AnitaB.org, a non-profit organisation focused on the advancement of women in technology, announced Puja Issar as the Managing Director for India, effective June 2022. Puja will be spearheading the organisation’s strategic growth and its overall mission and vision through efforts and programmes aimed at advancing the careers of women in technology in the region.
Puja Issar comes with over two decades of professional corporate experience across the UK, Middle East , Africa and Asia. Prior to AnitaB.org, she held key leadership positions at several leading firms such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays Wealth Management, CARE International, Save the Children and many more.
Puja will lead efforts, initiatives, and programmes to strengthen the community of women in technology in India in her role as Managing Director. Over the next three years, Puja hopes to grow the organisation’s presence across the country, create forums to discuss and debate the importance of increasing the number of women in the technology sector, and create a community that serves as a support system for women in science and technology.
Since inception, the AnitaB.org community has grown and changed to become the leading organisation championing the cause of women in technology. Today, AnitaB.org works with women technologists in more than 50 countries, and partners with leading academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies.
As per a global study conducted by AnitaB.org, women form 34% of the technology workforce. The organisation’s goal is to increase this number globally to 50 -51%. In India, the organisation has undertaken a number of activities and initiatives to help increase women’s representation in the tech workforce such as code-a-thons in tier 2 and 3 cities, focused executive meetups and roundtable discussions, women-only hiring drives for corporates and much more. AnitaB.org serves as a facilitator, helping enterprises attract and retain more women in the workforce and providing women in tech across India with access to job roles.
Brenda Darden Wilkerson, AnitaB.org President & CEO said, “Our vision is that those who imagine and build technology will reflect those for whom it is designed. Our mission is to connect, inspire, and guide women in computing and organisations that view technology innovation as a strategic imperative. I am delighted to have Puja Issar as our India director. In my view, under her leadership the organisation will make a significant contribution to a significant increase in the number of women in India working in technology.”
Puja Issar, Managing Director, AnitaB.org India said “The idea that everyone should have equal opportunity, regardless of their gender, social status, or background has always been a priority for me. Being a part of AnitaB.org allows me to pursue this belief and actually help drive positive change and impact. My goal is to make a significant contribution to increasing the number of women in the Indian technology industry.”
