Kicking Off ‘Humanity Rebalanced’

Day 1 of the APAC DEI Summit 2024

The opening day of the APAC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit 2024 set the stage for transformative discussions, with the theme of ‘Humanity Rebalanced’ resonating throughout the keynote addresses, panels, and immersive experiences.

Day 1 Highlights:

• Summit Opening Act: "Orang-Orang Tuyang" emerged from the isolation many faced during the pandemic, exploring the experience of a foreign worker who feels excluded and displaced. This powerful performance highlights the longing for connection and understanding within a foreign culture. It emphasises that embracing diversity can be challenging due to discomfort around differences in race, ability, and gender.?Through familiar musical elements, the piece showcases diversity, while the actor's acceptance among the audience symbolises true inclusion, where individuals are valued as they are. Ultimately, "Orang-Orang Tuyang" beautifully illustrates the need for belonging and recognition in a diverse society.

• Welcome Address & Opening Remark: Anne Abraham , Founder & Chairperson of LeadWomen , opened the summit with a keynote address on the importance of human-centred leadership in today’s business environment. Her message - about the need to rebalance humanity in the workplace - set the tone for the day, reminding us that people should be at the core of every organisation’s mission.

• ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Closed-Door Roundtable: The meeting by by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council ( ASEAN-BAC Malaysia ) emphasised aligning ASEAN’s social, cultural, and economic pillars to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. Key discussions included setting DEI standards across organisations, supporting the care economy, and promoting sustainability. Participants highlighted the importance of increasing women’s representation in STEM and leadership, creating inclusive support systems for employees, and improving DEI data collection. Additionally, challenges faced by SMEs in ASEAN and India were discussed, along with the need to establish a centre of excellence. The meeting concluded with ASEAN-BAC Malaysia committing to developing DEI guidelines and collaborating with regulatory bodies and UN Women on key initiatives.

• Soft Launch of the ASEAN-BAC DEI Collective Pledge: The highly anticipated soft launch of the ASEAN DEI Collective, an initiative by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) Malaysia in collaboration with LeadWomen as the Knowledge Partner, marked a significant step towards regional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards. With 12 pioneering members, including prominent companies such as AirAsia, CIMB, and Maybank, the Collective seeks to align the private sector’s DEI efforts with global best practices, driving meaningful progress across ASEAN industries.

• Opening Panel | DEI Thought Leadership - Asian Context: The LeadWomen APAC DEI Summit 2024 kicked off with a powerful panel, centred on the theme “Humanity Rebalanced.” Moderated by Anne Abraham, the session featured insights from prominent leaders including Ruslan Islahudin ( PETRONAS ), Mahuran Saro Sariki ( Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) ) , Kay Luan TAY ( FIDE FORUM ), and 方若琪 (ASEAN-BAC Malaysia). The panel explored how global DEI frameworks can be adapted to resonate with Asia’s cultural values and hierarchical traditions. Discussions highlighted the steady progress of DEI initiatives in Malaysia, the importance of governance in creating diverse boards, and the need to position DEI as a national priority. Audience engagement was encouraged through live Q&A and Slido questions, prompting reflection on DEI and the summit theme. This session set the stage for the summit, emphasising that inclusive practices are crucial not only for ethics but also for sustainable growth across the region.

• The Great Rebalance - People, Purpose & Profit: The first keynote of Day 1, moderated by Anne Abraham from LeadWomen and co-moderated by Tracy Ann Curtis from TAC Global LLC - the session featured influential leaders, including Siti Hurrairah ( 壳牌 Malaysia) and Kathy Matsui ( MPower Partners ), who discussed how purpose-driven companies can thrive while contributing positively to society. The panel emphasised the critical role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in driving sustainable growth across Asia. They highlighted how businesses are increasingly aligning their missions with societal values, showing that prioritising purpose boosts organisational success, enhances employee engagement, and creates a lasting community impact. The panellists shared practical strategies for integrating purpose into business operations, illustrating how this approach not only drives profitability but also fosters long-term sustainability. They also addressed the challenges companies face in balancing these critical elements in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.

• CEO Lunch Networking & Closed-Door Colloquy on Human Leadership: The closed-door CEO colloquy provided an intimate forum for senior leaders to discuss human-centred leadership. Following a warm welcome and lunch, Irene Chan facilitated an insightful presentation from the Russell Reynolds Associates on Human Leadership. The table discussions focused on the evolving challenges leaders face in today’s complex world, particularly amid economic uncertainties. Participants shared valuable insights into the role of inclusive and human leadership actions in shaping organisational culture, performance, and overall success. The dialogue highlighted the need for tailored Human Leadership plans that prioritise essential qualities and actions driving inclusivity. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how to cultivate leadership environments that embrace diversity, equipping them to navigate the complexities of modern leadership effectively.

• Megatrends Transforming Humanity and their Implications: One of the standout sessions of Day 1 was the engaging panel exploring global trends reshaping businesses and societies. Led by Sri Nair , Asia Pacific Vice Chairman of Markets at PwC Malaysia and member of the Global Inclusion & Diversity Council, the session examined key megatrends such as technological advancements, climate change, and shifting demographics. Sri Nair shared insights into how these forces are driving significant changes across industries, urging organisations to adapt their strategies to stay competitive. The discussion highlighted both the challenges and opportunities these megatrends present, emphasising the need for businesses to innovate and embrace change in a fast-evolving world. The keynote encouraged a forward-thinking approach, stressing the importance of aligning with global shifts to ensure long-term success and sustainability. This session inspired organisations to be proactive in adapting to the future.

• Financial Leadership in the 21st Century | Prioritising DEI across Public and Private Sectors: The panel emphasised the vital role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in shaping effective leadership within the financial sector. Moderated by Varshaa Ram Kutik , Advisor for Diversity & Inclusion at the Bank for International Settlements – BIS , Switzerland, the session featured insights from central bankers, including Chin Ching L. ( Bank Negara Malaysia ), Shishi Kumar ( Reserve Bank of India (RBI) , Sarah Guerra (She,her) (former Head of Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Central Bank of England), and Dr. Tooba M. ( 花旗 Malaysia).?The discussion highlighted how prioritising DEI enhances decision-making, fosters innovation, and contributes to sustainable growth in both public and private institutions. The panellists shared successful initiatives that promote DEI, showcasing the benefits of a diverse workforce in navigating complex market challenges. Ultimately, this colloquy aimed to inspire leaders to embed DEI as a core principle in financial leadership, paving the way for a more equitable future.

• The Great Debate | Pivot or Progress?: The Great Debate aimed to foster provocative thinking about the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Moderated by Liza Liew from LeadWomen, the session featured two teams - Team Pivot and Team Progress, who explored whether DEI strategies should evolve or build upon past successes. Team Pivot included Sri Nair (PwC), Kishore Ravuri ( Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad ), and Nadia K Ismail ( ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Malaysia Inc ), arguing for the necessity of shifting DEI initiatives to address emerging societal challenges and criticisms. Meanwhile, Team Progress, comprising Luqmahani Mustafa Kamal (PETRONAS), Varshaa Kutik (Bank for International Settlements), and NURUL DIANA INTAN ZAFIRAH, ERM ( Cyberview Sdn Bhd ), advocated for the continuation and intensification of current DEI efforts, emphasising the importance of commitment to established frameworks. The format of the debate allowed both sides to share their points of view covering aspects of setting targets, the intention behind it and also how ‘success’ is defined. Interestingly, the arguments from both sides ended up complimenting each other as it was agreed that we need to pivot our strategies to ensure that the progress made in our DEI efforts happen at a much faster pace than today. The debate ended with an audience vote and it was a slim majority with 52% agreeing with Team Pivot’s arguments.?

Day 1 ended with a vibrant networking session, offering attendees the chance to exchange ideas, collaborate, and foster meaningful partnerships to further DEI initiatives.

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