WOMEN LEADERS AT DIMO ON TEARING DOWN BARRIERS AND CREATING AN EMPOWERING ENVIRONMENT TO UNLEASH THEIR POWERS AND SOAR

Founded in 1939 as a humble automobile sales and repair concern, DIMO has since become a formidable force in the Sri Lankan business landscape. Over eight decades, DIMO has grown into a diversified conglomerate that operates in ten sectors, contributing significantly to the economy and well-being of the people it touches.

Living by its employee value proposition ‘Making work enjoyable and rewarding’, DIMO was crowned the coveted Great Place To Work Legends status, following its 10th consecutive win at the Great Place To Work (GPTW) awards recently. This demonstrated DIMO’s commitment towards maintaining a healthy culture and a supportive workplace with inclusivity, empowerment, sincere concern for the welfare of the employees, and alignment towards the leadership vision.

In this feature, the women of DIMO share their experiences on how the company has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the well-being of its female workforce, going above and beyond inclusion to create a safe and supportive workplace environment. For DIMO, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is a conscientious journey of change, and the company is helping women scale the heights of professional excellence by providing them with opportunities to unleash their full potential.

As a conduit for energy, passion, and professional ambition, DIMO gives women the freedom to explore, grow, and soar. The company amplifies the power of women, recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions that women bring to the workplace.

Through its initiatives, DIMO is a shining example of how encouraging gender diversity and women empowerment is not only the right thing to do but also the key to success in today’s business landscape.

TEARING DOWN BARRIERS IS A STRATEGIC PRIORITY

Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya-Executive Director & CHRO

DIMO operates in industries traditionally perceived as male-dominated. But the winds of change are blowing at this progressive company, where breaking down gender barriers is a strategic priority. We understand the circumstances of men and women are different and therefore we have to create an equal playing field for DIMO ladies.

We adopt a multi-pronged approach that includes addressing unconscious bias, establishing relevant policies and practices favourable for women, and fostering a culture that encourages equity. We firmly believe that having more women in leadership roles is a key driver of gender equality at DIMO, and we are working tirelessly to make this a reality.

Of course, none of this is possible without the right HR practices and the support of senior leadership. We are determined to position DIMO as the employer of choice for the brightest and most diverse talent in Sri Lanka and beyond. With a concerted effort to reduce biases at all levels and an unshakeable commitment to creating a respectful and equitable workplace, we are confident that we will achieve our goal of changing perceptions and driving real change at DIMO.

EMPOWERED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Madurika Samarasekera- General Manager – Business Support & Controls

At the time I joined DIMO as a young management trainee, it was purely an automobile company. I was quite aware that it was a male-dominated industry. But this company saw my potential and nurtured me into a versatile Finance Professional able to work in diverse areas.

Through the years, DIMO kept me at the forefront of technological and business advancements, providing me with the knowledge I need to excel in today’s fast-paced world. Today, I am in a senior management role making important decisions for the business.

At DIMO, my gender never held me back; the company offered me opportunities and challenges, allowing me to grow. As a woman with various responsibilities, DIMO remained empathetic, giving me the flexibility to balance my personal and professional life.

Thanks to this forward-thinking approach, I am now a General Manager. DIMO empowers women, breaking down gender barriers, and I am confident that the company will continue to thrive as a beacon of progress and inclusivity.

AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO WELL-BEING

Inoka Suriyarachchi-Deputy General Manager – Enterprise Application

I began my professional journey as a young girl, excited to take on a challenging role in the fast-paced IT industry. As I matured and gained more experience, I faced a difficult period as a married woman and mother of two. But with the unwavering support of my second home – the incredible organization I work for – I persevered and emerged as an adaptable IT professional with a wealth of strengths and values.

Thanks to DIMO’s ambitious growth plan I was able to contribute in numerous ways to bring digital transformation to the organization. And throughout my time at DIMO, I have been impressed by the company’s unwavering commitment to employee well-being and satisfaction. This has created a deep sense of value and appreciation that I am proud to be associated with.

Working at DIMO has truly been an exceptional experience, and I am grateful for the opportunities and support that have allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. With a company culture that prioritizes innovation, excellence, and inclusivity, I look forward to continuing my journey with this distinguished organization for many years to come.

ABOVE AND BEYOND INCLUSION

Dilka Gamage-Deputy General Manager – HR Operations

As a woman wearing many hats, I am all too familiar with the difficult work-life choices that must be made, and the often challenging consequences that come with them. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to work for a company that truly understands the unique needs and challenges facing female employees.

At DIMO, a commitment to diversity and inclusivity runs deep, and this is reflected in the company’s policies and practices. Female employees are supported in their efforts to maintain a proper work-life balance and to prioritize their overall well-being. The company invests in the growth of women, regardless of age or life situation, and provides extended maternity leave and flexible work schedules to support working mothers, absolutely demonstrating gender equality.

Thanks to these initiatives, DIMO has created an environment where women feel valued, supported, and deeply connected to their work. It is a truly inspiring example of how a commitment to diversity and inclusivity can drive innovation, success, and growth in the modern workplace.

AMPLIFYING THE POWER OF WOMEN

Anjana Samarasinghe: Manager – Corporate Communications

With regards to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), what we communicate has a direct reflection on the workplace and our people. Our communications are geared to continuously position DIMO as a gender-neutral workplace.

Adopting a gender -neutral communication is a critical step for DIMO to advance its DE&I efforts. Moreover, our communications policy emphasizes strict guidelines regarding the portrayal of women, further reinforcing DIMO’s stance as a women-friendly workplace. The narrations, the imagery and the tones used across our communications are consciously chosen and developed. All communications at DIMO follows a strict screening process and goes through several layers of approvals to ensure the proper message is delivered.

We take pride in our strong internal communications platform, with our social media community “DIMO Api” and our internal E-newsletter “Inside DIMO” serving as means to motivate and educate our tribe through testimonials and success stories of diversity and inclusion. We use thought leadership articles and public forums to advocate diversity, equity and inclusion externally.

A CONSCIENTIOUS JOURNEY OF CHANGE

 

Dinali Gurusinghe Deputy General Manager – Legal

At DIMO, recognizing and overcoming unconscious biases has been an absolute priority. Through rigorous training sessions, tribe members have learned to identify and mitigate the impact of harmful biases in their day-to-day interactions and decision-making processes.

This commitment to overcoming biases has had a transformative impact on the company’s culture, driving meritocracy in performance management and recruitment, and creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace. The company’s dedication to looking beyond biases is evident in every aspect of the business, from the company’s short and long-term goals to its policies and strategies.

At DIMO, inclusivity and diversity are not just buzzwords – they are core values that drive every decision and action. As a member of this tribe, I am proud to be part of a company that is committed to creating a safe, secure, and welcoming workplace for all.

SCALING THE HEIGHTS OF PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Kalyani Jagoda Head of Design and Estimation of Building Technologies

In the world of engineering, breaking through the gender barrier is no mean feat. But for me, it’s been made possible thanks to the unwavering support of my employer, DIMO. Over the years, I’ve faced many obstacles, both big and small. But through it all, my colleagues have been my pillar of strength, providing encouragement and granting me the freedom to push myself to new heights of professional excellence.

To their credit, DIMO has made a concerted effort to create a workplace that’s welcoming and inclusive to women, providing equal opportunities for all staff regardless of gender. Their commitment to fostering a healthy work-life balance has allowed female employees to explore their full potential and develop a sense of confidence in themselves and their abilities. It’s an approach that’s truly transformative, and one that I’m proud to be a part of.

A CONDUIT FOR ENERGY, PASSION AND PROFESSIONAL AMBITION

Indunil Ittapana Assistant Manager – Business Controls

As a business support manager at DIMO, I have had the opportunity to be involved in Investment & Financial Planning, Capital Budgeting, and Operations Planning. I’ve worked on numerous projects, analyzing statistical data on new ventures in Sri Lanka and abroad. Working with various stakeholders has allowed me to develop strong relationships throughout the organization while implementing new initiatives that drive profitability and goal achievement.

DIMO values the diverse ideas and thoughts of its employees, regardless of their gender, age, or race, fostering a collaborative culture where everyone feels inspired to share their unique perspectives. This supportive work environment has enabled me to channel my energy and passion towards my work, creating a sense of fulfilment and leading to my personal and professional success. As a young mother, my organization provides me with opportunities to grow and be flexible in my work scheduling.

FREEDOM TO EXPLORE, GROW AND SOAR

Buddhini Atapatthu Assistant Manager – Business Finance

At DIMO, the role of a finance professional is nothing short of an exhilarating ride. Each day presents new challenges that demand versatile and analytical thinking to discover solutions that count towards improving the business. The experience provides the freedom and opportunity to connect with different people, learn about different disciplines, and make one’s voice, knowledge and experience count towards decision-making. Contributing to both day-to-day business decisions and long-term strategies generates a tremendous sense of satisfaction.

DIMO’s culture ensures that gender never becomes an issue, providing diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth. As a female, I’ve never felt constrained, and instead have been empowered to explore and develop my full potential. The result is a dynamic and supportive work environment that nurtures talent, encourages risk-taking and drives growth.

UNLEASHING THE POWER WITHIN

Dilumi Goonewardena Executive – Diversity & Inclusion

In the world of automobiles and technical skills, gender inequality has been a stubborn problem. However, at DIMO, we are taking action to address it head-on. In 2012, we launched an innovative programme aimed at increasing the representation of women in this field. We enrolled female-only batches of automobile enthusiasts in our DIMO Academy for Technical Skills (DATS), demonstrating our commitment to supporting women in STEM fields.

Since then, we’ve implemented strong equal-opportunity employment policies that prioritize meritocracy throughout the employee life cycle. Our efforts to create a pipeline of female engineer roles have been especially successful, and we’ve signed up with Target Gender Equality to set and reach ambitious corporate targets for women’s representation and leadership.

We’ve also launched companywide unconscious bias training and an in-house designed leadership development programme called “Powerfully You” aimed at empowering women in junior and middle management with the specific leadership capabilities needed to take on leadership roles. At DIMO, we’ve embraced an open-door policy and an anti-harassment helpline to encourage women’s participation at our workplace, and we’re committed to continuing our efforts to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.