From championing female entrepreneurship to transforming communities through education, economic inclusion and humanitarian interventions, the Sri Lankan social entrepreneur continues to inspire women and reshape leadership across borders.
By Chioma Vivian James/Abuja-Nigeria
In a world where women’s leadership, economic independence and social inclusion remain critical to sustainable development, Dr. Sulochana Segera has distinguished herself as a formidable voice championing women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and inclusive leadership.
With over 24 years of professional experience, Dr. Segera has built an impressive reputation as a social entrepreneur, corporate trainer, motivational speaker and advocate for women’s advancement. As Founder and Chairperson of Women in Management (WIM), she has transformed what began as a female empowerment initiative into an internationally recognised platform for advancing women’s participation in business, leadership and community development.
Her remarkable journey reflects a deep commitment to creating opportunities, nurturing talents and challenging traditional perceptions about women’s capabilities in society.
BUILDING A GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR WOMEN
At the heart of Dr. Segera’s achievements is Women in Management, an organisation that has become a significant platform for recognising women’s contributions and promoting their professional advancement.
Through WIM, she has established impactful initiatives, including the Professional and Career Women Awards, WIM Top50, New Generation Awards and the WIM Single Mother Project.
These initiatives have helped create visibility for women whose achievements might otherwise remain unrecognised, while encouraging organisations to embrace diversity and inclusive leadership at the highest levels of management.
The WIM Top50 Awards, in particular, celebrate outstanding women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience and professional excellence despite the challenges associated with balancing demanding careers and family responsibilities.
For Dr. Segera, recognising accomplished women goes beyond celebrating individual success. It is about creating role models, inspiring younger generations and demonstrating that women can occupy influential positions while making meaningful contributions to society.
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Segera’s influence extends beyond award ceremonies and corporate platforms. She is widely recognised for her work as a corporate trainer and mentor, particularly in the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Her passion for identifying and nurturing emerging talents has taken her to rural and urban communities, where she works with individuals and entrepreneurs who possess potential but lack the resources, exposure and opportunities to realise their ambitions.
She describes these undiscovered talents as “diamonds in the rough”, reflecting her belief that exceptional abilities exist everywhere, provided people are given the right encouragement and support.
Her professional engagements have included working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, where she serves as a trainer in sustainable private-sector investment.
She is also an IFC-LPI certified Trainer Performance Monitoring and Assessment professional and a certified personality development trainer.
Her contribution to the private sector includes serving as an official trainer for Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative, which sought to empower five million women through entrepreneurship and economic development.
She has equally contributed to the British Council’s Active Citizens project, further demonstrating her commitment to leadership development, civic participation and community transformation.
A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR SINGLE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
One of Dr. Segera’s most impactful interventions is the WIM Single Mother Project, which addresses the challenges confronting women-headed households, particularly in education and economic empowerment.
Through the initiative, approximately 100 children from single-mother households receive educational scholarships annually to support the continuation of their studies.
The intervention recognises that empowering women also requires investing in their children and creating opportunities for families to break the cycle of poverty.
Her commitment to children’s welfare is further demonstrated through her role as Patron of the T.E.A Project, a United Kingdom-based initiative operating in Sri Lanka to empower children.
These interventions reflect her conviction that education remains one of the most effective instruments for promoting social mobility and building a more equitable society.
HUMANITARIAN SERVICE BEYOND CORPORATE LEADERSHIP
Beyond her corporate achievements and advocacy work, Dr. Segera has demonstrated a strong commitment to humanitarian service.
She initiated a free community kitchen in Colombo District to provide meals for homeless people and individuals from low-income households. The initiative reportedly feeds approximately 100 people daily.
During Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, she further extended her humanitarian efforts by taking the lead in providing food support for schoolchildren from financially disadvantaged families.
Her interventions demonstrate a leadership philosophy that places human welfare alongside professional accomplishments.
For Dr. Segera, meaningful leadership is not measured solely by titles, awards or corporate influence, but also by the number of lives touched and the opportunities created for vulnerable members of society.
ADVANCING WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN LEADERSHIP
Her contribution to women’s development has also earned her recognition in policy and institutional circles.
She has served on the Advisory Committee of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Skill Development, Employment and Labour Relations and was appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Global Equality Standard, developed by the Global Equality Alliance in the United Kingdom.
She also led Sri Lanka’s participation in a British Council initiative commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years of service and leadership. The project sought to develop a network of 100 young women leaders across five South Asian countries and the United Kingdom.
These engagements underscore her growing influence in discussions around gender equality, leadership development, employment opportunities and women’s economic participation.
In 2022, she also launched Sri Lanka’s first Inspirational Women Calendar, featuring 12 outstanding women from different sectors, including business, politics, professional careers and social development.
The initiative provided another platform for celebrating women whose achievements and contributions serve as inspiration to others.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Dr. Segera’s commitment to social entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment has attracted significant national and international recognition.
In 2022, she received the Exceptional Woman of Influence Award at the Global Women Empowerment Icon Awards held in Manila, Philippines, becoming the first Sri Lankan recipient of the prestigious recognition.
The Global Banking & Finance Awards® in the United Kingdom also named her Business Woman of the Year, Sri Lanka, in 2020. The recognition marked a significant milestone for a Sri Lankan female entrepreneur on the international awards platform.
She was also listed among the ten most influential people in Sri Lanka in 2020 by the LNW website.
Her other honours include the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2019 Asia Pacific Awards organised by the Global Entrepreneur Council, the Global CSR Excellence Award in 2018, the Women Super Achievement Award in 2017, the Leadership Excellence Award in 2016 and the Most Outstanding Professional Award.
These accolades reflect the breadth of her contributions across entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, social responsibility and women’s development.
EXPANDING HER GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
Dr. Segera currently serves as Founder and Chairperson of Women in Management, with the organisation’s presence extending across Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates and Canada.
She is also Managing Director of the Institute of Women in Management, Brand Owner of Plain-T with Sulo, Top50 Professional and Career Women Awards and New Generation Awards.
Additionally, she is the Founder of the Women Top50 Global Conference and Chief Editor of Top50 Magazine.
Her multiple leadership responsibilities demonstrate her determination to create platforms that connect women, celebrate professional excellence and encourage cross-border collaboration.
A LEGACY BUILT ON PURPOSE AND IMPACT
Dr. Sulochana Segera’s story is one of vision, resilience and purposeful leadership. From establishing a platform for women’s professional recognition to supporting single mothers, providing educational scholarships, feeding vulnerable communities and mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, her work reflects a broad understanding of empowerment.
Her approach challenges the conventional definition of success by demonstrating that professional excellence and social responsibility can coexist.
As women continue to push boundaries in business, governance, entrepreneurship and community development, her journey offers an important reminder that lasting transformation begins when opportunities are deliberately created for others.
Through Women in Management and her numerous development initiatives, Dr. Segera continues to champion a world where women are not merely included in leadership conversations but are recognised, equipped and empowered to lead.
Her enduring contribution is not simply the recognition she has received, but the opportunities she continues to create for women, children and communities whose futures can be transformed through access, support and meaningful leadership.
