KUALA LUMPUR: Since its inception in 2016, Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld Malaysia) held its third instalment of the EcoWorld Women’s Summit today with the theme “Removing Barriers, Reshaping Conversations”.

Held at the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) sales gallery, this year’s summit focussed on two panel discussions featuring seven panellists from diverse backgrounds sharing their experiences and perspectives as well as their personal journey on how they overcame challenges to get to the top.

The event kicked off with a keynote address by Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, organising chairman of the summit who is also a director of Eco World International Berhad. Tan Sri Dr Rebecca also moderated both panel discussions.

“The women’s summit is a great platform to be able to listen to opinions and perspectives from successful women from different fields. We can also learn how they overcame barriers and address issues from different perspectives,” said Sta Maria.

The first panel discussion saw Yayasan Soroptimist Malaysia Chairman Dato’ Anusha Santhirasthipam, AmInvestment Bank Berhad CEO & AmBank Group Managing Director of Wholesale Banking Raja Teh Maimunah as well as IBM Malaysia Managing Director Chong Chye Neo sharing lessons learnt in their climb up the corporate ladder and how they got their voices heard while making a difference.

Meanwhile, the second panel discussion saw a younger group of successful women such as Institute for Democracy & Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Chief Operating Officer Tricia Yeoh, Editor-In-Chief at Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia Natasha Kraal, Aon Hewitt Malaysia Talent, Rewards & Perform Principal Ridhima Khanduja as well as Eco World International Bhd Chief Financial Officer Melissa Tan engaged in a discussion on how they can shape conversations around diversity and how different they approach issues and challenges from the generation before them.

“The summit this year is even more engaging as the format has been improved from our past years’ experience. Today, we are able to address more concerns from the audience,” added Sta Maria.

The summit is a continuation of a series of engagement workshops by EcoWorld for its Professional Women’s Network (PWN) which was launched on 8 March 2016 in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

Chairman of EcoWorld Malaysia Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said the Group was delighted to welcome the successful women from corporations and civil society groups to share their valuable life and career experiences in the corporate world.

“We are honoured by the presence of these power women and are grateful for their valued time spent with us this morning. Such opportunities do not arise often and we are pleased to be able to share this experience not only with our staff but with our partners and business associates. PWN includes all EcoWorld female employees and features a series of structured learning events to empower and help women realise their full potential on the professional front.

Apart from PWN, EcoWorld has a host of initiatives and policies to ensure that the workplace is conducive and enjoyable for all employees. Amongst the many efforts rolled out include:

• EcoWorld’s Parents’ Network. Branching out of PWN, the Parents’ Network is dedicated to help parents in areas pertaining to childcare and parenting related issues.
• Pink Possible. This initiative focuses on the health and wellbeing of employees. A series of campaigns such as Weight Management, Quit Smoking, Healthy Lunch, Cancer Awareness and Blood Donation Drive are held all year-long.
• Childcare Leave. Employees with children 12 years old and below can apply in the event their child falls sick.
• Flexible Work Arrangement. Employees can opt for Staggered Work Hours or School Holidays Work Arrangements should the need arises.
• A Supportive Physical Environment. Special parking lots are given to expectant mothers. Nursing rooms and emergency childcare rooms are also available.

The summit welcomed about 300 guests as well as staff of EcoWorld who gathered to listen to the panellists sharing their valuable life and career experiences in the corporate world.