Community Archives

Driving Boardroom Diversity: 30% Club Malaysia Celebrates Success of Board Mentoring Scheme

Posted on October 3, 2025November 6, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

The 30% Club Malaysia proudly hosted its annual Board Mentoring Celebration today, marking a significant milestone in championing gender diversity in corporate leadership.

The event celebrated the achievements of 27 accomplished women from the tenth cohort of the Board Mentoring Scheme (BMS), while also extending a warm welcome to 16 dynamic new mentees of Cohort #11 each poised to drive meaningful transformation in Malaysia’s boardrooms.

Established in collaboration with PwC Malaysia in 2017, the Board Mentoring Scheme (BMS) has empowered 164 senior women leaders across nine successful cohorts. Demonstrating its tangible impact, 47% of mentees have since secured board roles in public-listed companies (PLCs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and key industry associations.

Nurul Ain Abdul Latif A’in Abdul Latif, Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia and Chair of PwC Malaysia, shared in her opening remarks: “This year’s theme, Inclusive Future, reflects our shared vision to build resilient, forward-looking leadership as industries evolve in a fast-changing landscape. Inclusive leadership is essential for sustainable progress. To achieve that, boards must reflect the diversity of our society, which is why we continue to champion gender parity – beyond just 30%.

“While our Top 100 public listed companies are progressing, at least 116 more board seats must be filled by women to reach 30% across all PLCs,” she explained.

Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia Berhad affirmed in his keynote address, “We often speak about diversity and inclusion in the same breath, but they are not the same. Diversity is about representation, while inclusion is about belonging.”

“Diversity brings people into the room, while inclusion ensures they are heard, valued, and empowered. Diverse and inclusive leadership will drive good governance. With varied perspectives in the boardroom – be it in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, or professional experience – boards are less prone to “groupthink” and more likely to ask the hard questions and hold management to account,” he said.

Pauline Ho Steering Committee member of 30% Club Malaysia and Partner at PwC Malaysia affirmed, “The BMS empowers women to overcome barriers by building the skills, networks, and visibility needed to step confidently into board roles.”

A key feature of the event was an engaging panel discussion, ‘From Mentee to Board Leader: Sustaining Momentum After the Programme.’ The panel comprised Reza Ghazali, Executive Chairman of Boardworks Advisory; Jackie Mah, President and CEO of ICDM; and Grace Yap Mei Wan, INED at Sungai Bagan Rubber Co (Malaya) Berhad, also a mentee from Cohort #7. The panel was moderated by Eleen Ooi, Head of Sustainability at Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad, and a mentee from the graduating Cohort #10.

The event concluded with a lively networking session, sparking meaningful connections to drive continued progress toward gender parity in leadership.

Join The 30% Club Team

Posted on May 20, 2025May 21, 2025 by Admin

We are looking for a strategic, high-impact Campaign Manager to drive the global growth and visibility of the 30% Club, a leading global initiative championing gender balance at board and executive level. Reporting directly to the Global Chair, you will act as a central link between our Global Strategy Group, Chapter Chairs, Communities, and partners.

As a UK-based role, you will also work closely with the UK Campaign Manager and assist on strategic priorities of the UK Chapter.

The cornerstone of all organisational and communications activity, the ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, professional and capable of prioritising work in the fast-paced, complex environment that characterises the campaign’s vision for growth, development and measurable impact globally. This is an exciting opportunity to join a purposeful organisation committed to gender equality and gender balance.

Your role

As the central point of contact for key stakeholders and campaign activities, the Global Campaign Manager ensures the smooth day-to-day running of the global campaign.

Responsibilities

Chapter growth & business development:

*Work with the Global Chair and their support team to research and oversee the organisation of Chair/CEO engagement sessions (agenda, invitations, logistics and follow up);

*Research options for Global Strategic Partnerships – develop proposals, manage commercial relationships, align with principles of operations and maintain oversight of agreed deliverables;

*Support the Global Strategy Group in the identification and development of new Chapter proposals and strategic direction; and

*Work with the Global Chair to identify areas of thought leadership and embed within the messaging house for Global Chair.

Chapter governance:

*Act as Secretary to Global Strategy Group – working with the Chair to agree agenda, meeting logistics and follow on action plans;

*Oversee implementation and maintenance of Principles of Operation across all Chapters, identifying any potential
challenges or opportunities and raising with the Global Chair as required;

*Oversee induction of new Chapters in partnership with the relevant Global Steering Group member;

*Triage ideas and issues from Regional Communities/Chapters for wider operation/resolution; and

*Lead on key event management e.g. bi-annual Chapter Conference (commencing 2026). Marketing and Communications:

*Crafting the messaging house for Global Chair, with support from the messaging house for the Global, and update regularly based on global/regional market trends; includes social media, blog posts, speech writing, panel and media interview preparation;

*Work with global PR partner (to be appointed) to identify opportunities;

*Develop and maintain a calendar of events for Global Chair to promote the campaign, improve visibility and widen access; and

*Proactively manage global social media content.

What we are looking for:

A proactive, hands-on leader, demonstrating:

*prior experience in leading cross-border multi-stakeholder initiatives in a project manager capacity;

*stakeholder management excellence, especially within a cross-cultural environment, likely acquired by working in a complex, global, matrix organisation at a senior level;

*excellent written and oral communication skills;

*experience in delegating tasks, managing and motivating others;

*ability to multi-task and to work in fast-paced environments;

*comfort with ambiguity and ability to adjust priorities based on latest available information;

*problem-solving and critical assessment skills, supported by an inquisitive mind;

*strong attention to detail; and

*proficiency in Microsoft Office, advanced Excel and PowerPoint skillset.

This role would suit an experienced professional looking for greater flexibility in their working hours and the opportunity to drive a values based/purpose driven business campaign.

To apply, please email Helen Aron at haron@per-ardua.com with your CV and cover letter.

30% Club Malaysia Marks 10th Anniversary with Launch of Men Allies for Parity Movement

Posted on May 8, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

The 30% Club Malaysia has taken a decisive step toward advancing gender diversity with the launch of its “Men Allies for Parity” initiative.

This movement is designed to actively engage male leaders in boardrooms, C-suites, and policymaking roles, transforming them from supporters into advocates of systemic change for women’s representation in leadership.

“Our focus is on action. Male allies are making a clear pledge to support and promote women’s representation in top decision-making roles, including boardrooms and senior management,” said Nurul A’in Abdul Latif, Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia and Executive Chair of PwC Malaysia.

Data from the Securities Commission Malaysia (as of April 1, 2025) reveals that women now hold 33.1% of board seats in Malaysia’s top 100 public-listed companies (PLCs) – a substantial increase from 14% in 2015. Across all PLCs, women comprise 28% of board members, reflecting steady progress.

A Collective Commitment to Gender Parity
The Men Allies for Parity initiative aims to drive meaningful change by fostering shared responsibility among male leaders.

The initiative is not merely about advocacy – it is about taking concrete steps. Male allies commit to:

– Advocating for emerging women leaders in
senior roles.
– Ensuring gender diversity in executive and
board recruitment.
– Setting clear targets to elevate women’s
representation in leadership.
– Maintaining transparency in reporting gender
composition and progress.

This pledge is more than a symbolic gesture.

A light-touch monitoring framework will ensure accountability, tracking progress through case studies and success stories that can inspire other organisations to follow suit.

Celebrating a Decade of Progress
The launch of Men Allies for Parity coincided with the 30% Club Malaysia’s 10th Anniversary celebration in Kuala Lumpur.

The event was a moment of reflection, celebrating a decade of efforts to promote gender balance and inclusion at the highest levels of leadership.

“Balanced leadership is a strategic advantage. It is not about tokenism – it is about ensuring that the best talent, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to excel,” Nurul added.

The 30% Club Malaysia remains committed to its vision of a future where gender parity is not just an aspiration, but a reality—one where leadership is defined by diversity, inclusion, and shared success.

Advancing Leadership Readiness in Tech – 30% Club at AWS Malaysia Women in Tech 2025

Posted on April 26, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

On 26 April 2025, the 30% Club Malaysia proudly partnered with AWS Malaysia and LeadWomen to present an impactful session at the AWS Women in Tech 2025 event, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower women navigating the fast-evolving technology sector.

The day commenced with an engaging, interactive session titled “Power Moves: LeadHERship in Action.” Marzida Mohd Noor, representing the 30% Club, brought her insights to a dynamic panel discussion focused on real-time leadership challenges, utilizing scenario-based learning.

Her contributions emphasized the importance of making decisive decisions and staying grounded under pressure, offering participants practical strategies for leadership readiness.

The session underscored the evolving expectations of tech leaders and the critical need for confident decision-making in complex situations.

Following this, the 30% Club and LeadWomen co-hosted an empowering workshop, “Resume Power-Up: Beat the Bots & Get Hired!” Led by Jacinta Thein and Liza Liew, the session provided over 100 participants with actionable techniques to craft ATS-friendly resumes, navigate career transitions, re-enter the workforce, and showcase transferable skills effectively.

Attendees were fully engaged, actively reshaping their professional narratives with newfound clarity and purpose.

The high energy in the room reflected more than an interest in resume tactics – it highlighted a strong collective drive among women in tech to take charge of their career journeys with the right tools, language, and mindset.

This full-day event welcomed over 120 attendees, including male allies and 10 enthusiastic AWS staff volunteers, creating an inspiring atmosphere of knowledge-sharing, community support, and personal growth.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AWS Malaysia organizing team, particularly Woan Chyi Ko, for their flawless execution and collaborative spirit, which made this event a resounding success.

The 30% Club remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing women’s leadership at all levels. Events like this demonstrate the transformative impact that arises when industry leaders and changemakers unite to empower women in achieving meaningful career progression.

Powering Progress and Impact Through DEI

Posted on March 9, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

In a wonderful display of corporate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Berjaya Corporation Berhad recently hosted members of the 30% Club Malaysia Steering Committee for a special dual celebration honouring International Women’s Day and Ramadan.

The event, held at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, brought together champions of DEI in a warm atmosphere of camaraderie and shared purpose. Several 30% Club Malaysia SteerCo members gathered to enjoy the hospitality of Berjaya Corp, led by their Council Member Yong Chai Ming and an enthusiastic team representing various divisions of the organisation.

The evening served as both a celebration and a platform for meaningful exchange on progress toward DEI in Corporate Malaysia leadership. All were treated to an engaging sharing by 30% Club Malaysia Council Member Yong Chai Ming, General Manager – Group HR, who detailed Berjaya Corp’s impressive DEI journey to date.

The presentation highlighted notable achievements and outlined ambitious initiatives planned to further advance diversity within their corporate structure. As a Corporate Advocate, Berjaya continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in translating commitment into tangible action.

30% Club Malaysia Chair, Nurul A’in Abdul Latif, also shared updates on the 30% Club Malaysia’s journey. With our 10th anniversary approaching this year, it was the perfect moment to reflect on how far we’ve come while energising our collective vision for the future. The presentation underscored the remarkable progress made in increasing women’s representation on boards in Malaysia while acknowledging the work that remains ahead.

Beyond the sharing, the evening was a delightful social gathering. Everyone enjoyed flowing conversations, shared hearty laughter, and savoured a scrumptious spread of the Ramadan buffet.

These moments of connection remind us that behind the statistics and strategies are passionate individuals united by a common cause.

The successful event exemplifies how corporate advocacy and supportive partnerships continue to drive the mission of the 30% Club Malaysia forward.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Berjaya Corporation for hosting this memorable celebration and for their ongoing commitment to advancing gender diversity in Malaysian leadership.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year, we look forward to more such collaborations that both honour our progress and inspire future action within Corporate Malaysia.

Jennifer Barker named Global Chair of 30% Club

Posted on March 6, 2025March 6, 2025 by Admin

LONDON, March 6, 2025 –- 30% Club, a business-led campaign to boost female representation at the board and C-Suite level in the world’s biggest companies, has announced the appointment of Jennifer Barker, Global Head of Treasury Services and Depositary Receipts at BNY, as its fifth Global Chair.

Jennifer brings a wealth of financial services experience and was recently named as one of ‘The Most Powerful Women in Banking’ by American Banker. In addition to her responsibilities spearheading BNY’s Treasury Services and Depositary Receipts businesses, Jennifer is a member of the BNY Executive Committee. Jennifer serves on the Ross School of Business Advisory Board, the board of Physicians for Peace and is a member of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Women’s Roundtable.

At BNY, Jennifer previously served as the Executive Sponsor for WIN, the company’s employee resource group supporting the retention and advancement of women, and today proudly serves as the Executive Sponsor for VETNET, BNY’s employee resource group supporting veterans, military spouses, family members and their colleagues.

“I’m delighted to take on this role as Global Chair of 30% Club,” said Jennifer Barker, Global Head of Treasury Services and Depositary Receipts at BNY. “I firmly believe an environment where all people can fully contribute, be themselves, and share their unique perspectives, ultimately leads to better commercial outcomes. That’s why I’m committed to advancing the campaign’s goal of encouraging CEOs and Chairs to strengthen every stage of their talent pipeline and cultivate the conditions for future leaders to not only thrive but progress into senior, decision-making positions.”

Jennifer succeeds Hanneke Smits, who assumed the role of Global Chair in February 2023. Under Hanneke’s leadership, 30% Club evolved its mission to ensure that businesses target diversity beyond the boardroom and in the C-suite. Hanneke, who retired as Chair of BNY Investments at the end of 2024, will continue to champion the campaign’s ambitions as a Global Ambassador.

“On behalf of 30% Club’s global chapters and members, we are delighted to welcome Jennifer as Global Chair,” said Hanneke Smits, outgoing Global Chair of 30% Club. “As a leader of some of BNY’s fastest-growing revenue-generating businesses, Jennifer is a fantastic role model to drive forward the campaign’s aim of addressing barriers to progression to senior roles, particularly P&L roles which give leaders a higher career path success for coveted CEO and Chair positions.”

“It has been a true privilege to serve as Global Chair,” added Hanneke. “I remain a fervent advocate of 30% Club’s strategic goals, and I’m excited to see what the campaign achieves next.”

Today, the 30% Club campaign’s global members include more than 1,000 board chairs and CEOs from 20 markets spanning across 6 continents.

Media contacts

30% Club

Mary Strange mary@30percentclub.org

Gay Collins gaycollins@montfort.london

Simone Selzer sselzer@brunswickgroup.com

BNY

Anneliese Diedrichs anneliese.diedrichs@bny.com

Saurav Karia Saurav.karia@bny.com

About 30% Club

The 30% Club is a global campaign led by Chairs and CEOs taking action to increase gender diversity at board and senior management levels of the world’s biggest companies. We set targets of a minimum of 30% female representation at the board and executive committee levels. This is the critical mass at which research shows minority voices are heard. However, the goal is parity.

The campaign’s international footprint unites more than 20 countries around the world, from Australia and Japan to Mexico, the US and Canada. We support diversity in its very broadest sense and while gender has been our starting point, we fully realise that considerations of ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background and beyond are all part of the journey – and that gender identities are themselves evolving rapidly. We believe that only those organisations that foster truly inclusive cultures – cultures that embrace women who look, act and, importantly, THINK differently – can reach their full potential to positively impact their people, their markets and their communities.

Board Resume Masterclass: Empowering Future Board Leaders

Posted on January 17, 2025January 24, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

The Board Resume Masterclass proved once again to be a transformative experience for participants, focusing on building powerful and persuasive Board Resumes.

The Board Resume Masterclass is a key flagship event under the 30% Club Malaysia. Since its inception four years ago, the Board Resume Masterclass has guided nearly 100 mentees, helping them refine their board resumes and enhance discussions with their mentors.

The Masterclass has become a cornerstone in the development of board-level leadership. It offered valuable tips and guidance on board resume writing, along with a workshop where participants had the opportunity to work on sample resumes – the crux of the session.

This session saw 16 participants from the first batch of Cohort 10 in the Board Mentoring Scheme attended the session, which was facilitated by Raj Kumar Paramanathan, Co-Lead of the 30% Club Malaysia Enable Talent Pillar and Partner/Managing Director of CnetG Asia.

The session began with a welcome address from our corporate advocate, Peter Murray, Country Head of AWS Malaysia, who reaffirmed AWS’s dedication to supporting and strengthening DEI initiatives as a core commitment.

Norlela Baharudin, Co-Lead of the Enable Board Mentoring Scheme, in her opening speech, emphasised the importance of a board resume as a personal brand and how it presents them to prospective board nomination chairs and committees.

She highlighted that the board resume differs significantly from an executive resume and that this Masterclass offers invaluable guidance on reflecting and crafting your personal brand.

According to Raj Kumar, a well-crafted board resume is more than just a document – it is a strategic tool that shapes your leadership journey. The process of creating it offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on your unique strengths and present them with clear intent.

When asked on some of the AHA moments in the session.

Datin Kalavalli Sethu, founder and MD of Compass Insights Sdn Bhd shared that “assessing one’s own value contribution in the process of resume writing is a continuous process. It highlights the importance of self-reflection to create a resume that focuses on one’s unique strengths and contributions”

“I value the logical step-by-step process that Raj Kumar has taken us through in building my thought flow,” said Dr. Becky Low, G100: Mission Million’s Malaysia Country Chair – Humanity, Technology & Innovation. She explained it has helped her to structure her ideas effectively and build a strong and cohesive flow of thoughts, making the CV-writing process much more manageable and purposeful.

Meanwhile, Woan Chyi of AWS Malaysia agreed that the guidance provided by Raj Kumar transformed CV writing from a daunting task into a simpler and more organised process.

The event was generously hosted at the AWS Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur. The next session for the second batch of Cohort 10 mentees is scheduled for April 2025, once again at the AWS Malaysia office.

Building Momentum: A Collaborative Start to 2025 with 30% Club Malaysia

Posted on January 13, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

Last month, 30% Club Malaysia hosted an energising and collaborative session with our Steering Committee, Council Members, and passionate volunteer advocates.

Together, we celebrated the achievements of 2024, explored new avenues for impact in 2025 through a co-creation session, and wrapped up a lively get-together with our dedicated volunteers.

New volunteers had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of 30% Club Malaysia’s mission and its three core pillars: Activate, Enable (Talent Management and Board Mentoring), and Influence.

The session began with a warm welcome address by Nurul Ain Abdul Latif, Chair of 30% Club Malaysia, followed by a brief overview of each pillar.

Marzida Mohd Noor and Frances Po shared insights from the Activate Pillar, while Geetha Kandiah and Raj Kumar Paramanathan highlighted their work within the Enable Pillar – Talent Engagement. Norlela Baharudin, Pauline Ho, and Shireen Iqbal, elaborated on the Enable Pillar – Board Mentoring.

Rejina Rahim shared updates, outlining strategies to further our efforts in shaping more inclusive leadership across Corporate Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Jacinta Vythilingam shared the most recent update on communication-related activities with the volunteers.

By the end of the session, our volunteers gained a deeper understanding of how each pillar operates and how they interconnect to drive our mission forward.

A heartfelt thank you to PwC Malaysia, our corporate sponsor, for graciously hosting us. Here’s to building momentum for a more inclusive and equitable future together!

Preparing Future Women Directors: Deloitte Malaysia’s Board-Ready Women Program 2024

Posted on September 2, 2024December 19, 2024 by 30club-Malaysia

Deloitte Malaysia’s Board-Ready Women Program (BRW) welcomed its 2024 cohort in July. In collaboration with the 30% Club Malaysia, Boardroom Malaysia and Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM), the program aims to prepare and position aspiring women directors for the boardroom. The program comprises 4 modules, from July to October 2024.

Module 1 covered fundamental concepts of the boardroom and key considerations before starting out on the board journey. The 30% Club Malaysia Steering Committee member, Marzida Mohd Noor, was invited to share her candid views and personal stories on taking that first step into the boardroom during a panel discussion.

This was followed by Module 2, an exciting boardroom simulation which was recently concluded in August. The session simulated a typical board meeting which was chaired by Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman, Bursa Malaysia.

As we drive towards parity and gender diversity in the boardroom, the 30% Club Malaysia is proud to be a collaborator of the BRW Program.

Empowering Women Leaders: The 30% Club Malaysia’s Board CV Writing Masterclass 2024

Posted on August 18, 2024December 2, 2024 by 30club-Malaysia

The 30% Club Malaysia recently hosted its second Board CV Writing Masterclass for 2024, sponsored by CnetG Asia and graciously hosted by CIMB Group Company Secretary, Datin Rossaya Nashir and Ahmad Shahriman M., CEO of CIMB Islamic.

The masterclass was specifically designed for women in leadership roles, where it provided valuable insights for these women to advance their journey towards the boardroom.

With over 20 aspiring leaders in attendance, the session expertly facilitated by Raj Kumar Paramanathan, Managing Director of CnetG Asia addressed the challenges of securing non-executive director roles, common pitfalls in crafting a board resume, and the critical mindset shift needed for success.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Datin Rossaya Nashir for her inspiring Opening Remarks, Raj Kumar Paramanathan for his invaluable contributions, Yuet Mee Ho, Independent Director of CIMB Group Berhad for her empowering Closing Remarks, and Volunteer Advocate, Frauline Josephine Hor for leading the collaboration and hosting the masterclass.

We look forward to witnessing more women take bold steps toward their next career milestone, moving ever closer to boardroom success!

Category: Community