Despite challenges, a few Asian women leaders have received recognition on a global scale for their outstanding career accomplishments and are considered role models for the next generation of female leaders. HH Princess Dato Seri Dr. Romona Murad, a multi award winning Malaysian entrepreneur and international business consultant, is one of these inspirational figures.
The International Royal Academy of the United Nations awarded Dr. Romona an honorary PhD in fine arts and management. She also has a BA in political science from the University of Texas, Arlington, USA, and an MBA in communications and media from Berkeley International University, USA.
Dr. Romona is the founder and president of Romona International, a leading international business consultancy based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Founded on June 19, 2007, Romona International has established a global reputation with networks in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, London, Dubai, Paris, Singapore, New York, Jakarta, Dublin, Istanbul, Accra, Zurich, and Mumbai.
Leadership has a significant impact on the overall performance and growth of any organization. Effective leadership is essential for creating a positive work environment, encouraging creativity, and facilitating productive cooperation and teamwork. Romona International is expanding quickly under the astute leadership of Dr. Romona.
Apart from being the founder and president of Romona International, Dr. Romona has held senior leadership positions in both non-governmental organizations and international enterprises. Her current roles include Honorary President for Malaysia at Rockfield College of Science and Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, Executive Board Member for Fight Cancer Global, Regional Director for Malaysia at the Global Hope Foundation, Ambassador-at-large of the International Human Rights Organization to Malaysia, Managing Director at Romona Consultancy and Management and Non-Executive Board Member of the Organization for the Economic Reform of Lebanon.
Dr. Romona’s accomplishments are too many to list here. She has received many awards, including the 2020 Global Humanitarian Award, the 2020 Knights of Culture and Peace, the 2020 Top Women Icon Global, the 2019 Africa Advancement Award, the 2019 Grand Order of the Noble Hand of Honor, and the 1990 Outstanding International Student Leader.
In 2014, the United Nations-affiliated International Council for Human Rights, Arbitration, Politics, and Strategic Studies (ICHAPS) nominated her as one of the “Most Influential Persons in the World” in the field of peace and humanity.
Despite gains, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, as evidenced by the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, which shows that women hold 31.7% of senior leadership positions globally.
In order to achieve economic empowerment and autonomy, women must step into leadership roles, and Dr. Romona is a great role model in this regard.