Webinar Link

Meeting No: 2519 096 7453
Password: women

Certificate of Participants

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Abstract

MSMEs play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive economic growth, employment generation, and innovation. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, are transforming local economies by creating sustainable businesses despite facing challenges such as limited access to finance, technology, markets, and business networks.

This webinar will explore the significance of women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), key barriers to their growth, and strategies to strengthen their entrepreneurial potential through supportive policies, digital transformation, skill development, and financial inclusion. It aims to foster dialogue among researchers, policymakers, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to advance an enabling ecosystem for women-led MSMEs and sustainable development.

Short Bio

Dr. Zuzana B. Schwidrowski

Dr. Zuzana Brixiova Schwidrowski is the Director of the Socio-Economic Development Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. She provides strategic leadership on the Commission’s work in areas including inclusive economic growth, employment, social development, human capital, poverty reduction, and sustainable development across Africa.

Prior to her current position, Dr. Schwidrowski served as Director of UNECA’s Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division and as Director of the Subregional Office for North Africa. Before joining UNECA, she was Vice President and Senior Analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, Lead Advisor to the Chief Economist and Vice President at the African Development Bank Group, and Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund in Belarus and Lithuania.

An accomplished economist and researcher, Dr. Schwidrowski’s work focuses on labor markets, development economics, entrepreneurship, youth employment, gender economics, and macroeconomic policy. She has published extensively in leading international academic journals and has held academic appointments as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cape Town, a Fulbright Scholar at Addis Ababa University, and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

Dr. Schwidrowski holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s degree in Finance from the Prague University of Economics and Business.

Dr. Rama Yelkur

Dr. Rama Yelkur is the executive dean of the Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship and leads all facets of the College, providing strategic vision and direction. Prior to her arrival at TWU, she has served in a variety of roles, including the dean of the School of Business at St. John Fisher University, the dean of the Carmona College of Business at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, director of International Business Programs and professor of marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a marketing faculty member at Texas A&M International University.

Her research has been published in leading academic journals, and she has delivered corporate training and consulting programs across Europe and Asia. Supported by multiple U.S. Department of Education grants, she has helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strengthen their global competitiveness and has established international partnerships with universities in Europe, China, and India.With nearly 30 years of consulting experience, Dr. Yelkur has worked with organizations including Kimberly-Clark, NBC Universal, and the NFL.

Dr. Yelkur has held leadership roles on several public and private boards and professional organizations, including serving as President of the International Society of Marketing and Past President of the Marketing Management Association.

Dr Nirmala Padmanabhan

Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan was a faculty of Economics for 26 years for post-graduation and graduation and has handled subjects such as financial markets and systems, international trade and monetary systems. She has experience in budget analysis and analysis of economic issues of the country and in rural economic development as part of the Unnath Bharath Abhiyan / community development projects. Presently, she is the Dean of Extension and Incubation in St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam with overall charge of community development projects undertaken by the college and responsible for overall guidance to the business incubation and entrepreneurship development initiatives of the college.

Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan was Member of the Public Expenditure Review Committee of the Government of Kerala in 2020-21. She was also a Member of the Working Group on Gender and Development to prepare Plan of Action for 14 Five Year Plan of the Government of Kerala in 2021-22. She was also a Member of the Working Group on Financial Resource Mobilisation to prepare Plan of Action for 14 Five Year Plan of the Government of Kerala in 2021-22. Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan is a Director in and holds 6.94% of the paid-up capital of BhuME Women's Collective Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Nirmala Padmanabhan is a post graduate in economics and holds a doctorate and has special knowledge and practical experience in economics.

Geetha Saleesh

Geetha Saleesh is the founder of Kurukkumeal and Geetha's Home to Home, an organic food venture based in Thrissur district, Kerala. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at a young age, she completely lost her vision by 15. Overcoming job rejections, she built a thriving business selling homemade superfood supplements and ghee, earning widespread recognition.Geetha’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2019 with a goal of promoting health and sustainable food.