HBA Bangalore Chapter: Six Months of Connection, Impact, and Momentum
From its high-energy launch in February to an inspiring membership engagement session in July, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Bangalore Chapter has spent the first half of 2025 living its mission advancing women’s leadership, fostering meaningful connections, and creating a ripple effect of change across the healthcare industry.
A Landmark Beginning – February 2025
On 10 February 2025, the Bangalore Chapter officially launched in a vibrant virtual event attended by over 100 healthcare professionals. The session introduced an enthusiastic leadership team for the year:
- Chapter President – Gargi Patel
- Vice President – Ashwathi Aravindakshan
- Operations – Saisudha Kasavaraju
- Programming Director – Divya Seshadri
- Membership & Volunteer Engagement Directors – Saritha Chamarthi & Smitha Jois
- Marketing & Communications Director – Dr. Savitha Rodrigues
The program featured a thought-provoking keynote and a panel on “How to Make Networking Purposeful” in collaboration with AstraZeneca. The Panelists were Gunjan Singla ( Director, Regulatory Affairs, AstraZeneca) Dr. Deepa Desai, (Global Board Director, HBA & CEO, D Cube Consultancy), Tanusha Dutta (Executive Director, Data Management, Fortrea) and Gargi Patel, (President, HBA Bangalore Chapter) moderated by Ashwathi Aravindakshan. Discussions centered on building relationships that go beyond business cards, cultivating collaboration, and ensuring that women in healthcare have the tools, allies, and confidence to thrive.
The atmosphere was electric more than just a launch, it was the start of a movement.
Championing Representation – March 2025
In celebration of International Women’s Day on 6 March, the chapter hosted a compelling panel, “Accelerating Women’s Representation in the Boardroom.” Esteemed panellists Asha Poulose Johnson (Chief Digital Officer at GE Healthcare), Bhawana Saddy Awasthy (Vice President & General Manager at Syneos Health), and Suresh Ramu (Co-founder & CEO at Cytecare Hospitals), moderated by Divya Seshadri and Saritha Chamarthi, brought both inspiration and action.
Key takeaways included:
- The need for formal mentorship and sponsorship pipelines
- Succession planning with intentional diversity metrics
- Training on leadership skills such as assertiveness and financial acumen
- Policies supporting women’s health and work flexibility
The message was clear: diverse leadership isn’t just good for representation it’s good for innovation, resilience, and better decision-making.
Membership in Action – May 2025
May was all about deepening connections.
On 14 May, the chapter’s virtual session “Making the Most of Your Membership” guided attendees through HBA’s vast network, leadership pathways, and growth opportunities. The interactive conversation, led by Saritha Chamarthi, Smitha Jois, Saisudha Kasavaraju, and Dr. Savitha Rodrigues, highlighted how members can transform participation into personal and professional advancement.
During the same event, the Directors also announced the new volunteers joining the Bangalore Chapter:
- Membership Engagement – Gayatri Devi P & Vanu Saraswathy
- Volunteer Engagement – Sathyavathy Ramanathan & Pranoti Hajare
- Marketing & Communication – Shubhanshu Yadav, Parvathy Neelakantan & Jessana Joseph
- Programming – Himani Narang & Swati Dutta
- Operations – Kalyani Korla
Later, on 24 May, the chapter’s first in-person event of the year — “Fuel & Flourish” — brought members together over lunch at Green Theory, Bengaluru. New volunteers were welcomed, stories of resilience and leadership were exchanged, and meaningful partnerships began to form. It was a reminder that HBA membership isn’t just about joining it’s about belonging.
Purpose in Action – July 2025 Give back Initiative
On 5 July, the Bangalore Chapter partnered with SEWAC-B for a community outreach program that put compassion into practice.
The day included:
- Free health screenings &Wellness and mental health sessions for parents and families
- A panel on “The Role of Empowered Women in Building Harmony and Breaking Limits” moderated by Sathyavathy Ramanathan
- Engagement with SEWAC-B families, sharing stories and building support networks
With screenings for 38 mothers, emotional resilience training, and long-term empowerment discussions, the initiative demonstrated HBA’s commitment to leaving a tangible mark on the community.
A Match Made for Impact – July 28, 2025
Closing out July, the chapter hosted another “Making the Most of Your Membership” session this time spotlighting personal journeys from Vanu Saraswathy, Pranoti Hajare, and Shubhanshu Yadav. They shared how global volunteering, collaborative programs, and corporate partnerships can shape careers and amplify impact.
The event also unveiled upcoming opportunities, including gatherings in Hyderabad and Mumbai, and the India Leadership Summit set for 7–8 November 2025.
Building Resilience Together – 22 August 2025
HBA Bangalore chapter hosted an inspiring session on Resilience, moderated by Kalyani Korla, creating a safe space for women leaders to pause, reflect, and learn practical tools to stay grounded.
Highlights:
- Divya Seshadri shared the story of Vimal, a young widow who rebuilt her life against all odds — a reminder that resilience is about rising above hardships and the power of small acts of support.
- Divya B. Ratnakar spoke about moving beyond self-doubt and shared practices around health, gratitude, stress management, and mindset shifts.
Participants left with simple yet powerful takeaways — and the reminder that when women support women, we all rise stronger together.
Looking Ahead
From February’s launch to Aug’s dual impact in the community and within the membership, the HBA Bangalore Chapter has built momentum that shows no signs of slowing down. The coming months promise more opportunities to learn, connect, and lead — ensuring every member has the chance to create their own impact story.
Upcoming Events – HBA Bangalore Chapter
September
- Tech Transformations in Clinical Research (TBD)
- Networking – Coffee Connect
October
- Health Literacy
- Making the Most of Your Membership
November
- India Leadership Summit - Event details
With every conversation, every collaboration, and every act of service, the chapter is proving that when women in healthcare unite, they don’t just participate they lead, they transform, and they inspire. Here’s to the next chapter of connection, empowerment, and action.