Building Momentum for Change

Day 2 of the APAC DEI Summit 2024

Day 2 of the APAC DEI Summit 2024 continued the momentum from Day 1, deepening the conversation on systemic changes needed for DEI in the region. From immersive experiences to impactful panels, the second day solidified the summit’s role as a platform for action.

Day 2 Highlights:

• Morning Energiser: The Inclusion Game The session provided a transformative experience as participants engaged in a unique identity-based exercise. Attendees selected colourful sweets, each representing aspects of diversity: gender, neurodiversity, ability/disability, and age. This interactive activity prompted introspection on how adopting a new identity would affect their conference experiences. Subsequent discussions allowed participants to share insights on the challenges and opportunities of this exercise.?Concluding with a Slido debrief, the session emphasised the importance of empathy and understanding, inspiring participants to apply these insights in their personal and professional lives.

• Diversity Atlas Live Reveal | Inclusion Stories Through The Power of Data: Day 2 featured an engaging "live reveal" of the Diversity Atlas survey results, presented by Michael Walmsley . The survey, which collected 103 responses, highlighted the remarkable diversity among attendees, encompassing 9 countries of birth, 34 ancestral groups, 39 languages and dialects, and 9 worldviews.?This data-driven approach underscores the necessity of moving beyond surface-level diversity and leveraging meaningful metrics to inspire genuine change in DEI efforts. Following the reveal, a panel discussion featuring experts such as Yi-Ren Wang from the Asia School of Business and Tanya Sinha from Amazon Web Services (AWS) explored how DEI data can shape impactful strategies and foster inclusive decision-making.?Some of the key highlights of the panel were cautionary measures to ensure that once data is collected, that action is taken on it, instead of it being left ‘on the shelf’. Panellists also highlighted the importance of collaboration and allyship when implementing data-driven DEI strategies, ensuring that the responsibility does not fall solely onto the groups that require the support.

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• Future of Work | Leadership in the AI Era: A compelling panel discussion themed "Future of Work," which focused on the leadership qualities essential in the era of artificial intelligence. Moderated by Roshnee Rajasingam, the session explored how leaders can adapt their strategies to thrive in a tech-driven landscape. Prominent Human-Technology Futurist Kamales Lardi highlighted the implications of AI on workforce dynamics and decision-making. Panellists Michele Sagan ( PwC South East Asia Consulting ), Peter Wyss, PMP, FIRSE, MIET, CMC ( PMCC CORPORATION ), Ts Kumar Krishnasamy ( 微软 ), and Dr. Shameem Farouk (@Maybank Group Technology) shared valuable insights into innovative leadership practices that promote productivity and inclusivity. Discussions emphasised vital skills for future leaders, including adaptability, emotional intelligence, and effective technology leverage. Attendees left equipped with knowledge and tools to lead successfully in the AI era, reinforcing their capacity to embrace the evolving future of work while fostering diverse and inclusive environments.

Breakout Panels and Immersive Experience: A key highlight of the LeadWomen APAC DEI Summit 2024 was the Breakout Panels and Immersive Experience, where participants delved into the broader context of DEI through three engaging discussions: Gender Inclusive Policies & Practices, Ageism & Multigenerational Workforces, and Disability Inclusion in the Workplace.

• Gender Inclusive Policies & Practices Breakout Panel, moderated by Sarah Guerra (She,her) , featured insights from Natasha Alias ( Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) ), Amy Baum ( UN Women ), and Jason Leong (Better Dads Malaysia). Following on from the conversation during the Gender Action Lab Malaysia Summit on 15 Oct, the discussion centred around how can alleviating the care burden support a more gender equal participation in the workforce.?Amy and Natasha both provided the bigger picture in the Asia Pacific and Malaysia landscape respectively on policies and practices. While a lot of the conversation is focused on getting more women to join and stay in the workforce, Jason Leong discussed the importance of educating the men to be better fathers and providing them with the space to share can help towards equalising the care burden at work.?

• Ageism & Multigenerational Workforces Breakout Panel & Immersive Experience, moderated by Weina Ang from 德勤 , examined ageism and generational dynamics in the workplace. Experts Sarinah Abu Bakar ( Telekom Malaysia ), Narita Naziree ( Maybank ), Kristal Leng (Deloitte), and Muhammad Aiman Azmi (Deloitte) delved into the importance of embracing age diversity - from younger professionals just entering the workforce to seasoned leaders with decades of experience. It highlighted the immense value that diverse age groups bring to organisations and the potential for innovation, productivity, and engagement when these differences are harnessed effectively.?The discussion underlined age-related biases in the workplace, it examined how ageism manifests in hiring, promotions, and daily interactions, offering strategies to create more equitable work environments. Further, the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding between different generations, with insights on how companies can harness the strengths of diverse age groups to drive teamwork and innovation. As well as best practices for managing multigenerational teams, offering practical examples of age-diverse teams in action were showcased, offering managers actionable approaches to maximising the strengths of each generation in the workforce. This breakout room sparked meaningful conversations around fostering a truly inclusive workforce, where age is seen as an asset rather than a barrier. It was an inspiring reminder for organisations to champion diversity and actively work to eliminate age-based discrimination.

• Disability Inclusion in the Workplace Breakout Panel & Human Library Immersive Experience, moderated by Shi Shuen Lok from LeadWomen, brought together experts Fiona Tan ( Heartworks Solution ), Farid Basir ( MBSB Bank Berhad ), Maria Teo ( PETRONAS ), and Sarah Hamzah ( ENOKU ) to discuss the challenges and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the workforce.?They explored the definition of "disabled," identified common workplace barriers, and shared best practices for creating more inclusive environments. The panel highlighted the importance of neurodiversity and practical steps organisations can take to enhance inclusion, emphasising that even small changes can significantly impact employees' experiences and contribute to a more equitable workplace. Following the panel, delegates stepped into the Immersive Experience activity, where they heard stories from PWD talents who shared their challenges and limitations regarding access to PWD-friendly resources.?This firsthand account underscored the importance of understanding the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and the need for continued advocacy and action to create truly inclusive workplaces.

• Men’s Sacred Circle Immersive Experience, Prof. Maurizio Rosini explores the modern man's struggle with feelings of disconnection and overwhelm in today's demanding world. He underscores the vital role of brotherhood and men's circles as supportive environments where vulnerability is seen as a strength.?In these safe spaces, men can openly share their challenges without judgement, fostering genuine connections and mutual accountability. His call to action encourages men to reclaim their power, seek their tribe, and engage in mindful action, paving the way for personal growth and a more fulfilling life.

• Women’s Power Network Immersive Experience: The immersive breakout session, facilitated by Dr Tunku Alina Alias and supported by table facilitators from the LeadWomen community, including Fatimah Merican , Dr Sharbanom Abu Bakar , Savita Saigal , and Christine Liew , focused on the transformative role of women's networks in both personal and professional development. As a result of these discussions, participants highlighted the importance of forming genuine friendships with like-minded individuals, sharing common objectives, and offering mutual support as key factors in creating a powerful and impactful network. These outcomes revealed that building strong, supportive relationships is essential for both personal and professional growth within women’s networks. Delegates also expressed a strong interest in LeadWomen providing regular platforms for connection, as well as opportunities and access to mentorship. These insights offer valuable guidance on how LeadWomen can further enhance the network’s impact, offering collaboration and support across industries.

• Empowering SMEs | Gaining a Competitive Edge with DEI: Moderated by Nen Lin Soo , from Forest Interactive , the panel delved into how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can leverage Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to enhance competitiveness. Liza Liew from LeadWomen shared how DEI strategies can still be implemented, despite limited resources. She also shared how a community of practice, like LeadWomen’s Equality at Work Corporate Community can encourage peer learning and connection across businesses, regardless if they are big or small. Heaster Andrea Hilary from Messenger Co, which is a women-founded start-up turned 7-figure business, shared how doing the right thing will always bring about better businesses.?Speaking from the investor point of view, Ee Rong Song ( Bintang Capital Partners ) shared how indicators like diversity, equity and inclusion are important especially in evaluating which companies to invest in, further supporting the importance of DEI-enabled organisations for business growth. Izlyn Ramli ( Maybank Foundation ), shared how Maybank is supporting small enterprises across the ASEAN region through the foundation but also through their offerings, aligning to their purpose of Humanising Financial Services.?The panel ended with providing SMEs with not only the big “WHY” for DEI but also some easy-to-do action items to start their journey in this space.?

The two-day summit wrapped up on a high note with a vibrant Cultural Drum Circle, underscoring a vital message: DEI is no longer optional; it is essential for organisations aiming to thrive in today’s dynamic global landscape. Looking ahead, LeadWomen is committed to guiding businesses on their DEI journeys, empowering them to "do more" and achieve measurable, sustainable progress toward genuine inclusion. Together, we can create a more equitable future for all.

Media Coverage:?

• Employees in Inclusive Companies are 6 Times More Likely to Innovate and are More Motivated:
• ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Launches DEI Collective: https://www.nama.com.my/PRINT_NEWS/2024/10/17/20241017_N60_SUN_C3176_15_FC_6900202024101701010101015_R_TJLPIBSYIRKGUTCD2Y.JPG
• Flexible working arrangement improves employees satisfaction and productivity | Bank Negara Officer: https://thesun.my/business-news/flexible-working-arrangement-improves-employee-satisfaction-and-productivity-bank-negara-officer-DH13149587 ?
• Waktu kerja fleksibel tingkatkan kepuasan dan produktiviti pekerja – Pegawai Bank Negara : https://www.dagangnews.com/article/terkini/waktu-kerja-fleksibel-meningkatkan-kepuasan-dan-produktiviti-pekerja-pegawai-bank-negara-43521