Mega DMET Club Citadel – Women’s Day Special: Breaking Barriers, Leading the Future
📅 Date: March 8, 2025 (Saturday) | Time: 5 PM - 7 PM IST 📍 Location: DMET Club Citadel (Online) on Zoom 🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: Click Here Meeting ID: 874 8453 1375 Passcode: WOMEN
Honoring Women Who Break Barriers and Lead the Future
This Women’s Day, DMET Club is proud to host a groundbreaking Mega Citadel, a celebration of resilience, leadership, and transformation. The event will feature women who have shattered stereotypes, redefined success, and forged their paths in industries historically dominated by men.
Powered and sponsored by: Yugen Infra, DMECA, Valiance, MarineX, AltiEdge, and AviationX, this special session will bring together exceptional women from Aviation, Maritime, International Relations, Politics, Entrepreneurship, Sports, Mountaineering, Wellness, Academia, Research, Film Making, and the Modeling Industry.
Hosts & Speakers Announcement
Hosts
Prateek Khanna – Founder, DMET Club
Satyadeep Gupta – World Record Holder Mountaineer, Founder, AltiEdge
Nikhil Vohra – VP, Yugen Infra
Keynote Speakers
Sonali Banerjee – India’s First Woman Marine Engineer
Sonali Banerjee is a true pioneer, breaking through barriers as India’s first female marine engineer. Her journey began in 1995 when she joined the Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI) Kolkata as the only female cadet among 1,500 students. Despite initial skepticism from her peers and the industry, she excelled and graduated in 1999.
She was recruited by Mobil Shipping Co, where she underwent rigorous pre-sea training, visiting ports across Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, Fiji, and Australia. Her dedication and resilience saw her rising through the ranks to become a leader in the maritime sector.
With over two decades of experience, she has held prominent roles such as Manning Superintendent, Technical Manager, and Senior Surveyor with the Indian Register of Shipping (Currently Principal Surveyor). Sonali’s expertise includes classification requirements, statutory regulations, port state inspections, and IMO/IACS compliance. She has also served as an Internal Auditor for Quality Management Systems, bringing a wealth of knowledge to global maritime operations.
Her journey has inspired countless women to pursue careers in marine engineering and seafaring, demonstrating that women can excel in every aspect of maritime leadership.|
Nidhi Nautiyal – Actress, Singer, and Director
Nidhi Nautiyal is an accomplished actress, singer, and filmmaker, known for her work in Husband Material (2022), Zehan (2024), and Firangi Bahu (2013). Her journey in the entertainment industry is a testament to resilience, creativity, and versatility.
With extensive experience across multiple formats, including OTT platforms, television, and feature films, Nidhi has consistently delivered powerful performances that challenge stereotypes. Beyond acting, she has also ventured into directing and producing, playing a crucial role in shaping narratives that empower women and redefine industry standards.
Her upcoming projects continue to push boundaries, and she remains a strong advocate for women in entertainment, using her platform to promote gender equality and artistic excellence.
Shreesha Ravindran – Indian Mountaineer
Hailing from Kerala, Shreesha Ravindran is a passionate Indian mountaineer who has climbed over 15 peaks in the Himalayas. With limited hiking options in southern India, she discovered her love for mountaineering as a teenager visiting northern India and has been climbing ever since.
Her major expeditions include:
Pin Parvati, Kang Yatse II, Friendship Peak, Khalindi Khal, Dzo Jongo, Stok Kangri
Mount Kun – Her first 7,000-meter peak, though she had to return due to mountain sickness
Mount Nun – Currently in training for this expedition, planned for June 2023
Shreesha is not just a mountaineer but also a finance professional and a seasoned classical dancer. As a mother of an 11-year-old boy, she continues to train for Mount Everest and Lhotse expeditions in 2025, aiming to become the first person from Kerala to attempt both peaks in one go. She is committed to inspiring women, particularly mothers, to pursue their passions, stay fit, and challenge societal norms.
Purnima Anand – President, BRICS International Forum
Purnima Anand is a global leader in international relations and diplomacy, serving as the President of the BRICS International Forum. With a deep understanding of global governance, economic cooperation, and international policy, she has been instrumental in fostering economic partnerships among Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Her work in policy advocacy, sustainable development, and international cooperation has positioned her as a key figure in global diplomacy and women’s leadership. She continues to work towards strengthening bilateral ties and fostering cross-border economic collaboration. Madhuparna Sreemany – CEO, Pathfinder Group
Madhuparna Sreemany is a visionary leader and the CEO of Pathfinder Group, the largest educational institution in West Bengal. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nottingham, she has pioneered innovative education strategies that integrate crisis management and positive behavior support.
Under her leadership, Pathfinder Group has created an inclusive learning environment, ensuring students are equipped not just academically but also emotionally and mentally. Her research in psychological resilience, educational reform, and student behavior analytics has redefined modern learning frameworks.
She is passionate about creating nurturing educational spaces, focusing on holistic development and empowering students to achieve their full potential.
Yanina Lyushyna – Research Scholar, JNU
With a background in international relations, finance, and geopolitics, Yanina Lyushyna (also a model and influencer) has built an impressive career spanning banking, luxury retail, and political research. She has worked in Prague, Taiwan, and Spain, gaining expertise in international trade, economic policies, and security studies.
Yanina has held leadership roles in UniCredit Bank, Raiffeisenbank, and Dior, providing strategic insights into global markets. She has also conducted extensive research on ASEAN economies, BRICS innovation, and European-Asian diplomacy. Her participation in high-level conferences on foreign policy, trade regulations, and security studies makes her a key voice in shaping global discourse on economic and political transformation.
Ambika Saini – Lead Data Scientist, Valiance
A leading expert in AI, data science, and analytics, Ambika Saini has over a decade of experience in leveraging data-driven insights for industry transformation. Having worked at Red Hat and Drishya AI Labs, she has been instrumental in developing machine learning models, predictive analytics, and AI-driven automation.
Her work in natural language processing (NLP), deep learning for image recognition, and statistical modeling has contributed to advancements in tech innovation, business intelligence, and AI ethics. She is passionate about mentoring young professionals, particularly women in STEM, and advocating for greater representation of women in AI and technology.
Richa Shukla – Director, Dmetify
As the founder and director of Dmetify Private Limited, Richa Shukla (also spouse of a DMETian) has played a crucial role in transforming maritime supply chains. Established in 2021, her company specializes in marine spares, main engine components, and sustainable ship recycling.
Her expertise extends beyond logistics, focusing on training marine engineers, optimizing procurement strategies, and enhancing global maritime supply networks. She is committed to making eco-friendly ship recycling a mainstream practice and ensuring that maritime businesses operate with efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
Deepika – CRM Head, Yugen Infra
Deepika is a key player in India’s real estate revolution, leading customer relationship management for Yugen Infra, a premier real estate firm. She has been instrumental in shaping affordable luxury housing projects, emphasizing sustainability, eco-friendly development, and modern urban planning.
Under her leadership, Yugen Infra has launched several major projects across Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, incorporating green technology, smart infrastructure, and customer-centric housing solutions. She believes that real estate should not just build homes but foster thriving communities.
This Women’s Day Citadel is not just about celebrating achievements—it is about learning from trailblazers, gaining insights from industry leaders, and driving change for future generations.
📅 Date: March 8, 2025 (Saturday)
📍 Location: DMET Club Citadel (Online) on Zoom
🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: Click Here
Meeting ID: 874 8453 1375
Passcode: WOMEN
Join us as we celebrate the fearless women who are breaking barriers and leading the future! 🚀