EQUITY THROUGH GOVERNANCE
In recent years, conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion have grown louder in Malaysia’s corporate landscape. With mandatory ESG reporting now in effect and new policy frameworks on the horizon, businesses are under increasing pressure to demonstrate not only compliance but also genuine impact. At the same time, economic challenges and widening inequalities are testing the resilience of organisations and their people.
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This half-day summit will bring together corporate leaders, policymakers, HR practitioners, and civil society to exchange knowledge, confront challenges, and build clarity on the future of DEI in Malaysia. Through panel discussions, lightning talks, and practical masterclasses, the Summit offers a platform to explore what inclusion looks like in a rapidly changing economy, and how businesses can align with evolving regulations while staying true to their values.
SPEAKERS AND SESSIONS
Bathmavathi Krishnan
SUHAKAM Commissioner and Former Senator
Keynote Speech
Panel: Promoting Inclusion Amidst Economic Disparities
Annapooranee Suppiah
Vice President, Women, DEI & Work-Life Sustainability, TalentCorp
Shanmugam Thiagarajan
Deputy Director General, Department of Labour of Peninsula Malaysia
Jehan Wan Aziz
Rule of Law Analyst and Lead (Human Rights and Institutions), UNDP
ESG Lightning Talks: DEI Progress and Innovation
Malar Odayappan
Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Practice, PwC Malaysia
Rahimah Farjan Ali
Group Head of Sustainability, Malaysia Aviation Group
Sheila Sham
Head of HR (Malaysia)
PropertyGuru and iProperty
Sophia Ang
Executive Vice President, Head of Culture and Performance, Maybank
Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into Supply Chains
Richard Baker
Director, Sustainability and Climate Change, PwC Malaysia
AGENDA
9:30 - 10:00am
10:00 - 10:20am
10:20 - 11:10am
Arrival and Welcome
Keynote Speech by Bathmavathi Krishnan, SUHAKAM Commissioner and Former Senator
Panel: Promoting Inclusion Amidst Economic Disparities
As global and local inequalities deepen, rising living costs and stagnant wages are putting pressure on workers and widening opportunity gaps. These trends present serious risks for businesses and governments alike, especially in how they respond to fairness, inclusion, and economic security. At the same time, a wave of policy developments is reshaping expectations: from the rollback of DEI mandates in the United States, to Malaysia’s launch of the National Human Resources Policy Framework, the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, and the upcoming Gig Workers Bill. This session brings together voices from government and industry to explore how institutions are navigating these shifts. Panelists will share how they are working to ensure fair wages, support workforce development, and align their efforts with evolving national frameworks.
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Speakers:
Shanmugam A/L Thiagarajan, Deputy Director General, Department of Labour of Peninsula Malaysia, MOHR
Jehan Wan Aziz, Rule of Law Analyst and Lead (Human Rights and Institutions), UNDP
Annapooranee Suppiah, Vice President, Women, DEI and Work-Life Sustainability, TalentCorp
Moderated by: Richard Baker, Director, Sustainability and Climate Change, PwC Malaysia
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11:30am - 12:20pm
ESG Lightning Talks: DEI Progress and Innovation
This session features lightning talks from leaders driving diversity, equity and inclusion in their organisations as part of their broader ESG framework. Each speaker will share real examples of what has worked, what has shifted, and what lessons have come from putting DEI commitments into practice. From talent development to inclusive leadership and workplace culture, the talks will highlight practical approaches to embedding DEI across different sectors as part of ESG outcomes. Rather than theory or broad policy, the focus will be on progress made, impact delivered, and the challenges still being worked through.
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Speakers:
Malar Odayappan, Director of Environment, Social and Governance Practice, PwC Malaysia
Sheila Sham, Head of HR, PropertyGuru Group Malaysia
Rahimah Farjan Ali, Group Head of Sustainability, Malaysia Aviation Group
Sophia Ang, Executive Vice President, Head of Culture and Performance, Maybank
12:20 - 1:30pm
Masterclass Sessions
Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into Supply Chains by PwC Malaysia
1:30-2:30pm
Lunch
ACCESS
Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) interpreters will be provided throughout the Summit. The event will also have ushers at the entrance lobby to support attendees with mobility challenges. Menara TH 1 Sentral is wheelchair accessible, with lifts connecting all elevations and wide walkways. The KL Sentral hub is generally equipped with tactile paving.
If you have any additional needs we should know about, do let us know via email at contact@aodmalaysia.org.
All food provided are Halal with vegetarian options available. If you have any specific dietary restrictions we should know about such as allergies, do let us know.
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How to get to PwC Malaysia @ fifteen space
PwC Malaysia is located in Menara TH 1 Sentral in KL Sentral.
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By Car: Public parking is available in the KL Sentral vicinity. If you are driving, we recommend parking at Plaza Sentral (right next to PwC Malaysia in Menara TH 1 Sentral).
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By Public Transport: PwC Malaysia is connected to the KL Sentral transportation hub, which provides accessibility by LRT, MRT (Muzium Negara), KTM, Monorel and many others. Covered walkways are available connecting the main KL Sentral building and Menara TH 1 Sentral.
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