Jobava shared the stage with Urvashi Butalia, founder and CEO of Zubaan Books; Charlie Mundy, literary scout at Lansdowne Literary; and Lara Hertz, manager of events and programming at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.
The panel examined career crossroads for women, including the shift from specialist roles to people‑leadership, building authority without conforming to stereotypes, and navigating visibility and conflict.
Speakers highlighted how individual backgrounds and identities shape these experiences and stressed the need for more inclusive pathways to senior roles.
Networks, mentorship and sponsorship were identified as key tools for sharing knowledge, building confidence and creating opportunities for women aspiring to leadership.
The discussion also provided space for participants to reflect on factors that have supported—or hindered—their own journeys into leadership positions.