A look into the educational background of women corporate leaders in Malaysia

What are your first impressions of the corporate world? Well, it’s not surprising that among the first things that came to your mind would be serious faces, endless meetings and boardrooms overstaffed by men. Such impressions may be typical and are not applicable to all types of job but domination of the masculine gender in the higher hierarchy of organisations is definitely not uncommon. According to World Bank's April 2012 Malaysia Economic Monitor, the participation of Malaysian women in the workforce is just 46%, which is far lower than the average 70% achieved in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.Despite the gender imbalance in the senior management level, there are more and more professional women who climb up the ladder and take charge. One of these successful women is Dato Rohana Rozhan, CEO of Astro Malaysia Holdings, which is a top integrated consumer media entertainment group in Southeast Asia and Malaysia. Appointed for the said position since 1 April 2011, Rohana was also named Asia Leading Woman in Media 2011 by Women In Leadership (WIL) Asia Awards.

•  Holds Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Accounting and Economics from the UK-based University of Kent.
• Completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.

Another female CEO being highlighted is Aireen Omar, who heads AirAsia Malaysian operations since 1 July 2012.Before joining the low-cost airline, the 38 year-old previously worked with Deutsche Bank Securities, Maybank Group and Bumiwerks Capital Management.

• Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from New York University.

Besides Astro and AirAsia, women leadership is also present in KPJ Healthcare. Datin Paduka Siti Sa'diah Sheikh Bakir is the private healthcare services provider’s Managing Director since 1 March 1993. She received multiple awards such as 'CEO of The Year 2009' by The New Straits Times Press and the American Express as well as the 'Masterclass Woman CEO of The Year' in 2011 by the Global Leadership Awards.

• Graduated with Bachelor of Economics from University of Malaya
• Holds an MBA from UK’s Henley Management College, University Reading.

Joining the group of women leaders is Dato Dr Nirmala Menon, who has been ING Insurance Asia Pacific’s Head of South Asia since February 2012. She has also held different pivotal roles in the insurance firm, including its President and CEO. Having nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Nirmala is the maiden woman CEO in Malaysia’s life insurance sector.

• Obtained a doctorate degree from India-based University of Mysore.

Having a strong working experience in banking industry, Yvonne Chia has been Hong Leong Bank’s CEO and Group Managing Director since 10 November 2003. She kicked off her banking career with Bank of America, RHB Bank and later on Hong Leong Bank.

• Graduated with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) in Analytical Economics from University of Malaya.

Other than the five mentioned, there are many other women who are making their ways into the decision-making level of the world of corporate. After all, female made up of almost 70% of undergraduates in Malaysian universities, according to World Bank's April 2012 Malaysia Economic Monitor.