At the Board Awareness Program: Woman in STEM: Power Up! event organised by 外国美女色情片 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鈥� 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鈥檚 non-executive directors (NEDs) focus more on strategy and act as advisors to CEOs and management teams. Among the key takeaways were:
饾悅饾惃饾惈饾惄饾惃饾惈饾悮饾惌饾悶 饾悊饾惃饾惎饾悶饾惈饾惂饾悮饾惂饾悳饾悶 饾悁饾悳饾惈饾惃饾惉饾惉 饾悂饾惃饾惈饾悵饾悶饾惈饾惉: Serving on multiple boards – locally and internationally – provides invaluable exposure to different governance standards and enhances strategic thinking.
饾悇饾惎饾惃饾惀饾惎饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悇饾惐饾惄饾悶饾悳饾惌饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾惉: While directors once handled operational details, today they must focus on strategic decision-making and ensure that management executes effectively.
饾悡饾悺饾悶 饾悜饾惃饾惀饾悶 饾惃饾悷 饾悇饾悞饾悊: 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.
饾悕饾悮饾惎饾悽饾悹饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悞饾惌饾悶饾惈饾悶饾惃饾惌饾惒饾惄饾悶饾惉: 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 continue to empower future-ready leaders who will drive innovation, inclusivity, and excellence at every level.
