A Celebration of Inspirational Women from 23 Countries

The WIM Team

The breath-taking cityscape of Kuala Lumpur provided a fitting backdrop for the Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2024, a night dedicated to honouring exceptional women leaders and innovators from twenty-three nations. Organized by Women in Management (WIM), the event celebrated its 14th edition, evolving from a Sri Lankan initiative into a globally recognized platform that received 298 nominations spanning twenty-nine countries this year. 

This prestigious occasion marked a global milestone for WIM, celebrating the remarkable achievements of women excelling in diverse fields. The awards ceremony followed the Global Leadership Conference, held on November 5–6, which brought together 175 participants and 48 renowned speakers from nineteen countries. Notably, the conference and awards ceremony were graced by His Highness Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, a testament to the growing recognition of WIM's mission to empower women worldwide. 

Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder and Chairperson of WIM, expressed her pride in the event's global reach, stating, “I am humbled to witness the trust placed in the Top50 brand on an international platform. It’s incredible to see how a Sri Lankan-born initiative has inspired extraordinary personalities globally.”

Among the honourees were luminaries such as Tanvi Shah, India’s first Grammy Award-winning artist known for her work on Jai Ho, from the movie, Slumdog Millionaire, and Naila Mughal, founder of one of the UK’s largest Bollywood casting agencies. These women exemplify the spirit of the awards, which champion resilience, creativity, and leadership. 

The Top50 Awards, which began as a Sri Lankan event, have expanded to include chapters in the Maldives, Canada, UAE, Africa, the UK, and, most recently, Malaysia. Speaking about the brand's success, Prof. Dr. Selveraj Oyyan Pillay, Chairman of WIM Malaysia, shared, “Malaysia, a nation known for its global influence, is proud to host this event. WIM is about equity and collaboration, and I am honoured to lead this inspiring movement in my country.” 

The judging panel included global experts from various fields, including Dr. Segera, Prof. Dr. Selveraj Oyyan Pillay, Shehara De Silva (Board Director, Brand Builder. Marketing and Communication Strategist), and Dato’ Sharifah Mohd. Ismail (President of the Institute of Marketing, Malaysia), among others. Their collective insights ensured the selection of truly deserving winners. Whynde Kuehn, a judge from Norway, remarked during the ceremony, “this event feels like the Oscars of professional achievement; every nominee is a star in their own right.”

From Amelia Binti Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak, Malaysia, to Samanmali Gayathri Seneviratne, Sri Lanka’s Country Director for 3P Media, each awardee represents a unique journey of leadership and innovation. Among the many highlights was Sri Lanka’s Deshani Gamage, named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in Education, and Tanvi Shah, crowned Women Personality of the Year. 

The awards also celebrated organizations championing diversity and inclusivity, such as MAS Capital (Sri Lanka) and Intellize Tech Service (Malaysia). These winners underscore the Top50 brand’s commitment to advancing equity on a global scale. 

The Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2024 reaffirmed the value of women’s contributions across industries and nations. WIM’s global initiative continues to inspire future generations to break barriers and redefine success.  As the night concluded, Dr. Segera’s vision shone through; the journey of empowering women knows no borders, and their achievements continue to transform the world.

The Winners