Monin India has brought its Women Raise the Bar (WRTB) movement to Mumbai this year, continuing its commitment to amplify the voices of women in hospitality and build a sustainable ecosystem of mentorship, collaboration and growth.
Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to shift the narrative around women’s participation in alcobev and hospitality by creating platforms where conversations, decisions and leadership are shaped with inclusion at the core.
WRTB was built as a community-led model to recognise women not just as contributors to the industry, but as cultural builders, innovators and drivers of long-term change.
The movement focuses on bridging gaps that have existed for decades – from gender bias and limited leadership exposure to uneven access to capital, visibility, and representation in decision-making circles.
At the Mumbai edition held at the Monin India Studio, two themed roundtables examined different dimensions of empowerment and belonging in hospitality. The first panel, ‘Breaking Barriers with Personal Branding’, discussed how women are redefining identity and influence beyond surface-level positioning.
The conversation explored personal branding as a tool for credibility and authority-building, transforming digital visibility into real-world collaborations, business growth and revenue. It also emphasised the role of mentorship and legacy, ensuring that women in leadership pave the way for the next generation.
Moderated by Shatbhi Basu (Founder of STIR Academy), the participants were Gauri Devidayal (Co-Founder of Food Matters Group), Maia Lai (Founder of Maia Breweries LLP), Rojita Tiwari (Founder of Drinks & Destinations LLP), and Devika Manjrekar (chef-entrepreneur).
Participants Shatbhi Basu (STIR Academy), Gauri Devidayal (Food Matters Group), Maia Lai (Maia Breweries), Rojita Tiwari (Drinks & Destinations) and Devika Manjrekar (chef-entrepreneur) discussing ‘Breaking Barriers with Personal Branding’.
The second panel, ‘From Diversity to Belonging’, focused on the shift from representation to true inclusion. Panellists examined how workplaces can move beyond metrics and token diversity to foster environments where women feel safe, valued and supported.
Discussions covered structural barriers, allyship, safety norms, community-building and the importance of disability inclusion. The group stressed that diversity becomes meaningful only when organisational culture and day-to-day behaviour evolve beyond policy into lived practice.
This panel was moderated by Clea Neumann (Marketing & CSR Leader at Monin) with Shikha Shetty (food content creator), Hemali Bendre (Brand Developer at Diageo India), Ami Shroff (pioneer flair bartender) and Alina Alam (Founder of Mitti Café).
Speaking about the initiative, Germain Araud, Managing Director of Monin India, said: “Women Raise the Bar is about building a platform where women have not just access but active presence, agency and support. Each edition brings us closer to a more equal, inclusive and empowered hospitality industry.”
The WRTB movement builds on the brand’s existing platforms such as the Monin Cup, Monin Creativity Coffee Cup, and its experience studios across New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
These are centres that function as creative playgrounds and professional skill-building spaces for bartenders, baristas, management talent and industry entrepreneurs.
