In the realm of women empowerment, there are individuals whose inspiring stories resonate deeply, encouraging others to break barriers and pursue their dreams fearlessly.
Amelia Roziman, in her forties, stands tall as a beacon of empowerment as her journey illuminates the path for countless girls and women in Sarawak who have their hearts set on making their dreams a reality.
Her story is a testament to unwavering determination, resilience, and exceptional leadership that defied the odds, shattered glass ceilings, and emerged as a true symbol of empowerment for women everywhere.
As a pioneer of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), Amelia, who is now the chief executive officer, has over 21 years of branding, marketing, and public relations experience.
Thus far, she has contributed to Sarawak’s total win of 23 awards for destination marketing initiatives and received over five professional awards.
In October this year, Amelia was inducted into the Events Industry Council (EIC) Hall of Leaders 2023 in Las Vegas and holds the distinct honour of being the first woman in Asia to receive this prestigious award.
New Sarawak Tribune recently met with Amelia who shared about her story and journey.
Early years: Nurturing resilience
Coming from a humble beginning, Amelia highlighted the importance of education as it is the stepping stone for success.
“Education is very important, not just in ensuring your success but also for your self-esteem.
“It provides a platform for you to decide and build your purpose in life, what you are going to do and how you are going to do it to contribute back to your family and to the community,” she said.
Amelia admitted that she was not a straight A nor the best student, but her passion and determination shaped her into becoming resilient and bold especially in the corporate world.
She also said it is important to create opportunities if there are none to be found.
“I grew up in the rural area and we did not have many opportunities back then.
“That is why I always believe that if you cannot find the opportunity, you must create it instead.
“I am very passionate in what I do, so I believe that passion is needed to drive oneself to go to greater heights.
“It is not just for building a career, but also for building your friends, family, and community,” she said.
Rising through the ranks: A testament to capability
Describing herself as highly motivated and eager to learn, Amelia said there were many things to be learned when she first started in the business event industry.
“Back in 2006, business event is quite new in Sarawak and even for Malaysia.
“Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) was seen as a small sector that contributes to tourism, but now it is its own sector,” she said.
With a background and experience in graphic design, Amelia started off her journey in the business event industry as a sales coordinator at Sarawak Convention Bureau.
“During the interview, I presented myself as if I was going to go for the director of marketing position.
“I remember the board members asking me ‘why should we hire you?’ and I told them they are not just getting a sales coordinator but also a designer in marketing and communication because I can do it,” she said.
Amelia said being a sales coordinator enabled her to learn from other units and departments such as marketing, public relations, communications, events, sales, and research.
She said she was fortunate to be in an organisation that allowed her to explore every opportunity and avenue to learn new things.
“I am grateful that I had the privilege to explore every unit and department.
“This is something that everyone should strive to emulate because if you are a person that sticks to only what you are doing, you will not learn more and enhance your own capability.
“From a sales coordinator, I became the bid manager to marketing and communication director – during that time, almost all the departments were under me,” she said.
After becoming the chief operating officer for 10 years, Amelia held the position of acting chief executive officer for two years.
She said it was never her aim to be a chief operating officer, acting chief executive officer or chief executive officer.
“It never crossed my mind to be a chief operating officer or chief executive officer, so I was very humbled when the positions were offered to me.
“I think being trusted to carry that responsibility is scary, but at the same time it will keep you on your toes.
“It is no longer about just you and your small team like it was before, the responsibility is now for the whole organisation and the sector,” she said.
Amelia also said one cannot be stingy with sharing and imparting knowledge to others because knowledge is power.
“You cannot be stingy or calculative with your knowledge – it is not just about others learning from you, but you also must learn from others.
“When you are at a higher position, it requires you to understand everything, so you can run the place.
“I always tell my team that there is a difference between people taking advantage of you in doing their job with you wanting to do it and learn.
“So, you must be smart and learn as much as you can,” she said.
Breaking barriers and redefining gender norms
Regarding gender equality in the workforce, Amelia said her stance on the matter revolves around people’s capability and ability rather than their gender.
“Personally, I do not want people to give me a position (in the organisation) because I am a woman.
“I believe in earning it based on your own capability, merit, and fierce determination, which are qualities that everyone regardless of gender should possess.
“In BESarawak, women make up 63 per cent of our workforce while the remaining 37 per cent are men.
“This distribution is not influenced by my gender but rather by the fair chance that everyone receives to compete based on their performance, capability, and ability,” she said.
While the views on whether women require equal treatment may vary for people, Amelia said it is more about changing the perspectives.
She pointed out that women must play an active role in altering societal views.
“We should not raise our daughters, sisters, or any young women around to believe that they are lesser than men.
“We should instead instil in them the understanding that their worth as women is equal to that of men because success is determined by opportunities, not gender,” she said.
Recalling her experience facing gender-based discrimination, Amelia said there were times when people did not take her seriously and assumed she was there to take meeting minutes due to her appearance.
“In these situations, it is crucial to stand your ground and face the bias head-on as well as demonstrate your capabilities.
“This is why self-esteem plays a vital role because how you carry yourself reflects your worth regardless of others’ perceptions.
“Remember that confidence is key in overcoming these obstacles or challenges and showcasing your true potential,” she said.
Balancing act: Work, family and life
When it comes to balancing work and family life, Amelia said understanding one’s responsibilities is crucial.
She said being able to manage one’s time effectively is key in addition to having supportive family and friend circles which add immense value.
“I consider myself fortunate because my son grew up in Germany where my family helped to take care of him, and this allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on my career.
“My son is now 18 years old and he is in Kuching. We spend a lot of time together as a family, but we have cultivated a sense of independence within our family unit,” she said.
Amelia said she does not perceive work as a separate entity from her life but instead it is part of it.
She said when one treats work as part of life, it is not work anymore as it becomes something that one is passionate about.
“My work is a passion that drives me. When I wake up in the morning, I do not think ‘I have to go to work’ but rather ‘This is what I want to do, and this is how I am going to achieve it’.
“My family and everyone else around me are integral parts of this journey so we can still spend time together,” she said.
Amelia admitted that she does not dwell on her time management too much as everything naturally falls into place.
She said open communication with everyone involved is crucial as it ensures that they are aware of one’s commitments, whereabouts, and safety which in turn foster a harmonious balance between work and family life.
“It all depends on your own perspective and how you approach your work, family, and life,” she said.
An inspiration for young women
On her advice for young girls out there, Amelia emphasised the importance of education as it goes a long way in empowering oneself to go for great things in life.
“Your worth is not determined by your grades, but what matters most is your ability to read, write, and understand the world around you.
“Empower yourself through education as it forms the foundation for your future endeavours whether you choose a career, become a businesswoman or embrace the role of a mother,” she said.
Amelia also said it is equally important to be surrounded by positive influences like mentors and colleagues who can inspire and empower oneself.
“When you enter the workforce, seize every opportunity to learn and grow.
“By embracing continuous learning and seeking guidance, you will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to create your own opportunities,” she said.
Describing success as not being limited to becoming a chief executive officer of an organisation, Amelia pointed out that success comes in various forms and sizes.
As such, she encouraged young people to define success based on their own terms and aspirations.
“Whether you choose to be a career woman, a business owner or a devoted mother and homemaker, remember that every path is valuable and significant.
“Embrace the journey, believe in yourself, and remember that your dreams are within reach,” she added.
