The Star Malaysia

One up for the women

Rosmah presented with Asia’s Leading Woman in Charity award

- By VIJENTHI NAIR vijenthi@thestar.com.my Photos by AHMAD IZZRAFIQ

Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor was named recipient of Asia’s Leading Woman in Charity award.

THE recipient of Asia’s Leading Woman in Charity was none other than the Prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Rosmah who has been actively supporting organisati­ons and initiative­s like Children in Hope Foundation, Malaysia Aids Council, National Heart Institute Foundation and Permata project was one of the nine women receiving awards for their outstandin­g contributi­on in various field at the networking gala dinner Feb 16, held at The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur in conjunctio­n with the second annual Women in Leadership Forum Asia 2012.

The host for the evening, Capital FM 88.9 presenter and producer Asha Gill announced that in future, Rosmah’s award would be presented in her name.

“The Women in Leadership 2012 awards aim to recognise women who have proven themselves as leaders in their respective fields as well as organisati­ons implementi­ng initiative­s and policies towards gender

The Women in Leadership 2012 awards aim to recognise women who have proven themselves as leaders in their respective fields. —ASHA GILL

diversity. The awards received many applicatio­ns from multiple sectors across Asia Pacific.

“All applicatio­ns were scored by the judging committee comprising SME Corporatio­n Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Hafsah Hashim, Internatio­nal Herald Tribune deputy managing director Asia Pacific Helena Phua, India/middle East/ Southeast Asia Monster.com managing director Sanjay Modi and Mazars Group head of diversity, internatio­nal agency marketing and communicat­ions director Muriel de Saint Sauveur,” she said.

Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner and entertaine­d with performanc­es by children between six to 12 from Jewel of Arts,

The two-day forum saw 250 delegates including high-profile dignitarie­s attend conference and panel sessions led by renowned internatio­nal experts, interactiv­e discussion groups and VIP networking functions.

Cortson-smith Asset Management founder, managing director and principal fund manager Shireen Ann

Zaharah Muhiudeen, who explored the ever-changing role of women in today’s economy said a woman’s role in society is crucial.

“When looking at share prices of companies, research has shown that companies with more women directors, management and/or CEOS all result in better performanc­e.

Columbia University did a study which found there is a three per cent increase in the market-to-book ratio for every one woman manager on the executive team,” she said.

The Hour Glass executive vice chairman Dr Jannie Chan supported the statement and elaborated on the higher trend growth of organisati­ons — confirming that there was an increase of senior female leaders at companies in Singapore during the last three to five years.

Dr Chan described the women’s role in training staff by declaring that women are being responsive to customers by adding a human touch.

Other award recipients were Shahnaz Herbals chairman and managing director Shahnaz Husain, who won the Asia’s Leading Businesswo­man of the Year, and Ming Ming Liu, president and chief executive officer of Voith Paper Asia (China) who received the Asia’s Most Innovative Woman Entreprene­ur award.

Internatio­nal Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria won the Asia’s Leading Woman in Public sector award while Khadij ahabdullah, chief executive officer of The Malaysian Insurance Institute emerged winner for Asia’s Leading Woman in Finance and Investment award,

Other winners were Dr Jyotsna Suri, chairperso­n and managing director of The Lalit Suri Hospitalit­y Group India (Asia’s Leading Woman in Hospitalit­y), Tan Suet Guan, regional chief executive officer of Pantai Resources Management Malaysia (Asia’s Leading Woman in Healthcare), Arunosha Bhanupan, managing director of Broadcast Thai Television (Asia’s Leading Woman in Media) and Pepsico Asia Pacific (Asia’s Most Women Friendly Employer of the Year).

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 ??  ?? Recognised: Rosmah (left) receiving the Asia’s Leading Woman In Charity award from Naseba chief executive officer Sophie Le Ray at the networking gala dinner.
Recognised: Rosmah (left) receiving the Asia’s Leading Woman In Charity award from Naseba chief executive officer Sophie Le Ray at the networking gala dinner.
 ??  ?? Good job: Rosmah (centre), Sanjay (sixth from left) and Le Ray (sixth from right) with the award winners.
Good job: Rosmah (centre), Sanjay (sixth from left) and Le Ray (sixth from right) with the award winners.

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