Stepping into the Boardroom: Your First Seat at the Table

On 28 November 2025, the 30% Club Malaysia, in collaboration with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), successfully hosted the board awareness event, “Stepping into the Boardroom: Your First Seat at the Table,” at Menara KWSP, Kwasa Damansara.

The gathering was a testament to the dedication of Malaysia’s female leadership talent; despite the storms that morning, the event was attended by 81 aspiring women directors ready to take the next step in their careers.

The session opened with welcoming remarks from Mohamad Hafiz Kassim, Chief Financial Officer of EPF, who expressed the organisation’s strong, ongoing support for the cause of board diversity.

Following this, Nurul A’in Abdul Latif, Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia, set a powerful tone for the day. She emphasised the need for leaders to shift from a micro-focus to a “bigger picture” mindset, embracing both technical and emotional changes. Reminding the room of the collective effort required, she stated, “it takes a community to pave the way for an inclusive future”.

Dr. Sharbanom Abu Bakar (INED, Affin Islamic Bank) talked about the Reality: Data & The “Talent Gap” Myth and presented a clear picture of the current corporate landscape. While progress has been made, with women directors now comprising 28.7% of PLCs in Malaysia, there remains work to be done, evidenced by the 8 PLCs that still have zero women on their boards.

Dr. Sharbanom addressed the common perception of a talent shortage, highlighting that the talent exists – it just needs to be visible.

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• The Network Effect: She revealed that a staggering 74% of board appointments are sourced through personal networks and referrals. Consequently, aspiring directors need to significantly up their networking skills and build upon them.
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• The Call to Action: Candidates must rewrite their CVs to highlight governance, ESG, audit, and strategic thinking rather than listing operational duties.

Next up was a Panel Discussion: Navigating the Boardroom Journey, a candid panel discussion moderated by Fariza Ali (EPF’s Head of Real Estate Investment Market & NINED of Yinson Holdings Bhd). 

The panel featured seasoned leaders:

• Dato’ Hamidah Naziadin (INED, Sime Darby Property)
• Ahila Ganesan (INED, Velesto Energy Bhd)
• Samantha Tai (CEO, BoardRoom Malaysia)

Together, they explored several key themes:

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• Transitioning Roles: The critical shift required to move from operational executive roles to board-level strategic thinking.
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• Finding Your Voice: The panelists shared personal experiences on developing a “board voice,” stressing the importance of courage and ethics when navigating difficult decisions or male-dominated dynamics.
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• Evolving Demands: The discussion highlighted how 
• priorities have shifted, with a heavier focus now placed on ESG issues and specialised skill sets beyond traditional geography or sectors.
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• Preparation: The consensus was clear – do your due diligence. Understanding the organisation and establishing credibility before the first seat is taken is vital.

Moving from theory to action, the session featured a dynamic “Speak Up!” segment where 7 attendees pitched their board readiness. The panelists provided real-time, constructive feedback, helping these leaders refine their narratives for future opportunities.

The event concluded with remarks from Lim Tse Seong, Deputy Chief Investment Officer of EPF. He echoed the theme of the day, stating that it was high time women were given more space on boards and reaffirmed that the EPF was firmly backing that agenda. 

It was a morning of actionable insights and community building, proving that the pipeline of women leaders is not only present but ready to step up.