Chennai based Ms Sudha Shivkumar took over as the 40th President of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) the oldest women-led and women-centric business chamber of Southeast Asia. at the 39th Annual Session on March 31, 2023.
As the 40th National President of FLO Ms Shivkumar will focus on empowering women by facilitating an enabling environment that promotes entrepreneurship, industry participation and economic development of women. Under her leadership, FLO will carry out many interventions towards fostering larger contributions of women in India’s Industrial and economic growth story.
“Development of entrepreneurship among women has been central to FLO’s philosophy and mission. Taking this vision forward my focus during her tenure would be to transform the power of woman’s voices into forward thinking economic initiatives by changing perceptions and influencing policies.” Said Ms Sudha Shivkumar, National President, FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) .
“With the theme for her year “LET’s RISE”, the primary objectives will be :
To grow and sustain an effective organization, inspire and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and support women’s professional and personal development through networking, education, and training to be a catalyst for community development.” She said.
Ms Sudha Shivkumar is a lawyer and investment banker by profession. Her prolific career spans over 32 years and includes leading large organizations and mutual funds, managing international portfolios, spearheading non-profit ventures, all while keenly mentoring and inspiring women from all walks of life.
A gold medallist and a state topper in her undergraduate studies, Ms. Shivkumar completed her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Madras. She specialised in Corporate and Bankruptcy laws to build her expertise in these fields and completed a Master of Applied Finance with specialization in Investment Banking from Macquarie University, Sydney, with distinction.
For 13 years, Ms. Shivkumar headed a leading non-banking reputed finance company, following which she led the operations of a South-India-based mutual fund with assets under management of Rs 25,000 crore. For 7 years, she handled a Rs 350-crore portfolio of an international group of high net worth individuals.
Currently, Ms. Sudha is the Director of her family’s business in manufacture of Auto ancillaries. She was the managing director of family owned foundry – a role that she held for 5 years. She was actively involved with the World Craft Council in its projects, ‘Abhushan’ and ‘Kaivalam’. She is currently Treasurer, Crafts Council of India. In her spare time, Ms. Shivkumar helps run a vocational training centre for the mentally challenged as a trustee of Navajothi Trust.
Ms. Shivkumar has, throughout her student and professional careers, displayed a penchant for leadership in various roles. In her early days, she was a school pupil leader, the president of her college union, and an under officer of the NCC movement at the state level. At the young age of 29, she was not only the CEO of a financial services company, but also pioneered the operations of a mutual fund. Her experience as Managing Director of her family’s foundry exposed her to the nuances of leading and motivating people of varied backgrounds.
Ms. Shivkumar also partakes in sports and leisure activities. She has won the All-India Best Shot in Rifle shooting and has undergone advanced training in para-jumping. She also holds the state record for javelin throw.
She was the Chairperson of FLO Chennai Chapter in 2016-17. FLO at present has 19 chapters across India with about 3000 business women as its members .
