CII IWN Tamil Nadu Launches ‘Made in Tamil Nadu’ to Celebrate Women Shaping the State’s Growth Story
- 8 trailblazing women leaders recognised for their lasting contribution to Tamil Nadu, reinforcing CII IWN Tamil Nadu’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of women changemakers
Chennai, June 15, 2026: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Indian Women Network (IWN) Tamil Nadu hosted the inaugural edition of ‘Made in Tamil Nadu – Celebrating Women Leading Tamil Nadu’s Growth Story’, becoming the first CII IWN chapter in the country to launch a dedicated annual initiative recognising women whose contributions have significantly shaped Tamil Nadu’s social, economic, cultural and entrepreneurial progress.
The event brought together over 130 women leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, artists and changemakers, underscoring the growing momentum around recognising and amplifying women-led impact across Tamil Nadu.
The selection process was undertaken over a month by a distinguished independent jury panel comprising Mr A.R. Unnikrishnan, Immediate Past Chairman CII Tamil Nadu & Vice Chairman CII-IGBC & Managing Director – Glass Business, Saint-Gobain India Pvt. Ltd., Ms Kirthika Shivkumar, Past Chairwoman, IWN Tamil Nadu Co-Founder & Managing Trustee – Arram Charity Trust Executive Director – The Indian Public School (TIPS), Ms Gowri Kailasam, Immediate Past Chairperson, CII IWN Southern Region, Vice Chair, CII Chennai Zone & Executive Director Rane Madras Limited and Ms. Savitha Kesav Jagadessan, Immediate Past Chairwoman, CII IWN Tamil Nadu & Senior Resident Partner – Kochhar & Co., Chennai, who evaluated candidates through a robust assessment framework that considered contribution to Tamil Nadu, impact in their respective fields, years of engagement within the state, representation beyond metro centres, innovation, social impact, legacy-building efforts and overall influence. The rigorous evaluation culminated in the recognition of eight exceptional women whose work has created a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s growth and development.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Amudhavalli Ranganathan, Chairperson, CII IWN Tamil Nadu, Director – E-Commerce & New Initiatives, CavinKare, and Executive Director, CK Group of Educational Institutions, said: “Made in Tamil Nadu was conceived with a larger purpose than recognition. Across our state are extraordinary women who have quietly built institutions, transformed communities, preserved culture, created employment, advanced healthcare and inspired social change. Their stories deserve to be documented, celebrated and shared. As the first initiative of its kind within the CII IWN network, Made in Tamil Nadu is designed to create a living repository of women leaders whose journeys can inspire and guide future generations. These women are not only symbols of achievement but also mentors, role models and catalysts who can help more women envision and realise their own leadershipjourneys.”
The rigorous evaluation process culminated in the recognition of eight women leaders whose achievements span business, healthcare, education, heritage, arts and social transformation.
- Ms Deborah Thiagarajan, Founder President, Madras Craft Foundation & DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum – Heritage & Legacy
- Padma Shri Dr Narthaki Nataraj, Bharatanatyam Exponent – Performing Arts
- Dr Santhi Duraisamy, Director, Sakthi Masala – Entrepreneurship Excellence
- Ms Subhasri Sriram, Managing Director & CEO, Shriram Capital Ltd. – Corporate Excellence
- Ms Mangai Natarajan, Correspondent, Paavai Educational Institutions – Education & Leadership
- Dr C Geetha Haripriya, Chairperson, Prashanth Multi-speciality Hospital – Healthcare Leadership
- Ms Vandana Gopikumar, Co-Founder, The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM) – Social Impact & Change
- Ms Upasana Asrani, Founder, Madras Art Weekend – Emerging & Young Voice
The recognised leaders represent diverse sectors that have collectively shaped Tamil Nadu’s development narrative. Through this initiative, they will also serve as accessible role models and sources of inspiration for younger women professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders within the CII IWN ecosystem.
A key feature was the Spotlight Conversation titled “Legacy to Leadership: Women at the Helm of Enduring Enterprises”, featuring Ms Jayasree Ravi, Founder, Palam Silks, and Dr. Jayasree Vummidi Rajesh, Managing Director & Correspondent, GRT Mahalakshmi Vidyalaya and The Lotus Hotel Apartments. The session was moderated by Ms Avanti Natarajan, Vice Chairperson, CII IWN Tamil Nadu. The session explored legacy leadership, family business dynamics, and the evolving role of women in family-owned enterprises.
More than a recognition platform, ‘Made in Tamil Nadu’ has been envisioned as an annual leadership movement that documents inspiring journeys, celebrates women creating lasting impact, and connects future generations with role models and mentors who have helped shape Tamil Nadu’s growth story.
About CII – Indian Women Network (IWN) Tamil Nadu
CII IWN Tamil Nadu brings together leaders from industry, academia, and government to create an inclusive ecosystem focused on women’s leadership, health, safety, entrepreneurship, and workforce participation. Through policy advocacy, research, and action-oriented platforms like Thaaragai, IWN Tamil Nadu continues to position itself as a powerhouse within the IWN Southern Region.
