WIM partners IFC, Australian Govt. to conduct an inspirational mentoring program for career women

A two-day mentoring program was conducted recently by Women in Management (WIM), in partnership with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Government of Australia, under the IFC-DFAT Women in Work program. 

This program is a brainchild of WIM Chairperson Dr. Sulochana Segera, who said that “workplace conditions for women have come a long way in the past few decades, yet there is still much progress to be made”. 

She also highlighted: “Women in leadership positions can offer guidance to young females who are early in their career. Some people naturally find mentors in the workplace but not everyone is so fortunate. Creating a women’s mentorship program provides every female employee the opportunity to offer or accept guidance.”

The initiative brought together past winners of the ‘Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards’ (WIM Top50) to share their knowledge and stories to inspire young career women. Past winner John Keells Holdings Vice President Roshanie Jayasundera Moraes shared her tips to “navigate professions to reach top management”, followed by an inspiring journey of Tania Pollonowita Wettimunny on “how to become your own mentor and become your own boss”.  

The program also had a two-hour session on ‘how women should prepare themselves for their performance appraisals’ by Andal Krishnan, an international coacher from Singapore. Following which Catriona Jayasundera shared tips to ‘survive in a profession where there are fewer women’. 

Day one of the mentoring program concluded with an interactive panel discussion on new generation leadership by Director Crest Excellence Center Sdn Bhd Andala Krishnan, Hemas Hospitals Ltd. Finance Director Portia Jayamaha, B Braun Lanka Ltd. Head of HR Shanika Ranaweera, Sri Lanka Port Authority Chief Law Officer Aparna Thilkaratne and Women in Work IFC-DFAT Employment Lead Aarthy Arunasalam, moderated by Dr. Segera. 

Day two of the mentoring program kicked-off with a session on storytelling, followed by a personality development session by Anadal Krishnan and Theresa Rajahser. 

The program also had four breakout sessions, specifically on presentation skills by Ayanthi Philip Stafford and Chan, corporate grooming by Nayana Karunaratne, finance management best practices for middle management by John Keells PLC Non-Executive Director Aruni Rajakarier, and on navigating stereotypes and bias to reach top management and boards by IFC Corporate Governance Officer Lopa Rahman.

Each participant received a privilege of selecting their own mentor from the WIM mentoring board and having two one-to-one sessions after completing the two days of mentoring program.

For more information on WIM’s programs, visit www.womeninmanagement.org/.