SOCIAL Works to host ‘Women Keep Walking’ Speaker Event

~Witness boss ladies, and industry leaders of Mumbai share their career journeys at this moderated session~

by Suman Gupta

Mumbai, April 2022: SOCIAL has always been at the forefront of paving new experiences and striking conversations through each of its initiatives. As a part of its Women’s Month Campaign SOCIAL Works is hosting the ‘Women Keep Walking’ speaker event on 23^rd April 2022, 6.00 pm onwards at its Khar outpost.

Moderated by Mae Mariyam Thomas (Presenter, Podcast Producer, Founder, Maed in India), witness speakers such as Sanjana Patel (Creative Director & co-founder, La Folie), Zainab Patel (Chief Inclusion & Diversity, Pernod Ricard India), Supriya Nair (Journalist & co-founder, All Things Small) and Anushka Menon (Fashion Photographer & Musician) share their career journeys, obstacles, milestones, and other interesting stories via the moderated session. The speaker event will be followed by a networking mixer and an after-mixer party.

Here is all you need to know about the inspiring speakers-

Zainab Javid Patel (Chief Inclusion and Diversity –  Pernod Ricard India)

Born in Mumbai, Zainab is a transgender person and is one of the petitioners in the National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India case on transgender rights. She currently works with Pernod Ricard India as the Chief Inclusion and Diversity, prior to this she worked with KPMG as the Director – Diversity and Inclusion, She holds an MBA in HR and was the National Manager Health and Human Rights at UNDP country office in India and was the regional policy analyst on human rights in Asia. Her areas of interest are health and social development issues and comes with over 20 years of national and international work experience. She currently serves as western India representative in the National Council for Transgender Persons and is Kamal Nayan Bajaj Aspen global fellow.

Supriya Nair (Journalist & Co-founder, All Things Small)

Supriya Nair is a journalist and editor from Mumbai. She is the co-founder of the media company All Things Small and editor of the weekly publication Fifty Two, which publishes long work of reportage from the Indian subcontinent. Supriya was previously the books columnist of Mumbai Mirror and editor at the Caravan magazine. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Foreign Policy and Vogue.

Anushka Menon (Fashion photographer & Musician (also DJ for the night after the session)

Anushka Menon is one of India’s leading fashion and beauty photographers. Having begun her career in 2005 at the age of 20 she was considered to be the first female fashion photographer in the country at the time. Since then she has paved the way for the next generation of female photographers to follow their dreams and turn their passions into professions. In an extremely male dominated field Anushka has stood out with her unique style and vision. Her western upbringing and eastern roots make for an incredibly versatile portfolio!

Over the years Anushka has shot for top brands and publications in India such as Vogue, GQ, Harpers Bazar, Dove, Ponds, Reebok and so on. Her work has reached global recognition and some of her international clients include Rolex, Corto Moltedo and Rituals Cosmetics.

Having been the first India speaker to present her work at the prestigious PhotoKina in Germany Anushka is a self-made brand now being represented in the USA. Her career as a DJ began with the inception of the duo, Anushka + Agent, along with Smita Singh. Her sets go beyond Breaks and Drum and Bass and seep into genres like Electro, Leftfield House and Techno. Anushka’s DJ sets layer bass-heavy and edgy breaks ultimately ensconced in a darker, moody veneer. She embraces a variety of styles in her sets and has become an icon of edginess- creating music interwoven with keen fashion sense, that is fresh, authentic, and driven by dance. Anushka’s most significant motive as a DJ is to make sure that the audience has a good time. Her sets are known to be audience-centric and have an aspect of fluidity in genres from beginning to finish.

Sanjana Patel (Creative director & Co-Founder, La Folie)

Sanjana Patel shares a special relationship with chocolate – one of reverence, love and discovery. As the Creative Director and Executive Chef at La Folie, she showcases her passion for chocolate in a plethora of original, haute couture-style renditions of French delicacies. With knowledge and expertise refined for over two decades, today Sanjana is a revolutionary force in the art of modern pastry and chocolate-making. In her latest pursuit to discover an authentic expression of real chocolate, Sanjana has transformed from a chocolatier to a bean-to-bar chocolate maker. Her quest for the finest-origin beans has led her to cacao farms across four continents. A staunch follower of ethical trade, Sanjana’s creations brim with exuberant, natural flavours and her intense desire to share the magnificence of real chocolate. At heart, she is a passionate artist. The plate is her canvas. She paints it with flavour-strokes honed at the reputed École Grégoire Ferrandi in Paris and then, as an apprentice with Pierre Hermé. Her résumé includes stints with global heavyweights such as Patrick Roger, Olivier Bajard, and Chefs Christophe Michalak and Alain Ducasse (at Hotel Plaza Athénée in the Dorchester Collection). With her immense talent, Sanjana has attained national and global accolades, including the titles of ‘India’s Pastry Queen’ (2015) and the ‘4th Best Pastry Chef for 2016’ at the World Pastry Queen Competition. But rather than resting on her laurels, you’ll always find Sanjana engrossed in pushing the envelope of creativity and planning her next avant-garde creation.

MODERATOR -Mae Mariyam Thomas (Presenter, Podcast Producer & Founder of Maed in India)

Mae Mariyam Thomas is a presenter, podcast producer, journalist, entrepreneur and voice over artist, with over a decade of experience in the radio industry and 5 years in the podcasting space. She started her career as a News Editor/Journalist for a community radio station in Wales, UK. When she moved back to India in 2010, she continued working in radio as a presenter, producer and creative manager at Chennai Live 104.8FM and then moved to Mumbai hosting their afternoon request show, ‘Mumbai On Demand’ on 94.3 Radio One. Eventually from radio, she began exploring the growing medium of podcasting and now runs her own podcast production company. She’s most well-known for being the host of India’s first indie music podcast Maed in India which was selected by Apple as one of the Best Podcasts of 2018 in India. The show has been running for over 6 years and is a platform to showcase some of the best independent music coming out of India. With over 250 episodes out so far, it features interviews, new/unreleased music and live recording sessions with indie musicians. In 2019, she was chosen by GQ magazine for their 50 Most Influential Young Indians. Also, Maed in India is a 2021 Webby Award Honoree in the category of Limited Series & Specials – Diversity & Inclusion. Currently, she works as a podcast consultant to develop audio ideas, design shows, handle production and distribution of podcasts. Her ideal is to be creatively bold, nurture ideas and help people find their voice.

So, head with your girl gang for some inspirational stories, ideas and celebrate your individual self-journeys and goals in life!

Venue: SOCIAL, Ground, 1, Rohan Plaza, 5th Road, Ram Krishna Nagar, Khar, Ram Krishna Nagar, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052, India

When: Saturday, 23^rd April

Time: 6:00 pm onwards

Entry Fee: Free