SLASSCOM Women in Tech Conference 4.0 sets benchmark

Sindhu Gangadharan, Chairperson of NASSCOM and Managing Director of SAP Labs India and Shehani Seneviratne - Chairperson SLASSCOM, COO 99x

SLASSCOM Women in Tech Conference 4.0 reaffirmed its position as Sri Lanka’s premier platform for advancing women’s leadership in the digital economy. 

Held under the theme “Give to Gain: Building Inclusive Digital Futures,” it convened industry leaders to explore the future of work, digital transformation, and the growing role of women in shaping business, technology, and policy, highlighting gender diversity as a strategic imperative for future-ready organizations. 

It also accelerated leadership development, upskilling, and career growth, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and next-generation digital skills.

Now in its fourth edition, the conference made a significant impact, engaging over 290 plus delegates while achieving an impressive satisfaction rating exceeding 88 percent. 

Sindhu Gangadharan, Chairperson of NASSCOM and Managing Director of SAP Labs India, delivered a powerful keynote on how artificial intelligence can unlock new pathways for women’s participation in the workforce. 

Anna Metz, Senior Digital Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted the importance of building inclusive digital ecosystems that enable access, collaboration, and leadership opportunities for women at scale.

The conference also featured a panel discussion on future-ready leadership, with Lim Li San of Dialog Axiata PLC, Arjuna Nanayakkara of GTN Technologies, and Wyomi Ranasinghe of Platned, moderated by Kaushalya Gunaratne of Uber. The discussion focused on the critical skills needed by women to thrive in a digital-first world, including adaptability, continuous learning, and strategic thinking.

Peter Ward, Director at Dijital Team, emphasized how diversity and inclusion directly contribute to high-performing teams and long-term business success.

A key highlight was the panel on governance and accountability in the digital era,(Women Leading with Responsibility) featuring Nikin Matharaarachchi, Ashwini Natesan, Sashiprabha Dharmadasa (JIT) and Andreene Balthazaar (EY) moderated by Asela Waidyalankara. The session explored ethical leadership, governance frameworks, and the importance of accountability in shaping resilient digital enterprises.

A fireside chat with Dr. Mihirini de Zoysa and Samra Aman, offered practical strategies for managing performance, navigating pressure, and maintaining wellbeing.

Adding an inspirational edge, Kavindya Thennakoon, CEO of Tilli, shared her journey of resilience and growth, encouraging women to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. This was complemented by a powerful masterclass by Ayanthi Philip, who challenged traditional notions of perfection and empowered women to redefine success on their own terms.

The conference also featured three focused tracks—“Women Engineering the Future” facilitated by LSEG (Keshan Sodimana) (“Winning in the Age of AI Search: Rethinking Google Advertising for Tech Brands” powered by Roar (Sandali Guruge & Jenevieve Davidson and “Women Driving Decisions: From Dashboards to Strategic Impact” facilitated by Octave, Dr. Radheeka Abeyweera and Poornika Wickramasuriya) each delivering practical, industry-relevant insights for navigating the evolving digital landscape.