The power of purpose: What SheSparks 2025 reminded me about women and impact

I’ve been to countless conferences over the years, but SheSparks 2025 organised by YourStory, was different. From the moment I stepped into the venue, I was surrounded by a powerful sense of purpose. The air was electric, not with buzzwords or business cards, but with bold ideas, fearless questions, and the collective will to change the world. This was a gathering of builders, disruptors, and dreamers – all women. Founders rewriting the rules. Scientists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Students daring to dream bigger. Almost 90% of the attendees were women and each one had a story that deserved to be heard.

An ecosystem of purpose and possibility

One session that particularly moved me was by Dr Geetha Manjunath, Founder and CEO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix. Listening to her share her personal journey, the pain of losing loved ones to breast cancer, her decision to pivot her career in technology to develop a life-saving solution, and the AI-driven innovation she pioneered, was nothing short of humbling. I felt a deep personal resonance, having gone through my own battle with breast cancer. Her words, “If a shy girl like me can build a life-saving solution, you can achieve your dreams too,” captured the essence of what SheSparks is all about; believing in the power of our purpose and the impact we can make when we act on it.

At Bayer, we understand this deeply. Our commitment to women’s health goes beyond products - it’s about access, equity, and awareness. One initiative I’m particularly proud of is Discovering Hands, which trains visually impaired women to detect early signs of breast cancer using their highly sensitive tactile abilities. It’s not just an innovative approach to healthcare but a powerful example of inclusion. In many parts of rural India where mammograms are rare, these women are playing a life-saving role. But challenges remain; these trained professionals need to be integrated into the healthcare workforce, and for that, systemic change is crucial. As I listened to Dr Manjunath speak, I was reminded of how different strands of innovation, empathy, and empowerment are coming together to shape a new future for women’s healthcare.

Another conversation that lingered long after the event was one with Chandrika Deb of Canva India. Chandrika’s journey, from public policy to ecommerce to building Canva’s India presence, was inspiring in itself. But what really stood out was her perspective on risk-taking and self-reflection. “The floor cannot be that low,” she said, encouraging women to take the leap even when self-doubt creeps in. These are the kind of voices we need to hear more often, voices that tell us it’s okay to not have all the answers, as long as we’re willing to ask questions and step forward.

Reimagining inclusion through actionable innovation

Bayer’s mission of “Health for All, Hunger for None” reflects our belief in holistic empowerment. In India, where we’ve had a presence for over 125 years, we’ve invested deeply in women-focused programs. We’re working with partners like the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and Family Planning Association of India to ensure access to reproductive health resources. Bayer has committed to reaching 100 million women globally in low- and middle-income countries with self-care and family planning resources. And we’re not stopping at healthcare.

Our Better Life Farming initiative supports more than 2000 Agri-entrepreneurs, 200 of them women, helping them build sustainable livelihoods and bring prosperity to their communities.

Through our partnership with Atal Innovation Mission, we have adopted 50 all-girl schools in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, to instill STEM education at an early age through Atal Tinkering Labs. We’re also proud to sponsor 125 candidates pursuing their master’s and PhDs in life sciences, and 60% of these awardees are women. These are not just numbers; they’re lives we’re helping shape, futures we’re helping build.

And then there’s the work we’re doing at the grassroots. We are collaborating with NGOs to run telemedicine centers in the government’s Primary Health Centers ensuring medical support reaches the last mile. These clinics are often the only source of medical screening, vaccinations, and maternal health education for women in underserved regions.

The future of leadership is inclusive, equitable, and purpose-led

What I witnessed at SheSparks 2025 reaffirmed something I’ve always believed: women don’t just need a seat at the table; they need the whole table to be reimagined with their leadership at the center. And that leadership doesn’t always look like corner offices or headlines. Sometimes, it’s a girl in a village stepping into a science lab for the first time. Or a visually impaired woman earning a livelihood by detecting early signs of breast cancer. Or a founder choosing to solve one of the country’s most silent killers with AI.

As I left the event, I felt more hopeful than I have in a long time. The stories I heard, the women I met, and the spirit I felt reminded me that empowerment is an ongoing commitment to seeing, enabling, and celebrating the extraordinary in each other.

Because when women rise, societies rise. And when that rise is backed by purpose, passion, and partnerships, we’re unstoppable.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, Rachana Panda, VP & Cluster Communications Head – Bayer ASEAN, ANZ & South Asia, and Director – Bayer Foundation India.