WIM Top 50 2020 aims to build optimistic thinking to lead through crisis

From left: Top 50 Conference Chair Shanika Ranaweera, Women in Management Chairperson Dr. Sulochana Segera, Women in Work IFC Program Manager Sarah Twigg - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 

• WIM Top 50 2020 virtual forum from 1 to 5 December in partnership with IFC and Australian Govt.
• Key global and local insights from experts on navigating COVID-19 pandemic

By Safna Malik 

Women in Management (WIM) in partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Australian Government will hold a virtual forum ‘Leading Through Crisis’ from 1 to 5 December to help participants navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic-triggered crisis.

Given the pandemic itself the third annual edition of the popular WIM Top 50 annual forum is going virtual.

Since lockdown, ‘social distancing’ and ‘coronavirus’ have been profoundly affecting corporates and working women, the forum will see experts sharing key insights from global and local perspectives on how women can lead through the crisis.

This year’s topic will focus on types of leadership techniques and notions by experts on how to navigate through challenges caused by the pandemic.

WIM Chairperson Dr. Sulochana Segera said, “The conference aims to help people navigate the profound challenges posed by a global pandemic, a fragile economy, and social disruptions. We have noticed that most breakdowns in workplace interactions are caused not by bad intentions, but by a lack of awareness on the impact of behavioural or attitudinal changes of line, leaders have on their staff. These are some of the areas that we intend to address in this virtual conference, by bringing business leaders to share cross-sectoral perspectives on leading through a crisis.”

Speaking to Daily FT, the IFC Program Manager – Women in Work Sarah Twigg said this is not a regular forum to be missed. In the conference there will be business personalities who will be joining to address a range of issues and topics focusing on leadership in a different perspective, leading through consensus, navigating uncertainty, managing and regulating in an environment that is different from normal.

“Whether you are an existing leader or an aspiring leader, it is important to be an adopting tool as well; stepping into the new year we are hopefully planning some time off. It is a good time to do some reflection and learn from others to improve our leadership styles and opportunities,” she added.

This year’s forum would be tailored to a general-interest audience and registration fee will be Rs. 2,000. “Panel discussions are not even more than 45 minutes to one hour. We make sure each session is time-oriented. We limit participants up to 50; at the moment we have 30 registered participants and individuals representing different companies,” Dr. Gamage said.

This conference is going to be an interactive online forum where participants will be actively involved in each session. Another interesting fact about this forum is there will be a competition for participants. Registered members should shoot questions during each session; a winner will be selected at the end and will get a prize and participants will also receive a certificate on completion of the conference after an evaluation.

Explaining each session in detail, she said, WIM Top 50 annual conference would cover various topics related to leading through crisis. The virtual forum will begin on 1 December. Hemas Holdings Group CEO Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson will share her views on ‘The paradox of leadership after COVID-19’; under that topic she will explain on how situational leadership should adopt. 

This session will be followed by a panel discussion on ‘Lessons from the lockdown: Navigating leadership techniques during COVID-19,’ moderated by Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd. Head of Legal Summaiya Macan Marakar featuring IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Amena Arif, McLarens Group Joint Managing Director Shehara Jayawardena, Dafedil Academy of Business Director/Co-founder Yasas Hewage, Haycarb Environmental Engineering Director Shermila Ragunathan, and Scientist/Academician Dr. Nehi Singha.

WIM Program Manager Sarah Twigg and IFC Corporate Governance Officer Lopa Rahman will speak about the ‘Private Sector Response to COVID-19’ on 3 December. On the same day, a panel discussion will be followed by ‘Occupational Health and Safety Issues’ featuring Sanath Palliyaguru, Chiranthi Cooray, Ajith Weerasinghe and Bram Woltjer. 

‘Gender Diversity at the Board: What skills, knowledge and techniques do women bring to the board’ will be discussed on 4 December, featuring Aroshi Nanayakkara, Aruni Rajakari, Minette Perera, and Lopa Rahman which will be moderated by Ranjan De silva. The discussion will end with a session on ‘Work from home during COVID-19’ featuring Roshanie Jayasundera Moraes, Portia Jayamaha, Suresh Shah, and Suzanne Wooster Prematilaka, moderated by Dr. Sulochana Segera.

The WIM Top 50 virtual conference will successfully conclude on 5 December along with a panel discussion focused on the development partners’ responses and priorities during COVID-19.

“If we look at the panel of speakers, we are having fascinating personalities from various sectors; we have brought them on board to ensure that they would give a vast knowledge and practical experience to our audience,” she added. 

Conference Chair Shanika Ranaweera said, “WIM Top 50 conference 2020 is not just another virtual conference. It brings a wealth of knowledge that we hope will be meaningful beyond the present situation, so we are better prepared to face challenges of all sizes that come our way – may it be professionally or personally.”

More details are available online at www.womeninmanagementawards.org.