Myanmar women were the biggest winners in the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia 2019, the second edition of the UK-born movement aimed at showcasing and strengthening the pipeline of female talent across the region.

Out of 11 award categories, Myanmarese women won three, while another received a Highly Commended recognition:

Dr Theingi Win, Founder and CEO, Global Assistant Co, won the Business Award

Aye Thiri Kyaw, Writer and Senior National Coordinator Officer, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, took the honours for the Community Spirit & Public Service Award

Thinzar Shunlei Yi, Youth Advocate and TV Host, Under 30 Dialogue TV Show, won in the Media & Communications category

Thet Mon Aye, Founder, Star Ticket, received a Highly Commended recognition in the Science, Technology & Digital category

Unveiled last night at a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Singapore, the winners, representing 10 award categories, were selected from a shortlist of 54 candidates from 10 countries across the region. The winners in their respective award categories are:

Arts & Culture: Rozella Mahjhrin, Singer and Songwriter, Rozella Music (Malaysia)

Business: Dr Theingi Win, Founder and CEO, Global Assistant Co (Myanmar)

Community Spirit & Public Service: Aye Thiri Kyaw, Writer and Senior National Coordinator Officer, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Myanmar)

Entrepreneur: Supna Rania Karwanamurthi, Co-founder and Managing Director, Flux O.S. SDN BHD (Brunei)

Media & Communications: Thinzar Shunlei Yi, Youth Advocate and TV Host, Under 30 Dialogue TV Show (Myanmar)

Professions: Dr Hwei Wuen Chan, Doctor, National University Hospital, Singapore (Malaysia)

Professions: Najaa Halbi, Planning Manager for East Asset Brunei Shell Petroleum, Brunei Shell Petroleum Company (Brunei)

Property, Infrastructure & Construction: Josephine Lee, Director, Regional Business Development, Knight Frank (Singapore)

Science, Technology & Digital: Dr Jasy Liew Suet Yan, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia)

Social Entrepreneur: Kunthear Mov, Co-founder and Managing Director, Dorsu (Cambodia)

Mentor: Ana Margarita Hontiveros, Programs Head for Bangsamoro Region, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and GoNegosyo

“We continue to be inspired and impressed with the number of passionate, driven and talented young women across Southeast Asia, and we are proud to recognise and celebrate their achievements. These young women are trailblazers who are committed to creating a kinder, more collaborative future for their communities, and are a true inspiration to us all,” said Pinky Lilani CBE DL, Founder, Women of the Future (WOF) Programme.

For the first time, two winners were announced for the Professions category, highlighting the depth of female talent in the region. Also for the first time since the inception of these prestigious awards, five other finalist received Highly Commended recognition:

Arts & Culture: Okky Madasari, Author and Founder, ASEAN Literary Festival (Indonesia)

Community Spirit & Public Service: Catherine Harry, Founder, Vlogger and Writer, A Dose of Cath (Cambodia)

Science, Technology & Digital: Thet Mon Aye, Founder, Star Ticket (Myanmar)

Social Entrepreneur: Eleanor Rosa Pinugu, Co-founder and Executive Director, Mano Amiga Philippines (Philippines)

Mentor: Prof Khu Thi Khanh Dung NICU Director and Vice-Director, Vietnam National Children's Hospital

“In addition to adding the Mentor category, which recognises and pays tribute to the often unsung individuals who have been positive, influential role models, we are also pleased to acknowledge Highly Commended young women who came close to winning and whose talent we feel we must recognise.

Through the Women of the Future Awards we want to recognise and inspire more women, so as to deepen the female talent pool and contribute to progress in the region,” added Lilani.

The Award winners were selected from a shortlist of 54 candidates. Judging took place at the Aviva offices in Singapore by a distinguished panel representing a diverse field, ranging from Peta Latimer, CEO Singapore, Mercer; Alexandra Mckenzie, the Deputy British High Commissioner for Singapore; Phil Pomford, General Manager, Global Enterprise eCommerce – Asia Pacific, Worldpay; to Dan Wasik, Head of Talent Outreach, Google Asia Pacific. The Judging Panel was chaired by Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner to Australia.

Founded 13 years ago in the UK by Pinky Lilani CBE DL, and proudly supported by headline sponsor Aviva, the Women of the Future Awards aims to recognise and celebrate the inspirational young female stars of today and tomorrow. The awards in the UK and Southeast Asia editions are cross sectoral, recognising women across multiple fields including arts and culture, professions and entrepreneur.

The Award winners and shortlisted candidates of each category will gain access to many different opportunities, including the Women of the Future (WOF) network – a global and collaborative network of women who support and inspire each other to further professional and personal success.

The Women of the Future Southeasia Awards is also sponsored by AirAsia, Asia Square, BT, Mishcon de Reya LLP, RICS, Said Business School, University of Oxford and Worldpay. It is supported by CNBC, Financial Times, and the GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign.