BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING EDITION 2021

THENEXT EVOLUTIONIN CELLULAR

Dr.XiaokuiZhang

TransformingPatientCarewith Diligence

ABOUTCELULARITY

Foundedin2017,CelularityInc.isanext-gen biotechnologycompanyleadingtheevolution incellularmedicinebydeliveringoff-theshelfallogeneiccellulartherapies,atan unparalleledscale,quality,andeconomics.A spinoutofCelgeneCorporation,Celularity’s innovativeapproachtocelltherapyunlocks theuniquetherapeuticpotentialwithinthe cellsofthepost-partumplacenta.

UnderXiaokui’saegis,thecompanyis transformingthecellularmedicinerealmwith Placental-derivedTcells,NaturalKiller(NK) cells,andPluripotentStemcells.These effortsaresatisfyingtheunmetclinical requirementsforcancer,infectious,and degenerativediseases.Outofwhich,NKcell therapyisgoingthroughaninvestigationfor

thetreatmentofAcuteMyeloidLeukemia (AML),MultipleMyeloma(MM), GlioblastomaMultiforme(GBM),and COVID-19.

TalkingaboutthecompanyXiaokuisays, “Westrivetoensurethescientificrigorin dailyresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesto enhanceourunderstandingofthe mechanismsandpathwaysthatregulatethe immunesystem’sresponsetocancer”.

Thecompanyintegratesdeep-seated collaborationtoaccelerateproduct&clinical development,translationalresearch,andcell manufacturing.It’sputtingitsbestfoot forwardinbringingcelltherapytothecentre stageofcancerimmunotherapyand functionalregenerationmedicine.

SignificantBitsofMotivation

Asateenager,Xiaokuiwascaptivatedbythe persistenceandcharacteristicoptimismof JaneGoodall’s ‘IntheShadowofMan’.It’s theexploration,discovery,andunravelingof unknownsofthebookthatinspiredherto striveforthewellbeingoftheliving.It promptedhertostartaneducationalvoyage intheearliermentionedfieldsandunderstand themechanismsunderlyinghumanbody functiontothecore.Hermom,whowasone ofthefewfemaleleadersinuniversities,was alsoparticularlystronginfluenceinherlife.

“Itwashersupportandherbelieveinmethat helpedmebewhereIamattoday,”Xiaokui said.

Anothervesicleofmotivationisthe opportunityandguidanceprovidedbyDr.

RobertHariri,MD,PhD,theFounder&CEO ofCelularity.Hisvisiontodevelopplacentaderivedcelltherapiesandbiomaterial productsthattransformcelltherapyand personalizedmedicinecompletelyresonates withXiaokui’sthoughts.

Shedevelopedapassionforqualitypatient careandthecapabilitiestoalignpersonal aspirationswiththecompanygoalsthrough thisleague.Xiaokuiisoverwhelmedtobea scientistinanorganizationdrivenbya talentedgroupofwomenwhoinspireherto bethebestversionofherself.

Today,thesemotivationalpieceshelpherin discoveringeffectivecelltherapyfortreating debilitatingdiseasesandimprovingpatient lives.

Bioengineersareconsistentlyengineering effectivepatient-centricsolutions.

Withsuchvitalityatthehelm,theyhave successfullymanagedtoovercomethe mentionedchallengeswiththeirexhaustive R&Dandaredeliveringtransformational changesformorethanthreeyearsnow.

Keepingafuturisticapproachattheforefront Xiaokuisays, “Mypassionistobuildand growteamswhilecontinuingtodevelopand advancetherapiesthatimprovepatients’ lives.Iwillcontinuemyendeavorsincell therapyandimmunotherapy,working collaborativelywithotherstodelivertruly innovativeandlife-changingtherapiesfor patients.”

Xiaokui’sTakeonMakinga ‘DifferenceasaWoman’

Morewomeninleadershiprolesiscorrelated withstrongerfinancialreturnsandbetter businessoutcomesinthecorporateworld, saysindependentresearch.However,women arestillunderrepresentedinexecutive, decision-makingrolesandarejudgedunfairly asaleaderwhocanmakeadifference.Their confidenceisunderminedbygender stereotypes,bywhich,effortstoconstantly provetheirleadershipcapabilitiesnevergo outofsight.

Tooutcastsuchsituations,Xiaokuisays, “Womenshouldmaintainself-confidence, talkopenlyabouttheiraccomplishmentsto getnoticedandgoafterwhattheywant fearlessly.Also,havingtalentdevelopment programs,coaching,andmentoring programscanmakesurethatwomenare effectivelyempoweredinvariousroles.”

Shebelievesthatasuccessfulwomanhasthe potentialtotakeonmoreresponsibilitiesand

acceptsthechallengeofattainingequilibrium acrosspersonalandprofessionallife.These conditionscanbebettermanagedby establishingastrategicandrealisticcareer andpersonalgoalsfollowedby communicatingwiththosewhocanhelp achievethesegoals.

Xiaokuialsobelievesthatglassceilingsare realbarrierswomenshouldbeawareofand thenbreakinthemind.Thisactprovides strengthandassurancetoworkoutstrategic plans.Concretely,awomanneedstostay focused,managepriorityandconflict,and allowflexibilityinschedulingtocreatea prominentnicheandgainacompetitiveedge.

ANotetoRemember

“Itiscrucialtounderstandwhatyouwant todo,whereyouwanttoreachandtodefine thegoalsforyourcareer.Whileyoufocus onthosegoalsandfollowthepathforward, rememberyouarenotaloneandthatyou don’thavetofightyourbattlesonyour own,” statesXiaokui.

“Buildnetworksandmentorshipstoensure thatyouaresupportedandempowered, identifyskillsthatshouldbedevelopedor improvedupon,taketheinitiativesto increaseyourvisibility,thendriveyour careerdevelopmentwithfullconfidenceand determination,” shestatesfurther.

MentorshipinR&Dwithinanacademic settingproveseffectiveforamentee’s developmentofskills,capabilities,anda careerpath.Assuch,it’snecessaryto proactivelybuildmentor-menteenetworksto unlockcountlesscareeropportunitiesinthe longerrun.

Listing

Nameof Organisation Description

Dr.XiaokuiZhang CelulaityINC

Dr.MariaRyan

CottageHospital

Anext-generationBiotechnologycompanycreatingoffthe-shelfcellularmedicinesforCancer,Infectious Diseases,andDegenerativeDiseases.

Foundedin1904andHeadquarteredinWoodsville,NH, CottageHospitalisan atypical ruralhospital,asitisa designatedtraumacenter.

NataliiaRzhevska VideoWiki

PujaJaspal Cisco

Videowikiisaone-stopvideolocalizationplatformthat allowsorganizationstotranslatetext/addvoice-overin locallanguagetotheirvideos.

Ciscohasbeenhelpingcustomerstosuccessfully connect,secure,andautomateformorethan35years now.Withaglobalpresenceof77,000peopleacross 100countries,thecompanyiseffectivelyconnecting peoplethroughcutting-edgenetworkinghardware, software,andtelecommunicationsequipmentfora cloud-firstworld.

CarolineAudoirDe Valter HopeforTheChildren Foundation

HFCFiscontinuouslyworkingtowardsimprovingthe livesofunderprivilegedandmarginalizedcommunities, especiallyforchildren,womenandyouthwhereshe envisionaworldofsustainabletransformationthat bringssocialchange,equalrightsandopportunitiesfor all.

Fahmeeda Choudhry

HinaShah

BamboologyTrends

ICECD

BamboologyTrendsisalifestylebrandcommittedto reducingcarbonfootprintsglobally.Thebrandisputting itsbestfootforwardinspreadingawarenessforthe same.

ICECDhasbeenthevanguardofMicro,Smalland MediumEnterprise(MSME)Developmentamong varyingtargetgroupsandhasworkedextensively aroundtheglobekeepinggenderissuesinsharpfocus.

HiroNakayama ProjectFelicia

Joanne Archambault

LiciaHeath

EVAWI

HeadquarteredinNewYork,ProjectFeliciaisleveraging fragrancestoofferexclusivemarketing,educational events,andproductdevelopment.

EVAWisaInternationalnon-profitorganizationdedicated toprovidingaffordabletrainingforalldisciplineswithan emphasisonthelawenforcementinvestigationand propercriminaljusticeresponsestosexualassaultand domesticviolence.

WomenforElection Australia

WomenforElectionAustraliaprovidesnon-partisan, leadershipprogramsandsupportforwomenaspiringto enterpubliclifeorwomenalreadyholdingelectedand appointedofficeinAustralia.

Meet Dr. MariaRyan,PhD,

APRN,ThePresidentandCEO ofCottageHospital.Dr.Ryanis knownforherhigh-integrity, energeticleadership,andthe abilitytoenvisionandcreate successfuloutcomesincomplex situations.Dr.Ryanhasdiverse healthcareandfunctional expertise,withatenacious commitmenttodrivingresults andmotivatingstafftopeak performance.Sheachieveda doctorateinhealthcare administrationandholdsa master’sdegreeinthescienceof nursing.Dr.Ryanisboard certifiedasaFamilyNurse Practitionerwithaspecialtyin EmergencyMedicine.

Dr.Ryanhasadistinguished careerinfor-profit,non-profit, tertiarycareand,mostrecently,a criticalaccesshospital.Shehas beenthedrivingforcebehind CottageHospital’smany accomplishmentssuchasbeing honoredbytheNorrisCotton CancerCenteratDartmouthHitchcockMedicalCenterfor takingaleadershiproleina collaborativeoutreachprogram centeredoncancerprevention andearlydetection. Cottage Hospital hasreceivednational awardssuchasa2013

HealthStrongAwardfor ExcellenceinEfficiency,a2014 HealthStrongTop100Critical AccessHospitalbyiVantage HealthAnalytics,andaTop20 BestPracticesinQuality designationbytheNationalRural HealthAssociation.WithDr. Ryan’sleadership,Cottage Hospitalwasalsotheonly hospitalinNewHampshire,and oneofeightinthecountry,to successfullyattesttoMeaningful

UseStage2inthefirstqualifying period.Additionally,Cottage Hospitalwastherecipientofthe 2015BusinessoftheYearAward givenbytheCohaseChamberof Commerce.

Dr.Ryanhasbeenrecognizedon anationallevelaswell.Shewas selectedinBecker’sHospital Review’slistof “TopRural HospitalCEOstoKnow” inthe UnitedStatesforsevenyearsina row.Amongstallhospitals, regardlessofsize,Dr.Ryanwas identifiedagainbyBecker’s HospitalReviewasoneof “300 HospitalandHealthSystem LeaderstoKnow.” Shewas selectedasoneofNHBusiness Review’s OutstandingWomen inBusiness2017.Maria receivedtheLouisGorinLifetime AchievementAwardfor ExcellenceinRuralHealthbythe NationalRuralHealth Associationin2019.Most recently,shewaslistedonNH BusinessReview’s “NH200-The GraniteState’sMostInfluential BusinessLeaders” for Healthcarein2020.

Hersecretstosuccessaresimple: betransparentandpassionate, haveenthusiasmandinsight, listenwellandbevisible.

IntotheShoesofDr.Maria Ryan Dr.Ryanstartedhercareerasa nurse’saideinanursinghome whenshewasjust16yearsof age.Shemarriedafterhigh school,andwasaMotherofthree childrenbytheageof21.Despite herhusbandworkingtwojobs andworkingasanurse’saide herself,theystruggledtopay rent,andoftendidnothave enoughfoodtofeedtheirfamily.

Inordertogetoutofpoverty,the couplebegantodiscusstheidea ofoneofthemgoingtocollege. Thecouplecametoamutual agreementthatMariawouldgoto nursingschool,asshehadalways excelledinmathandscience.

Afterherfirstdegree,shewenton tocontinuehereducationand receivedaBachelor’sdegreein theScienceofNursing,followed byaMaster’sdegreeinthe ScienceofNursingandBoard CertifiedasaNursePractitioner. Thisenabledhertobeaprovider; inNewHampshireaBoardCertifiedNursePractitionerdoes notneedaPhysicianSupervisor. Finally,Mariapursuedand receivedaDoctorateof PhilosophyinHealth Administration.

Duringherjourney,Dr.Ryan workedherwayup,startingoffas astaffnurse,thenachargenurse, followedbyaDirectorover multipleunits,nextsheworkedin Leadershipbutalsoworkedasan EmergencyDepartmentProvider, aChiefNursingOfficerandChief OperatingOfficer,untilreaching hercurrentroleasaChief ExecutiveOfficer.Hercareerhas beeninfor-profitandnon-profit organizations,aswellasin CommunityandTertiarycare hospitals.

AboutCottageHospital

Foundedin1904and Headquartered inWoodsville, NH, CottageHospital isan atypical ruralhospital,asitisa designatedtraumacenter.

AsanexpertbusinesswomanDr. Ryanisalwayslookingfor opportunitiestoexpandandmeet theneedsofthepeople.She notedthelackofacutemental healthcareinthestateofNew Hampshireaswellasneighboring

Dr.MariaRyan

states.Sheresearched,developed, andimplementedaspecialized unitforolderadults.Thisunitis namedtheRayofHopeafterlong timeexecutivecounselorRay Burton.Thisunittakesreferrals fromNewHampshire,Vermont, MassachusettsandMaine.

Dr.Ryanhelpedtosolveadire issueinherruralcommunityby erectingtheRoweHealthCenter in2015,andasaresult, strengtheningtheprimarycare networkinherservicearea.The RoweHealthCenterisnamed afterDr.HarryRowewhowasan inspirationtoall.Dr.Rowe servedCottageHospitalandthe communityformanyyears.He wasoneofthefirstprovidersto greetDr.Ryanwhenshemoved toLisbon,NH.Dr.Rowe sponsoredDr.Ryaninjoiningthe WellsRiver,VTandWoodsville, NHRotary.Theybecamefast friends.TodaytheRoweHealth CenterishometoInternal medicine,Cardiology, Endocrinology,Gastroenterology, MentalHealth,andPodiatry Services.CottageHospitals

PhysicalTherapydepartmentisa sourceofgreatpride.ThePT departmentreceivesreferrals fromProvidersnearandfardue totheirexpertiseandpositive clinicaloutcomes.

Thehospitalalsotakesreferrals fromotherhospitalsfor emergencysurgeryaswellas intensivecare.

Dr.Ryanisafiercedefenderof patientrights,andsheeliminates allbarriersforthosewhoare seekinghealthcare.Sheisoneof thefewCEO’swhoworks tirelesslytokeeppricesata reasonablerate.

Sourceofmotivationand futuregoals

Dr.Ryandescribesherselfas missiondrivenasanindividual andasaleader.Sheismotivated toworkharderandsmarter especiallywhensheisprotecting thosewhoarevulnerable.This publicationisconfidentwewill seeDr.Ryanasapositiverole modelandinthefuturewewill seeheradvocatingforandlifting upthevulnerableandoppressed.

Currentindustryscenario strategiestocontribute effectivelyinhyper competitivemarket Sharingherperspectiveon currentscenarioofthemarketDr. Mariasaid:Leadingahospitalis complexandhasalotof variables.Reimbursement continuestodeclineasemployee wagescontinuetoincrease.The investmentintechnologyisvast, anditisimperativeto continuouslyimplementcutting edgecybersecurity.The healthcareworkforcehasbeena struggleandwillcontinuetobea struggle.CottageHospitalinvests inlocalhighschoolgraduatesto startatentrylevelhospitaljobs, aswellasincollegescholarships topursuemedicallabtechnicians, LicensedNursesAides,Nursing andPhysicalTherapyroles. CottageHospitalassistscurrent employeeswhowouldliketo advancetheirdegrees,andhas alsoassistedregistrationpersons andotherrolesobtainaregistered nursedegree.

Dr.Ryandoesn’tconsiderherself tobeinacompetitivemarketat thistime.Herprevioushospital wasa400-bedtertiarycare hospitalinaverycompetitive

marketinPennsylvania.She wouldconsistentlylookforwinwinsituationsforthepatientand thehospital,andsometimesthe insurancecompany.Ifgreat qualitycareisgivenandthe patientgetsoutofthehospitalin atimelymanner,everyonewins

HerTakeonChallenges Facedbywomenin corporateworldandpieceof advicetoemerging professionals.

Dr.Ryanwouldtellany individualtoalwaysremain engaged,nomatterthe circumstance.Seektounderstand thosearoundyou,don’tbeafraid totakerisksandstrivetoalways bevisible.

Sheadvisestonotfeartakinga criticallookatyourstrengthsand weaknesses.Steadilyand persistentlypolishandexpandthe naturaltalentsthatyouhave.You canworktoimprovesome weaknesses,butdon’tfocustoo muchonthem,insteadsurround yourselfwithateamwhowill complementyou,andyouthem. Forinstance,Dr.Ryanisa visionaryandastrategist.She requirespeoplewhoarevery detailedoriented,sothatiswhat shepursues.Ahighlyfunctional seniorlevelteamwillfillineach other’sgaps!

Dr.Ryanbelievesthatitis imperativetomentorothers. Opportunitiesmustbegivento thosewhoworkhardandhave talent.Shebelievesthatitis pricelessforaspiringwomen entrepreneurstoseeandbe mentoredbyastrong,successful woman,toinspirethemandshow themthatanythingispossible, regardlessofgender!

“Beconfidentanduniquein everydecisionyoutake andtheachievementyou make.Bethemasterof yourthoughtsandtake ownershipofyourvision. Lookforlike-mindedand appreciateopposition. Cherishlong-lasting relationshipswithpeople whoaretherewithyou throughthegoodtimesand thebad.

NataliiaRzhevska ASeasonedEdTechInnovation

Builder

It’sourcollectiveeffortsthatIbecameaNeuropedagogy&AIexpertworkingonthesubjectsofcognitive futureforstudentswhilesupportingteachersattheuniversitylevel.

TeamTM:What’syourdefinitionofEducationandTeaching?

Nataliia: Theworldisobservingthefastagingofinformationwhichhasnotimetoturnintoknowledge witharapidswitchtoanewindustrialrevolution.It’snotevenabouttheoreticalknowledgematching practicalskill,buttheiranticipationintheconditionsofthetransientvalenceoftrans-sciencesandsubindustries.

Peoplecreatetechnologiesthatcreateimpact.Thisimpactdeterminesecosystemprocesses.Andatthenext leveloftheirdevelopment,it’stechnologiesthatgeneratenewtechnologiesanddesigninnovations.While thetraditionaleducationsystempresentssomeloopholesinthegrowth,moderneducationexemplifiesthe mixofacademicandpracticalskillsthatprovebeneficialinthelongerrun.

Mynotionofteachingistomotivatetheverysenseofacquiringknowledgeandgainingtheabilityto appreciatetheaftertasteofitspracticalapplication.Forme,educationisignitingapassionforinnovative thinking.

TeamTM:Whatarethefrequentchallengesfacedbywomeninthecorporateworldandwhatarethe waystotacklethem?

Nataliia: Bothmenandwomenfacethesamegenreofchallengesandtheresponsetoovercomethemis gender-specific.However,thedistinctivenessofawomanliesinhercapabilitytosimultaneouslyperform multipletasksandjugglevariousprofessional&socialroles.

Practicalthinkingcapabilitiescanhelptoavoidprofessionalburnoutacrossthecorporateworld.Fora womantostandout,shehastobringthebestinnovativestrategiestothetableandidentifyrelevantmarket solutions.Goingbeyondtheinformationtoxicitygeneratedbyallthegadgetsandsocialmediawillhelpin gainingacompetitiveedge.Atlast,guardandrespectthoughts,cultivateoptimism!

TeamTM:Whatareyourpastexperiences,achievements, orlessonsthathaveshapedyourjourney?

Nataliia: Humanbehaviorisvolatiletotoughdecision-makingandconditionssourcingemotional breakdown.Werunaroundacorporatemaze,changedirections,lookforwaysout,gettired,rest,moveon collidingwithcolleaguesattimes,reachadeadlock,andstartoveragain.

MR.ShivamDhawan Co-founderVideowiki

TeamTM:Howdoyousee yourselfinthenearfuture? Tellusaboutyourfuture goals.

Nataliia: I’llmakeevery possibleeffortforeducational welfare.I’llkeepmovingwith thesameinspirationtoaccept changeandinspirepeopleto converteverychallengeintoan opportunity.Iwantmy strategies,theirimplementation, andtheresultingprofitable outcomestobeaccessibleto thoseinneedbecauseinnovation onlymakessenseafterreaching theend-user.

Video Wikipedia forLearners and Creators

Tobemoreprecise,mykindoffutureshowcaseshumanityowningthecornerstonesof education.

TeamTM:Howdoyouperceivetheroleofmentorshiptoaspiringwomen entrepreneurs?

Nataliia:Beconfidentanduniqueineverydecisionyoutakeandtheachievementyou make.Bethemasterofyourthoughtsandtakeownershipofyourvision.Lookforlikemindedandappreciateopposition.Cherishlong-lastingrelationshipswithpeoplewho aretherewithyouthroughthegoodtimesandthebad.

PujaJaspalispassionateabout makingadifference,onelifeata time.Atruetransformationchangeagent,shedrivespeople toreachtheirfullpotentialwith herabilitytolisten,understand, guide,andconvertevery challengeintoanopportunity.

InhercurrentroleasVice PresidentforPeople& CommunitiesatCiscoSystems, she’scommittedtobuilding inclusive,mission-driventeams wherenovoiceisleftunheard.

Allofwhichiscontinuingthe commitmentthatledhertobe nameda “Top100Womenof InfluenceintheBayArea” in 2017.

Anexceptionalprofessional voyage

Puja’seducationaljourneyledher totheUniversityofCincinnati, wheresheearnedaB.S.in MechanicalEngineering,with honors,andontoHarvard BusinessSchool,whereshe completedanMBA.Shestarted herprofessionalcareeratProcter andGamble(P&G)handling high-endbrandmanagementroles andP&Lresponsibilities,while alsogainingHRexperience steeringtheAsian retentiontask force.

In2008,shejoinedGoogle’s PeopleOperationsteam and becameMarissaMayer’sHR businesspartnerforproduct managementandSundarPichai’s HRbusinesspartnerfor engineeringandproducts,which includedworkonChromeand otherkeyapps.Shealsoservedas theDirectorofHRStrategic PlanningforMotorolaMobility during itsacquisitionbyGoogle.

In2014,PujajoinedVisaasa SeniorVicePresident,leading HRfortheGlobalTechnology divisionandhandledpeople

transformation,enhanced diversityandinclusion(D&I). Whilethere,shedecreasedcosts andencouragedinnovation, whichcontributedtotriplingthe company’smarketcapitalization.

Today,PujashinesasVice PresidentforPeople& CommunitiesatCiscoSystems, wheresheleadsthe talent strategytotransformEngineering and CorporateFunctions. Herkey responsibilitiesincludedesigning fortheworkforceofthefuture, whilereimaginingtalent management,succession planning,andD&Ioutcomes. DuringhertimeatCisco,the companyplacedNo.1in Fortune’s World’sBest Workplaceslistfortwoyearsina row.

Pujaproudlystandsamongstthe boardofdirectorsatLeadershape, Inc.andservesastheHRAdvisor forSemperVirensVenture Capital.

Cisco–definingaone-of-a-kind legacy

HeadquarteredinSanJose,CA, Ciscohasbeenhelpingcustomers tosuccessfullyconnect,secure, andautomateformorethan35 yearsnow.Withaglobalpresence of77,000peopleacross100 countries,thecompanyis effectivelyconnectingpeople throughcutting-edgenetworking hardware,software,and telecommunicationsequipment foracloud-firstworld.

Withitsenterprise-grade collaborationtoolsandindustrydefiningnetworkingandcompute technology,Ciscocontinuesto makealastingimpactaroundthe world.Withacombinationof trust,innovation,andchoice— backedbyanintuitiveculture, mission,andpeople—Cisco leadsintechnologyandcorporate socialresponsibility. Transparency,authenticity,and

empathyarethecornerstonesthat helpthecompanyinserving98 percentofFortune500 companies.

Choiceisastrategicimperativeat Cisco.Thecompanyhas positivelyimpacted527million peoplethroughitssocialimpact grantsandsignatureprograms likeNetworkAcademyandison coursetoreachitsgoalof1 billionpeopleby2025.Under Puja’sguidance,thecompanyis concentratingonovercomingthe currentpandemicwhilehelping peoplerisetoanever-better“next normal.”

“Iamexcitedtohelpshape Cisco’stransformationandour leaders’transformation,”Puja said.“OneofthegoalsIammost passionateaboutistoleadthe techindustryinhiringand retainingdiversetalentand creatingacultureofinclusionand belonging.”

LargerthanLifeExperiences

Fromagirlwhoconsidered changing schools afterherfirst yearattheUniversityof Cincinnati (UC) todefining transformationcapabilitiesat Cisco,Pujahascomealongway.

Hereareafewqualitiesthat helpedmakeherapersonal successandachangeagentfor others.

Madelemonadefromlemons–Pujaovercameherdoubtsabout UCbystretchingintocampus leadershiproles. Herexperiences asastudentsenatorforthe collegeofengineering,Co-op/ internshipambassadorbetween UCandGEAviation,andstudent bodyvicepresidentandpresident honedherleadershipcapabilities. Andtheseexperiencesunlocked doorsP&Gasanundergraduate andledhertowardsbrand management.

Developedamulti-facetedpersonality– Transitioningfromanengineeringstudenttoacareerinmarketingat P&Gwasnoteasy.Butasshefocusedonlearningmarketing, shealsodiscoveredherpassionforthepeople functionandsoonshiftedtowardshumanresources.

Confidenceiskey– Puja chose an MBAoverherjobasamarketerwhenherfatherwantedhertogetmarried. HercolleaguethoughtthatshewouldhaveahardtimegettingintoatopMBAprogramuntilshegotadmission intoHarvardBusinessSchool.

Followedherconvictions– EveryonesaidHarvardMBAsdon’tgointohumanresources.ButPujabecamean internatDeloitteintheirhumancapitalconsultingpractice.Fromthere,shejoinedtheCorporateExecutive BoardasanHRresearchconsultant.

Neverhasregrets– LeavingGoogletojoinVisawasatoughdecision,butsheneverlookedback.Intheend, sheacknowledgedthathercorepurposeistocontinuegrowingandhelpingothers.

Adviceforlife

PujaisthankfulfortheongoingsupportofherhusbandNimesh.“Pickyourlifepartnerwisely,”sheadvises, “asitwilldetermineyouraccomplishmentsinlife.”

ButPujabelievesthat“youarethecreatorofyourdestiny.”Askingforhelpandadvicefrommentorswillhelp, butit’syourowncommitmentthatmovesmountains.Sheadvisestheyoungtobeambitiousandembracethe powerofthecommunityasawhole.

Intheend,shebelievesthatfollowingyourinstinctsandgivingbacktosocietywillleadtothebestkindof success.

Between a future for some and a future for all there’s a bridge.

At Cisco, we aim to build a world where everyone gets equal access. That means taking every challenge and facing it head on. We're committed to empowering the people we serve and leaving the world better than we found it. From social justice to global sustainability, we stand to create new opportunities for tomorrow. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all.

FillingtheGenderGapto OvercometheCurrent Pandemic

AnApproachtoEconomic Recovery

“Genderequalityismorethanagoalinitself.It isapreconditionformeetingthechallengeof reducingpoverty,promotingsustainable development,andbuildinggoodgovernance.”

–KofiAnnan,SeventhSecretary-Generalofthe UnitedNations

equalpayasmenforhandlingthesameprofilesand gettingemployedatthesamelevels.Thestepstaken toclosethegendergapcansuccessfullycontributeto economicrecovery,somethingthatthewholeworld isfacingaswecontinuewalkingthroughthecurrent pandemicsituation.

WhatExactlyis‘GenderInequality’?

TheonsetofCOVID-19hasdisruptedtheglobal economicoutcomeslikeneverbefore.Many businesseshadtolayofftheiremployeesandeven closedoorspermanentlytosurviveandwaitfor normality.However,there’sanotherpandemicthat hasnotbeenintalksbuthasthepotentialto transformtheoverallbusinessscenarioandgenerate tactilereturns.It’snoneotherthan ‘GenderGap’.

Theonlydifferencebetweenthesetwopandemicsis thatCOVID-19cannowbetreatedwithavaccinebut thegendergaphasnothingofthissortforits eradication.Thisgendergapintheworkplaceisof utmostsignificanceintheUnitedStates,butit’san issuethathasbecomeoneoftheprimeconcerns acrosstheglobe. “Closingthegendergaphasthe potentialtoadd$28trilliontotheglobalGDP,” says theCouncilforForeignRelations.

Youmustbethinkinghowwillclosingthegender gaplooklike?Theanswerissimple–itisaplatform thatprovideswomenequalopportunitiestoearn

Itcanbedefinedasanysettingwhichallowsvarying opportunitiestoindividualsbasedonanarrayof differences–here,gender.Tobeprecise,gender inequalityisacommunitydisturbancethatnegatively impactsbothmalesandfemalesnearbyaswellas aroundtheworld.

Ithasbecomeaseriousproblemtobringforthand discussbecauseit’sseverelyaffectingtheglobal economy.Thewomenareunabletoachievetheir goalsandreachtheirpotential,bothfinanciallyand professionally.However,itcouldbesaidthattheway toclosethisgendergapisnothinglessthana challenge.

DefiningSpeedBreakersontheWay

Thefirstandforemoststeptofiguringouthowto closethegendergapisbyidentifyingwhat’sstanding inthewayandcutitfromtheroots.Besides,personal choicesalsomakeagreatdifference–womenchoose tostayhometolookaftertheirchildrenorfamily.

Theylosemaximumleadershipopportunitiesand staybehindinthecrowd.

Butsomeotherissuesalsoplayakeyrolehere.For instance,manycountrieshaveless-to-nolawsforthe protectionofwomenagainstsexualharassmentatthe workplace.It’sobviousthattheworkplacewhich overlooksabusewillhaveless-to-nowomencount. Theywouldavoidstirringsuchatoxicworkplaceor ajobprofile.

Inadditiontothisisilliteracy.Thenumberof illiteratewomenishigherthanmenwhichdecreases jobopportunities.Somecountriesalsohighlight issueslikebiasedaccesstoeducationandnobank account.Theculturalbeliefsarenotbehind prohibitingwomennottoworkoutsidethehome. Fewmoreconsiderationsmayincludeacceptanceof domesticviolenceandcontrol.

Moreover,simpleworldlystatisticsshowcasethat womengloballytendtoholdlow-payinghourlyjobs ascomparedtomen.Eveninsimilarjobprofiles, theyaren’tmakingasmuchasmen.

ClosingtheGenderGap

Havingalistofspeedbreakerstojumpoverhelpsin acknowledgingwhatallistobedonetoachieve genderparity.Dismantlingthemoneatatimewill helpwomenandmentotakethenecessarystepsto closethegap.

Offeringwomenequalandbetteraccesstoeducation bothofflineandonlinehasbecometheneedofthe hour.Suchaccessibilitytoremoteeducational opportunitieswillprovebeneficialfromgetting certifiedasadigitalmarketertobecomingamakeup artist.

Yes,thequalificationwillsurelybeaccomplishedat thelearner’slevelofunderstandingbutthetraining increasesthechancesofgettingajobinthefirst place.Thereareevenchancesofgettingahigh payingjob.

Let’stakeacloserlookatfindingsomesolutionsto closethegendergap.

� Providingwomenwithdigitalpayment optionsandopportunitiestogaintheprivilegeof havingabankaccounteveninremoteareasofthe worldisaneffectivewaytoclosethegap

� Thisisoneofthebestwaystoassistsingle women–withoutorwithfamilyorchildren,to managefinancialframework,enhancingthe

probabilitiesofboostingtheeconomywiththeir income

Increasinglegalreformsandhigh-end protectionintheworkenvironmentisanotherwayto empowerandhelpwomenprofessionalsinreaching theepitomeofsuccess

Manycountriesstillwitnesssituationswhere womenneedtheirhusband’spermissiontoworkand don’thaveanykindoflawstogetprotectionagainst

CarolineAudoirDeValter

HopefortheChildren Foundation

Borninaphilanthropist familyinMontreal-Canada, Carolinewasanactivepartofher family-runphilanthropic foundationwhilestudyingand majoringinmarketing& managementfromtherenowned fashionschool,LaSalleCollege. Attheageof18,shebecamethe directorofthefoundation“Rêve d’enfants”meaning“Children’s dream”thathelpedphysically challengedchildrenbymaking theirwishescometrueandas wellasraisingfundsfor wheelchairsandspecializedcare equipment.

Afterherstudies,shemovedand workedinItalyandFrancewhere sheamassedadecadeof experienceinthecorporate industryworkingforrenowned Fashionbrands.Aftera successfulcareer,she subsequentlymovedtoIndia permanentlyin2001.

Carolineisonamissiontoinspire collectiveactionandinnovation forpositivechange.Shebelieves intheimportanceofpowerful leadershipandempowermentto createabeautifulworldforallof us.Hermottoisinspiredbythe greatMahatmaGandhi:Together, wecanbetheChangewewantto seeintheworld.”

Shehasover30yearsof experienceintheCorporateworld andSocialsectorrangingfrom grassrootsdirectprogramme development,interventionand implementation,partnerships, fundraisingandBudgetand grantsmanagement,socialjustice advocacyandNGOorganisation anddevelopment.

HOPEFORTHECHILDREN FOUNDATION

In2007,CarolinefoundedHope fortheChildrenFoundation-A non-profitorganizationinPune, Indiaandhasbeenassociated withthefoundationeversinceas itsFounder&CEO.For thepast 14years, Carolineandherteam of35dedicatedsocialworkers& teachershavetouchedand changedthelivesof100,000 childrenandwomenunder variousdevelopmentalprograms. Throughitscoreprojects,along withvariousprogramsand activitiesthroughouttheyear.

HFCFiscontinuouslyworking towardsimprovingthelivesof underprivilegedandmarginalized communities,especiallyfor children,womenandyouthwhere sheenvisionaworldof sustainabletransformationthat bringssocialchange,equalrights andopportunitiesforall.

HFCFmainlyfocuseson education,health,personality developmentandnutritionand empoweringwomenandyouth throughdifferentVocational& Livelihoodtrainingprogramsand LifeSkillseducation.

Shehasdesignedand conceptualizedinnovative programsthatunderstandand respondtotheurgentneedsof childreninvulnerable communitiesbycontributingto theirindividualgrowthaswellas thedevelopmentofthe communityasawhole.

OurOutreachtilltoday:

●Providedover6.02million mealstohungrychildren.

●Distributedschoolbagsand stationeriesto20,053orphan& underprivilegedchildrenfrom differentcommunities.

●25,160childrenbenefited MedicalAssistanceand Humanitariansupport

●Givenremedialeducation, qualityeducationandpersonality developmentonadailybasis

throughourShikshaKiAsha Learningcentersto1,049 children.

●Trained–10,000womenwith incomegenerationprograms, vocational&livelihoodtraining.

●Starts-up100smallbusinesses forourWomenEmpowerment program.

●Trained-1000youthinUtthan LifeSkillsEducationProgramfor childrenconflictwiththelawin collaborationwiththeJuvenile Justice,Yerwada.

●Trained-8,343children,youth andwomenwithourLifeSkills Education

●AwardedEducation

Sponsorshipto2,134students overtheyears.

AsthefounderCEOofHopefor theChildrenFoundation,she blendsherwideexperiences whichbringlifetohervisionofa sustainableworld,ofgoodwill& empowermentthroughaholistic approachtoimprovethequality oflifeofunderprivileged children,theirmothersandin turn,theircommunities.

COVID19RELIEFWORK

Withapopulationof7.1million ofcitizensonlyinPune,itwasa highprioritytoprovide lifesavingsupportsuchasfood security,medicalsupport, counsellingservicestothose affectedandpossiblydisplaced duetonaturaldisastersand emergencycrisessuchas Covid19pandemic.Wealso knowthataftereachcatastrophe orcalamityaninterventionfor rehabilitationisneeded.

Duringthelockdown,we providedatotalof 3,02,126 mealstoneedyfamiliesand till date 2,266foodgrainkitshave beendistributedtopoorand needypeopleintheareaslike Wadgaonsheri,Kharadi,

Sainathnagar,Bhosari,Talegaon, Lohegaon,Yewada,Chakan.

Carolineconceptualisedthe ‘DaalChawalproject’ startedin collaborationwiththeSocial PolicingInitiative,Pune.Through thisreliefprogram,everyday 1000homelessonthestreetsof Punewereservedwithcooked meals. 40,000cookedmealswere distributedthroughthisinitiative and28,504waterbottleswere donatedtoPunePolicetobe distributedtomigrantworkers andneedydailywagersliving Punebytrains.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/ cities/pune-police-tie-up-withngo-s-to-set-up-central-kitchento-feed-needy/storypdjfYk86gLheEV4WQs4UgO.ht ml?fbclid=IwAR0rmldPKXGXa BRujpXcYXsTWUZ3D30SBfy7_fhG1vpTWrLkVN C2Q7UDX8

Safetygearsuchasmasks, gloves,faceshield,sanitizer neededtofightagainstCOVID19wasdistributedtothePune Policeandneedycommunity people.Atotalof12,100masks, 5000gloves,100faceshieldsand 1000sanitizersweredistributed. Thereusablemaskswerean initiativeforwomen empowermentforwhichabread andbutterforthemduringthis lockdown.

WOMENEMPOWERMENT &LEADERSHIP

Carolineferventlybelievesin Womanempowerment& Leadership.AsacertifiedPosh, sheisontheICCboardof variouscompaniesinPuneand providesworkshopsthatpromote inclusionandequality.Forthe past8years,shehasbeen empoweringandsupporting womenfromthecommunity throughtheSocial EntrepreneurshipFundsprogram. In2012,sheconceptualisedthe Atmanirbharataprogramfor

Womenempowerment.Caroline andherteamhavetrainedover 10,000womenwithincome generationprograms,vocational &livelihoodtrainingandhelped support100ladiestostarttheir smallbusinessesandhavenow conceptualisedtheformationof selfhelpgroupfederationcalled Maukaforwomenempowerment atthestatelevelofMaharashtra

CHILDFRIENDLYPUNE INITIATIVE

Overthepast10years,Caroline hasdevelopedadvocacy campaignsonchildrights,child labourandchildabuseby promotingtheJuvenileJustice (CareandProtection)Act,2015, ProtectionofChildrenfrom sexualOffences(POCSO)Act, 2012.Wealsodesigncommunity programsfortheirprotectionand care withdifferenteventssuchas awarenesscampaigninpublic space,rally&walkathon,media advocacy,signaturecampaign andchildlabourmappingand rescuing. Founderofthe Campaignof“ISayNOtoChild Labour”,wheresheadvocates againstchildLabour&fightsfor therightsofchildrenandwoman. Sheusesthemediumtoaddress issuesonchildabuseand promotetheRighttoEducation. Sheis activememberofthe ActionforRightofChildren (ARC)networkandthe CampaignagainstChildLabour (CACL)network. In2019,Carolineandherteam conceptualizedthe'Child FriendlyPuneInitiative"witha comprehensiveapproachthatis preventive,curativeandpromotes childfriendlymechanismsamong ChildCareInstitutes,Juvenile JusticeBoardandPolice

Departmentworkingcloselywith WCDandDistrictChild ProtectionUnitbyproviding capacitybuildingprograms. Shesuccessfullysetupthefirst ChildFriendlyPoliceStations andChildFriendlyJuvenile HomemodelinMaharashtra. On30November2020,the inaugurationofthefirstChild Policestationtookplaceatthe LashkarPolicestation withthe honourablePunePolice CommissionerAmitabhGupta, JointCommissionerofPolice RavindraShisve,Deputy CommissionerofPolice

BachchanSinghandtheChief Guest,Prof.Karandikar,Director ofIITKanpur.

https://www.punekarnews.in/ pune-maharashtras-first-childfriendly-police-stationestablished-at-lashkar-policestation/?fbclid=IwAR0AiRs3gtntLQaNe7OATw4Z5Sa2U V_y8k8p0XG1T6kwd4gOaMVA 0S5j2M

Carolinedevelopedand conceptualisedvarioustrainings attheYerwadaJuvenileHomefor whichtheComputerVocational room was inauguratedon 15th December.Theeventwas inauguratedbyPrincipal magistrateJuvenilejusticeboard Pune,hon.A.A.Pathan,District WomanandChildDevelopment Officer,Pune—Ms.Ashwini Kamble,Superintendentboys observationspecialhome-Mr.G. N.Padghan,SeniorPolice Inspectorlashkarpolicestation Mr.AshokKadamandteam memberResourceCellfor JuvenileJustice(R.C.J.J)by TISS.

Shealsosetupakitchengarden justbeforethelockdownthat providedthe dailyrequirementof vegetablesattheobservation homeduringthistoughtime.

https://www.deccanherald.com/ national/west/coronaviruslockdown-observation-homeinmates-reap-benefits-ofvegetable-garden-830863.html

YOUTHDEVELOPMENT

Thedevelopmentand empowermentofyounglivesis ofprimeimportancetoCaroline andherteam.Shehasdeveloped forthepast5yearswithateamof expertsthecontenton99Life Skillssessionsbasedonthe recommendationoftheWorld HealthOrganisation(WHO)and theUnitedNationsandtrained over8,000youth.

Shealsodevelop3programs:

●Utthanforrehabilitationof childrenconflictwiththelawin collaborationwiththeJuvenile Justice,Yerwadahasempowered over1000youthtodesigntheir newlifeandaccordinglyhelp themfinishtheirformaleducation orundertakevocationaltraining.

●TheProfessionalGuidance Center hasbeenconceptualisedto helpstudentsandyouthfromthe ageof16yearsandabovewith theskillsnecessarytotakeup Vocationaltrainingsand/or continuetheireducation,prepare thelearnerswithtoolsof personalitydevelopmentand professionalethicsbyimparting Softskillsandlifeskillsto promoteconfidence,team managementskills& professionalism.Wealsopromote livelihoodandself-employment withsupportprogramssuchas BasicEnglishcourse,Digital& Financialliteracyandhelpingthe studentstogetenrolledfor Governmentbasedschemesfor youthandwomen.

●ShikshaPluswasestablishedto

supportdeservinggirlsto continuetheirhighereducation.

SPEAKER,MENTORAND MODERATOR

●Carolineregularlydelivers speeches,webinarsandKeynote facilitatorincorporatehousesand schoolsonSocial Entrepreneurship,Women Leadership,Education,Parenting, LifeSkillseducation,Meditation &Personalitydevelopment, Sustainablegivingand Corporate SocialResponsibility.

●Shewasa Mentor&Jury memberfortheNokia (Microsoft)“GoodHackathon”

●Shepartneredandcollaborated onthe‘ImpactFundingOnline Summit2020’inpartnershipwith Meraklisandmoderatedsessions onRuralentrepreneurshipand SustainableFashionandwaspart ofapaneldiscussiononNew StrategiesforNon-Profitinapost COVID19world.

AWARDS&RECOGNITIONS

●October,2019,Shewas nominated“GlobalGoodwill Ambassador”(GGA) www.globalgoodwillambassadors .org

●On25November2019, Carolinereceivedthe prestigious ”KarmaveerGold ChakraAward2019”instituted withtheUnitedNationandthe REXKarmaveerGlobal Fellowship.

●September21,2020,Onthe InternationalDayofPeaceshe wasrecognisedasa“WorldPeace Ambassador”representingIndia andCanada.

THEFUTURE

Motto:Whenweeducateagirl, weempowerawomanand transformanentirecommunity.

●ToScaleourbeautifulprojects andmakethechild-friendly

initiativeanation-widesuccess: Weareconstantlylookingupfor amazingpartnersthatwillnot onlyhelpustoscaleour programsinPuneand Maharashtrabutalsoacross India.Wehavedeveloped amazinguniqueprogramsthat havebeentestedovertheyears andbroughtamazingchangesand impactinthecommunitieswe work.Thebeautyofour programsisthattheyare replicable.

●Postpandemictocontinueto empowertheyouthinthe communities –Wehavebeen workingwithyouthformany yearsbyhelpingthemintheir careerchoices,arrangingfor certifiedvocationaltraining, mentoringandprovidingLife Skillsthatwillhelpthemforge theirfuture.Wearenowpiloting anewprogramcalled“Child FriendlyCommunityfor Protection&Empowermentof Children.It'sanambitious programthatwillsupportour ChildFriendlyInitiativeand bringarayofHopetovulnerable communities.

●Skillingwomen –Forthepast 8years,wehavebeenworking withmothersandyoungwomen tomakethemindependentand awareoftheirpossibilitiesand talents.WenowknowthatIf theyaregivenaccesstoeducation theywilldefinitelymaketheright decisionsfortheirfamilyand everyonewillthrive.

Adviceforyoungwomen: BelieveinyourselfandGofor yourdream!

Theworldissurelyfullof challengesbutifyouare determinedtosucceed,nothing canstopyou.LikeRobinSharma says..Nothingcanstopyou,until youchoosetobestopped!

FahmeedaChoudhry

Witheachpassingday, theimperativestoconserve naturalresourcesaregaining momentum.Theworldis becomingabetterplacetolive inwitheffectiveclimate changemanagement.Digital transformationsaretakingthe centrestagewithrobustecofriendlyproductsand initiatives.

Manybusinessplayersare joiningthisleaguetomitigate theadverseeffectsofpollution anddeliversustainable solutionsacrossmultiple sectors.Onesuchpersona passionateaboutbringing positivechangeintosociety andecologyis Fahmeeda Choudhry.

Fahmeedastartedher professionaljourneyinthe fashionindustryasaWomen’s wearCategoryHeadwith CantabilRetailandRitu Wears.Shealsoprovided retailandfashionconsulting toanarrayofreputedbrands atthesametime.Aftergaining decadesofexperienceinthe fashionandretailworld,she recognizedtheneedfor sustainablesolutions.

Goingbeyondthetraditional ROIfulfillment,today, Fahmeedastandstallasthe Founder and CEO of BamboologyTrends.com aninitiativebyFemiFashions thatsolelyfocusesoncurating eco-friendlybambooclothing. Underheraegis,thebrand offerstailor-madesustainable fashionsolutionstoits customers.

About BamboologyTrends.com

Foundedin2020atNoida, UP,BamboologyTrendsisa lifestylebrandcommittedto reducingcarbonfootprints globally.Thebrandisputting itsbestfootforwardin spreadingawarenessforthe sameviadefinitedigital marketingandsocialmedia marketingstrategies.

Definingbambooasthemost sustainablefashionfabric, Fahmeedaispushingthe brandtorolloutnext-gent clothingmadewithbamboo. Underherguidanceand prowess,BamboologyTrends hasemergedasanelite bambooclothingbrandthat offersDaywear,Lingerie, Sleepwear,Loungewear, Activewear,YogaWear,Tshirts,Masks,Socks,and manyotherproductsthat makeyourskingogaga.

It’sthepoolofprofessionals andtheirvisiontocreatea lastingimpactthatmakesthe companystandoutfromthe crowd. “Ourstrongteamand thevisionandmissionwill standusapartfromthe conventionalfashion,” says Fahmeeda.

Here’saquicktourofthe distinctivenessofbamboodrivenclothing.

•Everyproductforsaleis Anti-bacterial

•Theclothingdeliveredto customersis100% Antiodor

•Productsarecompletely Recyclable, Renewable, and Biodegradable

•Theclothingisfully Organic with No influenceof Pesticides

•Bambootree absorbs 5 timesmore CO 2 compareto otherequalsizeoftreeand reduces GreenhouseGases

•Bamboorequires 1/3 AmountofWater togrowas comparedtogrowcotton.

•Bambooisan All-season fabricbecauseofits thermocontrolproperties

•Bambooproduces 35% MoreO 2 dailycompareto othertrees

•Bamboofabricprotects from UVRays andis Nonirritant

•Theclothingis Antistatic, Soft assilk,and Stronger thansteel.

AcceptingChallengeswith Agility

Fahmeedahasseenthe transformationoftraditional EBOorsinglestoreoperation toMulti-brandoutletsand chainoffully-owned/ franchiseestores.Shedeeply acknowledgedthee-commerce evolution,tech-enabled advancements,andupcoming trendstohandlemultiple stores,optimizebudgets,and generatecustomer satisfaction.

WhenadoptingnewSOPsand techlikeBigDatadroppedin asachallenge,shedeveloped thecapabilitiestolearn quicklyandimplementit accordingly.Eventhecomplex processofproduct replenishmenttobranding andever-increasingcustomer demandswerestrategizedto reapthebestpossible outcomes.

Fahmeedaalwayshasfaithinherstrengthsandisconfidentenoughtoconverteverychallengeintoan opportunity.Totacklethechallengesofamale-dominatedsociety,shesays “Tohandlesucha situationistobegrounded,speaklessandkeeponworkingtowardyourgoallikeAnt.Never appreciateyourselfandletpeopleappreciateyouasyouractionspeakslouderthanwords.”

KeepGoingDespiteAllOdds

Fahmeedaishighlyinfluencedbyant’sabilitiestoneversettleandkeepgoingwhateverittakes.It helpshertostaycommittedtoachievingcompanyaswellaspersonalgoals.Besides,learningfrom pastfailurestobecomefuture-proofanddevelopingrobustdecision-makingcapabilitiesisherforte.

Forher,thebiggestachievementandstrengthinlifeisherfamilywhichgiveshertheabilitytokeep goingdespitealloddsandreachtheepitomeofsuccess.Talkingaboutbeingself-determiningshesays :

“IfeelcontentwithwhateverIhavedonesofarandwillcontinuetodosomethingthatgivesmean innersatisfaction.Idon’tliketositidleandIbelievethattherearebiggerreasonsformyexistence.”

Shebelievesthatthenextdecadewouldwitnesshighlysustainablechangespromotingexclusiveecofriendlyproductsandservices.

“Iseemyselftoberecognizednotjustasawomenentrepreneurbutalsowanttoberecognizedasa personwhocreatedanimpactonsocietyandnature.IwouldliketoseeBamboologyTrends.comas thetorchbearerofsustainablefashionandwillbeabletocreateaglobalimpact,” statesFahmeeda.

AdvicetotheNewbies

Fahmeeda’sadvicetoallemergingwomenprofessionalsistofocusontheircareerwithadefinedgoal. Creatingcredibilitywithpersistenceandcommitmentiswhatshebelievesinandrecommendsitto thewomenwhowanttocreateanicheintheirrespectivesectors.Shewantseverywomantogo beyondthetraditionalshacklesofamale-dominatedworkplace.Shesuggeststhenewcomerskeep doinghardworkandtheywillsurelysucceedinwhatevertheydo.

HinaShah

AtmaNirbharBharat this “vision”hasalwaysexistedinour fiveyearplanswithspecialpolicy andprogramstotakeBharat towardsSelfReliance.State FinancialInstitutionsand NationalizedBanksplayedavital roletocreatealargenumberof Start-upEntrepreneursthus creatinganentrepreneurial environment.However,compared tothesupportavailableforMicro SmallMediumEnterprises (MSME),thetakerswerenotas many.

IbeganmyjourneyasaWoman Entrepreneurin80’swhenour countryunderthelicenserajhad productreservationpolicyfor smallenterprisesbyreserving about345productsforsmall scaleindustries.Wehad everythingmadeinIndia includingAmbassadorandFiat cars,whentheotherdeveloping countrieslikePakistan,SriLanka andBangladeshimported everythingfortheircountry.As anentrepreneur,Ihaveenjoyed thispolicy,programs,andmade profits.

Thingschangedwithopen economicpolicyin90’s,we becamethepartofGlobalvillage andEntrepreneurialsupplychain, ouragriandindustrialSelf Reliancestatushadbeen threatenedasweallowedother countriestoselltheirproductsin India.

Withafirmbelieffrommyown experiencesthateconomic empowermentisapowerfultool tobeusedasastartingpointfor overallempowermentofthe women,thefirstexperimentof thisstrategywasinitiatedin80s bymewhenmostwomen developmentactivitieswere welfareoriented,inwhich womenwereconsidered “acceptor”andnotanactive participant.

Iinitiatedthefirstprogramme, termedasEntrepreneurship Developmentprogrammefor womeninGujarat,whereinthey weresupportedtobeginnontraditionalbusinesses.This clearlydemonstratedthe sustainabilityofthedevelopment approachatwomen’seconomic empowerment.

In1986,Itransformedmy entrepreneurialexperienceintoa developmentalinitiativeand started“TheInternationalCentre forEntrepreneurshipandCareer Development(ICECD)”.ICECD facilitatedthousandsofwomento becomeentrepreneurs.These womenweretaughtessentially twothings:(i)Howtotake chargeoftheirliveswithdignity andconfidence,and(ii)Howto initiateandmanagetheirmicro smallenterprises,andtheirselfesteemandconfidence blossomed.

ICECDexpandedtheactivitiesall overIndiaandestablisheditself asapremierorganizationinthe countryforWomen’sEconomic Empowermentanddeveloped thousandsofwomeninGujarat itselfandpanIndia.

Mycommitmentbecame instrumentalininitiatingand institutionalizingWomen EconomicEmpowermentstrategy incountriesofAsia,Africa, PacificandtheCaribbean.By now,theWomenEconomic Empowermentstrategyhasbeen takentoover60countries.

Opportunities,Issuesand ChallengesforWomeninSME

Micro,SmallandMedium Enterprisesconstitutesthe backboneofoureconomyin maintaininganappreciable growthrateandingenerating employmentopportunities.This sectorhasbeenregardedasthe engineofeconomicgrowthand socialdevelopmentinIndiaand worldover.

In21stcentury,womeninMicro, smallandmediumenterprises (MSMEs)inIndiaandabroad havedemonstratednoteworthy contribution.Gujarattoday representstheverybestofIndia, intermsofthequalityof infrastructure,globaloutlookof itsbusinesscommunity,investor friendlypolicies,andspeedof decisionmakingingovernment. Itiswidelyreckonedasthe growthengineofIndia.

Whiletheinvestmentclimateis clearlyimportantforlarge, formalsectorfirms,itisjustas importantforSmallandMedium Enterprises(SMEs),theinformal sector,agriculturalproductivity andforpovertyreduction.Weare makinggreatstridesinthese spheresandinterestinglywomen areslowlybecomingimportant players.

Itisindeedagreattimetobe here.Atimetodreamgreat dreams.Thereisatremendous upsurgeofeconomicactivity. WesternandSouthernstates resurgenteconomyisundergoing arapidtransformation,asifthe energiesofthestatesarebentby acommonurgetobe economicallystrongandto eradicatetheevilsofpovertyand miseryofthemasses.

WomencontributioninMSME sectorisextremelycrucialin addressingthenationalobjectives ofbridgingtherural-urban divide,reducingpovertyand generatingemploymenttothe teemingmillionsandmaking SwanirbharBharat.However, womeninthissectorexperience severalconstraintsandchallenges whichremaintobeaddressed. Theseinclude:i)Equityasa sourceoffinancingis underutilizedandtheprevalence ofinvestmentbyventurecapital andangelinvestorsislow,ii) WomenEntrepreneursfacethe problemofdelayedpayments fromtheirbuyerswhich

adverselyimpactstheirworking capitalaswellastheirnextcycle ofproduction,iii)Womenlack adequateinformationabout variousschemesandbenefits availablefromthegovernment, iv)Financialinstitutions/Banks facechallengesincreditrisk assessmentofMSMEsassuch andmorefromwomen entrepreneurs,andv)Interestfor theutilizationoftheavailable creditguaranteeandinsurance schemesbybankshasbeenlow amongstwomen.

Todayexistingwomenenterprise areatdifferentlevel,whichare traditionalsmallcompany, planningforgrowth,take-off fromexistingconditions.

Themajorchallengesconfronted bythesewomenenterprises

include;lackofadequatecredit andcapital,poorandinadequate infrastructuralfacilities, inadequateaccessandmarketing linkages,technological obsolescenceandinadequate applicationofnewtechnology, lackofskilledhumanresources, dilatoryandcumbersome regulatorypracticesforclearance andpooradaptabilitytoemerging internationaltrends.Thiscallsfor theneedforstrategicintervention toimprovecoordinationand linkagesbetweenvariousstakeholdersincludingthe Government,industriesandother agencies/associationsworkingin thisfield.

“MyvisioncontinuestobeTHE ECONOMICEMPOWERMENT OFWOMEN,butthefinal missionistheachievementof

FULLEQUALITYandTOTAL ALLROUNDDEVELOPMENT ofWOMEN.Myeffortswill culminateonlywhenwomen fromallstrataofthesociety, particularlythedisadvantaged andthepoor,willachieveasense ofoverallempowermentthrough meaningfulparticipationand decisionmakingatfamily, communityandpolicylevels.

Infuture,Iseemyselfhaving reachedouttoeverywomanof India,realizingmydreamof seeingthesewomenas independentdecisionmakers, entrepreneursandsociallyand economicallyempoweredinthe truesense.”

Workplaces

HiroNakayama

Thecologne,fragrance,and perfumesmarketisconcretely influencedbyever-changing customerdemandsand consummateleadershiptraits. Thekeymarketplayersare consistentlyrollingoutnovel andnon-irritantfragrancesto satisfytheseimperatives.This excerptshedslightononesuch keyfragranceplayer Hiro Nakayama,aname synonymouswithenergyand enthusiasm.

Itwas2000,rightafterher graduationwhensheentered thecorporateworld.Hirohas alsocompletedherMAin Communicationfollowedby herprofessionalpathway whichmadeatrailacross variouscitiesincludingLos Angeles,Paris,Tokyo,and Singapore.In2008,she experiencedaweakenedsense ofsmellduetoexcessivestress andstartedherscentjourney.

Acknowledgingthatfragrance easeslives,Hirolaunched ProjectFelicia in2013 intendingtoexplorethetrue potentialofscents.Later,in 2016-17shewasalsoincharge ofproposingfragrance conceptsforproduct developmentatGivaudan Singapore.Today,beinga seasonedentrepreneurkeeping astrongholdinAmerican, Japanese,Singapore,and Malaysianicheperfume promotion,sheisnowfocusing onincensecreationfor businessexpansion.

It’sAllintheFragrance

HeadquarteredinNewYork, ProjectFeliciaisleveraging fragrancestoofferexclusive marketing,educationalevents, andproductdevelopment. Recognizingtheimportanceof incenseafterhermother’s passinginJapanatthe Buddhismritual,sheisnow stronglyfocusingonincense. ShehasofferedCreative JapaneseIncenseworkshopsin Singapore,Tokyo,NY,and LA,andalsospokeaboutthe artofincenserecentlyatthe PittiFragranze2020expo. Whilethecurrentpandemic situationhassignificantly increasedthedemandfor fragrancetheNewYorkTimes featuredincenseasan alternativetoaromadiffusers andcandles.

Seeingsuchexponential opportunityforscent,Hirois allsettotransformthefaceof thefragranceindustrywith ProjectFelicia.Sheistryingto establishanicheoptimized enoughtowithstandthe complexitiesofthemarket.

WhatdoesTrueSuccess Mean?

Thefragranceindustryhas beenbrokenintodifferent categorieslikeperfume, essentialoils,scentmarketing, incense,ingredients,etc.But nowithasstartedtointegrate itsimperatives.Hiro understoodtheconfidentiality ofthisindustryathernascent careerstage.Shealso recognizedtheincense

category’ssuperconfidentiality duringherexpansioninthe same.Theexpansionwas nothinglessthanachallenge butherbeliefinsuccesscomes tothosewhostrivewas unshakable.

Shewasoftheopinionthatthe industryshouldgobeyondthe conventionalpracticesand resonatewithnovelapproaches topromotenext-genfragrance productsandservices.Talking aboutthesameshesays, “In ordertogobeyond conventionalthoughts,weare expectedtobemorecautious thananyothercategoriesI've beeninvolvedwith-respect, humility,patience.”

Hiroiswellknownabout women-specificchallengesand hasbeenapartofageneration drivenbymanyfemaleleaders andmentorswhofacedstigma anddiscrimination.However, shecreatedalastingimpactin thismasculineworldwithher determinationandcommitment tomakeadifference.

Expressingherside,shestates, “Asbuildingmycareer,Ihave beenfortunateenoughtobe surroundedbywomenwho showedmethisnewpaththatI canachieveanythingaslong asIamcompetent,confident, authentic,andpassionate aboutwhatIdo,regardlessof genderandage.”

Hirodeeplyobservedthat womenhavebeenstruggling forsurvivalinthecorporate worldandthechallengesthey facestopthemfrombeing

successfulinwhatevertheydo.Moreover,womenaretimidtoflaunttheirachievementsandforgetto self-promoteinordertooutshinetheprofessionalsetting.Forher,successwasallaboutrealizingown capabilitiesandcontributionsasaccomplishments.Shebelievedthatofferingandestablishingasupport systemistheultimatesolutiontoempowerwomen.

TalkingabouthersuccessmantraHirosays, “Believeinyourselfandtherestfollows.AndIbelievethat mentorshipisthefirststeptothesupportsystemthatiscrucialforanysuccess.”

WhatwilltheFutureBehold?

UnderHiro’sleadership,ProjectFeliciaisplanningtolaunchanall-inclusivecollectionofincense inspiredbyJapanesehistoryinSS2021targetingconsumersoutsideJapan.Thiscollectionwillhavethe potentialtodisrupttheincenseindustryinJapanlikeneverbefore.Hiroiscreatingarobustframeworkto challengeupcomingfragranceprojectsintendingtopushtheindustrytowardsbettervalueformoney outcomes.

Withamissionto ‘BridgeandBlend-AScentWorldthatCreatesABetterSociety’,shewantsto contributetoformingastrongsocietybasedonthefoundationoffragranceandpleasantscents.Formany achievingthisformationwouldseemtobeimpossible.ButwithProjectFeliciaattheforefront,Hiro planstoofferKOIKU(scenteducation)viastate-of-the-artmarketing,educationalevents,andproduct development.

Withdedicationatheartandexpertiseinmind,sheisallsettobuildanecosystembackedbythearoma. Shewillsurelyintegratearomaintopeople’slivesacrosstheglobebyactivelyusing ‘olfactory’ and displayamarveloffragrancetoitsbest.

leader in nuclear energy solutions and value added fleet. proven track record for company designs, services instrumentation and plants. work every day to help cleaner, safer and

Theworldhaswitnessed encouragingprogressacross differentareas,butviolence againstwomenisstilla challengeofmassivepotential toovercome.However,there areafewhumanswhoare goingoutoftheirwayand playingtheirparttomakeall spheresofsocietysafeand secureforwomen.

Onesuchhumanconsistently endeavoringtoendgender inequalityandsecureequal rightsforwomenis Joanne Archambault.Awomanwho iskeepingnostoneunturnedin establishing aprogressiveapproachtoend violenceagainstwomen.A womanwhobelievesindoing whatisrightratherthan strivingtoachievewhatis popular.

Joanne’sprofessionaljourney includesservingtheSanDiego PoliceDepartmentformore thantwodecades.Outof whichherlast10yearswere dedicatedtosupervisingaSex CrimeUnitof13detectives. Dealingwithcrimevictimsand investigationsrelatedtosexual assaults,sherecognizedadire needforsexualassault investigationtraining. Assuch,in2003withanaim toimprovetheinvestigation andprosecutionofsexual assault,Joannefounded End ViolenceAgainstWomen International(EVAWI).Since then,shestandstallasa

Founder whomakesevery efforttomakesurethatall sexualassaultreportsare investigatedfairlyandall victimsattaintheneeded supportandassistancethey needeverytime.

ExemplifyingExclusivityat EveryStep

HeadquarteredinColville,WA (StevensCounty),EVAWIis successfullyofferingtraining andtechnicalassistanceto veteranprofessionalsandthose justbeginningtoworkinthe field.Byreceiving$9.5million ofpublicandprivatefunding fromdonors,federalgrants, andanannualinternational conference,in2019alone,the organizationprovided159,972 hoursoftrainingandsupport forlawenforcement,health care,victimservices,andother professionals.

DrivenbyJoanne’sstringent efforts,thisnon-profit organizationimpactedmore survivorsofgender-based violencethaneverbeforein 2019.Its ‘OnLineTraining Institute(OLTI)’ cateredto morethan5,000newusersand completedalmost11,000 moduleswithutmost excellence.

WorkingasaChildAbuse Detective,Joanne acknowledgedthatpeopleare oftenunabletogivean effectiveresponsetoa disclosureofsexualassault victimization.WithEVAWIat thehelm,shecurateda ‘Start

ByBelieving’ campaignto createapositivecommunity response,informingthepublic, unitingalliesandsupporters, andimprovingindividual reactions.

Livingby ‘Wehearyou,and weareheretohelp,’ the campaignistransforming societalresponsestosexual violenceandimproving outcomesforvictims,one responseatatime.8states havenowproclaimedtobe StartByBelievingStatesand 577communities theUSand in23othercountries have launchedcampaigns successfully.

Joanne’sTakeon AcceptingChange

Startinganot-for-profitentity wasnotaneasytaskfor Joanne.However,herpassion toworkcloselywiththeUS DepartmentofJusticetoshape nationalpoliciesgavethe neededspark.Shestartedout attheSanDiegoPolice Departmentworkingpatrolin thehighestcrimeareainthe citywithanall-malesquad. Theexperiencewas challenging,butvery rewarding.Herplacementas thefirstfemaleofficerinthe early‘80sattheSanDiego PoliceDepartmentGangUnit wasfilledwithbad-to-worst kindsofexperiences.Manyof hermalecolleagues,including herassignedpartner,weren’t happywithawomanbeing assignedtotheGangUnit.

Whentheentiregangunit,excepther,wascalledoutbythesergeant,onasearchwarrantononeofher owninvestigations,shetransferredtotheChildAbuseUnit.Lawenforcementhadfewwomenatthe timeandworkingchildabusewithmorefemaleofficerswasanentirelynewandwelcominguniverse.

Beit,pediatricians,nurses,orsocialworkers,workingChildAbuseprovidedanopportunitytowork withamazingfemaleprofessionalswithsimilarinterestscreatinganenvironmentofcollaborations.

Today,afterdealingwithgenderdiscriminationinlawenforcementandworkingtochangethatwith hernon-profit,,shesays, “Wehavemanymaleallies,butthefieldisstilldominatedbywomenwitha lotofdiversitywhichisveryrewarding.Unlikelawenforcement,menaretypicallytheminorityinour fieldofgender-basedviolence.”

AMultifacetedPathwayofExperience

From1974-75,JoannewasanexchangestudentinBrazilwhereshebecamefluentinPortugueseand later,Spanish.Comingfromalow-incomefamily,shetaughtEnglishinBraziltoearnmoney.Herlove forworkingintheHispaniccommunityledhertobeapaidbilingualofficerattheSanDiegoPolice DepartmentwhichlackedenoughSpanishspeakersforthepopulation.

Workinginlawenforcement,Joannehadtheprivilegeofhoningherabilitytoefficientlytriage problems,andwasinstrumentalindevelopingherpersonalityasawhole.Shebelievesthatbeingborn andbroughtupamongstsixbrothershelpedtopreparehertoworkinamale-dominatedfield.Shealso appreciatesthetypingskillsdevelopedinhighschoolbecauseshestilltypesabout120wpmwhich allowshertorespondtothehugevolumeofemailsshereceivesandrespondstoeveryday.

Apartfromallthis,Joannefeelsgratefulthatshehastraveledtheworldandexploreddifferentcultures anddiversityshowcasinganevenmixofdistinctivenessandexcitement.

ANotetoRemember

Joannebelievesincommunityandproblem-orientedpolicing.Herappreciationandunderstanding aboutpeopleofcolorandothermarginalizedcommunitieswillsurelyplayakeyroleinbridgingthe gapbetweencommunitiesandempoweringwomeninthelongrun.

Meet LiciaHeath the CEO of WomenforElection Australia Inanexclusive interviewwithTheTycoon MagazineLiciashedlightonher careerjourney,challengesfor womeninpoliticsandinthe corporateworldandher perspective&advicetotackle them.

Belowarethehighlightsofan interviewbetweenLiciaHeath andTheTycoonMagazine

Kindlybriefusaboutyour currentroleandyourjourney sincethebeginningofyour career. I’vehadwonderfuldiversity acrossmycareer.Fromstudying aBachelorofScience (Hydrologicengineeringmajor) atUniversity;travellingoverseas anddiscoveringthefinancial servicessector,whichovera20 yearcareersawmestartasa runneronatradingfloortobeing partofateamthatestablishedand grewanassetmanagementfirm intoamulti-billiondollar organization;tonowbeingthe CEOofanot-for-profit.That varietyinrolesandbreadthof experiencehasexposedmeto manysectorsandhelpedformmy viewsonwhat’simportantina career.

Howdoyoudescribeyourself inone-wordorone-sentence?

Determined,withagoodmixof humorandtenacity.

Whatisyoursourceof motivation?

Theknowledgethatengagement inpolitics,particularlybythose lessrepresentedinour governments,improvesthehealth ofourdemocracies.

Kindlytellusaboutthe challengesyoufacedto withstandthecomplexitiesof theindustry?

I’vebeenworkinginthenot-forprofitspacenowfortwoyears. Somewhatnaively,Ithoughtalot ofmycorporateexperience wouldtranslateperfectlyintomy newsector.Whilstsomeskills havebeenhelpful,I’vehadto learnmoreonthejobthanI’d anticipated.Attimesthishas challengedmypatienceandselfbeliefbutit’salsostrengthened myresilienceandresolve.

Whatarethefrequent challengesfacedbywomenin thecorporateworldandwhat arethewaystotacklethem? InAustralia,thereareanumber ofchallengesfacedbywomen, notjustinthecorporateworldbut acrossthefullworkingspectrum –andnearlyallofthose challengeshavepolicysolutions. Australiahasoneofthe mostexpensivechildcare schemesintheOECDcosting parentsonaverage25%ofnet income(vs11%OECDaverage) andtheleastgenerous,most genderedparentalleave(18 weeksvs55weeks).Thishas resultedinAustraliahavingone ofthehighestpart-time workforceparticipationrates; womenretiringwith,onaverage, 40%lesssuperannuation, andwomenover55comprising thefastestgrowingsegmentof ourhomelessnesspopulation.It’s alsoledtoAustraliafallingfrom 15thto45thontheWorld EconomicForum’sGlobal GenderGapIndex.

Somethingthat’softenforgotten, isthatourgenderedpolicies (upholdingandperpetuatinga malebreadwinner/femalecarer culture)aren’tservingmen either.InAustralia,thehighest causeofdeathamongstmen1845issuicide,over80%ofwhich islinkedtofinancialissues,or

recentorpending unemployment.

Thesechallengesallhavepolicy solutions.Appropriatepolicies areonlyimplementedifthoseat thedecision-makingtablehave lived-experienceinthese situations;otherwisethey’re blindtotheproblemsinthefirst place.

Kindlydescribeindetailabout yourcompanyanditsunique services/products.

WomenforElectionAustraliaisa non-partisan,not-for-profitwhich aimstostrengthenourdemocracy byincreasingthenumber, influenceanddiversityofwomen inpoliticsinAustraliaand engagingmorewomeninthe politicalprocess.Itdoesthisby providingtheverybesttraining andsupportforwomentoenable themtoenterpoliticallife,runfor office,supportelectoral campaignsandmoveupthe laddertohigherelectiveand appointedoffice.

Briefusaboutthecurrent industryscenariofromyour perspective.

InAustralia,37%ofourstate/ territoryMPs,37%ofourFederal MPsand35%ofourlocal Councilorsarewomen. Without equalrepresentationofwomen anddiversevoicesinour Parliamentarychambers, perspectivesofthemajorityof ourpopulationarenotreflectedin policyandlegislation.Witha balanceofwomenandmenin Parliament,sharingtheirlived experienceandperspectives,we couldmoveswiftlytosolvesome oftheseentrenchedpolicy barriersthatarepreventing progressformanyinour communities.

LiciaHeath

WomenforElection Australia

Whatareyourpast experiences,achievementsor lessonsthathaveshapedyour journey?

In2018Iranforelectionmyself. Itwasinthefederalseatof Wentworthafterourlocal member,whowasalsothePrime Minister,resignedafteran extraordinarypoliticalupheaval. Runninginthatelectionwasone ofthemostpositiveexperiences ofmylife(exactlytheoppositeof whatmostpeopletoldmeit wouldbe).Itwasduringthat campaignthatIhadscoresof womenapproachmeandurgeme tokeepgoingandalsoaskmeif theycouldbuymeacoffeeinthe futuretoaskhowtheycouldrun oneday.ItwasatthatpointthatI realizedwhatanopportunitywe hadatWomenforElection

Australiatoexpandouroffering andempowerwomenacrossthe country.

Whatareyourstrategiesto

contributeeffectivelyinhyper competitivemarket?

Forgestrongrelationshipswith yourclients.Buildrapportand trust.Demonstratethroughyour actionsthatnotonlyisyour ‘product’worthyoftheir consideration,theservicethey’ll receivefromyoualongthesales processissecond-to-none.

Howdoyouseeyourselfinthe nearfuture?Tellusaboutyour futuregoals.

OurfocusatWFEAcurrentlyis tohelp2000womentorunfor publicofficeby2022.It’san ambitiousgoalbutallourenergy isbeingputintobuildingthe capacityofwomen,fromall backgroundsandlivedexperience,toconsiderrunning whilstalsogivingthemthe tangibleskillstosucceedintheir campaign.

Whatwouldyouadviseyoung womentosucceedinthe

workplaceorasan entrepreneur?Howdoyou perceivetheroleofmentorship toaspiringwomen entrepreneurs?

Understandyourmarketandwhat drivesyourcompetitorsandyour clients.Thensetupyour objectivesbasedonthoseneeds andyourabilitytodifferentiate yourself.Thenworklikehell!

Successisn’taboutthrowingout loftygoalsandhopingyouget there;it’saboutincremental improvementeveryday, followingyourstrategyand executing.Whilstmentoringis important(beitformalor informal)alsolistentoyour instinct.Ispenttoomanyyears ignoringmyinternalvoiceabout whatIcouldbecapableofifI justgaveitatry.

Mymainadvicetoyoungwomen wouldbe:listentothatvoice.

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