Ms Joyshree Das Verma is the President of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) for 2024-25, serving as its 41st National President. With a diverse professional background spanning 25 years in corporate and entrepreneurial ventures, she also holds the position of Honorary Consul of Israel for Northeast India. As Director and Co-promoter of Kaapro Management Solutions Pvt Ltd, an HR consulting company, she leverages her extensive experience in operations and human resources to provide innovative business solutions. Her leadership has significantly advanced strategic relations between India and Israel, particularly in agriculture, water, IT, technology, health, and trade. Since 2010, Kaapro has grown under her direction, offering recruitment, staffing, consulting, and training
solutions across India with a robust team of over 3,120 employees. Verma’s career began as a Business Partner of MAFOI Management Consultants Ltd in 2003 and includes stints with TNT Skypak and Tata Group’s Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. Her involvement with FICCI and FLO includes roles such as Chairperson of FLO Northeast (2015-2016), National Coordinator for FLO’s E-Commerce Initiative, and member of various committees. Additionally, she has contributed significantly to social welfare through efforts in flood relief, Covid care assistance, and support for orphaned children and old age homes. Inspired by her interaction with the late J.R.D Tata, Verma embodies the philosophy that a flower does not compete with others but simply blooms, guiding her path of integrity and passion.
Editor | Hi Joyshree , Congratulations on becoming the 41st National President of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO)! What inspired you to take on this leadership role and what are your primary goals and priorities for FLO?
Joyshree Das Verma | My inspiration to take on this leadership role stems from a deep commitment to empowering women and driving positive change in our society. Leading the FLO Northeast chapter as the Chairperson in 2015-16 provided me with valuable insights and experiences that I can now bring to my role as the 41st National President. I believe that by leveraging the learnings from my time as Chapter Chair, I can better fulfil my goals and priorities as National President.
As the President, my primary goals and priorities for FLO revolve around advancing women’s entrepreneurship, fostering economic independence, and promoting inclusive growth. My goal is to lead FLO towards becoming a catalyst for change, empowering women across India to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society and the economy.
Our primary focus is on realizing this vision by promoting individual businesses and career growth among our members. Through FLO, we aim to create platforms and opportunities for networking, skill development, and mentorship, empowering women to excel in their respective fields. Additionally, we are keen on increasing FLO’s inspirational impact, making it an aspirational organization for women across the nation.
Currently, FLO has a nationwide presence with 20 chapters across India, and 11000+ members, including women entrepreneurs and professionals across sectors. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, we intend to strengthen FLO’s presence and influence, advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment in both the corporate and societal spheres. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, I believe we can drive meaningful change and contribute significantly to the advancement of women in India.
Editor | How do you plan to further empower and support women entrepreneurs and professionals through FLO?
Joyshree Das Verma | The economic influence of women entrepreneurs is noteworthy, as their businesses play a pivotal role in creating employment opportunities across the nation. Enterprises led by women are responsible for employing more than 27 million individuals, making a substantial contribution to both economic expansion and job generation. As per the recent report it stated that India hosts around 15.7 million businesses led by women, comprising 22% of the total entrepreneurial ecosystem and has the potential to escalate to 30 million.
In this landscape, empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs and professionals through FLO involves providing them with the right information, tools, and opportunities for growth. We plan to do this by organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions to help them develop essential skills and knowledge. Additionally, creating platforms for networking and collaboration will allow women to connect with others in their fields, share experiences, and explore potential partnerships.
Moreover, we are advocating for more women in leadership roles, both within FLO and in other organizations. This means promoting diversity on boards and supporting policies that ensure gender equality. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive business environment where women have the chance to excel and contribute effectively.
Editor | FLO has a rich legacy as the oldest women-led business chamber in South East Asia. How do you intend to build upon this legacy while also adapting to the changing business landscape?
Joyshree Das Verma | During my tenure as president, I plan to focus on two key strategies: innovation and collaboration. Firstly, innovation will be crucial in ensuring that FLO remains relevant and effective in today’s dynamic business environment. This means embracing new technologies, trends, and methodologies to enhance our programs and initiatives. By leveraging digital platforms, we can reach a wider audience and provide more accessible resources for women entrepreneurs and professionals. Additionally, I aim to introduce innovative approaches to address emerging challenges and opportunities in areas such as skill development, education, health, and environmental sustainability.
Secondly, collaboration will be essential for maximizing FLO’s impact and reach. By forging partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, corporate entities, and international women’s organizations, we can pool resources, expertise, and networks to amplify our efforts towards women’s economic and social empowerment. Collaborative initiatives will enable us to tap into a diverse range of perspectives and resources, fostering greater innovation and effectiveness in achieving our objectives.
This two-phased approach will enable us to remain a leading force in advancing women’s empowerment and promoting gender equality, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth trajectory.
Editor | In what ways do you envision FLO contributing to gender equality and women’s empowerment in the region?
Joyshree Das Verma | FLO aims to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment at various levels. At the grassroots, we plan to empower women in agriculture through skill enhancement programs, making them more employable and economically independent. For women entrepreneurs and professionals at the middle level, FLO provides resources and information necessary for success, including workshops and networking opportunities. At the senior level, FLO focuses on empowering women in leadership roles, offering programmes to enhance their effectiveness in board positions and advocating for gender diversity in corporate leadership. By addressing the specific needs of women at different stages of their careers, FLO aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society where women can thrive and make significant contributions to the economy.
Editor | Can you share any specific initiatives or projects that you are particularly excited about implementing during your term?
Joyshree Das Verma | There are several initiatives and projects that I am excited about implementing during my term at FLO:
- Skilling Programmes: Launching digital, financial, and differently abled skilling programs to empower women with essential skills for the modern workforce.
- Handloom & Textiles: Promoting traditional handloom and textile industries by facilitating market access and skill development for women artisans.
- Fashion & Jewellery: Supporting women entrepreneurs in the fashion and jewellery sectors through mentorship, networking, and market expansion opportunities.
- Legal & Advocacy Cell: Establishing a legal and advocacy cell to provide women with legal assistance and support for addressing gender-related issues.
- MSME Assist Cell: Establishing a cell to provide assistance and support to women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to overcome challenges and grow their businesses.
- Rural Entrepreneurship & Livelihoods: Empowering women in rural areas through entrepreneurship development programs and initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and economic opportunities.
Each of these initiatives reflects FLO’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment and fostering inclusive growth.
Editor | Lastly, how do you plan to measure the success and impact of your leadership at FLO?
Joyshree Das Verma | FLO will implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of our initiatives on gender equality outcomes. This involves tracking progress, collecting feedback, and making data-driven decisions to improve effectiveness.
Success will be measured by the growth in membership numbers and the level of engagement among members – this includes the number of new members recruited, the retention rate of existing members, and their participation in FLO’s activities and initiatives. Impact will be measured by the number of beneficiaries reached, the success stories of individuals or communities that we empower, and our overall contribution to the advancement of women in business and society.
The visibility and influence of FLO will be measured by media coverage, our participation in key events and forums, and the extent to which FLO’s voice is heard and respected in policy discussions and decision-making processes. Regular feedback from members, stakeholders, and partners, through surveys and other means, will provide valuable insights into the perceived impact and effectiveness of FLO’s leadership and initiatives.
Finally, the extent to which FLO achieves its strategic goals and objectives, as outlined in our vision and mission, will be a clear measure of the success of its leadership.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes FLO the best under your able leadership .