30% Club Malaysia

When three powerhouse organisations unite, change isn't just possible—it's inevitable. Today, we are thrilled to share breaking news of a partnership between the 30% Club Malaysia, Penang Women's Development Corporation(PWDC), and the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM). The partnership was formalised today by Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Bee Leng Ong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PWDC; Sarojini Ruth, President of NAWEM; and Nurul Ain Abdul Latif, Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia. Our mission? To create a more inclusive corporate landscape in Penang and beyond. We're accelerating. Mentorship. Networking. Advocacy. Skill-building. As of October 2024, women now hold 32.2% of board seats in top 100 public-listed companies in Malaysia - but we're not stopping here! This partnership represents more than an agreement. It's a commitment to amplify women's voices in leadership, drive innovation through diversity and create tangible opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Together, we're proving that diversity isn't just a goal - it's a powerful and imperative strategy for business success. These aren't just words. It is our blueprint for a more equitable corporate future. Ahila Ganesan Rejina Rahim Shireen Iqbal Jacinta Vythilingam Josephine Kang Yew Ching Marzida Mohd Noor Frances P. Raj Kumar Paramanathan Geetha Kandiah Pauline Ho Norlela Baharudin MIA,FCPA Aust,ICDM,TEFL Mary (del Pozo) Nair Subashini Selvaratnam Bharati Chand #DEI #pathtoparity #womeninleadership #businessimperative #diversity #equity #inclusion

Wishing You a Happy and Prosperous New Year! As we welcome 2025, the 30% Club Malaysia % Club remains committed to advancing gender diversity in boards and leadership teams. Together, let’s make this year one of meaningful progress and lasting impact. Here’s to a year of collaboration, growth, and success!

The 30% Club Malaysia wishes you a Merry Christmas filled with joy, love, and cherished moments with your loved ones. May this festive season bring warmth to your heart and happiness to your home.

We are happy to announce that nirmalah thurai has been appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) in 99 Speedmart Retail Holdings Berhad. Congratulations and all the best on starting your board journey, Nirmalah Thurai.

As champions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Malaysia bring a profound commitment to our mission. Their leadership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, reinforcing our collective efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive Corporate Malaysia. The 30% Club Malaysia is delighted to extend the warmest welcome to our new Advocate, Peter Murray, Country General Manager - Malaysia and Asia Emerging Markets and our new Council Member, Woan Chyi Ko , Software Provider Lead - Malaysia We are eager to embark on this journey together, forging a path toward a more equitable and sustainable future. Join us in celebrating this powerful partnership! #DiversityEquityInclusion #DEI #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #PathToParity #SDGs #ESG 

The 30% Club Malaysia is pleased to welcome Tropicana Corporation Berhad to our ever-growing family of Corporate Advocates! A huge shoutout to Advocate ChouWen ONG, Chief Executive Officer and Council Member Ixora Ang, Managing Director, Marketing & Sales | Business Development, for their unwavering commitment to championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, Tropicana Corporation Berhad's dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace is a significant step toward achieving global parity and sustainability. Their efforts resonate with our shared mission of advancing DEI and ensuring equitable opportunities for all. Together, we're forging a path to parity and creating a brighter, more inclusive future. Let’s continue to push boundaries and set new standards, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world. Join us in celebrating this powerful partnership! #DiversityEquityInclusion #DEI #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #PathToParity #SDGs #ESG 

𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 At the Board Awareness Program: Woman in STEM: Power Up! event organised by the 30% Club Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and MyWiE. Three women leaders at their respective industries shared their thoughts and journey on board. The panellists were Datuk Ir. Rosaline Ganendra, Jenifer Thien, and Dato’ Roslina Zainal and the event was moderated by our own Geetha Kandiah. The panelists agreed that the role of board directors has evolved significantly. Once upon a time directors were deeply involved in operations, today’s non-executive directors (NEDs) focus more on strategy and act as advisors to CEOs and management teams. Among the key takeaways were: 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: Serving on multiple boards - locally and internationally - provides invaluable exposure to different governance standards and enhances strategic thinking. 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: While directors once handled operational details, today they must focus on strategic decision-making and ensure that management executes effectively. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐒𝐆: As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) becomes mandatory, boards are increasingly seeking technical expertise in sustainability. STEM professionals, engineers, and technocrats are key in addressing these issues. 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬: Women on boards often face the stereotype of being too operational or detail-oriented. Embracing self-awareness, trusting others, and adapting to a strategic perspective are essential for overcoming this. Also, to succeed as a board member, directors must: 1) Understand financial reports and have basic legal knowledge. 2) Have a deep understanding of technical details to inform decision-making. 3) Possess strong personal branding and business acumen, with the ability to translate technical expertise into strategic outcomes. As emphasised by the panelists, mentoring plays a crucial role in leadership development. When seeking a mentor, it’s vital to ask the right questions, focus on how to present issues, and work collaboratively. Networking and fostering male allyship also help support women leaders aspiring for board positions. In conclusion, achieving greater gender diversity in the boardroom requires collective effort. Programmes that prepare women to be board-ready, challenge biases, and value diverse perspectives are critical in building a sustainable pipeline of talent. Let’s continue to empower future-ready leaders who will drive innovation, inclusivity, and excellence at every level. #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #Inclusion #Diversity #EnergyInnovation #Sustainability #BreakingBarriers

Did you know? 🔹 78% of employees in Malaysia feel their workplaces lack inclusivity. 🔹 71% believe diversity is missing in senior leadership. Our Corporate Advocate, Page Executive, conducted a Talent Trends 2024 survey that revealed employees want actions, not just promises on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Here’s what’s top of mind: ✅ 59% demand racial equity as a priority. ✅ Over 76% of women are concerned about the gender pay gap. ✅ There’s a strong call for more women and persons with disabilities in leadership roles. Now, you are invited to participate in the Talent Trends 2025 survey today and share your voice: https://lnkd.in/g3wBB5Pk

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 Last week, Dr Sharbanom Abu Bakar spoke about her board journey.   She talked about the data behind sourcing board talent, revealing that 73% of board members are sourced through personal networks. This reliance on networks can limit access to qualified candidates, particularly women and under-represented groups. Dr. Sharbanom was speaking at the recently concluded Board Awareness Program: Women in STEM: Power Up! event organised by the 30% Club Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and MyWiE. She also highlighted the key selection criteria for board positions, sharing valuable insights on how candidates are evaluated. The top board selection criteria include industry expertise (85%), personal network referrals (71%), strategic insight contributions (60%), regulatory adherence (45%), listed board experience (37%), shareholder nominations (14%), and risk/integrity records (2%). These findings highlight the emphasis on industry-specific expertise and personal networks in shaping board composition. While Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) key observations on board positioning and selection for aspiring board members reveal the following: 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: Companies typically prioritise candidates aged 40 to 55 for board roles, but individuals over 60 remain valued. However, fully employed candidates receive mixed acceptance within PLCs. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Some boards are more open to appointing first-time listed directors, influenced by their remuneration structures. 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: Increasingly, companies seek independent validation of their internal candidates by benchmarking against ICDM-matched candidates. 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱: The evaluation of board candidates now spans three critical angles - Must-have skills, emerging skill sets and unique value propositions. Candidates with multi-disciplinary expertise, such as in accounting and sustainability, hold a competitive edge. These observations highlight the evolving expectations for board candidates, with a growing focus on diverse skill sets and strategic validation processes. Such insights provide a roadmap for strengthening boardrooms with future-ready leadership. Dr. Sharbanom said according to Malaysian Board Practices Review key skills and competencies needed to enhance board effectiveness include digital, ESG, and human resources expertise, which are identifies as areas for growth, with over 40% of boards needing improvement. Core competencies such as strategy, governance, and industry experience remain strong, but fine-tuning is essential to stay future-ready while marketing, branding, and business development are increasingly critical for driving innovation and resilience.

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌, 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 In industries like energy, engineering and construction, leadership has historically been male-dominated. However, it’s time to challenge these norms. This was one of the topics that were discussed during the recently concluded Board Awareness Program: Women in STEM: Power Up! event organised by the 30% Club Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and MyWiE. TNB’s Chief People Officer, Feldatun Sharif, highlighted the strides being made to amplify women in leadership. At TNB, almost 50% of the Board Seats and 26% of senior management roles are held by women, thanks to strategic decisions and comprehensive programmes promoting inclusion at critical levels of leadership, though inclusive work practices. “Leadership development is an evolving journey. Individuals gain 70% of their knowledge from job-related experiences, 20% from interactions, and 10% from formal education,” she said, emphasising the need for continuous growth and development. Leadership is not just about breaking barriers, but about creating pathways for others to follow. Together, we must continue to challenge norms and celebrate diversity across all fields. At the event, 30% Club Malaysia Chair Nurul Ain Abdul Latif said one key aspect of leadership is about building robust, sustainable talent pipelines that are board-ready and future-focused. She stressed the importance of advocating for gender diversity in leadership. Strategic campaigns, including those led by PwC Malaysia, are crucial in advancing impactful agendas, she added. “A key focus was on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which is central to achieving gender diversity goals. The need for a sustainable, board-ready talent pipeline is critical, especially considering the different skill sets required for C-suite and board positions. Conducting the right programmes are essential to ensure female talent is ready for these roles, with statistics showing their significant contributions to boards. Collaboration is essential, especially in industries like energy, where there are fewer women in technical leadership roles. Interestingly, while 80% of women leaders come from financial backgrounds, there’s a growing need for more women in technical fields. “Building a robust talent pipeline with the right skills is crucial. “Networking and male allyship are key in advocating for women leaders,” said Nurul A’in in her keynote address. At the event, Dr Sharbanom Abu Bakar spoke about her board journey.  There was also a panel discussion where the panelists Datuk Ir. Rosaline Ganendra, Jenifer Thien, and Dato’ Roslina Zainal who shared their journey and experiences as board members. The event was moderated by our own Geetha Kandiah. The upcoming post will feature Dr Sharbanom Abu Bakar and the insightful panel discussion. Stay Tuned!