As the CEO and founder of M&C Saatchi, Datin Sri Sharifah Menyalara Hussein, better known to many as Lara, is widely recognised for transforming the agency into a creative powerhouse with prominent clients such as Axiata, CIMB and Astro. She made history in 2018 as the first Malaysian woman to receive the Business Leader of the Year award at the Women Leading Change Awards. Under her leadership, M&C Saatchi consistently ranks among the top agencies, earning numerous gold awards for its creative endeavours. Committed to empowering female leaders within her industry, Lara mentors women in her team and actively engages in educational initiatives related to communications. She also serves on the advisory board for Penjana Capital and the board of trustees for Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman.