Aisah reflects on climb up corporate ladder in man’s world
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day in the month of March is a significant time to highlight the quest of women from around the world for empowerment, equality and to press for progress.
In Sarawak one such personality is Aisah Eden, executive vicepresident for Corporate Services at Sarawak Energy.
Heading corporate services, Aisah helms Brand and Corporate Reputation, Corporate Social Responsibilities strategies and initiatives guided by the global sustainability standards of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She attained the position in 2015 after building up a wealth of experience coupled with an impressive list of contributions through a diverse portfolio.
Aisah earned her place in the Group Executive Committee of Sarawak Energy. Currently, she is the only woman, something she hopes to change through her work in the Sarawak Energy Leading Women Network (SELWN), which she spearheads. SELWN is a platform that supports and commits to working towards gender parity in the organisation and subscribing to women empowerment.
She has since become the spokesperson of sustainability and in her current role, Sarawak Energy has established itself as one of the leading corporate organisations in pursuing sustainability. She is an appointed advisory board member with the UN Global Compact Network (Malaysia) and UNDP enabling the company to align its initiatives to the UN SDGs.
In this article, Aisah shares her challenges and experience in climbing the corporate ladder in a male dominated industry and her aspiration in having more women representation in the corporate sector especially in leadership positions.
Q: You returned to Sarawak after graduating with a Law degree from the UK and subsequently, you obtained your professional qualification as a Barrister-at-Law, and later your MBA. Why did you chose the corporate sector and specifically, Sesco or Sarawak Energy?
A: I came back in the early eighties as you rightly pointed out and was on the look- out for employment. I guess it was not so much as it was a matter of choice, rather the right job offer came at the right time. Sesco was advertising for a legal officer at the time I was looking for a similar placement.
You could say that the universe works in mysterious ways and brought us together and it turned out to be the best choice for me. Of course I have not had the opportunity to go into practice and experience the life as an advocate as I would have intended earlier but in life we make choices and I chose to stay in the corporate sector and Sesco at that point of time and now with Sarawak Energy specifically.
Q: Can you share with us what you consider as highlights in your memorable journey in Sesco/Sarawak Energy?