On January 16 2019, we kicked off the celebrations for the 20th Anniversary of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards with an inspiring evening reception hosted by Coutts. The evening brought together alumnae and supporters from across the years, including members of the judging panel and representatives from our sponsors.
Our speakers included, the Chair of the Judging Panel Sir Nick Young, involved in the judging of the AWA Awards for the past fifteen years and a great supporter of our Network, as well as Sevasti Wong, Global Managing Director, Communications, Media & Technology at Accenture and Winner of the 2015 AWA Business Award.
Since winning the award, Sevasti has been promoted three times, expanding her remit from just being focused on UK responsibilities, to Europe Africa and Latin America, and more recently to taking on the global lead of Accenture’s Talent & Organisation Talent & Organisation Practice. She is regularly involved across our initiatives, in particular as a WOF Ambassador, a Judge, and an active WOF Network member. In sharing her journey with her fellow alumnae, Sevasti said:
Looking back on the 4 years, since my award, I’ve often described the Asian Women of Achievement awards as “the gift that keeps on giving” and there are many visible reasons why I believe that to be the case:
Since my award in 2015, I have been promoted three times, most recently taking on the overall our overall Global Consulting Lead role at Accenture.
I’ve graced the campuses of both Harvard and Insead and closer to home, have had the huge honour to be both a shortlisting judge and a judge for the Awards – where I have had the opportunity to see what happens from the other side – and let me tell you it is a far less nerve-racking place to be!
I’ve become a WOF Ambassador, speaking both at school events and at school assemblies in the hope that something from my own journey and most importantly my many detours, mistakes and failures might encourage girls and young women to have a go at fulfilling their potential.
Through Pinky, and the incredible network she has fostered, I have been invited to take tea in palaces (AND even been invited to line dance in one) I’ve met First Ladies, Prime Ministers, Countesses and High Commissioners. I’ve visited supreme courts and heart-breaking charities and laughed and cried in equal measure on the adventures we’ve had…
In highlighting the impact of the AWA Awards she added:
The greatest gifts the Asian Women of Achievement Awards have given me are the gifts of connection and camaraderie – that’s what make the Asian Women of Achievement such an incredible network to be part of. […]
[…] When you appreciate the good, the good, thankfully, appreciates. It is no surprise to me that we are here tonight to mark the 20th anniversary of this extraordinary community. It is a community that has APPRECIATED significantly since 1999.
In closing, I am a firm believer that the doors we open and close decide the life we are going to live.
I for one, look back with immense gratitude, each and every day, since that fated evening on Wednesday 19 May 2015 – the night I timidly and nervously opened the door and walked into the AWA family. I have never looked back.
The 20th Asian Women of Achievement Awards will take place on April 29 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. As well as celebrating this important milestone, we look forward to showcasing the achievements of this year’s shortlist. Nominations for this year’s awards are still open across eleven categories and will be closing on February 8. For more information on how to put yourself or someone else forward please visit www.awaawards.com and follow us on social media @awaawardsuk for all the update on this campaign.