From fellowship to France

"The realization that we should collaborate was almost immediate.”

In the world of impact entrepreneurship, one connection can change everything. A shared conversation, a moment of understanding, and suddenly a door swings open to new possibilities. This is the magic of the Cartier Women’s Initiative — a global network of passionate changemakers who uplift, motivate and propel each other forward.

This new series highlights the special stories of impact entrepreneurs whose journeys have been shaped by the power of community. Our first story is about two inspiring women — Ishani Roy, a 2023 fellow, and Jamie Jia Mei Soon-Kesteloot, a jury member for the Science & Technology Pioneer Award — who met at a dinner and, within moments, knew they were destined to collaborate.

A serendipitous seating plan

It was a spring evening in Paris and the room buzzed with energy. Among the attendees of the 2023 Awards Week networking dinner were Ishani and Jamie, seated together. Ishani’s warmth and curiosity immediately struck Jamie. As they exchanged stories about their work, the synergy between them was palpable.

Jamie, who leads Innovation Protection and Valorization at EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in eyewear, has long been deeply invested in driving impactful change. As the President of Women@EssilorLuxottica France, she continues to seek innovative ways to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the organization. Sitting next to her was Ishani, the founder of Serein, a company using data and behavioral science to reshape workplaces through unconscious bias training, leadership development and culture transformation.

“The moment we started talking, I knew Ishani’s work could bring something truly valuable to EssilorLuxottica,” Jamie recalls. “Her expertise was exactly what we needed.”

Transforming perspectives through partnership

That transformative conversation in Paris quickly led to action. Soon after, Serein became Women@EssilorLuxottica’s official DEI partner, designing gamified unconscious bias training sessions to address the company’s unique challenges.

But their collaboration didn’t stop at employee training. One groundbreaking discovery emerged through Serein’s research: bias in product design. Studies revealed that most sunglasses were designed with a default facial structure based on Caucasian features, leaving many consumers struggling to find the perfect fit. By addressing this, EssilorLuxottica could not only improve inclusivity, but also unlock a new competitive advantage in a crowded market.

“What makes Serein special is its deeply customized approach,” Jamie shares. “They don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions; they create transformative experiences that truly resonate.”

The ripple effect of community support

For Ishani, joining the Cartier Women’s Initiative has been more than just professional growth — it’s been life-changing.

“Being part of this community has helped Serein grow and expand into new markets across Europe and the UK,” Ishani says. “But beyond business, it has given me friendships, mentorship opportunities and a platform to share my knowledge with my peers. It’s a community that lifts you up and celebrates your wins.”

She now gives back by mentoring fellow entrepreneurs, leading peer-learning sessions on sustainable global growth and helping others navigate alternative paths to scaling without investor funding.

The heart of impact entrepreneurship

Impact entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges, determination and continual personal growth. Yet within this community, support and encouragement are always close at hand.

If you dream of being part of a community that supports, challenges and champions you, we invite you to learn more about the Cartier Women’s Initiative — where passionate changemakers come together to turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into impact.