Chathuri Munaweera, CEO of AIA Sri Lanka, wins Geneva Association Women in Insurance Award for outstanding business leadership through economic crisis

ZURICH, 26 November 2024 – The Geneva Association is pleased to announce today the winner of its 2024 Women in Insurance Award: Chathuri Munaweera, CEO of AIA Sri Lanka.

The award selection committee – comprised of 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 Chathuri Munaweera for her outstanding leadership of AIA’s Sri Lanka business, particularly through the unprecedented post-COVID economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

Chathuri’s appointment as CEO in 2022 coincided with the beginning of Sri Lanka’s worst economic, political and societal turmoil since its independence in 1948. Chathuri’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, said: “As a business leader, Chathuri Munaweera demonstrated her ability to successfully bridge strategic vision with day-to-day operations and optimise outcomes for all stakeholders. We are thrilled to recognise Chathuri’s achievements with the 2024 Women in Insurance Award. We hope that as an outstanding role model, she will inspire the next generation of insurance leaders.”

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, CEO of AIA Sri Lanka, 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.”

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. In total, the companies of 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.

ENDS

Media Contact:

Pamela Corn

Director of Communications
+41 44 200 49 96
pamela_corn@genevaassociation.org