When men hit a rough patch, they recalibrate. For women, it's the Exit Door.

Tricky board-rooms, Golf, Cigar rooms, Whisky tastings - what do women leaders navigate apart from all the other challenges, red velvet ropes and gate-keepers as they ascend the leadership mountain? Do they hold themselves back? Do they internalise their difference instead of using it as a differentiator? Are their ideas overlooked until someone else repeats them?

- By Pratima H

SOUMYA MISHRA Digital & Tech Head- Wider Asia, Haleon Singapore Pte. Ltd

In 2025, we've made visible progress: more women are entering tech, leading digital transformation, and shaping business strategy. But the deeper you look, the more you realise that the conversation is far from over. What makes Soumya Mishra, Digital & Tech HeadWider Asia, Haleon Singapore Pte. Ltd say that? Are there still any elephants in the corporate rooms that women walk in and around today? Are these elephants white or pink? Or do women have to still pull off the 'gray man' concept? Only one way to find out. Speak to someone who has been there, confronted that and conquered that. And who epitomises this advice - You don't have to choose between being successful and being present. You can be both. How does she do that? Let's ask and listen...

Does it matter if we talk about Women in IT and Business leaders with a special lens today? Is the topic redundant or still significant—or more grave—in 2025?

It absolutely matters—and perhaps more than ever. In 2025, we've made visible progress: more women are entering tech, leading digital transformation, and shaping business strategy. But the deeper you look, the more you realise that the conversation is far from over.

The challenges have evolved. It’s no longer just about getting women into the room—it’s about ensuring they have a voice, influence, and the freedom to lead authentically once they're there. The barriers are more nuanced now: unconscious bias in Al systems, unequal access to high-visibility projects, and the persistent drop-off from mid-career to leadership roles.