Top Hemas women leaders shine at Global Leadership Forum

From left: Hemas Group Sustainability and Corporate Communications Head Shiromi Masakorala, Hemas Group Transportation Sector Managing Director Kasturi Wilson and Hemas Hospitals Chain Group Medical Director Dr. Samanthi De Silva 

The recently concluded third World Women Leadership Congress (WWLC) and World CSR Congress in Mumbai recognized the top women leaders at Hemas for their outstanding leadership and achievements at an international level.

Hemas Group Transportation Sector Managing Director Kasturi Wilson was awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding Women Leadership Achievement Award’ for her outstanding leadership and professionalism. Kasturi counts for over 26 years of managerial experience in multiple industries and functions spanning auditing, consulting, logistics, leisure and travel. 

Kasturi joined Hemas in 2002 as Finance Director of Hemtours (currently Diethelm Travels). In 2005, she was appointed Head of Shared Services for the group and subsequently Chief Process Officer of the group in 2007. In 2011, Kasturi took up the position of Managing Director of the transportation Sector. Kasturi is also a board member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and ranked in the 50 most powerful women in Sri Lanka. 

Dr. Samanthi De Silva was awarded Women Leadership Achievement Award for the distinct innovations and initiatives introduced by her at Hemas Hospitals, the first hospital in Sri Lanka to obtain International Accreditation. Dr. Samanthi joined Hemas Hospitals as Head of Medical Services in 2008 and currently serves as Group Medical Director of the Hemas Hospitals chain. She holds an MBA in Healthcare Services (Mannipal) and is a strong advocate in improving health quality standards in the country. She is being groomed as an international surveyor for Australian Council Health Standards International and also serves as Honorary Treasurer of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. 

The WWLC recognizes women leaders with vision, flair, acumen and professionalism to demonstrate their excellent leadership and management skills in the organisation, making changes and achieving results. The WWLC honoured the strategic and influential role of various women leaders in the development of the modern economy, technology and administrative methodologies that promote the advancement of the government and business organisation according to the standards of global competitiveness.

Shiromi Masakorala was recognized among the top 100 Most Impactful CSR Leaders (Global Listing) for strategic perspective and building collaborative relationships, personal credibility, integrity and ethics, innovative sustainable solutions, incorporating ethical values and involvement in communities and protection of the environment. Shiromi is Head of Group Sustainability and Corporate Communications, Hemas Holdings PLC and Executive Director of the Hemas Outreach Foundation. 
The Hemas CSR initiative Piywara was launched by her in 2002 with the Women and Child Affairs Ministry and to date has won many local and international awards. On the World Children’s Day celebrated on October 1, 2015, the Women and Child Affairs Ministry conferred a national award to her in recognition of her contribution towards early childhood development in Sri Lanka through the Piyawara programme.

“We are delighted with the achievement of our women leaders. At Hemas, we believe in empowering women and giving them the opportunity to shine. We believe this achievement will inspire our staff and spur more women in our organisation to forge ahead,” said Hemas Group Director HR Dimuth De Alwis. The Hemas group is one of the leading conglomerates in Sri Lanka with a focus on the four key sectors, namely fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), healthcare, transportation and leisure.