CEO of AIA Sri Lanka Chathuri Munaweera received the Women in Insurance Award from the Geneva Association.
Chathuri Munaweera
CEO of AIA Sri Lanka
The award selection committee – comprising Pauline Leclerc-Glorieux, CEO, BNP Paribas Cardif; Lee Yuan Siong, Group Chief Executive and President, AIA; and Charles F. Lowrey, Chairman & CEO, Prudential Financial, selected Munaweera for her outstanding leadership of AIA’s Sri Lanka business, particularly through the unprecedented post-Covid economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
Her appointment as CEO in 2022 coincided with the beginning of Sri Lanka’s worst economic, political and societal turmoil since its independence in 1948.
Munaweera’s comprehensive response, including prioritising food security for employees and agents, enabled AIA Sri Lanka to emerge from the crisis financially stable and as a leading insurance provider in the country.
A staunch champion of gender equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Chathuri has increased the female workforce at AIA Sri Lanka from 41% to 48% since 2022, introduced women-centric insurance products, and strengthened financial inclusion through bancassurance partnerships.
Pauline Leclerc-Glorieux, CEO of BNP Paribas Cardif and Geneva Association Board member, said: “As a business leader, Munaweera demonstrated her ability to successfully bridge strategic vision with day-to-day operations and optimise outcomes for all stakeholders.”
Charles F. Lowrey, Chairman & CEO of Prudential Financial, said, “I want to congratulate Chathuri Munaweera on winning the Geneva Association’s 2024 award and for her extraordinary achievements as CEO of AIA Sri Lanka. Chathuri’s leadership embodies the insurance industry’s resilience – and unwavering commitment to customers and employees – in the face of tough challenges.”
Chathuri Munaweera said, “I am deeply grateful to the Geneva Association for this esteemed award, which I am truly honoured to receive.
“This recognition highlights the incredible work of Team AIA Sri Lanka whom I was privileged to lead through the toughest of times. It also underscores the culture of empowerment fostered by AIA Group, which enables us to reach our full potential. I am humbly proud that winning this award is a testament to the strength of women in leadership and the impactful difference we bring to the insurance industry,” he said.
The Geneva Association is the only global association of insurance companies; its members are insurance and reinsurance CEOs. Based on rigorous research conducted in collaboration with its members, academic institutions and multilateral organisations, The Geneva Association investigates key risk areas that are likely to impact the insurance industry, develops recommendations and provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss them.
The companies of The Geneva Association members are headquartered in 26 countries around the world; manage USD 21 trillion in assets; employ more than 2.5 million people; and protect 2.6 billion people.
