Malaysian women corporate leaders feature prominently among the shortlisted nominees for the Women In Leadership (WIL) Asia 2012 Awards. Among the shortlisted nominees are Yvonne Chia, Group Managing Director, Hong Leong Bank Berhad, Khadijah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, The Malaysian Insurance Institute and Puan Sri Datin Seri (Dr) Susan Cheah, Exco Member Sunway Group of Companies.

WIL Asia 2012 Awards will be held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual WIL Forum Asia to be held on February 16th - 17th 2012 at The Royale Chulan Hotel. WIL Forum Asia will bring together influential leaders from across Asia to discuss key challenges women are facing today while showcasing how corporations can and must incorporate gender diversity in their long-term growth strategies.

Nominations were received for eight awards categories which recognize and reward influential Asian women leaders and organisations for their outstanding achievements and initiatives. The awards will be presented by the Patroness of WIL Forum Asia, Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor during the WIL Forum Asia Networking Gala Dinner on 16 February 2012 at The Royale Chulan Hotel.

The nominees were shortlisted by a judging panel of high profile leaders from multiple sectors. They are, Dato' Hafsah Hashim, Chief Executive Officer, SME Corporation Malaysia, Helena Phua, Deputy Managing Director, Asia Pacific, International Herald Tribune, Sanjay Modi, Managing Director, India/ Middle East/ Southeast Asia, Monster.com and Muriel de Saint Sauveur, Head of Diversity, International Agency Marketing and Communications Director, Mazars Group. The main criteria for the awards are business impact, innovativeness, human resource skills as well as personality such as being an outstanding mentor and leadership skills.

The awards categories and the shortlisted nominees are: Asia's Leading Business Woman of the Year
This award honours the most prominent business woman, regardless of industries. The winner has been judged on the basis of her achievements and active engagements over the last 12 months, career path, leadership and decision-making ability, strategic management skills, corporate philanthropy and other inspirational stories that may have led to the company's growth.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Shahnaz Husain, Chairperson and Managing Director, Shahnaz Herbals
• Tan Suet Guan, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Pantai Management Resources
• Umran Beba, President Asia Pacific, PepsiCo

Asia's Most Innovative Woman Entrepreneur
This award honours the leading female entrepreneur who has established an innovative business entity, product or service with strong business fundamentals. The winner has been judged on the basis of innovativeness, passion for her business, entrepreneurship and impact on the overall industry and/or the country.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Dr Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group
• Ming Ming Liu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Voith Paper Asia
• Puan Sri Datin Seri (Dr) Susan Cheah, Exco Member Sunway Group of Companies

Asia's Leading Woman in the Public Sector
This award honours the female leader for her efforts and initiatives in the public sector that promote the development of women community and advocacy of women rights and women empowerment.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Datuk Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Secretary General, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
• Rita Benoy Bushon, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG)
• Shafqat Sultana, President and Chief Executive Officer, First Women Bank

Asia's Leading Woman in Hospitality
This award honours a female leader for her outstanding performance, her initiatives and achievements in the hospitality sector that may have led to her company's growth.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Datin Mavis Masri Azman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Holiday Villa Hotels & Resorts
• Dr Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group
• Puan Sri Datin Seri (Dr) Susan Cheah, Exco Member Sunway Group of Companies

Asia's Leading Woman in Finance and Investment
This award honours a female leader for her outstanding performance, initiatives and achievements in the finance and investment sector that may have led to her company's growth.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Dato' Jamelah Jamaluddin, Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Berhad
• Khadijah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, The Malaysian Insurance Institute
• Yvonne Chia, Group Managing Director, Hong Leong Bank Berhad

Asia's Leading Woman in Healthcare
This award honours a female leader for her outstanding performance, initiatives and achievements in the healthcare sector that may have led to her company's growth.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Kanchan Naikawadi, Director, Indus Health Plus
• Tan Suet Guan, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Pantai Management Resources
• Yen Dang, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, Tan Tao Group

Asia's Leading Woman in Media
This award honours a female leader for her outstanding performance, initiatives and achievements in the media sector that promotes the well-being and involvement of women in various activities in Asia.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Arunosha Bhanupan, Managing Director, Broadcast Thai Television
• Doreen Liu, Managing Director, World Scientific Publishing
• Iris Tan, Chief Events Officer, Star Publications (M) Berhad
  

Asia's Most Women-Friendly Employer
This award honours the organisation that understands the societal role of women, actively encourages their women executives to develop their skills as well as grow within the organisation through training programmes and other initiatives that enhance their leadership and professional skills, offering growth opportunities as well as introducing or associating with programs for women internship and employment.

The shortlisted nominees:

• PepsiCo Asia Pacific Region
• Sinclair Knight Merz
• Standard Chartered Bank