More than 200 regional and global business leaders and inspirational women from all walks of life attended the 12th edition of Women in Management (WIM) Top50 Global Conference and Awards in Dubai on 18th June 2022.
Being held in the UAE for the first time, this year’s event theme “Resilience and Reinvention” was tackled by several globally renowned entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, celebrities, sports personalities and political influencers. This edition of the high-profile event was held under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Business Council in the UAE and Equality Alliance, UK.
Hon. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (Indian Member of Parliament), Dr Edita Tahiri (former Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo) and Dr Mariyam Shakeeka (Honorary Consul of Belgium in the Maldives) were just some of the high-level speakers at the conference who shared their experiences and expertise as they delved into a diverse set of topics including Women in Politics and Diversity in the Workplace.
The event was live-streamed and watched across the globe. WIM had 13 judges from 9 countries, nominations from 26 countries and winners from 16 countries.
Sri Lanka was also well represented by His Excellency, Malraj De Silva (Ambassador to Sri Lanka in the UAE), Hon. Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle (Member of Parliament Sri Lanka) and Hon. Eran Wickramaratne (Member of Parliament), who graced the event with their presence.
The conference raised the question of gender disparity and sent a clear message that the world is losing out on a vast percentage of human resources by undermining women in all strata of life. It was made clear that the progress in this direction is too slow to give us results in our lifetime and this needs to change. It is time to accelerate the process so that it gains sustainable momentum. Women are the bedrock of our society.
This is a special year for WIM –it’s the first step towards creating a global movement and is a pivotal moment in history, as we continue to invest in the future of women.
The latter shared their thoughts on diversity, inclusion and gender fluidity whilst Riza Muhammed, Chairman of Sri Lanka Business Council Dubai & North Emirates, discussed bilateral trade between Sri Lanka & UAE.
The event culminated in an awards ceremony. Winners were identified across numerous categories like Law, Banking and Finance, Leadership, Education and Social Impact to name but a few.
SRI LANKAN WINNERS
Banking & Finance profession of the Year: Samantha de Silva, International Development Consultant
Outstanding NGO/NPO: SOS Children’s Villages
Inspirational Entrepreneur of the Year: Sandra Wanduragala, Founder and Chairman, Selyn Exporters (Pvt) Ltd.
Women in Entrepreneurship (Health Sector): Deshamanya Indrani Fernando, Chairperson and Managing Director, New Philip Hospitals
Service Excellence in the Telecommunications Sector: Sandra De Zoysa, Group Chief Customer Officer, Dialog Axiata | Director, Dialog Business Services | Chairperson and Founder Member, Sri Lanka Association of Software Service Companies
Outstanding Women Entrepreneur of the year (Small): Diluni Jayasekara, Managing Director, Brand Centrical
Inspirational Woman of the Year: Dawn Austin, Managing Director and CEO, Nidro Supply (Pvt) Ltd and Director Nisol Diamonds (Pvt) Ltd.
Service Excellence in the Finance Sector: Melanie Janine Kanaka, Deputy President, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Leadership in Hospitality Award: Shiromal Cooray, Chairman, Jetwing Hotels Ltd.
Corporate Leadership Award: Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson, Group Chief Executive Officer, Hemas Holdings PLC.
Business Leadership Excellence in Supply Chain & Logistics: Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny, Group Managing Director, IAS Holdings Pvt Ltd.
Male Champion in Politics: Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka
Women in Politics: Hon. Dr Sudharshini Fernandopulle, Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka
Global Sri Lankan of the Year: Suen Swaminathan
(Sri Lanka/Canada) Career Role Model of the Year: Damindra Dias. Her award was accepted by a representative.
(Sri Lanka/USA) Excellence in Medical Research: Gayani Tillekeratne, Assistant Professor, Medicine Duke University
(Sri Lanka/UAE) Upcoming Women Entrepreneur – Kiru Kishokumar– Global Health Coach, Pharmacologist, Certified in Integrative Nutrition and International Speaker
(Sri Lanka/UAE) Arts & Aesthetic: Yoshita Ahamed, Artist
INTERNATIONAL WINNERS
(Norway/UAE) Educator Award: Janecke Aarnaes, Director, Universal American School
(Canada/Dubai) Trail Blazer: Lucy Chow, Secretary-General, WBAF Global Women Leaders Committee and Investment Committee Lead, WBAF Angel Investment Fund
(Dubai) Outstanding NGO/NPO: Al Noor Rehabilitation & Welfare Association for People of Determination
(Egypt) Outstanding Legal Professional of the Year: Dr Nermine Tahoun, Founder & Managing Partner, TAHOUN & Associates
(India) Male Champion of the Year: M. Mahadevan
(India) Outstanding Business Women Entrepreneur (Small): Anita Ramachandran, Founder & CEO, Cerebrus Consultant
(India) Women Empowerment: Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women, India Office
(India) Women Entrepreneur of the Year: Archana Bhatnagar, Managing Director, Haylide Chemicals Pvt Ltd.
(India) Women in Politics Hon. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi
(India/UAE) Business Woman of the Year: Aparna Bajpai, Founder and CEO, BeingShe
(Kosovo) Women in Politics: Dr Edita Tahiri, Leader, Independence of Kosovo | Former Prime Minister and Minister, Foreign Affairs of Kosovo | Chief Peace Negotiator
(Maldives) Legal Category: Mariyam Shunana, Managing Partner of the most top rated law firm in the Maldives, Shunana & Co. LLP. Her award was accepted by a Maldivian representative.
(Maldives) Outstanding Women Entrepreneur of the Year (Medium): Juwairiyya Wajdy, Juway’s Café and Restaurants
(Maldives) Social Impact Award: Dr Lalitha Kutti Krishnan Nair, Director, Amogha Group Companies
(Maldives) Sportswoman of the Year: Aisath Nazima, President, Fiontti Sports Club
(Maldives) Women in Diplomacy: Dr Mariyam Shakeela, Honorary Consul, Belgium in the Maldives
(Maldives) Women in Politics: Zifleena Hassan, Parliament of Maldives
(Nepal) Women Development: Pramila Acharya Rijal, Founder President, South Asian Women Development Forum, with a SAARC recognized forum.
(Nigeria) Male Champion of the Year: H.E Dr O. Favour Ayodele, Chairman at African Intellectual Resource Organization | Nigeria Presidential Candidate, 2023
(Nigeria) Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare: Dr Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, MD & amp; Psychiatrist in Chief Pinnacle Medical Services
(Nigeria/UK) Business Woman Award: Ngozi Oyewole, Managing Director, Noxie Ltd.
(Pakistan/UAE) Women Empowerment: Shamira Mitha, Founder and Managing Director, VERVE Marketing & Communications
(South Africa) Social Change Maker of the Year: Barbara Nussbaum, Founder and Director, Finding Us in Music
(Spain) Leadership Excellence in Human Capital Development: Dr Honoris Causa, Prof. Maria Amparo Diaz Llairo
(Turkey) Women in Logistics: Esra Kivrak, Vice Chairperson, WiLAT | Senior Consultant, Turkey | CEO, IFC | PL Food
(UAE) Best Organizational Culture Award (Gender Equal, Inclusive, and Respectful Workplace): Royal Office of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi
(UAE) Career Role Model of the Year: Marlene Murphy, Founder & CEO, The Artepreneurs | Managing Partner, Sovereign Advisory LLC | Project Management Services
(UAE) Leadership Excellence: Aarefa Al Falahi, Member of Board of Directors, RAK Chamber of Commerce
(UAE) Leadership Excellence in Innovation (UAE) : Sukaina Parpia, Founder & CEO, SPAR UAE
(UAE) Male Champion of the Year: His Excellency Dr Tomasz Zaleski
(UAE) Strategic Leadership Award: Latifa AlShehhi, Head of Data Management at the Road and Transport Authority in Dubai
(UAE) The Excellence in Education: Dr Mariam Shaikh, Founder, CEO MS Education Consultants United Arab Emirates
(UAE) Women in Media: Nilofer Baig, Go Dubai
(UAE/India) Youth Leader of the Year: Saima Khan
(Zimbabwe) Career Role Model of the Year: Rudo Mabel Chitiga, Ambassador Public Service
“Staging this fantastic event in Dubai was a long time coming. With such a diverse range of nationalities calling it home and access to high-level experts, not to mention several of our well-deserved winners from the region, Dubai has enabled us to take this annual event to the next level. Our gratitude for the overwhelming support from local entities like the Sri Lanka Business Council cannot be overstated,” said Dr Sulochana Segera, Founder & Chairperson of Women in Management. She additionally mentioned that, “the success of this year’s event has further strengthened our resolve to encourage inclusion, celebrate women in leadership and to provide a crucial platform to recognize and reward those who truly excel and inspire. We are already thinking about next year, using Dubai as a springboard for further success.”
WIM local and international partners, sponsors and well-wishers are: Platinum Sponsor Thumbapanni – Truly Sri Lankan | Telecommunication Partner – SLT Mobitel | Hospitality Partner – Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre | Gold Sponsors – EXPO Lanka Holdings PLC, Al Ghurair Food Jenan; African & Eastern | Silver Sponsor – North Port Logistics | Gift Partners – FADNA Tea, Sri Lanka Tea Board, Next Education Group, UAE Fine Fragrances | Destination Partner, Maldives – The sunny side life | Sponsors – Al Haramain (Since 1970), SIMDI Group, Crystal Sands, The Hawks | PR Partner – The Guild | Event Partner – Team Evention, XESS – Advertising.
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