- WIM is the respected professional organization for Women in Sri Lanka
- Will host Canada awards to recognize Canadian Sri Lankan Women in January 2018
- Aims to recognize and reward Sri Lankan origin women who have excelled in their field of work and business
Women in Management (WIM) will celebrate the launch of the coveted initiative WIM AWARDS CANADA 2017 on January 20, 2018 in Toronto. The objective of the Award program will be to recognize and reward the outstanding women of Sri Lankan origin who have excelled in their business or professions in Canada. This initiative will be powered by Cinnamon Life, the flagship development by Sri Lanka’s premier listed Conglomerate, the John Keells Group.
WIM is the respected professional organization for Women in Sri Lanka with a membership around 5,000 women in Sri Lanka and overseas. WIM in Sri Lanka is committed to empower Sri Lankan career women and women entrepreneurs by providing them with leadership and guidance in furthering their skills and knowledge in association with the Government of United States(USAID), European Union(EU) Government of Australia(DeFACT), Coca Cola 520( Global) Government of Malaysia( NAWIM) and SWISS LABOUR.
In Sri Lanka together with the World Banks private sector investment arm International Finance Corporation(IFC) the 7th edition of the “WIM Top 50 Awards” was concluded in August 2017 where the top 50 outstanding career women were recognized and rewarded with the Chief Guest being the Country Director for World Bank in South Asia.
The Chairperson for WIM Dr.Sulochana Segera commented that ” WIM is now ready to launch this outside of Sri Lanka. We will launch the global roll out from Canada and thereafter to U.K and Australia where there is a strong Sri Lankan community.
NOMINATIONS
WIM AWARDS CANADA 2017 aims to recognize and reward Sri Lankan origin women who have excelled in their field of work and business. The winners will be chosen from 17 professional and business categories. The nomination forms will be available on the following website;
Nominations will be closed on November 15, 2017. All nomination forms will be carefully screened by WIM and sent to a distinguished panel of judges to choose the winners. The Awards ceremony has been scheduled to be held in Toronto on January 20, 2018.
Nadija Tambiah – EVP & Head of Legal, John Keells Holdings Ltd
The Career Categories consist of Human Resources, Finance, Marketing & Advertising, Information Technology, Banking, Legal, State & Government Sector, Real Estate & Investment, Media & Communication, Hotel, Hospitality & Food Services, Medical, Education, Immigration Consultant , Upcoming young woman leader, Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur, Upcoming Woman Entrepreneur, Best Women CEO/Women Leader of the Year, Business Role Model of the Year, Career Role Model of the Year, Woman of the Year, Best Women Importer from Sri Lanka, Best CSR Program run by a Private Sector for Women Empowerment and Best CSR Program run in Sri Lanka.
The criteria for applying for an award – in the career, business and professional categories – are many. The criterion is such, that the candidate is not just an achiever in the workplace; she must be a leader with interpersonal skills; and an innovator with creative skills. She must articulate her future goals and plans. As a force to reckon with, the woman who thinks she deserves to win must demonstrate her contribution to society, community and family.
VISIBILITY IN THE MARKET
Ramya Weerakoon-VP Business Development, Infotechs, Sri Lanka
WIM has a trusted module in the judging process. For instance, in Sri Lanka’s 2017 edition included the Solicitor General of Sri Lanka.Designing the entry form to the judging process and the awards ceremony are carefully planned, implemented and monitored by WIM to maintain the highest standards and quality. The judging panel consists of reputed academics and professionals from public and private sector and from varied fields.
There have been many women who have received visibility in the market post winning their Awards at the previous editions. Their stories are manifold in experience; but they all have one thing in common – the mental and physical tenacity to brave the odds and emerge victorious.
For Ramya Weerakoon, Vice President, Business Development at Infotechs, the award has boosted her self-esteem and enhanced awareness of her capabilities among peers, colleagues, principals and other companies. Being recognized for her work was a realization of the role that she has to play in promoting other women in the workplace to succeed, said Nadija Tambiah, Executive Vice President, Head of Legal, Secretarial and CSR, John Keells. For Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny, Managing Director, Hellman Worldwide Logistics, the award meant giving confidence, encouragement and strength to young women. The stories of the honorees are many. It has been a humbling experience for all of them to have been selected from among a multitude of talented and capable women, and it has certainly opened new opportunities in their careers and workplaces.
Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny_MD, Hellman Worldwide Logistics.
KEY PARTNERS
WIM AWARDS CANADA 2017 will be powered by Cinnamon Life. Cinnamon Life is an integrated resort being developed by Sri Lanka’s premier listed conglomerate, the John Keells Group. The project will consist of an 800-room luxury hotel under the brand Cinnamon, entertainment facilities, apartments, retail and entertainment mall, office spaces, and many other attractions. The Iconic design by the architect Cecil Balmond will have a built-up area of 4.5 Million square feet, and it is envisioned to be the epicenter of modern South Asia. (www.cinnamonlife.com)
Further WIM AWARDS CANADA 2017 has been endorsed by the World Bank (ITC), the High Commissions of Sri Lanka and Canada, Business Council of Canada Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce in Canada, Sri Lanka Canada business council and 16 other Sri Lankan Associations in Canada.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has partnered with WIM for three consecutive years to support the Professional and Career Women Awards. Other corporate sponsors for 2017 included SINGER, Jet Wing Travel and Tours, to name a few.
Dr Sulochana Segera, Chairperson, WIM, said the objective of conducting WIM Awards in Canada is twofold; first, recognized Sri Lankan women who have excelled in their careers, professions and businesses in Canada; and second, thereby pave the way to further promoting their businesses and practices amongst all Canadian Sri Lankans and other communities. It is like carving out a niche in business, where we want women of Sri Lankan origin domiciled in Canada to stand out in the world of businesses and professions.
Mr. Rienzie Martinesz, The Official Representative of WIM AWARDS CANADA said the awards concept is the beginning of relationships and building of networks among women in Canada and Sri Lanka who could engage with their peers, share ideas, support one another and build business links.
For any enquiries in Canada, please contact Rienzie Martinesz at 416-270-7199 or via email rienzie@canits.com
