Spotlighting the ACM-W India Chapters: Pune and Chennai in the ACM-W Professional Chapters Corner

Written by Asegul Hulus

Empowering Women Leaders Across India

Ace with the ACM-W India Chapters

Welcome back, readers! Today, we’re taking a vibrant journey to India to showcase two remarkable ACM-W Professional Chapters that are transforming the landscape for women in computing. Despite being thousands of kilometres apart geographically, the ACM-W Pune and Chennai chapters share a unified mission and face remarkably similar challenges in their quest to empower women as global leaders in technology.

I had the privilege of speaking with two inspiring chapter leaders: Dr. Geetanjali Kale (incoming ACM-W India Chair and Chair of ACM-W Pune Professional Chapter) and Dr. R.I. Minu (Chair, ACM-W Chennai Professional Chapter). Their passionate dedication and innovative approaches to addressing gender gaps in computing leadership reveal the universal challenges women face in technology and the powerful solutions emerging from grassroots advocacy.

Two Chapters, One Vision: Empowering Future Leaders

When asked about their mission, Dr. Geetanjali Kale, Chair of the Pune ACM-W Professional Chapter, explains: “To support and educate women in computing to empower them as global leaders.” Under her leadership, the chapter stands out for its deliberate focus on shaping women not just as technologists but as future-ready leaders. With 27 active members, the chapter creates a flourishing conduit between academia and industry, architecting a pipeline where mentorship, applied learning, and leadership opportunities converge.

The Pune ACM-W chapter has directly facilitated significant career advancement for members through targeted support and programming. Two early-career professionals from the chapter secured positions at Microsoft India, while another joined Amazon, all benefiting from the chapter’s comprehensive mentorship program, specialized interview preparation workshops like “Crack HR Interviews” led by Himani Gwalani (Senior Product Manager at Mastercard), and strategic networking opportunities with industry professionals. The chapter’s 2024 “Build Your Brand” celebration drew over 100 participants, including early-career professionals and students. They engaged through interactive Q&A sessions, networking breakouts, and hands-on personal branding exercises where they created LinkedIn profiles and practiced elevator pitches.

The nationwide Lady Ada Programming Contest, hosted by the Pune chapter, attracted participants from across India, with finalists traveling to Pune for the final competition, notably, 50% of female participants traveled with their mothers, demonstrating growing family support for women in tech. These achievements reflect the Pune chapter’s hands-on, leadership-centric framework that transforms members from passive learners to proactive change makers through structured mentorship, real-world problem-solving opportunities, and consistent support networks that create industry-defining leaders rather than just industry-prepared professionals.

“Our chapter not only creates a flourishing conduit between academia and industry, but it also architects a pipeline where mentorship, applied learning, and leadership opportunities converge,” explains Dr. Kale. “This hands-on, leadership-centric framework transforms our members from passive learners to proactive change makers: women who are not just industry-prepared, but industry-defining.”

            Pune ACM-W Chapter Highlights

This commitment to empowering women leaders finds equally powerful expression in Chennai, where Dr. R.I. Minu leads another transformative chapter.

The ACM-W Chennai Professional Chapter, under Dr. R.I. Minu’s leadership, operates with the mission “to empower, engage, and elevate women in computing through knowledge sharing.” Since its 2017 inception, the Chennai chapter has evolved through key milestones, including participating in the ACM-W India Celebration (2017), hosting its first celebration (2018), conducting the Coding League (2020), and, most recently, hosting the 2024 celebration. With over 20 active members, the chapter focuses on connecting members with leaders across computing technologies, bringing hands-on training and capacity-building workshops to students and professionals throughout the region. This mission-driven approach has enabled the chapter to create meaningful connections between academia and industry while fostering leadership development among women in computing.

Additionally, their cross-cultural bridge-building initiatives have enabled participants from northern India to experience Tamil culture while engaging with women-led technical excellence. Many expressed that witnessing an all-women organising committee inspired them to believe they could sustain leadership roles in technology. 

As Dr. Minu explains, “We are connecting with professors and leaders in each and every computing technology and bringing them to our campus, trying to teach our students, industry professionals, faculty from other institutions, and community members through hands-on teaching training.” These initiatives create direct pathways between academic learning and industry application, providing participants with access to mentorship networks, internship opportunities, and career guidance from established women leaders in technology.

Chennai ACM-W Chapter Achievements

Beyond Entry Level: Addressing the Mid-Career Challenge

Both chapters have identified a critical insight that sets their approach apart: the challenge isn’t at the entry level; it’s in mid-career retention and leadership progression.

“In India’s scenario, even though at the entry, that is, the graduation level, there are many girl students who are opting for computing. However, till the mid-age, very few are going for leadership roles,” observes Dr. Kale. “So we want to empower our girls to be global leaders.”

This observation is echoed across both chapters, where they’ve witnessed the impact of societal expectations on women’s career trajectories. As Dr. Minu notes, “The era is literally changing. I can see that from the chairperson to four departments, all are headed by women. But for that particular change, the mindset has to adapt.”

Cultural Barriers and Creative Solutions

During our interview, both chairs shared remarkably similar experiences that highlight the universal nature of gender-based challenges in technology, regardless of geographic location. From family expectations around marriage and caregiving to workplace dynamics that treat women’s work as less important, these leaders are addressing barriers that resonate globally.

The Double Standard Reality: “If I’m sitting in front of the computer, anybody can come and disturb me. Whereas if my husband is sitting in front of the computer, that would be very important work and he cannot be disturbed, as if ours was not that important,” Dr. Minu shared, articulating a frustration familiar to women worldwide.

Family Support with Conditions: The Chennai chapter’s experience hosting the Lady Ada Programming Contest revealed both progress and persistent challenges. “50% of girls travelled with their mother. Their parents would allow them to travel alone if it was a boy. But at least their mothers had taken that much effort and came with them,” Dr. Kale explained, showing how families are finding ways to support their daughters while navigating safety concerns.

Inspiring Role Models Shaping Their Vision

Both chapters draw inspiration from remarkable women who have broken barriers in computing and leadership.

Dr. Kale’s influences span from global icons to personal mentors: “Over the years, I’ve found that my role models have evolved with time and context. I draw inspiration from many women in leadership roles who have broken barriers and led with strength and compassion. Figures like AnitaB and Sudha Murthy have had a lasting impact on me.” She also credits her PhD mentor for teaching valuable life lessons about discipline, clarity in thought, and perseverance.

A particularly significant influence is Sonia Garcha, an entrepreneur and passionate advocate for computing education who plays a pivotal role in conducting the Bebras India Computational Thinking Challenge, which reached over 1,25,000 school students across the country.

Dr. Minu’s inspiration comes from both legendary figures and close collaborators: “Shakuntala Devi, often referred to as the ‘Human Computer,’ has always fascinated me. Her remarkable mental math abilities and contributions to mathematical education broke barriers and inspired generations of women to explore the world of numbers and logic fearlessly.”

She also draws strength from immediate colleagues: Dr. Revathi Venkataraman, Chair of the School of Computing at SRM Institute, and Dr. Puspalatha, Associate Chair, whose mentorship and technical expertise have created a nurturing environment for faculty and students alike.

Panel Discussions: The Heart of Transformation

Both chapters have discovered that panel discussions featuring women leaders sharing their journeys create the most impactful experiences for attendees.

“Our favorite programs are panel discussions in the celebrations where women in leadership come together and share their journey. They share about being women, what their hurdles were, and how they bypassed them,” explains Dr. Kale. “Girls feel connected, and they feel ‘even I am facing the same problem. This is how we can tackle it,’ and they leave with happy faces.“

This approach transforms isolation into connection, showing attendees that their struggles are not unique and that success is achievable. The ripple effect extends beyond event attendees, as participants return to their communities with renewed confidence and expanded networks.

Building Brands and Leadership Identity

A standout initiative from the Pune chapter focuses on personal brand development: a crucial element often overlooked in traditional technical education.

“We were telling them, don’t just say ‘I’m working with Google, I’m working with Microsoft.’ They have their own brand, you should have your own brand created on social media and everywhere. You yourself should be a brand,” Dr. Kale emphasizes.

This approach addresses a critical gap in leadership development, teaching women to establish their individual professional identities rather than deriving status solely from organizational affiliations.

The Mentorship Pipeline: From Mentee to Mentor

Both chapters demonstrate the power of structured mentorship programs that create sustainable leadership pipelines. Members who begin as mentees transition into mentoring roles, creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens the entire community.

Both chapters demonstrate the power of structured mentorship programs that create sustainable leadership pipelines, where members who begin as mentees naturally transition into mentoring roles, creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens the entire community. The chapters provide comprehensive support that encompasses academic guidance and research opportunities, enabling members to pursue advanced degrees and contribute to cutting-edge research in computing fields. Through international conference participation with scholarship support, members gain global exposure and present their work on international platforms, while corporate partnerships facilitate meaningful internships and employment opportunities with leading technology companies. 

This comprehensive approach combines technical skills development with professional growth, ensuring members not only master emerging technologies but also develop the communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills essential for career advancement. Leadership role assignments within chapter operations provide hands-on experience in project management, event coordination, and team leadership, preparing members for executive positions in their future careers. This comprehensive mentorship ecosystem transforms participants from passive learners into confident leaders who then return to mentor the next generation, creating a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment and growth that extends far beyond individual career success to impact the broader technology community.

Looking Forward: Ambitious Goals and Global Collaboration

With the foundation they’ve built and lessons learned from their experiences, Dr. Kale and Dr. Minu have outlined ambitious visions for expanding their impact both locally and globally. Their strategic priorities reflect an understanding of what it takes to create sustainable change in the computing landscape.

Both chapters have established clear strategic priorities focused on expanding their impact and reach across the technology community. Their primary objective involves expanding mentorship programs to reach more women across diverse career stages, recognizing that support needs vary significantly from early-career professionals entering the field to mid-career women facing retention challenges and senior professionals transitioning into executive roles. 

Moreover, in order to strengthen industry partnerships, the chapters plan to create more direct pathways from academia to leadership positions by developing structured relationships with technology companies that offer meaningful internship programs, executive mentorship opportunities, and clear advancement tracks for women in computing. Enhanced global collaboration represents a key growth area, with detailed plans for joint events and cross-chapter networking opportunities chapters for international knowledge exchange and career mobility support. They’re planning joint events, mentorship exchanges, and speaker collaborations, with particular interest in cross-cultural roundtable discussions about overcoming gender-based barriers in technology.

Furthermore, the chapters are prioritizing supporting hybrid event models that increase accessibility while maintaining community connection, ensuring that geographical barriers don’t prevent participation in their empowerment initiatives. Additionally, they plan to amplify their presence on social media platforms to build visibility and inspire broader audiences with success stories and opportunities. Finally, both chapters will focus training support on technical innovation, specifically targeting cutting-edge technologies including GenAI, Web3, and computational thinking initiatives that prepare members for emerging industry demands while fostering the innovation leadership capabilities needed to shape the future of technology.

A Message of Unity and Courage

When asked for their message to the global ACM-W community, both chairs emphasized the importance of unity and mutual support:

Dr. Kale: “Be courageous, be bold, go ahead. We are all in it together. Our voice will be heard at the global level. We should collaborate more, come together more, and make decisions to support each other.”

Dr. Minu: “The era is literally changing. By seeing the outcome of leadership that women have taken, other women are trying to build themselves and shift the paradigm. But that kind of acknowledgment has to happen from all genders.”

The Ripple Effect: Inspiring Beyond Boundaries

What makes these chapters truly remarkable is their understanding that transformation happens through visibility and connection. When women see other women leading technical discussions, heading departments, and succeeding in computing careers, it normalizes these possibilities for the next generation.

As our conversation demonstrated, the challenges faced by women in computing transcend geographical boundaries. A woman in Cyprus experiences remarkably similar societal pressures to those in Pune or Chennai. This shared experience creates powerful opportunities for global solidarity and support.

The Pune and Chennai chapters prove that targeted, culturally aware programming combined with an unwavering commitment to leadership development can create lasting change. Their focus on mid-career retention, leadership identity development, and peer mentorship offers a model that other chapters worldwide can adapt to their local contexts.

Call to Action

The Pune and Chennai ACM-W Professional Chapters demonstrate what’s possible when passionate leaders combine local insight with global vision. They invite collaboration from chapters worldwide and encourage the sharing of best practices for engaging and retaining women in computing leadership roles.

Connect with the Chapters:

Whether you’re interested in joint programming, cross-cultural mentorship exchanges, or simply want to connect with passionate advocates for women in computing, these chapters are eager to collaborate and learn from the global ACM-W community.

Together, we can ensure that women don’t just enter the computing field: they lead it. To conclude the tour, here’s a souvenir: an infographic highlighting key moments of both the Pune and Chennai ACM-W Chapters and my contact information.

Contact Information for Ace 

Looking forward to seeing you all on the next Professional Chapter tour! Your friendly guide is signing off.

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