Dr Sulochana Segera

Founder and Chairperson, Women in Management
Sri Lanka

Dr. Sulochana Segera stands as one of Sri Lanka’s distinguished social entrepreneurs, seasoned trainers, and motivational speakers, boasting an impressive 26-year track record. As the Chairperson of the globally recognized Women in Management (WIM), she oversees a diverse portfolio of initiatives under its umbrella brand. Notable projects include the ‘Top50 Professional Career Woman Awards,’ ‘New Generation Awards,’ ‘Top10 Diversity Champions Awards,’ ‘WIM Free Kitchen,’ and the impactful ‘WIM Single Mother,’ reshaping societal attitudes by
acknowledging, celebrating, and inspiring individuals across genders, ages, and professions.

On 27th November 2023 in a momentous ceremony hosted at the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, Dr. Sulochana Segera, Chairperson of Women in Management, was honoured with a prestigious award for her exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing global equality and empowerment for women and young people. Recognizing her remarkable contributions, Fatima Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Asian Standard Newspaper (UK), and MP Imran Hussain jointly celebrated Dr. Segera’s accomplishments, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Her tireless efforts to create opportunities and empower women and young people have not only garnered international recognition but have also earned admiration from individuals across the globe.

Renowned in corporate circles as a dedicated trainer for multinational corporations, Dr. Segera exhibits a fervent commitment to uplifting both rural and urban living standards, focusing on education and skill development. Her personal journey is intricately linked to the evolution of WIM from a female empowerment initiative to a global force for change. In the MSME and SME sector, Dr. Segera plays a pivotal role as a mentor, counselor, and goodwill investor. Her hands-on approach involves traversing rural areas, identifying hidden talents, and encouraging boards to adopt more inclusive leadership structures.

Certified as an IFC-LPI Trainer in Performance Monitoring & Assessment (TPMA) and Personality Development Trainer in Asia, Dr. Segera brings her expertise to the World Bank’s IFC on ‘Sustainable Private Sector Investment’ and the global initiative ‘5 by 20’ by Coca Cola, focusing on empowering five million women for economic development. She is also a trainer for the British Council’s ‘Active Citizen’ project.

Her philanthropic efforts extend to initiatives like the T.E.A Project, where she served as the Patron, empowering children in Sri Lanka. Additionally, Dr. Segera sits on the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Education, Skill Development, Employment, and Labour Relations.

Beyond her national impact, she chairs WIM chapters in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Canada, UAE, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, overseeing the WIM Top50 brand. Recognizing individuals across 23 countries, she has connected men and women, celebrating 980 winners globally. Driven by a commitment to social responsibility, Dr. Segera initiated the WIM Free Kitchen, providing daily meals to approximately 100 homeless and low-income individuals in the Colombo district. Amidst economic challenges, she has taken the lead in ensuring school children from low -income families receive nourishment. The WIM Single Mother project awards education scholarships to 100 children of women-headed households annually.

Recent accolades include Dr. Segera’s appointment to the Advisory Committee of the Global Equality Standard developed by GEA in the United Kingdom. She also spearheaded the Sri Lankan project for Her Majesty the Queen’s seventy years of service and leadership, collaborating with the British Council to establish a network of 100 young women leaders across South Asia and the UK. Undoubtedly, Dr. Sulochana Segera’s multifaceted contributions have left an indelible mark on the global landscape of empowerment, equality, and social progress.

The Next Gen: DISRUPTION

Economic Disruption: We live in an era of disruption in which powerful global forces are changing how we live and work. Powerful disruptions are changing our world. The gig economy, remote work, and the sharing economy have disrupted traditional employment models. The new generation is often at the forefront of these economic changes, seeking flexibility and independence in their careers.

Technological Disruption: The new generation is witnessing rapid technological advancements and digital transformation. They are at the forefront of embracing and driving these changes, leading to disruptions in various industries. Examples include the rise of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy. Frontier technologies such as the Internet of Things, smart robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are boosting productivity growth, raising prosperity, and replacing mundane or dangerous tasks. They have the potential to do good across a wide range of domains, from healthcare to education

Cultural Disruption: Social movements and changing cultural norms are disrupting traditional societal structures. The new generation is actively involved in advocating for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, challenging the status quo and pushing for more inclusive societies. The connection between resilience, equity and inclusion is widely accepted by policymakers: evidence has shown that creating more equitable and inclusive societies is a crucial part of any economic strategy focused on resilience and recovery.

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The Next Gen: DEVELOPMENT

Skill Development: The new generation places a strong emphasis on personal growth and development. They prioritize continuous learning, self-improvement, and mental well-being. Tools like online courses, self-help apps, and social networks play a significant role in their development journey. It is important to have a conversation about how to begin closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. Half of us will need to reskill in the next five years, as the "double disruption" of the economic impacts of the pandemic and increasing automation transforming jobs takes hold.

Sustainable Development: This generation of leaders bears the responsibility of preserving and advancing the legacies of their businesses while actively championing sustainable practices across businesses, governments, local communities, and personal lifestyle changes to secure a brighter future for the planet. Sustainability, the buzzword across the world today, will have to take on a new avatar and become the soul of every organization - business or otherwise. Businesses cannot succeed in societies that fail.

Social Development: The next generation is deeply rooted in creating positive change in society by incorporating CSR, promoting digital literacy, improving access to quality education, and supporting public health initiatives. Smart living is about adapting the fruits of technology through models that are scalable, profitable and, importantly, ecologically and socially more sustainable.

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The Next Gen: DIVERSIFICATION

Geographical Diversification: The prime focus of the new-gen leaders will be on a geographic diversification strategy, either domestically or internationally, aiming to integrate its products and services as a routine in consumers’ lifestyles. This will mitigate the risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. In an interconnected world, diversity, shaped by globalization and technological advances, forms the fabric of modern society.

Business Diversification: The strategic expansion and diversification of businesses with investments in newer business avenues, will enhance the return on investment, reflecting the forward-thinking approach of the next-generation leaders' eagerness to innovate. Companies are discovering that, by supporting and promoting diverse products and services, they are gaining benefits that go beyond the optics.

Workforce Diversification: To achieve geographical and business diversification, the next generation of leaders will aim at prioritizing workforce diversity, to boost job growth and create together a multitude of ideas and perspectives, igniting innovation and creativity. In times of increasing disruption and uncertainty, companies need to continue to prioritize diversity and inclusiveness (D&I) for the benefit of their culture — and their bottom line.

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