Smita Chatterji, who has been associated with CII Indian Women Network (IWN) for over four years, has now assumed charge as the chairperson. “Being entrusted with the chairmanship of IWN is both an honour and a responsibility — one that I accept with deep humility and purpose. I am also privileged to serve as an elected member of the CII West Bengal State Council, which enables me to bring greater alignment between the broader industry agenda and the women’s leadership ecosystem," says the affable and focussed leader who is the founder and group CEO of Centreax Group and who holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to implement a comprehensive sustainability solution for the tea industry.

As an active member of the group, Chatterji has had the privilege of closely observing and learning from some of the most respected senior members of the industry and IWN — leaders like Sucharita Basu, managing partner at Aquilaw; and Sriranjani Joshi, trustee of the George Group of Colleges. She says: “I’ve had Sucharita has inspired me with her sharp legal acumen, clarity of communication and an unwavering commitment to fairness; and from Sriranjani, I have learnt how to blend strategic thinking with humility and warmth.”

During her term, Chatterji emphasises that her focus will be on strengthening IWN’s influence, fostering inclusion, and building collaborative platforms that create real, lasting impact. “I will prioritise inclusive leadership by empowering task force leads, encouraging cross-sector collaborations, and bringing in diverse voices, especially from younger and underrepresented members. Initiatives like Uniformed for Unity: Equality, Leadership, and the Law, CEO Insights into Sustainable Ventures, Round table discussion on including/increasing participation of women in mining, manufacturing and heavy industries and so on, will be implemented to deliver measurable outcomes. Strategic partnerships, thought leadership platforms, and a stronger digital presence will also be part of this vision. Ultimately, my goal is to carry forward the legacy of those who came before me — by institutionalising a culture of excellence, ownership, and shared purpose," she says.

A leader with a vision, Chatterji intends to use her expertise in technology and sustainable practices in practical, results-oriented ways to enhance the work and impact of CII IWN West Bengal. She says, “I strongly believe that technology should be used to simplify and scale what we do. This means we intend to streamline initiatives like Mentor–Mentee Connect and Campus to Career, and make better use of data to track participation, engagement, and outcomes. Where appropriate, we’ll also begin to explore AI-driven tools, such as using intelligent matching systems for mentorship or analysing feedback patterns to refine our programmes. These are small but powerful steps that can bring a layer of precision and personalisation to our work.”

Elaborating on her plans for sustainable practices, she adds: “On the sustainability side, I’m proud to share that we are introducing the Save Earth Initiative, curated by our vice chair, Swagata Guha Mustafi. This programme is designed not only to raise awareness but also to encourage meaningful action around environmental sustainability. Through workshops, collaborations with eco-conscious businesses, and practical toolkits, we aim to equip our members, especially women entrepreneurs and professionals, with the knowledge and support to adopt sustainable practices in their workplaces and daily lives.”

By combining tech-led efficiency with environmental responsibility, Chatterji’s vision is to make IWN West Bengal a platform where women can lead with purpose, remain future-ready, and contribute meaningfully to both business and society.

How does she want people to remember her chairmanship? “I want to be remembered as a chairperson who led IWN like a high-performance team — driven by clarity of purpose, accountability in action, and plans backed by execution. A year in which we shifted mindsets, built something stronger, and left behind a model worth continuing. No fluff. Just focus, collaboration, and results,” signs off Chatterji.

We say, all the best!