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.
