BOSTON— INDIA New England News today announced that it will host its 20th Annual Woman of the Year Awards Gala on April 14, 2023 at Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
“It is an incredible honor to be a guest at INDIA New England’s 2023 Woman of the Year Awards, twenty years after I was recognized as the First Woman of the Year,” said Nandita Bakhshi, CEO of the Bank of the West, and one of the most accomplished corporate executives at the intersection of finance and sustainability. “Receiving this award early in my career helped me to understand that being different is a strength. With only around 6% of bank CEOs being female, I have embraced my position as an opportunity to challenge the status quo, carve a path for future female leaders and lead differently.”
As the CEO of Bank of the West, Ms. Bakshi has led a six-year digital transformation that turned the company into one of the leading sustainable banks in the US-while also dramatically improving profitability and driving results. She has spearheaded innovations in digital channels, mobile payments, and contactless and voice-enabled technology as a senior executive at major organizations including TD Bank, Bank of America, First Data, and Washington Mutual.
“Over the years I’ve learned that powerful, modern leadership requires empathy and authenticity. These are qualities Woman of the Year Award winners have consistently demonstrated and I’m inspired by all this group has accomplished,” said Ms. Bakshi.
Ms. Bakshi also serves as directors of the U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Grameen America, a leading provider of microfinance to women entrepreneurs. She has championed diversity and gender equity her entire career, having risen through adversity as an immigrant and part-time bank teller to become one of the only women CEOs of a major bank in the US. She has made Bank of the West one of the nation’s best employers tor women, diversity, and LGBTQ equality. Nandita herself has been recognized as one of the most influential women in business in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the US.
Ms. Bakshi has received numerous accolades from the industry, media and her peers:
- Barron’s list of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance
- Forbes’ inaugural 50 over 50 list (2021)
- American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking for the past four years as well as the #1 Woman to Watch in Banking (2016)
- San Francisco Business Times Most Admired CE0s(2020)
- San Francisco Business Times inaugural Inspire Award 2017 for women leading companies with creativity, integrity, and strategic vision (2022)
- Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Women (2020)
- Perteet score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) (2022)
- Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards for its 1% tor the Planet Account (2021).
“Nandita Bakshi carved out a path for us to follow as the first Woman of the Year,” said Dr. Manju Sheth, MD, who won Woman of the Year Award in 2011 and currently serves as the Director and host of the Woman of the Year, President of INE MultiMedia, and host of INE celebrity series Chai With Manju. “2022 also marks the 11 years of my collaborating with India New England News. It has been an enormous privilege and a great journey. I have always said that Woman of the Year changed my life. This year’s Gala is very significant as we celebrate the 20th anniversary. We’re looking forward to welcoming you all on April 14.”
On April 14, 2023, INDIA New England News will honor 10 outstanding women in various categories. In addition, it will bestow a Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. Stay tuned for announcement.
