Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam

Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam’s remarkable career reflects her unwavering commitment to uplifting others and promoting gender equality. In 2024, she made history by becoming the first-ever Asian president of Soroptimist International (SI), a global volunteer-led organization that has championed women’s rights for over a century. Her presidency is a landmark achievement, symbolising greater representation for Asia in global women’s leadership.

Siew Yong held prominent corporate roles, starting as the first female executive at Malaysian Tobacco Company in 1970 and later serving as vice president of Corporate Communications at Malaysia Airlines. Her leadership also extended to advocacy, exemplified by her 2012 “Walk the Talk – Stop Violence Against Women” campaign, a nationwide initiative across Malaysia.

With her presidency’s theme, “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future,” Siew Yong emphasises the crucial connection between women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability. Her influence continues through her involvement on several boards, including the Women Institute of Management and the Asian Women Leadership University College Project, ensuring that her legacy drives gender equality and sustainability forward