Bengaluru : In a glittering ceremony held in Bengaluru, Women in Cloud (WIC) honoured 5 women achievers at the 3rd edition of #empowHERaccess Global Prestige Awards 2025, as part of the #WICxSaksham2025 initiative that is designed to co-create, celebrate, and collaborate with leaders powering the Viksit Bharat narrative.
#WICxSaksham2025 is a joint initiative of Women in Cloud (WIC) and Veeam to empower and prepare next-generation leaders in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, driving India’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat by 2030. The awards were held at ITC Welcome, Bengaluru and celebrated exceptional women techies and leaders, who are leading the race in creating a Cyber Resilient Viksit Bharat.
#WICxSaksham2025 is a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a Viksit Bharat Mission that will see India becoming a developed, self-reliant digital powerhouse by 2047. Achieving this vision demands an AI-ready, cyber-resilient workforce and strong collaboration across policy, industry, and academia. #empowHERaccess Global Prestige Awards 2025 under WICxSaksham2025 recognized such women leaders who are helping in advancing this national priority by equipping India’s youth, professionals, and institutions with the skills, innovation capacity, and leadership readiness required to secure India’s digital future.
• The winner in Trailblazer Leadership Award was Sobhitha Neelanath, Senior Manager, Software Engineering, Salesforce.
• The winner in Technologist Visionary Award was Padma Subramanian, Co-founder & CEO at Fyrii.
• The winner in Women Tech Entrepreneur of the Year was Shanthi Reddy, Executive Director, YouMitra.
• The winner in Mentor of the Year Award was Shilpa Mitra, Principal Software Engineering Manager, Microsoft
• The winner in Ally of the Year Award was Sunil Bhargava, Senior Vice President Offers Management, Kyndryl
The awards were given in the presence of a global delegation comprising leading tech leaders like Karen Cone Board Director & Venture Partner Mastersfund, Dr. Vijay Rai, Chief Strategy Officer Veeam, Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-founder & President, Women In Cloud, Michelle Pruitt Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Ram Dutt, CEO Meylah Corporation and industry icons. Also present at the ceremony were the senior executives from EY, Microsoft, Veeam, Kyndryl, RV College of Engineering and other educational institutions, Grace Hopper Leadership and Women in Cloud’s global network of changemakers.
Congratulating the winners, Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-founder & President, Women In Cloud said, “It was a great honor for us as we recognize, acknowledge and celebrate women techies and leaders at the #empowHERaccess Global Prestige Awards-India Edition. These awards are designed to honor the changemakers driving India’s inclusive innovation ecosystem of a Cyber Resilient Viksit Bharat. The winners are not just creating new benchmarks but designing a future where technology, equity, and empowerment move hand in hand.”
The nominations for #empowHERaccess Global Prestige Awards 2025 were in five categories.
• Trailblazer Leadership Award – The award will honor women leaders or allies driving high-impact ESG and ERG initiatives that create sustainable, inclusive growth.
• Technologist Visionary Award: This award will recognize innovators developing breakthrough Cloud, AI, and Cybersecurity solutions shaping tomorrow’s industries.
• Women Tech Entrepreneur of the Year: This award celebrates founders leading impactful B2B or B2C ventures, fueling India’s innovation economy.
• Mentor of the Year Award: This award will honor mentors expanding access, opening doors, and elevating the next generation of women in tech.
• Ally of the Year Award: This award will recognize allies who champion diversity and inclusion through hiring, mentorship, advocacy, and empowerment.
