioned into Sisterhood Circles facilitated by Pavithra Nagarajan, encouraging meaningful dialogue and connection among attendees.
Behind the scenes, the event was made possible by a dedicated organizing committee whose efforts shaped every aspect of the day. The team included Chand Akkineni, Gita Vemparala, Suma Potini, Jyothsna Hegde, Pavithra Natarajan, Malini Devi, Vani Ghanate, Neeta Shenvi, Mrinalini Garv, Mansi Kumar, Kris Gadde, Nikita Shah, Varsha Telang Anand, Sagar Shah, Rachna Shah, Samina Sheikh, Nidhi Sharma, Riya Gontu, Preethi Titu, Sakshi Jain, and Sooryakumar Thoppan.
“Three years in a row and honestly, it doesn’t get old. If anything, it gets more meaningful. None of this happens without our organizers and volunteers, who put in hours that nobody sees but everyone benefits from. We have been completely overwhelmed by the feedback we’ve received, women stopping us to share what the day meant to them, messages still coming in days later. That never gets old either. What keeps us going is exactly what we saw in that room, women from our community choosing to spend their day together, investing in each other. There is truly nothing else like it. A beautiful expression of sisterhood,” Co-founders Potini, Hegde, and Vemparala said in a joint statement.
AIWF was born in 2024 from the rising need for a space where women could come together to connect, collaborate, and grow. Built on the pillars of leadership, empowerment, and sisterhood, it fosters a strong, supportive community where women uplift one another and share knowledge. The vision is to create an environment where every woman feels seen, supported, and inspired to step into her full potential. Through this collective spirit, AIWF seeks to drive meaningful and lasting impact.
International Women’s Day 2026 by AIWF stood as a testament to the power of collaboration, conversation, and community, creating a space where women could learn, lead, and uplift one another.
