While directors may possess the skills and qualifications needed to govern, strong dynamics and relationships between board members make a board more effective. The programme will focus on how boardroom culture, attitude and behaviour matter in defining and shaping the exercise of accountability in and around the boardroom. This understanding is vital to strengthening corporate governance.

The programme consists of two parts: Module one of this programme will allow participants to gain insights into the importance of boardroom dynamics in contributing to an effective board. Module two of this programme will provide participants an immersive experience into board dynamics through a board meeting simulation exercise. The simulation will include roles played by experienced directors who will ensure the board discussion reflects the reality in the boardroom. Constructive feedback will be provided to enhance the learning.

Learning Outcomes

• Recognise the types of board cultures through an understanding of the key culture dimensions
• Identify the impact of attitude, behaviours and culture in shaping positive group dynamics
• Demonstrate the ability to read the types of board cultures and apply the new learnings to participate effectively in the boardroom

Who is this Programme For?

Aspiring Directors to Senior Directors

Virtual Classroom Format
	4 hours (20 minutes Virtual Networking Break)
	Interactive Facilitated Learning

ANNE ABRAHAM
Founder and Chair of LeadWomen Sdn Bhd

Anne currently serves as an independent non-executive director on the boards of two Malaysian Public Listed Companies.

She is the Founder and CEO of LeadWomen Sdn Bhd, an MSC status training and consultancy company which she founded in late 2011. The focus is on delivering services in diversity, equity and inclusion in the boardrooms and workplaces, with an emphasis on gender inclusivity on public listed boards. She is recognised as a thought leader in diversity and inclusion both locally and regionally, and a frequent guest speaker, facilitator and moderator in leadership and board conferences, workshops and summits.  Her forte is in the area of boardroom dynamics and leadership.

To strengthen the business focus on women leadership on boards, she co-founded the Malaysian Chapter of the 30% Club, a global business campaign lobbying for increased women representation on the boards of Malaysian PLCs. The campaign is recognised and supported by many of the corporate chairs, board directors of PLCs and the regulators since it was launched in May 2015.

In the course of her career, Anne has garnered over 20 years of corporate experience in several leadership positions across multi-functions in global technology companies. Prior to setting up LeadWomen, she was the Country Manager of SAP Malaysia before being appointed as Managing Director for Cisco Malaysia, two of the largest global technology companies in their own specialisation.

In a non-business capacity, Anne is a board director for Protect & Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation focused on Child Protection against sexual abuse and exploitation and also serves as a board trustee for the Tun Fatimah Hashim Women in Leadership at The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Key board/leadership related projects and programmes:

Role: Lead Consultant/Facilitator

1. United Nations Women Empowerment Principles Awareness and Implementation Workshops (Kickoff date November 5, 2020)
2. Nominee Directors Workshop (ICDM) for Khazanah
3. Nominee Directors Workshop (ICDM) for Tabung Haji
4. Impact Assessment for Gender Diversity Initiatives for Standard Chartered Bank
5. Board Culture and Dynamics Assessment for Dutch Lady Malaysia
6. Board Evaluation for Dutch Lady Malaysia
7. ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales) Women in Leadership Malaysia Programme – 2014-2018
8. Impact study for Women on Boards in Tanzania for the Commonwealth
9. Women Directors Programme (Boardroom Dynamics and Simulation) from 2012-2014

Role : Programme Designer

1. 6-month programme for Women in Leadership Malaysia (WIL) – commenced in 2014
2. 6-month programme for Global Women on Boards (GWOB) – commenced in 2018
3. Making the Unconscious Conscious (Biases in the Workplaces and Boardrooms) – commenced in 2018

Anne holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Essex University, UK and obtained her Higher National Diploma of Computer Studies from Plymouth Polytechnic, UK.