The Women of The Future Awards Southeast Asia 2020 Winners Announced in their First Ever Virtual Awards Ceremony

 Singapore, 25 June 2020 – Ten talented women from across the region were unveiled as winners of the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Awards in their first ever virtual awards show. 

The awards celebrate the most innovative, determined and talented young women from Southeast Asia, across 10 categories. From media to science, from entrepreneurship to mentorship, the awards truly showcased the region’s trailblazers. 

In her welcome address, HRH The Countess of Wessex said: “I’ve been the global ambassador for the Women of the Future (WOF) programme for four years, and tonight marks the very first awards ceremony to be hosted online. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary leadership and our 2020 WOF SEA Awards exemplify how talented female leaders are paving the way and affecting positive change in so many professions, industries and sectors. I am hugely inspired by your work and the way in which so many of you are shattering stereotypes and inspiring the next generation of women across SEA.” 

“Now more than ever before, when it can feel that challenges are insurmountable, or when our traditional communities and support structures have been shaken – we need to find ways in which to connect, learn from each other and collaborate on a local and global scale so we support this generation of female leaders and the next.” 

Spanning 10 categories, the winners were selected from a shortlist of 48 candidates representing 10 countries across the region. The recipients of the respective award categories were: 

• • Arts & Culture: Annice Lyn, Photographer, Anntopia Studios (Malaysia) 
• • Business: Khin Thida Hnin, Managing Director, Forever Travel & Tours (Myanmar) 
• • Community Spirit & Public Service: Heidi Quah, Founder & Director, Refuge for the Refugees (Malaysia) 
• • Entrepreneur: Anita Takounsy, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Once Upon a Time Coffee and Lao-Bolaven Coffee Roasters (Laos) 
• • Media & Communications: Sotheavy At, Senior Innovation Programme Manager, DAI Global, LLC/USAID Development Innovations Project (Cambodia) 
• • Mentor: Gigi Morris, Founder, MoCa Family Farm Rlearning Centre (Philippines) 
• • Professions: Lucille Dejito, Director of Legal Interventions, International Justice Mission, Cebu (Philippines) 
• • Property: Rhonda Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Ohmyhome (Singapore) 
• • Science, Technology & Digital: Dr Bee Lynn Chew, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia) 
• • Social Entrepreneur: Chit Thu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CCEducare Myanmar (Myanmar) 

Nominees to receive high commendations include: 

• • Media & Communications: Yee Mon Oo, Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, Oxfam (Myanmar) 
• • Mentor: Natalija Rodionova, Founder, Sisters of Code (Cambodia) 
• • Property: Muygeck Sok, Founder and Principal Architect, BMK Architects (Cambodia) 
• • Social Entrepreneur: Aspadiya Mohammad Sah, Director, Society for Community Outreach and Training (Brunei) 

Pinky Lilani CBE DL, founder of the Women of the Future (WOF) programme says: “In these unprecedented times, we’ve had to adapt and for the first time virtually announce the winners, however the vision and motivation of the awards remains the same. When we spotlight success, share our own stories and collaborate across professions and borders, we create a powerful community and support system for these women. I have been so very impressed by our candidates’ achievement and their deep desire to make the world a better place. Through these awards, we hope to continue inspiring women to broaden the female talent pool and support progress in the region.”