SLID and IFC organize webinar on ‘Women on Boards: The Power of Networking’

The Women Directors Forum (WDF) of Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Women Corporate Directors Foundation (WCD), recently organized a webinar on “Women on Boards: The Power of Networking” commemorating International Women’s Day. Moderated by Dinesh Weerakkody, chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka, the webinar comprised of an eminent panel of speakers – Sri Lankan and international women corporate leaders – who shared their thoughts and insights on the significant role of women board directors.

The panel comprised of keynote speaker Susan C. Keating – Chief Executive Officer of WCDF, Marie-Lawrence Guy – IFC Nominee Director Support Center, Premila Perera – INED John Keells Holdings, and Hajar Alafifi – chairperson, Unilever Sri Lanka.

Welcoming the panel and the audience, Aroshi Nanayakkara – chair of the Women Directors Forum, Vice Chairperson of SLID, CEO of Global Consulting Company and INED of Sampath Bank PLC and Hela Clothing (Pvt) Ltd, said that the WDF, which is a pioneering SLID initiative launched in 2019 to increase the number of women on corporate Boards together with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, was instrumental in introducing a progressive quota for women on Boards of public listed companies with the aim of having 30% of Board seats occupied by women.

Introducing the WCD as a leading resource on high governance programming and thought leadership and a true global peer community of seasoned female corporate directors, Susan C. Keating said that the Foundation also serves as a catalyst in supporting global board diversity. She also iterated that WCD is clearly focused on stronger emphasis on diversity which is becoming an important focus for investors and committees that are looking at board composition.

“Over time, boards have recognized the importance of diversity – especially through the companies with diverse boards. This also showcases that there will be more opportunities for women and diverse candidates to serve on company boards” said Keating.

On ways of increasing the number of women directors on boards in a sustainable manner, panelist Premila Perera said that senior corporate women need to build a specialization or professional brand which assists them in being invited to serve on boards. She also emphasized that global networks play a critical role in helping build the professional brand and specialization.