KUALA LUMPUR: The Affin Invikta x Malaysia's Top 30 Women of Excellence Awards 2024 aims to bring together and celebrate the achievements of Malaysia's most outstanding women across various sectors on a single stage.
Top 30 Media founder and chief executive Alvin Sinclair said the event is one of the first prestigious occasions in the country dedicated to honouring remarkable women.
"The women who won today, represent different sectors and industries, and we are here to honour them," he said when met at the event held at M Resort and Hotel here on Monday.
Sinclair said eight judges evaluated the portfolios of all 235 nominees to select the top 30.
"Regarding the evaluation process, it was quite extensive. We had an open nomination period, with almost 200 women nominated by others who recognised their contributions.
"We established a set of criteria for evaluation, and we had a panel of eight judges to assess the nominees," he said.
Affin Bank Bhd CEO and president Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah said Invikta is about recognising women of excellence in Malaysia from various fields and backgrounds, all of whom have made significant contributions in areas such as humanitarian efforts, arts, culture and entrepreneurship.
"We hope the winners will blaze a trail for future generations of women to follow.
"This is the inaugural event. It is amazing to see the diverse backgrounds of the women involved, from medicine and education to arts and culture," he said.
Kavita Kaur Sidhu, creative director and actress at Vitalia Lifestyle Sdn Bhd, was announced as one of the top 30 women.
She expressed her deep gratitude for the award, acknowledging that many women are doing remarkable work in their communities and professions.
Kavita said awards like these are crucial for showcasing women and their accomplishments, as they provide the younger generation with role models to admire.
"My family, my parents and my two brothers (are behind this success). I also had a mentor who played a significant role in my career. When I was about 25, she helped me get started in the TV business.
"She was older and provided me with the guidance and confidence I needed to succeed," she said, adding that her husband has also been a tremendous source of support in her career.
Meanwhile, New Straits Times group editor Farrah Naz Karim presented the Visionary Arts and Cultures Award to Jazzy Group Sdn Bhd managing director Joanne Goh.
Goh said she is dedicated to promoting the local film industry in Malaysia and bringing local films abroad.
As the founder of the Malaysia International Film Festival, she described receiving the award as a thoughtful and meaningful honour.
"Over the past eight years, I started and formed the Malaysia International Film Festival because I wanted to make Malaysia proud, especially in the fields of art and culture.
"This year, we are celebrating our seventh year, and my team and I will continue to improve and make it even better in the years to come," she said.