The 14th edition of the Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards celebrated remarkable women from across the world, with Naila Mughal, a leading UK entrepreneur and founder of one of the largest Bollywood casting agencies in the UK, claiming the top honour in the Arts & Culture category.
Mughal, from Leeds, was recognised for her outstanding contributions to the global film industry, which include breaking barriers and creating opportunities for talent in the South Asian film sector. Her work exemplifies the essence of the Top50 Awards — championing women who have made significant strides in their fields and whose leadership is inspiring future generations.
Held in the vibrant capital of Kuala Lumpur, the Top50 Awards ceremony brought together trailblazing women from 23 countries. This year, the event saw an extraordinary global representation, with 298 nominations spanning 29 nations. Winners were celebrated for their resilience, innovation, and impact on their industries, with Mughal’s achievement standing out as a powerful testament to the influence of women in the creative sector.
Global Celebration of Female Empowerment
Among the esteemed winners was Tanvi Shah, the Indian singer and composer best known for her Grammy-winning work on the iconic track “Jai Ho” from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Shah’s recognition in the Arts & Culture category represents the growing influence of South Asian women in global creative industries.
The Top50 Awards, organised by Women in Management (WIM), a Sri Lankan organisation, have evolved into a truly international platform, with previous events hosted in Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, Canada, and Africa. This year marked a major milestone with the launch of the Malaysia chapter. The event also coincided with the Global Leadership Conference held on 5 – 6 November, where 175 participants from 19 countries gathered to share ideas on empowering women and driving gender equality.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Professor Selveraj Oyyan Pillay, Chairman of WIM Malaysia, expressed the significance of the awards in advancing female leadership. “When I saw the Top50 Global Awards in Sri Lanka, I knew this brand belonged in Malaysia,” said Prof. Pillay. “It’s a privilege to bring this event to a country that represents Asia on the global stage and to support the mission of equity and collaboration that WIM stands for.”
A Platform for Empowerment and Dialogue
The event also provided a unique opportunity for global networking and exchange, uniting women leaders from diverse sectors. Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder and Chairperson of WIM, reflected on the growing impact of the Top50 Awards, stating, “It fills me with pride to see nominations from 29 countries and to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of these women. This platform helps bring the world together to advance gender equality and inspire future generations of female leaders.”
The Top50 Awards are more than just a celebration of individual achievements; they are a call to action for continued progress in gender equity. By amplifying the voices of women like Naila Mughal and Tanvi Shah, the event fosters dialogue and creates opportunities for women to support each other in leadership roles.
This year’s judging panel, comprised of distinguished leaders from around the world, praised the diversity and impact of the winners. “It was a humbling experience to read through the profiles of these incredible women,” said Shehara De Silva, a member of the panel and Board Director at WIM. “Their contributions to their industries and communities are nothing short of inspiring.”
A Global Movement for Change
The Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards 2024 not only recognised individual achievements but also reinforced a global movement for female empowerment and leadership. From Malaysia to the UK, from Sri Lanka to India, the event illuminated the limitless potential of women in all fields, and the profound impact they continue to have on the world.
As Dr. Segera noted, “This is more than just an awards ceremony. It’s a celebration of women’s achievements, a space for dialogue, and a powerful reminder of the work still to be done to achieve true gender equality.”
The Top50 Awards serve as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing women who are reshaping the future of business, the arts, technology, and beyond, and reinforcing the importance of empowering the next generation of female leaders to break boundaries and redefine success.
The Winners of the Top50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards 2024:
- Career Category – Marketing & Brand Management the Award – MALAYSIA – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Business Events Sarawak – Amelia Binti Roziman
- Career Leadership – Education & Coaching Sector – BRUNEI – Assistant Professor Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Brunei Darussalam – Malai Zeiti Binti Sheikh Abdul Hamid
- Career Leadership in Information Technology & Digital Marketing – SRI LANKA – Country Director 3P Media – Google MSR Sri Lanka – Samanmali Gayathri Seneviratne
- Corporate Leadership – Digital Asia – MALAYSIA – Managing Partner, McKINSEY & CO – Vidhya Ganesan
- Career Leadership in Human Resources – INDONESIA – Director of Human Resources PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) – Tina T. Kemala Intan
- Career Leadership – Media, Brand Management and Digital – MALDIVES – Chairperson One Media Group – Minha Faiz Rashaad
- Career Leadership – Education & Coaching Sector – PHILIPPINES – Vice Chairman Trainers and Advocates Association of the Philippines – Dr Elvira V. Gabriel
- Career Leadership Real Estate & Construction Sector – MYANMAR – Managing Director A1 Construction Co., Ltd. – Yee Wyne Oo
- Career Leadership Education & Research – INDIA – Secretary and Director Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore – Dr C A Vasuki
- Woman Entrepreneur of the Year on Education Sector – SRI LANKA – Managing Director Apex Business Academy (Pvt) Ltd – Deshani Gamage
- Career Leadership – Technology – MALAYSIA – Group Chief Operating Officer HeiTech Padu Berhad – Salmi Nadia Binti Mohd Hilmey
- Excellence in Strategic Leadership in Humanitarian – Work SRI LANKA – Global Head of Employee Relations at Save the Children International – Menaca Calyaneratne
- Career Leadership – Science & Technology – MALAYSIA – Group Manager, Research Division Yayasan Sabah Group – Dr Yap Sau Wai
- Business Role Model – MALAYSIA – Executive Director – Chap-One Asia Sdn. Bhd. – Wendy Lee Ming Li
- Diversity Champion – BRUNEI – Chairman & CEO Timorese Manpower Agency – Nasir Latif
- Career Leadership in Engineering & Construction – CHINA – the General Manager of Zhejiang Kunpeng Construction Engineering Co., Ltd – ZHEYING ZHANG
- Women Personality of the Year – INDIA – Grammy Award – Tanvi Shah
- Leadership in State Sector – JAPAN – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary – Hikariko Ono
- Power Woman of the Year – MALAYSIA – Co- Founded Ayur Centre – Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam
- Career Leadership – Finance & Banking Industry Sri Lanka – SRI LANKA – Managing Director Sampath Bank PLC Ayodhya Iddawela Perera
- Woman Personality of the year – USA – CEO Nehita Inc, Founder & Executive Director EXPOSE CBW-Africa Country Head – Princess Monalisa Okojie
- Arts & Cinema – UK – Company Director &Founder, Naila Mughal Bollywood Castings & Naila Mughal Entertainment- Naila Mughal
- Career Leadership – Security & Defense – MALAYSIA – Deputy Commissioner of Police Police Di Raja DCP Dato’ – Sasikala Devi Subramaniam
- Woman Leader of the year – SENEGAL – Director General D&A Groupe Clarteen / InvestDIAW – Fatou
- Career Leadership – Education & Coaching Sector – MALAYSIA – Chief Executive Officer, Sunway Education Group Prof Dato’ – Elizabeth Lee Fuh Yen
- Global Trail Blazer of the Year – SRI LANKA – Director of Sun Match Company – GOWRI RAJAN
- Career Leadership – State & Government Sector – BANGLADESH – Nahida Rahman Shumona
- Organization promoting equity, inclusivity, and diversity of the year –SRI LANKA – MAS Capital (PVT) LTD- Intimates Division
- Organization promoting equity, inclusivity, and diversity of the year – MALAYSIA – Intellize Tech Service
- Career Leadership Legal Category INDIA & SRI LANKA General Counsel – Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages – Shalini Ratwatte
- Career Category – Sustainability – INDONESIA – Vice Head KADIN Indonesia – Chintya Dian Astuty
- Social Entrepreneur of the year – LESOTHO – Founder of SheInspire Foundation – Makhoboso Shale
- Diversity Champion of the year – MALAYSIA – Chief Operations Officer LTT Global Communications Sdn Bhd – Rani Wemel
- Diversity Champion – MALAYSIA – Member of Parliament- Hon Prabakaran Parameswaran
- Women with a Cause Maldives – MALDIVES – Managing Director Institute for Counseling and psychotherapy ICP Former Minister for Gender Family and Social Service – Shidhatha Shareef
- Entrepreneur of the Year – MOROCCO – Head of Business Development Fatina Food Business – Rania Taleki
- Leadership in Women in Empowerment – MALAYSIA – Chairwoman Sabah Women’s Advisory Council – Datuk Dr Hajah Tarsiah TZ Taman
- A woman with a Cause – PAKISTAN – ABIDA MALIK – President Behbud Association of Pakistan
- Business role Model – Nepal – Director British Color Industries Pvt Ltd – Anuja Saraf Agrawal
- Woman with a Cause – Sri Lanka – Group CEO At PAMS Hydro Power – Manoji Kumari Wadugodapitiya
- Career Leadership – Media, Brand Management and Digital – MALAYSIA – CEO & Director Borneo Plux Sdn. Bhd – Zoey Ting Giek
- Career Leadership – Human Resources – SRI LANKA – Head of Human Resources DHL Sri Lanka – Shanika Ranaweera
- Career Role Model of the Year – MALAYSIA – Chief Executive Officer – Sabah International Convention Centre – YBHG DATUK DR. HAJAH ROSMAWATI HAJI LASUKI, J.P.
- Woman Corporate leader of the year MALAYSIA – Group Chief Executive Officer Theta Edge Berhad Datuk Nuraslina Zainal Abidin
- Career Leadership – Health Sector – MALAYSIA – Deputy Director – National Disaster Management AgencyLentinan Colonel Dr. Ajantha Segarmurthy
- Career Leadership – Tourism Sector – PHILIPPINES – Founding Chairwoman-Trainers and Advocates Assoc.of the Philippines Lurhen T.Cortes,CTMP,CHRMP
- Women Corporate Leader of the Year – RUWANDA – Lead AccessIris Irumva
- Upcoming Business Leader of the year – SRI LANKA -Managing Partner Bopitiya Auto Springs – B. K. A. Manisha Rodrigo
- Career Leadership – Technology – TIMUR-LESTE – Executive Director Timorese Manpower Agency Siau Mingue Chungue
- Best Organization Providing a Platform for Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals – MALAYSIA – Sabah Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals Association (SWEPA)
- Excellence in Promoting Women in Business & Professional Leadership – MALAYSIA – The Association of Bumiputera Women in Business and Profession (DATO’ EMMY SURAYA HUSSEIN )
- Leadership in Education – SRI LANKA – Director European Nations Campus, International Education and Business Campus and IEBC Global – Mohamed Yousuf Nowzana
- Career Leadership – Research & Innovation – MALAYSIA –Director Centre For Women Advancement & Leadership (CWAL) Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Associate Professor Ts – Dr Zuhanis Binti Mansor
- Career Leadership – Financial Sector – MALAYSIA – Chairman, Women’s Institute of Management Malaysia Dato – Dr NELLIE S.L. TAN-WONG, J.P.
- Most Inspiring Mentor of the year – Sarojini Ruth Rajahser
- WIM Member of the Year Award – Dilsha Ruwanpathirage
