Great Lakes Institute of Management, a leading management institute founded by Padmasree Prof. Bala V Balachandran, today honoured ?Successful Women in Management? at the SWIM 2010 event. Ms. Sheela Rani Chunkath, IAS, Chairperson and Managing Director, Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC), inaugurated the event and Ms. Vinita Bali, Chairperson and Managing Director of Britannia Industries Ltd., delivered the keynote address at the Great Lakes Campus at Manamai. Mr. Kannan P. Srinivasan, Principal Consultant, Gateway International Business Consultants, and Ms. Jaya Vaidhyanathan, Head ? Technology, Scope International, graced the occasion with their presence.

SWIM is an annual event at Great Lakes since the year 2005. The theme for the event this year was ‘Women as Transformational Leaders – Academics, Business and Society’. The objective was to highlight the role of women in various realms of management and to learn from their experience, the art of being successful. The event also bought out the unique expressive side of women, explored the differences between simple leadership and transformational leadership and the need for women to bring their transformational leadership skills to the fore.

SWIM 2010 felicitated Ms. Vinita Bali, Managing Director of Britannia Industries Ltd. and Ms. Sheela Rani Chunkath, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC) by presenting awards for their outstanding leadership, innovative skills and contribution to society. The panel discussion headed by Mr. T. N. Seshan followed the award ceremony. Ms. Jamuna Bhaskar, Senior VP, Future Generali; Prof. D. Indumati, Prof of Physics, MATSCIENCE, Chennai; Ms. Mandy Mok, MD, QS Asia; Dr. Lily Neelankavil, Consultant, Great Lakes Institute of Management and Mrs. Rajee Kannan, Senior Delivery Manager, HP-Emphasis participated in the panel discussion on the issues that women face in the corporate world.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. Bala V. Balachandran, Founder & Dean, Great Lakes Institute of Management said ?Women are indeed powerhouses as they share many attributes such as strong leadership skills, confidence in their abilities and decision-making. They also gracefully handle the challenges of maintaining a perfect balance between professional and personal responsibilities. Great Lakes is indeed privileged to honour and recognize such women.?

Adding to the statement Dr S. K. Shanthi, Professor of Economics, Great Lakes Institute of Management said ?SWIM is an inspiring initiative which showcases the achievements of women in management, not only in the corporate sector but also in government and society at large. It is our hope that the success stories of these extraordinary women will act as an inspiration to all women of this country?.