Professional and Career Women Awards on June 24

Women in Management (WIM) and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, are organising the sixth Professional and Career Women Awards, 2016. The awards celebrate women who inspire others through achievements in careers, businesses, and everyday lives.

Nominations are now open and will close on May 30. The awards ceremony will be held on June 24.

Last year, 55 women received awards across 22 categories, the organisers said.

Founder and Chairperson, Women in Management (WIM), Sulochana Segera said this year's awards will highlight the impact that Sri Lanka's professional women can have globally. "We encourage any person to nominate women who they feel inspire them across the categories outlined. We would also like women to nominate themselves."

"WIM has, over the past few years, highlighted the achievements of a number of Sri Lanka's top women leaders, enabling them to take that next step in terms of their own personal brand. Many have become international opinion leaders," she said.

Women entrepreneurs, employees, suppliers, and leaders are engines of economic growth and opportunity. Senior Operations Officer for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, IFC, Graeme Harris said, "By strengthening women's roles in the private sector, IFC develops gender-smart solutions that help transform markets. IFC's partnership with WIM for the awards, and a number of other initiatives, will create new opportunities to help women professionals boost their skills and access new markets locally and globally."

Panel Judge and Chairman, Lanka Sathosa Dr. Rohantha Athukorala said, "Like last year, the judging panel this year will feature high-profile personalities who will ensure that the winners truly reflect the culture of excellence promoted by the awards."

The judges include Shiromal Cooray, Graeme Harris, Dawn Austin, Ayomi Aluwihare and Kumar Samarasinghe.

Managing Director, Jetwing Travels, Shiromal Cooray and a 2015 award winner, said, "Being recognised at the 'Professional and Career Women Awards' is an import accolade for many Sri Lankan women. It raises their profiles locally and can be an effective launching pad for international success.