The 6th World Women Leadership Congress (WWLC) bestowed HNB’s Chief Financial Officer, Anusha Gallage with the prestigious ‘Women’s Achievers Award’ in recognition of her role in the introduction of outstanding governance practices and in driving HNB’s social responsibility agenda.
Held at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai, India, the event brought together influential women professionals from across Asia to celebrate their contribution towards the development of modern economies in both the public and private sector.
“ I am deeply honoured to receive this award and to count myself amongst a truly inspiring group of women who were recognized at this year’s World Women Leadership Congress. As we celebrate the growing number of women who are actively helping to shape a brighter future, my hope is that we can all learn from each other’s experiences and share them with a rising generation of women professionals and leaders,” Gallage stated.
“When we support women to grow in their chosen fields, whether it is in a workplace or her business or even in Government – we enable societies to tap into new ideas, abilities and innovations. By enabling greater gender diversity and encouraging women to actively participate at every level of society, we open up the possibility for broad-based growth.
Commencing her career at HNB in 1996 as a management trainee, Gallage’s career spanning 22 years has seen her take on several positions at HNB. First as an officer in charge of operations, she was quickly promoted to Assistant Manager credit, Account Relationship Manager in corporate banking, Senior Manager, corporate banking, Senior Manager at the head office branch and Assistant General Manager, finance, before she ascended to her current position as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer.
Additionally, she holds a number of other senior positions in the bank, including HNB Board appointed committees of Integrated Risk Management, Audit and Related Party Transaction Review Committee where she plays a pivotal role in steering the strategic and operational decisions of the bank.
She is also a Director of Lanka Ventures PLC and L V Energy Fund PLC .
Gallage takes immense pride in grooming and nurturing the talent of young banking professionals, many of who are now holding key positions in the banking and financial services industry. As the treasurer of the Bank’s sustainability foundation, she supervises and drives the diversity and social responsibility agenda of the Bank. Gallage is also a member of the Bank’s internal training resource team.
As a member of HNB’s Corporate Management team, she has provided leadership in financial reporting, where HNB was ranked among the Top Ten Best Integrated Reports in addition to being declared winners in the banking sector for ‘Best Integrated Report’ by CMA Sri Lanka and the silver award for ‘Best Annual Report’ in the banking sector by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
Anusha read for her MBA from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, in addition to holding a BBA from the University of Colombo and a Diploma in Commerce from the University of Papua New Guinea.
She is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants (CIMA) and a Member of Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) Australia. She has been a CIMA World Prize Winner and her passion for excellence throughout her remarkable professional career is outmatched only by her personal life as a beloved wife and mother to two teenage children.