Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam

Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam has spent her career advocating for gender equality, women’s empowerment and social justice. A trailblazer in Malaysia’s corporate sector, she began as the first female executive at the Malaysian Tobacco Company in 1970 before later serving as Vice President of Corporate Communications at Malaysia Airlines. Beyond executive leadership, she has consistently spearheaded impactful advocacy initiatives, including her nationwide 2012 campaign, “Walk the Talk – Stop Violence Against Women”.

In 2024, Gnanalingam made history as the first Asian president of Soroptimist International (SI), a global volunteer-led organization dedicated to uplifting women and girls. Guiding her presidency under the theme “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future”, she championed the crucial link between women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability, ensuring greater Asian representation in global civil society leadership.

Following her landmark tenure as president, Gnanalingam has continued her international leadership and advocacy work. At the Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific Conference of Clubs 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, she participated as Immediate Past President to guide regional empowerment strategies. Through her board roles—including with the Women Institute of Management and the Asian Women Leadership University College Project—she continues to mentor future generations and drive long-term progress in gender equity and sustainable development.