Progress is rarely linear. More often, it is shaped by countless small decisions — to keep going, to rethink old ideas, to challenge assumptions or simply to begin. That spirit lies at the heart of Women We Love 2026, our annual celebration of women whose efforts are quietly but profoundly shaping Malaysia’s future.
This year’s theme, Women in Motion, presented by Cortina Watch is not simply about movement in the literal sense. Rather, it is about momentum realised through the ideas, ambitions and convictions that continue to propel change across industries, communities and generations.
The five women featured in this year’s edition come from remarkably different worlds. One races cars, another is redefining how Malaysians think about ageing. One has spent decades giving science a stronger public voice. Another is preserving heritage through entrepreneurship, while the fifth explores identity and ecology through contemporary art.
Yet despite their different paths, they are united by something deeper. Each is moving conversations forward.
Forward Momentum
For Diane Chia, movement takes the form of wellbeing. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Millennia Village, she is leading a new conversation around active senior living, one that prioritises dignity, connection and prevention over dependency. Through the Women Wellness Festival and her broader work in community building, she continues to advocate for a future where people are empowered to thrive at every stage of life.
Science communicator Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan on the other hand has spent more than two decades building bridges between research and society. Long before science communication became widely recognised, she was championing the idea that scientific knowledge should extend beyond laboratories and academic journals. Today, as misinformation spreads more rapidly than ever, her work has taken on even greater urgency, reminding us that informed societies begin with accessible conversations.
For racing driver Adele Lew, motion is measured in speed, precision and perseverance. Having grown up around motorsport, she has transformed a childhood passion into a professional career while helping build an independent racing programme from the ground up. Along the way, she continues to challenge outdated perceptions of women in motorsport, proving that performance remains the most powerful response to assumption.
Entrepreneur Amy Blair demonstrates that purpose and profitability need not exist in opposition. Through Batik Boutique, she has transformed a modest income-generation initiative into one of Malaysia’s best-known social enterprises, empowering artisans while introducing authentic Malaysian batik to audiences around the world. In doing so, she has shown that preserving cultural heritage can also create meaningful economic opportunity.
For contemporary artist Jaee Tee, movement is both physical and philosophical. Her practice explores ideas of migration, belonging and environmental change through painting, installation and augmented reality. Inspired by the banyan tree — a species whose roots develop over time rather than from a fixed beginning — her work invites audiences to reconsider how identity, memory and place continue to evolve.
A Common Goal
Collectively, these women reflect a broader shift taking place across Malaysia. Leadership today is no longer defined solely by titles or positions. It is increasingly measured by impact through the communities built, the conversations started, the barriers dismantled and the opportunities created for others.
They also remind us that success is rarely achieved in isolation. Behind every accomplishment are years of discipline, setbacks, experimentation and resilience. Whether navigating race circuits, boardrooms, laboratories, artists’ studios or artisan workshops, each lady has embraced uncertainty not as an obstacle but as an essential part of growth.
That is perhaps the defining thread running through Women We Love 2026. These are not women who have arrived at a final destination. They are ladies who continue to evolve — learning, adapting and creating new possibilities for those who will follow.
Because motion is not just about moving forward. Sometimes, it’s about starting conversations, it’s about uplifting communities. And sometimes, it is about moving an entire generation to see the world differently.
Presented by Cortina Watch, this year’s Women We Love is a celebration of exactly that.
Look out for the full interviews at ThePeak.com.my and The Peak Malaysia’s social media channels.
