Our Founding Story

Women in PR (WIPR) was founded in September 2025 by Hazlina Hashim and Arnee Ismail, two seasoned and passionate PR professionals who came together with a shared belief: women deserve more visibility, leadership opportunities, and support in shaping the narratives that influence business, culture, and society.

What began as a conversation between colleagues swiftly became a powerful platform for change.

Arnee Ismail in suit.
Hazlina Hashim in purple.

A Stronger Voice

As the first of its kind in Malaysia, WIPR was established to ensure women in public relations and communications have a stronger voice and a vital seat at the table where leadership decisions are made.

Together, we are not just leading the narrative – we’re changing the game.

Three women are sitting at a table having a discussion in a modern office or cafe setting with large windows showing trees and a building outside. The table has a salad, a smartphone, a paper cup, a coffee cup, a pastry, an open notebook, and a black electronic device.

Building a Legacy for the Next Generation

Our vision is clear: to build a lasting legacy and actively open doors for the next generation of women leaders in the communications field. We are committed to empowering and supporting those who will continue to shape our future.

Our Vision

A future where women in PR lead at the highest levels in shaping strategy, policy, and creating impact with empathy, excellence, and integrity.

Our Mission

  • Icon of three people connected around a globe, symbolizing global communication or network.

    Building Global Networks

    Creating a powerful global network of women in public relations for stronger connections and collective influence.

  • Icon of a human head silhouette with a gear inside the head, representing mental processes or thinking.

    Professional Upskilling

    Offering structured upskilling, mentorship, and board readiness programs to cultivate future leaders.

  • Icon of two people on stairs, one reaching for a star, with an upward arrow indicating success or achievement.

    Amplifying Thought Leadership

    Increasing their visibility as industry thought leaders to inspire and influence public discourse.

  • Line drawing of three children standing together with arms around each other, topped with a heart and rainbow line, on a green background.

    Advocating for Inclusion through Policy and Research

    Championing women’s inclusion in strategic and leadership roles across all sectors.

  • Icon of a group of people in front of a large building with multiple windows, indicating a community or organization.

    Empowering Board Service

    Empowering women to serve on boards and in leadership, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

  • Three stylized figures climbing an upward-pointing arrow with a flag, representing growth or achievement.

    Mentorship and Youth Engagement

    Nurturing next generation through mentorship programs to accelerate career growth.

Patron and Advisor

Dr. Hasnita, WIPR Patron

  • PATRON & ADVISOR FOR WOMEN IN PR

    Dr. Hasnita Dato’ Hashim is a distinguished global leader in finance, investments, and Islamic banking, bringing over 35 years of experience across the UK, US, Middle East, and Asia. She holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Surrey and a PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Oxford where she first honed the analytical precision that would later define her financial leadership.

    In recognition of her pioneering contributions to Islamic finance, fintech innovation, and value-based investment, the University of Surrey has conferred upon her its prestigious Honorary Doctorate. She is the only Malaysian and the only woman, among the university’s four honorary recipients for 2025.

    Dr. Hasnita currently serves as Chairman of Maybank Investment Banking Group and Maybank Asset Management Group and sits as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the boards of leading corporations including Duopharma Biotech Berhad and MRANTI.

    Beyond her influential roles in finance, Dr. Hasnita is a lifelong advocate for women’s empowerment, leadership, and inclusion. As Advisor and Patron of Women in PR, she champions the advancement of women leaders, advocates for gender diversity at decision-making levels, and inspires the next generation to lead with integrity, courage, and purpose.

Meet the Leadership

Hazlina Hashim, WIPR Chairman, profile photo

Chairman & Co-Founder

  • CHAIRMAN & CO-FOUNDER

    Hazlina Hashim is the Founder and Chairman of Women in PR, where she leads advocacy, strategic partnerships and flagship initiatives that advance women’s leadership, influence and board representation in the communications and public relations industry.

    A board advisor, corporate leader and founder, Hazlina brings over 25 years of experience in public relations and communications, and more than 35 years of corporate and entrepreneurial leadership across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Her work reflects a consistent commitment to strengthening organisational resilience, elevating leadership standards and shaping reputational excellence.

    As Executive Director of Hazel Green PR, she advises boards, senior executives and organisations on strategic communications, crisis and reputation management, and sustainability and ESG communications. She works closely with corporate boards, leadership institutes and governance bodies to strengthen communication preparedness, enhance stakeholder confidence and elevate leadership credibility.

    Hazlina began her career in finance, tech and IT, and management consulting, grounding her expertise in strategy formulation, business development and stakeholder influence. She later progressed into senior international roles, bringing Malaysian leadership to global platforms.

    Earlier in her career, she served as Managing Director of a UK-based technology startup, where she led international operations, market expansion and strategic partnerships across multiple regions. She was also Head of Marketing for a government-linked telecommunications company in Cambodia, overseeing market development, stakeholder engagement and regulatory relations.

    Hazlina is deeply driven by her belief that representation shapes outcomes. Through Women in PR, she champions the conviction that when women’s voices, expertise and leadership are visible and valued, organisations, industries and societies benefit. She remains committed to building pathways, creating opportunities and uplifting women so that more rise, lead and take their rightful place at the leadership table.

Arnee Ismail, WIPR Secretary General, profile photo

Secretary General & Co-Founder

  • SECRETARY GENERAL & CO-FOUNDER

    Arnee Ismail is the Founder and Secretary-General of Women in PR. She champions the advancement of women in public relations and corporate communications, advocating for greater representation, visibility, and influence at the highest levels of decision-making.

    With over two decades of experience in strategic communications and brand leadership, Arnee has shaped reputation, visibility, and stakeholder trust across industries including banking and financial services, insurance, and real estate among others. Known for her ability to translate complex business strategies into clear, compelling narratives, she has led national brand transformation initiatives, award-winning communications campaigns, and community programmes that spotlight entrepreneurship and social impact.

    Arnee currently serves as Head of Group Strategic Communications at SME Bank Malaysia, where she oversees branding, public relations, media, corporate social responsibility, and events. Under her leadership, SME Bank has strengthened its public profile and earned multiple accolades, including Winner of the 2025 ADFIAP Award for SME Development Category and the Bronze Award for Best PR Campaign – Start-Up/Small Business at the Marketing Interactive PR Asia Awards 2025.

     She is deeply passionate about communications that go beyond visibility—building trust, credibility, and long-term value for both people and organisations, while driving meaningful change through purpose-driven storytelling and strategic influence.

Meet the Team

  • A woman wearing a white hijab and glasses, smiling at the camera with a blurred light-colored background.

    Prof Dr Roselina Ahmad

    VICE-CHAIRMAN/PARTNERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE PLACEMENT

    (Vice-Chancellor & CEO, Universiti Malaya-Wales)

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  • Portrait of a woman with long dark hair and glasses, wearing a blue top, standing in front of a bright, blurred background.

    Shirley Hoo

    TREASURER

    (Director, Marketing & Communications, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)

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  • Professional woman with glasses and dark wavy hair, wearing a cream blazer and a delicate necklace, standing in front of a blurred outdoor background.

    Martini Abdul Aziz

    VICE-PRESIDENT 

    TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMES

    (Director, Iriis Mercury Comm Sdn Bhd)

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  • Portrait of a woman with short black hair, wearing a dark blazer with white piping, smiling slightly against a light blurred background.

    Salina Abdul Aziz

    VICE-PRESIDENT

    MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

    (Director, Iriis Mercury Comm Sdn Bhd)

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