Women in Management (WIM), founded in Colombo, marks 15 years of championing women’s achievements, fostering leadership, and creating global platforms for women to excel.
To celebrate this milestone, WIM brings back its signature global events to Colombo after two years, returning to the city where it all began. From 7th to 9th October 2025, Sri Lanka will host a series of events at Cinnamon Lakeside and Shangri-La Colombo: the Top50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards, Top50 Global Economic Forum, Women MSME Awards, and NextTier Mentorship & Awards.
This year’s celebrations welcomes delegates and leaders from more than 15 countries, underscoring WIM’s mission to connect and inspire women across continents, with the judging panel featuring distinguished representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, USA, UK, Pakistan, India, Africa, and the UAE- Chair of the judging panel, Gowri Rajan, noted: “The Top50 Awards honor not just individual excellence but the collective strength of women who inspire generations.
It is a platform that celebrates leadership, resilience, and vision on a global scale.”
Judge Dr. Ngozi Oyewole, representing Africa, emphasized: “True leadership is
measured by our ability to uplift others. Together, we can create a legacy that inspires every woman to reach her fullest potential.”
Showcasing the versatility of its platform, WIM Global Week 2025 spans a diverse spectrum of recognition—from honoring women entrepreneurs to empowering next- generation leaders and fostering global economic dialogue.
The Women MSME Awards, chaired by Minoli Wickramasinghe, highlight the vital role of small and medium enterprises in national development. “MSMEs are the engine of a nation’s growth. Supporting them is crucial to building innovation, resilience, and long- term prosperity,” she stated
The NextTier Mentorship & Awards, led by Kasturi Chelleraja Wilson, will spotlight today’s emerging leaders. “Young leaders bring fresh thinking and energy, and with the right mentorship and support, they will shape the future of leadership in Sri Lanka and beyond,” emphasized Wilson.
The Top50 Global Economic Forum, is powered by Mastercard, which will bring together 300+ delegates, including policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Building upon the longstanding relationship, The International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a member of the World Bank, will serve as the strategic partner for the 15th Top50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards 2025.
The judges include an esteemed international panel chaired by Gowri Rajan, Executive Director of Sun Match Company, featuring leaders from business, government, and advocacy, including Dinesh Weerakkody (Union Bank), Kanta Singh (UN Women India), Ngozi Oyewole (Commonwealth Business Women Africa), Tess Cacciatore (GWEN), Maryyam Khan (South Asian Development Forum), Lawrence McEwen (EST Applied Intelligence), Dr. Mariyam Shakeela (SIMDI Group), Shehara de Silva (Optima Designs), and Venkatesh Mahadevan (CAAS & ISPMA).
The MSME Awards 2025, chaired by Minoli Wickramasinghe, CEO of Capital Trust
Properties, consist of Delvin Pereira (Rotary Sri Lanka & Maldives), Erandika
Dissanayake (Ministry of Industry), Manoji Wadugodapitiya (PAMS Hydro Power),
Neelika Tillekeratne (AmCham Sri Lanka), and Udana Wickramasinghe (Adventa
Technologies/Sri Lanka Tourism).
The NextTier Mentorship & Awards 2025, chaired by Kasturi Chelleraja Wilson (COO, 5Hour International Singapore/NDB Bank), will be judged by Ted Muttiah (SAGT), Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya (Diesel & Motor), and Dr. Nirmal De Silva (Diverse Industries).
The 2025 Global Week will be guided by an exceptional leadership team, comprising of Fazeela Dharmaratne – Chair, Top50 Global Awards,Amali Mudunkotuwa Mendis – Chair, MSME Awards and Sudehi Geeganage – Chair, NextTier Mentorship & Awards.
Reflecting on the 15-year journey, Dr. Sulochana Segera, Founder & Chairperson of WIM, said, “When I started WIM, it was a small voice advocating for women in Sri Lanka.
Today, it is a global movement that connects leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers across continents. Our initiatives are about impact, not marketing. From providing free meals to schoolchildren through our Free Kitchen, to awarding scholarships to over 1,000 children of single mothers, and empowering over 100,000 women across Sri Lanka before going global, WIM has stayed true to its mission of empowerment. Global Week is not just a
celebration—it is a call to action.”
With a powerful blend of recognition, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing, Women in Management Global Week 2025 promises to be one of the most inspiring events in the calendar this year.