Can emerging technology create a more equitable future? Pinky Ghadiali believes so. As founder of the global online platform, Netwomen, her visionary work aims to close the gender and ethnicity gap in organizations and foster an environment of inclusivity and equal opportunity for all. In a world where women are still significantly underrepresented in leadership roles, Pinky’s work couldn’t be more crucial.
Pinky started Netwomen after noticing that many professional women were struggling in corporate environments and weren’t receiving support from one another. She wanted to create a community where women could come together to learn from each other and collaborate.
Pinky’s personal mantra speaks volumes about her character: “Be yourself. Always. Never let anybody tell you otherwise. And if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” Coupled with a deep belief in oneself, these principles have served as a foundation for her journey and work.
A Mission to Uplift
Netwomen, founded in 2020, is a personification of Pinky’s vision: to increase corporate profitability by elevating women to leadership positions and ensuring they remain there. “Our mission is to bridge the gender and ethnicity gap and move the needle on gender equality through equity by creating a 50/50 split at the top,” Pinky asserts.
Despite facing several challenges, Pinky credits her passion for leadership coaching as the force that propelled her to open new doors. She believes that finding one’s passion can significantly alter one’s life trajectory. Her philosophy? “Never let obstacles or fear stand in the way of your passion.”
Who stands to benefit? The recipients of Pinky’s work extend beyond individual women. “Organizations who are looking to create a more diverse workforce” stand to gain immensely from the programs and resources offered by Netwomen. As she notes, companies that foster diversity, equity and inclusion will have a more engaged and productive workforce committed to the organization for the long term.
Her journey, filled with its share of trials and triumphs, illustrates that it’s not just about reaching the destination but also about the journey itself. Despite the many barriers she faced, she remains undeterred in her mission to uplift and empower women.
Leveraging the Power of Technology
This online platform is more than just a social network; it offers professional development, coaching, leadership roundtable sessions and a diverse range of programs aimed at promoting women in leadership roles. Through this, Pinky hopes to influence and inspire one million people by 2027.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of technology in shaping a better future, Pinky sees AI as a game-changer, offering potential benefits across various industries. However, she cautions that technology alone isn’t the answer; a balance between human and tech interaction is essential for sustainable change. “Unless we have the human side for innovation, then tech cannot happen,” she affirms.
She shares: “Netwomen works across all verticals and offers programs for DEI, HR programs, women in leadership, peak performance and an educational tech platform. A community like LinkedIn for women where we have unlimited access to over 120 upskilling videos, group coaching sessions, leader connect round table sessions and DEIB collaboration, panel discussions and fireside chats.”
The utilization of AI in Pinky’s approach is noteworthy. She sees the potential of AI to assist in the decision‑making process and reduce unconscious bias in hiring practices. In a corporate environment, AI could be used to analyze performance, engagement and potential. This could lead to more objective assessments of talent, allowing for more diversity in leadership positions.
A Catalyst for Change
Moreover, AI can be an excellent tool for identifying and addressing systemic biases in organizations. By revealing patterns humans might miss, AI can highlight where intervention is needed to ensure a fair and equal workplace.
Pinky’s journey is as inspiring as her work. Initially, she was an optometrist who found herself wanting to do more with her skills as a leader and a coach. She believes in harnessing her ability to create a safe and trusting space for her clients, a skill that has significantly contributed to her current role in transformational leadership coaching.
Pinky’s vision for the future involves a shift towards inclusivity, diversity and equality in leadership roles. She emphasizes the importance of creating a world where everyone feels they belong, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
After a tumultuous personal journey that involved a divorce, relocation and a barrage of obstacles, Pinky found solace in the community she surrounded herself with. “Who you hang around is who you become,” she acknowledges. This realization paved the way for the establishment of her coaching business in 2015, where she began addressing a commonly encountered phenomenon: imposter syndrome.
An embodiment of a mission‑driven leader, using technology to foster inclusivity and diversity in leadership, her life’s work serves as an example for others, demonstrating that it is possible to leverage technology for the betterment of society.
“I always felt like I was the other or I didn’t belong,” she reveals. “And I suppose that really made me feel that I wanted to make a difference, and I didn’t want a world where people who didn’t look the same, act the same, who didn’t wear the same clothes or just didn’t, don’t feel like they belong. There should be togetherness; I believe that if we all treat each other like humans, we’re more likely to have a better world in the future.”
