NextTier Mentorship & Awards 2025
NextTier Mentorship & Awards 2025
“Empowering Catalyst Leaders for the Future of Business and Leadership”
Program Purpose:
Sri Lanka once produced some of the best corporate managers in Asia. However, due to post-COVID migration and economic challenges, the middle management tier has weakened. This mentorship program aims to rebuild middle leadership capacity by:
- Closing the skills and leadership gap
- Empowering existing and emerging middle managers
- Enhancing technology readiness, problem-solving, and succession readiness
- Instilling long-term leadership motivation in a rapidly changing workforce
Target Group:
- Executives and Managers (private/public sectors)
- Aged 30–50
- 30–40 selected participants (by application or corporate nomination)
Duration & Format:
- 3 Months | Hybrid Delivery
- 9 Online Interactive Sessions (60 minutes)
- 3 In-Person half-Day Workshops in Colombo
Program Benefits:
- Certified by NextTier & Women in Management (WIM)
- Access to cross-sector mentors
- Career and leadership development tools
- Eligibility for NextTier Up Awards, awarded at the WIM Top50 Global Economic Forum
After extensive research into corporate succession planning, Women in Management (WIM) identified four key challenges many organizations face:
* Difficulty in recruiting for senior positions—not due to lack of qualifications, but a gap in strategic, well-groomed leadership.
* During recent crises, many skilled second-line leaders migrated, leaving a talent vacuum.
* Most corporates lack effective middle management mentorship programs, or their internal programs are limited to company-centric needs.
* The dual challenge of an aging workforce and retaining young talent.
In response, WIM proudly launched the NextTier Mentorship Program—a bold, structured initiative designed to nurture the next level of leadership. The program is built on 9 leadership pillars, blending high-level strategic leadership with personality and professional development.
To complement this journey, the NextTier Awards were introduced. From 52 nominations, 35 outstanding professionals were selected for the inaugural cohort of 2025.
Launched on 5th August 2025 at the iconic Galle Face Hotel, the program kicked off with an inspiring first session on Personal Branding & Influential Communication by the esteemed Indeewari Amuwatte.
The program was designed by Dr. Sulochana Segera and Led by Sudehi Geeganage with her WIM Team
Mentorship Curriculum – 12 Sessions
|
Session |
Format |
Title |
Focus Areas |
|
1 |
Online |
Defining Your Middle Management Identity |
Understanding your unique value in the corporate structure; shifting from task-based to strategic contribution. |
|
2 |
Online |
Profiling Yourself for Growth |
How to audit your skills, develop a personal development plan, set goals, and build a leadership brand. |
|
3 |
Online |
Working Towards Strategic Targets |
Aligning personal KPIs with corporate goals, prioritization frameworks, and achieving with accountability. |
|
4 |
Online |
Strategic Thinking vs. Operational Hustle |
Balancing big-picture vision with daily execution responsibilities. |
|
5 |
Online |
Solving Complex Problems Under Pressure |
Practical frameworks (root cause analysis, decision trees, design thinking) and real-case applications. |
|
6 |
Online |
Digital Fluency for Non-Tech Leaders |
Tools and trends middle managers need to know: AI, automation, data dashboards, remote management. |
|
7 |
Online |
Managing Up, Down, and Across |
Navigating internal politics, stakeholder alignment, team motivation, and cross-functional collaboration. |
|
8 |
Online |
Succession Thinking & Talent Development |
Preparing for your next role while grooming your successors—creating a leadership culture. |
|
9 |
Online |
Global Mindset & Ethics in Management |
Exposure to international management styles, inclusive leadership, ethical dilemmas and solutions. |
|
10 |
Physical |
Personal Branding & Influential Communication |
Building your internal influence, presentation skills, executive presence, and confidence. |
|
11 |
Physical |
Financial Acumen for Non-Finance Managers |
Understanding key financial statements, budgeting, cost control, ROI-based decisions, and financial communication |
|
12 |
Physical |
Leadership Pitch & Action Plan |
Each participant presents a leadership project/initiative linked to business impact and succession potential. |
Mentorship Board & Judging Panel NextTier 2025
Kasturi Chelleraja Wilson
Chief Operating Officer ( Head of APAC 5Hour International Corporation Singapore) Non Executive Director at NDB Bank PLC Sri Lanka Board Member – Ceylon Chambers Of Commerce
Ted Muttiah
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT)
Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya
Board Director/CHRO @ Diesel & Motor | Attorney, HR Leader, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist
Dr. Nirmal De Silva
Board Director, Co-Founder & Chief Advisory Officer – Diverse Industries
