Malaysia Archives

Boardroom Insights: What Corporate Directors Really Look For – In Partnership with ICDM

Posted on May 29, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

The 30% Club, in collaboration with ICDM, recently hosted an engaging Board Interview Dialogue: What Boards Are Really Looking For. Moderated by Dr. Sumitra Nair, the panel featured seasoned board members: Tunku Alina Alias, Rowina Ghazali Seth, and Grace Yap Mei Wan. The session welcomed 77 board-ready leaders and simulated real-world interview scenarios, offering invaluable insights straight from the boardroom.

Progress and Persistent Perceptions
Today, women occupy 33% of board seats in top companies and 27.6% across others -clear signs of progress. Yet, 53% of current board members still perceive a shortage of qualified female candidates, underscoring the ongoing gap between opportunity and perception.

Navigating a Challenging Landscape
Securing a board seat remains a competitive journey. In 2024, only 64% of independent director appointments went to newcomers – a slight dip from 67% the previous year – with established networks continuing to dominate recruitment.

While connections and experience matter, they aren’t sufficient on their own. As Rowina highlighted, “You must articulate your value proposition clearly.” Board interviews test your ability to think strategically – not simply recount past experiences.

From Executive to Strategic Director
Grace Yap shared her own transition story, emphasizing that moving from an operational executive mindset to that of a strategic director is crucial. “Asking insightful questions about a company’s future demonstrates board-level thinking far better than listing past achievements,” she advised.

Building Substantive Value
Dr. Tunku Alina reinforced that skills must lead, with gender fairly considered when candidates are equally qualified. “Women shouldn’t be tokens – we must bring substantive value that enriches board discussions,” she asserted, echoing the movement toward genuine 30% representation.

Final Mile Insights
The final step into the boardroom is often the hardest – not due to a lack of qualifications, but because the interview conversation doesn’t always reflect the leadership behind the résumé. A standout CV opens doors, but clarity, composure, and the ability to engage as a peer ultimately secure the seat.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Board Members
• Understand the Shift: Board service requires

different skills than executive roles.

• Prepare and Persist: Every interview is a two-way

assessment of mutual fit.

• Think T-Shaped: Develop deep expertise alongside

broad strategic awareness.

• Stay Informed: Read widely -publications like The

Economist, Financial Times, and The Edge are

essential.

• Interview Smartly: Focus on recent career

highlights (5-10 years) and avoid operational details.

• Network Strategically: Leverage platforms such as

ICDM and the 30% Club for mentorship and access.

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.

Diversity in Debate: Challenging Perspectives on Board Composition

Posted on March 25, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

On 25 March, the 30% Club Malaysia and PwC Malaysia hosted a landmark event in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2025 that cut to the heart of corporate governance transformation.

As part of PwC Malaysia’s Board Agenda Series and supported by Securities Commission Malaysia, the Diversity in Debate event challenged leaders to rethink board composition fundamentally.

Chair of 30% Club Malaysia and Executive Chair of PwC Malaysia Nurul A’in Abdul Latif’s opening address set a compelling tone, drawing from the Corporate Directors Survey 2024 to illuminate the critical state of board diversity.

Her key message was unequivocal: the corporate governance landscape is undergoing unprecedented change, with board composition now a strategic lever for organisational success.

Traditional recruitment practices have created a systemic barrier to diverse talent, trapping potential board members in a catch-22: candidates are overlooked due to lack of board experience, yet cannot gain that experience without opportunity.

While regulatory compliance has given Malaysia a leg up getting more women on boards; true diversity demands a cultural shift that goes beyond tokenism.

The event’s centrepiece was a razor-sharp debate on the motion: The responsibility to improve gender diversity on boards lies with regulators and not companies.

Led by Rejina Rahim, Founder of Wahine Capital and 30% Club Steering Committee member, the debate assembled top-tier corporate minds:

– Freda Liu, Board Member, Exsim Hospitality

Berhad

– Raymond Tang, Industry Expert on Regulatory

Committees

– Julian M Hashim, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bursa

Malaysia Berhad

– Anne Abraham, Founder & Chairperson,

LeadWomen

The dialogue illuminated Malaysia’s progressive position in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), particularly in sectors like Financial Services and Healthcare.

The conversation transcended gender, exploring diversity through the lenses of age, technological expertise, professional backgrounds, and racial representation.

The ultimate takeaway was clear: board diversity is not a compliance checkbox, but a strategic imperative that demands collaboration, innovation, and a genuine commitment to recognising talent in all its forms.

Driving change – Does DEI still matter?

Posted on March 19, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

On March 19, 2025, the American-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), in collaboration with 30% Club Malaysia, hosted an engaging panel discussion titled “Powering Progress: Is DEI Still Relevant Today?.

The session brought together senior business leaders to explore the relevance, challenges, and opportunities of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Malaysian corporate landscape.

The event kicked off with a compelling keynote address by Rejina Rahim, Co-Lead of the Influence Pillar at 30% Club Malaysia and Founder of Wahine Capital. Rejina set the stage with hard-hitting statistics, highlighting how gender parity alone could add USD 50 billion to Malaysia’s GDP by 2025 and why DEI must go beyond compliance to become a business and economic imperative.

Following her keynote, Rejina moderated a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring:
Sandy Ma – Regional HR Director, APAC, Keysight Technologies
Peter Murray – Country General Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Jun Maria Tan Abdullah – Senior Director, Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet)
The panelists shared real-world insights on how their organisations are integrating DEI into their workplaces, the obstacles they’ve encountered, and the strategies that have driven measurable impact. The discussion covered key issues such as gender representation, workplace policies, ethnic diversity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The event was attended by corporate members of 30% Club Malaysia as well as AMCHAM, all of whom engaged in a lively Q&A session, exchanging ideas on how Malaysia can move from policy to impact.

With businesses facing mounting pressures from investors, employees, and regulators to embed DEI into their strategies, this session underscored a crucial reality – DEI is no longer just about fairness; it is a business and economic necessity for Malaysia’s future.

The following article delves deeper into the key takeaways from the discussion and why DEI remains critical for Malaysia’s corporate and societal growth.
Why DEI is a Business and Economic Imperative

Many companies still see DEI as a compliance requirement rather than a strategic enabler of growth. However, the business case for DEI is undeniable:

📌 Boosting Malaysia’s GDP: A 2016 McKinsey Global Institute study estimated that advancing gender parity alone could add up to USD 50 billion to Malaysia’s GDP by 2025. With economic uncertainty and slow growth projections, DEI could be a key driver of national prosperity.

📌 Higher Profitability & Innovation: Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 21% more likely to outperform their peers in profitability and 35% more likely to achieve superior financial performance. Given Malaysia’s 4% average PLC dividend yield, businesses can no longer afford to overlook the commercial benefits of diversity.

📌 Attracting Global Investment: Institutional investors are beginning to vote against boards that lack gender and ethnic diversity. BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard have policies that push for greater boardroom representation. Malaysian companies that fail to align with these expectations risk losing global investors.

📌 Reflecting the Market We Serve: Malaysia’s workforce and customer base are diverse – shouldn’t leadership teams be as well? Companies that embrace DEI build stronger connections with consumers and improve decision-making by incorporating multiple perspectives.

The Malaysian Context: Unique DEI Considerations
Unlike in Western markets, DEI in Malaysia must be tailored to our cultural, religious, and regulatory environment. This means:
Cultural Sensitivity: DEI cannot be a copy-paste strategy from the US or Europe. It must align with Malaysia’s community-based values, religious considerations, and societal norms.
Government Policies: While some initiatives, such as the one-woman-on-boards mandate for PLCs, have been introduced, broader policies supporting parental leave, pay transparency, and anti-discrimination laws need strengthening.
SME Challenges: With 97% of Malaysian businesses classified as SMEs, many lack structured DEI frameworks. Bridging this gap is crucial to making DEI a reality beyond large corporations.
Moving from Policy to Impact: What’s Next?

The question is no longer “Is DEI still relevant?” but rather “How do we accelerate progress in Malaysia?” Here are three critical areas for action:

1️⃣ Education & Awareness – DEI must start early. Companies should work with schools and universities to cultivate an inclusive mindset in future talent. This can be integrated into CSR initiatives, mentorship programs, and leadership training.

2️⃣ Policy-Driven Change – Organisations need to go beyond regulatory compliance. This includes inclusive hiring, mentorship programs for underrepresented groups, and leadership succession planning that prioritizes diversity. If we don’t lift everyone, we risk economic stagnation.

3️⃣ Measuring Impact – “What gets measured gets managed.” Companies that track diversity metrics, pay equity, and employee engagement see better DEI progress. Regular reporting and transparency are necessary to hold leadership accountable.

Final Thoughts: DEI is a Collective Responsibility

Malaysia has the opportunity to lead in equitable growth, but it requires commitment from businesses, policymakers, and society as a whole. The economic argument is clear, the moral case is undeniable, and the time for action is now.

At 30% Club Malaysia, we continue to drive meaningful conversations and advocate for systemic change. But the real impact happens when leaders across industries take ownership of DEI—not as an obligation, but as a competitive advantage and a force for national progress.

🔹 How is your organisation prioritising DEI? Share your thoughts with us. Let’s build a Malaysia where no one is left behind.

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 with CPA Australia

Posted on March 11, 2025June 13, 2025 by 30club-Malaysia

On 11 March 2025, CPA Australia hosted International Women’s Day (IWD), themed Empowered Women: Accelerated Action.

The event provided a fantastic platform for members in the accounting and business sectors to come together, share experiences and network.

As representatives of the 30% Club Malaysia, Activate Pillar Volunteer Janice Lim and Steering Committee Member Frances Po were invited to attend the event. Norlela Baharudin, a CPA Australia member (and also a Steering Committee member helped to boost our numbers).

This event provided an opportunity for the 30% Club team to mingle and engage with CPA Australia members, whilst learning more about their Women in Business initiatives. Our presence created some interests and there were various enquiries posed to us to understand what 30% Club Malaysia stands for.

The event featured an engaging panel discussion, moderated by Narita Naziree (Maybank), with three distinguished women panelists Lee Ai Vin (Sapura Energy Bhd), Rachel Hong (Jollibee Malaysia) and Cariessa Leow (L’Oreal).

The panel members provided insightful perspectives on navigating their personal career journeys and overcoming challenges in the business world.

The audience posed several thought-provoking questions that encouraged further dialogue and sharing.

Two questions which particularly stood out:

1. If you had the chance to meet any celebrity

mentor, who would it be?
2. What steps can an individual take to break the

glass ceiling?

After the panel session concluded, we partook in a Buka Puasa as demonstration of Malaysian cultural diversity during the fasting month.

A special thank you goes to the team at CPA Australia for their kind hospitality, particularly Marieanne Morris (Country Leader), Yip Kit Weng (President), and Surin Segar (Immediate Past President). The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and to continue working toward gender balance in leadership.

30% Club Malaysia looks forward to welcome CPA Australia as a Corporate Advocate in the future.

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.

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!

Power in Partnership: Driving Corporate Diversity and Women’s Leadership in Malaysia

Posted on December 13, 2024December 19, 2024 by 30club-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.

Tag: Malaysia