SDB bank Deputy CEO clinches top prize at Top 50 Professional & Career Women Awards

SDB bank Deputy CEO Delrene Seneviratne was recently conferred a professional and career-oriented award at the 9th edition of the Top 50 Professional & Career Women Awards - Sri Lanka & Maldives. 

In a high-profile event held on 6 September at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, she became the recipient of the top award in the Banking Industry category, and emerged victorious ahead of a long list of other high-calibre nominees. While further cementing her place as one of the island’s most eminent banking professionals, her award is further testament to SDB bank’s growing focus on innovation. 

An annual awards program initiated by Women in Management (WIM) in partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, along with the Government of Australia, the Top 50 Professional & Career Women Awards - Sri Lanka & Maldives is renowned in the country’s business landscape for its role in furthering the cause of female businesspersons and professionals. 

It has gradually evolved into one of the most eagerly anticipated professional events in the calendar year, due to its adherence to strict guidelines in recognising the top women contributors across several different industry areas. 

The effort of Delrene Seneviratne is seen as even more praiseworthy due to the illustrious, well-respected set of individuals the panel of judges included. The panel comprised a cross-section of some of Sri Lanka’s finest corporate and business professionals, from a number of key industries.

The award, in addition to being a fitting recognition of her numerous contributions to banking over several decades, and of her status today as one of the industry’s finest female professionals, is also representative of Seneviratne’s multidisciplinary approach to the profession. 

It is one that SDB bank has closely nurtured in recent years and it is now emphasised consistently in most industries, including banking. Greater importance is placed on cross-departmental expertise, towards the end of enabling a well-rounded understanding of the connected systems that banking comprises. 

Seneviratne’s career and success thus far have been aided by this principle, and it is highly instructive to emerging banking professionals. Her expertise includes legal, human resource development, retail, SME and micro credit, recoveries, collections, branch management, administration and services, and over 10 years of corporate management. Her multi-pronged experience epitomises the increasing need in the banking industry for professionals who display a more holistic approach to banking to better serve customers.

This is closely aligned with SDB bank’s growing emphasis on innovation, digital growth, and cross-departmental expertise. 

Also, the Top 50 Professional & Career Women Awards - Sri Lanka & Maldives award comes on the back of what has already been a tremendous year for both Seneviratne and SDB bank. In continuing with the bank’s focus on innovative growth, and recognising the potential of the multi-disciplinary banking expertise that Seneviratne lends to their setup, she was promoted to the position of Deputy CEO of SDB bank in April. 

Both Delrene Seneviratne and SDB bank are well-poised to capitalise on their successes to conclude the year on a high note.