When Women in Management (WIM) was first founded in Colombo, fifteen years ago, it was the seed of an idea, a movement that sought to recognize the immense but often overlooked contributions of women in professional, entrepreneurial, and community spaces. What began as a Sri Lankan initiative under the vision of its founder and chairperson, Dr. Sulochana Segera, has since grown into a global platform that connects, empowers, and elevates women across continents. In 2025, WIM marks a milestone anniversary: fifteen years of championing women’s achievements, creating opportunities for leadership, and fostering global networks. To celebrate, WIM is returning its signature global events to Colombo; the city where it all began. From 7th to 9th October 2025, Sri Lanka will host an extraordinary series of events at Cinnamon Lakeside and Shangri-La Colombo. These include the Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards, the Top50 Global Economic Forum, the Women MSME Awards, and the NextTier Mentorship & Awards. The three-day Global Week is set to attract delegates, leaders, and trailblazers from more than 15 countries, underscoring WIM’s mission to build meaningful connections across cultures and industries. For WIM, the return to Colombo is not only symbolic, it is also a reminder of how far the movement has come from its modest beginnings to becoming a trusted voice in women’s empowerment worldwide.
Celebrating a Global Milestone
At the heart of the 15th anniversary celebrations is the Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards, WIM’s flagship recognition platform. First launched in Sri Lanka, the awards have expanded to become a global standard for celebrating women who excel in leadership, resilience, and innovation. The judging panel for 2025 reflects this international scope, comprising distinguished representatives from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, USA, UK, Pakistan, India, Africa, and the UAE. Chair of the panel, Gowri Rajan, Executive Director of Sun Match Company, highlighted the importance of the platform: “The Top50 Awards honour not just individual excellence but the collective strength of women who inspire generations. It is a platform that celebrates leadership, resilience, and vision on a global scale.” Adding to this sentiment, Dr. Ngozi Oyewole, representing Africa, emphasized the deeper purpose of leadership: “True leadership is measured by our ability to uplift others. Together, we can create a legacy that inspires every woman to reach her fullest potential.” These voices echo the spirit of WIM’s anniversary year: a commitment to both honouring achievements and creating pathways for future impact.
A Week of Recognition and Dialogue
WIM Global Week 2025 has been carefully curated to showcase the diversity and versatility of its platform. Each event recognizes a different facet of women’s contributions, from grassroots entrepreneurship to executive leadership and next-generation mentorship.
Women MSME Awards
The Women MSME Awards, chaired by Minoli Wickramasinghe, CEO of Capital Trust Properties, will shine a spotlight on the vital role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in national and regional development. “MSMEs are the engine of a nation’s growth,” said Wickramasinghe. “Supporting them is crucial to building innovation, resilience, and long-term prosperity.” This year’s MSME Awards judging panel brings together leaders across industries and development sectors: Delvin Pereira (Rotary Sri Lanka and Maldives), Erandika Dissanayake (Ministry of Industry), Manoji Wadugodapitiya (PAMS Hydro Power), Neelika Tillekeratne (AmCham Sri Lanka), and Udana Wickramasinghe (Adventa Technologies/Sri Lanka Tourism).
NextTier Mentorship and Awards
Meanwhile, the NextTier Mentorship and Awards, chaired by Kasturi Chelleraja, COO of 5Hour International Singapore, will celebrate the dynamism of young leaders. “Young leaders bring fresh thinking and energy,” Kasturi emphasized. “With the right mentorship and support, they will shape the future of leadership in Sri Lanka and beyond.” Judges for this program include Ted Muttiah (SAGT), Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya (DIMO), and Dr. Nirmal De Silva (Diverse Industries), who will work together to identify and nurture tomorrow’s change-makers.
Top50 Global Economic Forum
Complementing these awards is the Top50 Global Economic Forum, powered by Mastercard. This high-level gathering is expected to convene more than 300 delegates, including policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. It will provide a platform for global dialogue on pressing economic challenges and opportunities, with a focus on inclusion, sustainability, and innovation. Further cementing its credibility, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has joined as the strategic partner for the 15th Top50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards. The IFC’s involvement underlines the global economic significance of WIM’s initiatives and their alignment with wider development goals.
An Esteemed Panel of Judges
The prestige of WIM’s awards is reflected in the calibre of its international judges. The Top50 Global Awards panel, chaired by Gowri Rajan, will feature an illustrious line-up of leaders including:
- Dinesh Weerakkody (Union Bank, Sri Lanka)
- Kanta Singh (UN Women India)
- Ngozi Oyewole (Commonwealth Business Women Africa)
- Tess Cacciatore (Global Women’s Empowerment Network – GWEN)
- Maryyam Khan (South Asian Development Forum)
- Lawrence McEwen (EST Applied Intelligence)
- Dr. Mariyam Shakeela (SIMDI Group, Maldives)
- Shehara de Silva (Optima Designs, Sri Lanka)
- Venkatesh Mahadevan (CAAS and ISPMA)
Together, these judges bring perspectives from business, government, advocacy, and global development. Their role extends beyond adjudication: they act as ambassadors for WIM’s mission and advocates for women’s advancement in their own spheres of influence.
Leadership Behind the 2025 Celebrations
Guiding the 15th anniversary Global Week is a dedicated leadership team. Fazeela Dharmaratne will serve as Chair of the Top50 Global Awards, Amali Mudunkotuwa Mendis will chair the MSME Awards, and Sudehi Geeganage will chair the NextTier Mentorship and Awards. Their stewardship reflects WIM’s ethos of empowering women at every stage, entrusting leadership to capable hands and enabling collaboration across sectors.
A Journey of Impact
Reflecting on the 15-year journey of Women in Management, founder and chairperson Dr. Sulochana Segera shared a deeply personal perspective: “When I started WIM, it was a small voice advocating for women in Sri Lanka. Today, it is a global movement that connects leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers across continents. Our initiatives are about impact, not marketing.” Indeed, beyond its headline events, WIM’s legacy lies in its grassroots initiatives. These include providing free meals to schoolchildren through the Free Kitchen program, awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 children of single mothers, and empowering over 100,000 women across Sri Lanka before the organization expanded globally. This dual commitment, local action with global vision, has been central to WIM’s success. For Segera, Global Week is not simply a celebration: “Global Week is not just a celebration; it is a call to action.”
As WIM prepares to welcome global delegates to Colombo this October, the sense of anticipation is palpable. The combination of awards, mentorship programs, and high-level economic dialogue ensures that WIM Global Week 2025 will be one of the year’s most inspiring gatherings. By celebrating past achievements while actively shaping future opportunities, WIM continues to redefine what it means to empower women in management, business, and leadership. From the recognition of established professionals to the nurturing of young leaders, and from supporting MSMEs to influencing global economic discourse, WIM’s impact is multi-layered and far-reaching.
The Legacy of 15 Years
Looking back, the growth of Women in Management reflects the power of persistence, vision, and collective effort. What started as a national initiative has now become a trusted global brand, representing Sri Lanka on the world stage and bringing international recognition to women’s leadership. WIM’s story also highlights a broader truth: when women are empowered, entire communities thrive. By investing in mentorship, entrepreneurship, and leadership, WIM has created ripple effects that extend far beyond its members, influencing industries, economies, and societies at large.
The 15th anniversary is therefore not just a commemoration of the past but also a declaration of intent. As the world faces new challenges, economic uncertainty, climate change, social inequality, the leadership and resilience of women will be more critical than ever. WIM positions itself at the forefront of this movement, building the networks, platforms, and recognition systems that women need to lead effectively in a rapidly changing world.
Conclusion
Women in Management’s 15-year journey is a testament to what is possible when vision meets action. From Colombo to the world, WIM has created opportunities for women to be seen, heard, and celebrated. The upcoming Global Week in October 2025 is not merely an anniversary celebration; it is the continuation of a journey that began with a single voice and has grown into a global chorus for women’s empowerment. With its blend of recognition, mentorship, and global dialogue, WIM Global Week 2025 promises to inspire, connect, and catalyze change; not just for women in Sri Lanka but for women everywhere.
