Dear members and friends of NAWEM,

It is with great pleasure and sincere gratitude that I stand before you today, reflecting on the remarkable journey that has brought us to this moment. As we celebrate our thirtieth year of existence, I am deeply inspired by the resilience and determination that define NAWEM’s character.

The Annual General Meeting, a cherished tradition, grants us a precious opportunity to come together, reflect on our collective experiences, and applaud our shared accomplishments. Time and again, we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to nurturing growth and empowerment.

The past year posed formidable challenges that demanded our unwavering dedication and resolve. The highly anticipated ESG conference stood as a pinnacle in our organization’s calendar. The sheer magnitude of effort required to orchestrate such an event cannot be overstated. Our dedicated committee members, including our former president, Dato Shamsimar Wahab, invested countless hours to ensure a remarkable conference experience.

Today, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed partners, whose steadfast support and collaboration have played a pivotal role in shaping the conference program and securing renowned speakers. Together, we have weathered the challenges, and our collective efforts continue to shine.

Amidst the hurdles, we made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the conference from August 1st to October 3rd, 2023. I want to express our profound gratitude for the immense efforts put forth by our committee members, sponsors, and speakers. Your dedication is a testament to our shared commitment.

This year, we celebrate the successful completion of projects such as TAF Skills2Work and the inaugural cohort of the NAWEM WE Finance workshop. The WE Finance project is made possible through the generous support of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia. To Standard Chartered Bank and the project teams, I extend my sincere gratitude for your unwavering dedication.

I reserve a special acknowledgment for our Deputy President, Saliza Abdullah, whose tireless efforts and exceptional leadership have consistently inspired us all.

Additionally, I want to express my deepest appreciation to our past president, whose leadership and vision have laid the foundation for our ongoing growth and success.

To the Executive Council members who have decided to step down from their posts, your contributions have been instrumental in shaping NAWEM’s journey. We are grateful for your dedication.

Looking ahead, let us remain resolute in our organization’s purpose—to empower, support, and advocate for women entrepreneurs. Our commitment to creating opportunities, fostering innovation, and breaking down barriers remains steadfast.

I encourage each of you to continue pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams. Through our collective endeavours, we can build a more inclusive and diverse business landscape that celebrates the remarkable achievements of women.

Before I conclude, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Datin Nancy Liew of Marrybrown for her generous contribution to NAWEM. Her support has provided us with a fully-equipped meeting room, allowing us to seamlessly host this AGM with a blend of in-person and remote participants. This hybrid model, made possible through her kindness, positions us well for the future, enabling us to conduct meetings with our Executive Council members from across the nation and facilitating hybrid training programs. Datin Nancy Liew’s commitment to our cause exemplifies the spirit of unity and progress that defines NAWEM, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

Thank you all for your unwavering dedication, and may our shared journey be filled with even greater success and inspiration.

Sincerely,

Sarojini Ruth, President, NAWEM