Stewardship In Boardrooms Takes Centre Stage At Board Stewardship Huddle In Delhi
Board Stewardship hosted the Delhi edition of its flagship Board Stewardship Huddle on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Magnolia Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The Women’s Day Special edition brought together board members, Independent Directors, governance professionals, and business leaders to discuss the evolving role of Boards and responsible leadership. The event centred on the theme ‘Stewardship in Boardrooms,’ highlighting directors’ changing responsibilities and the growing influence of women in governance, accountability, and strategic oversight.
The evening opened with a Welcome Address by Vikesh Wallia, Managing Director and Editor, Board Stewardship. Wallia said, “Marking Women’s Day, the Huddle underscored that inclusive leadership is a governance imperative, built on diversity, ethical judgement and translating dialogue into tangible boardroom outcomes.”
The Inaugural Keynote Address was delivered by Arun Karna, MD & CEO, AT&T Global Network Services India Pvt. Ltd., and SCVP – India & ASEAN, AT&T Business International. Karna reflected, “The discussion on the evolving role of Boards, expanding from governance to stewardship, was insightful. The future boardroom will be defined by foresight, diversity, and accountability.”
Nina Chatrath, Independent Director on multiple Boards and Partner at DHR Global, delivered a keynote titled ‘Right to Lead: Reimagining Board Pathways for Women.’ Chatrath noted, “It is encouraging to see strong intent towards building thoughtful, future-ready Boards. Grateful for the platform and the meaningful exchange.”
A key highlight was the panel discussion, ‘From Seat at the Table to Shaping the Table: Women Directors Redefining Governance & NRC Accountability,’ moderated by Pankaj Raj, Co-founder and Director, Search Value. Raj observed, “Women directors are increasingly shaping critical boardroom conversations around risk, accountability, and leadership. The dialogue reflected a shift from representation to real influence—actively shaping the table and raising the bar on Board decisions.”
Panelists included Arpita Pal Agrawal, Board Chair & Independent Director; Radhika Vohra, Associate Managing Director, Kroll; and Shan Jain, Independent Director and Founder & CEO, Bridge to Ocean 29. Jain emphasised, “Board mandates ensure a seat, but influence is built through preparation, relationships, and the courage to ask uncomfortable questions. The next frontier is not representation—it’s impact.”
Sri Ram Kumar C, Head of Marketing Alliances & HR, FinAlyzer, delivered a Spotlight Session on ‘Governing the Game, Not the Numbers,’ noting the quality of insights and discussions on governance, risk, and decision-making. He noted, “The Board Stewardship Huddle at New Delhi was exceptionally well organised, bringing together a thoughtful mix of Independent Directors and C-Suite leaders for meaningful dialogue. The sessions were rich in insight, with speakers offering diverse perspectives on governance, risk, and decision-making in today’s dynamic environment. What stood out was the quality of interactions—both on stage and in conversations beyond it. Overall, it was an engaging forum that combined strong content with genuine exchange, making it a truly worthwhile experience.”
Rahul Kansal, Independent Director and Executive Coach, led a session on personal branding, and Punita Kumar Sinha, Independent Director on multiple Boards, led another key session.
The Huddle was supported by BoardPAC as Knowledge Partner, Search Value as Corporate Partner, and FinAlyzer as Principal Partner. The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, vote of thanks, and networking over cocktails and dinner, allowing participants to engage in meaningful conversations and strengthen connections around governance and leadership.
