Connie received the award in a virtual awarding session during a Feb. 16 webinar titled “Decoding Leadership Agility for Stronger Business in New Era; Great Lesson from Indonesia Best CEO 2021”, sharing the stage with 14 other CEOs from well-known companies from the private sector, state-owned companies and region-owned enterprises.

Group Editor of SWA Media Kemal E. Gani said during the awarding session that the leaders were assessed through surveying their employees for their leadership and agenda in dealing with multi-disruption, such as adoption of new technology, the millennial era and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The role of the CEO is assessed using a leadership concept which includes how the CEO inspires trust, builds and sets goals, executes strategies and empowers and places the right people in the organization,” he explained.

Connie expressed her gratitude for the award given to Danone Indonesia, saying that she believes the recognition is also very meaningful for the leaders at Danone Indonesia during these uncertain and rapidly changing times.

“With empathy, humility and using our intelligence, together we have made ourselves create a common force for Indonesia's progress. On behalf of Danone Indonesia, I would like to thank SWA Media Group and Dunamis Consulting for this award and recognition. This is a huge boost for me and the team to continue to serve with a positive impact every day,” she said.

Several successful initiatives were carried out under Connie's leadership during the pandemic, such as efforts to ensure employee safety by establishing a health task force in the midst of a pandemic, presenting a series of health programs and assistance for employees, to improving facilities and technology in the workplace such as launching the new Danone Space Jakarta head office.

Danone Indonesia also targets 100 percent of Danoners, as their employees are called, to be vaccinated, with a current reach of 99 percent. The vaccination program is also carried out for the general public by supporting 96 vaccination centers in 27 cities across Indonesia, which is carried out in collaboration with multi-stakeholders.

With its decades-long experience in hydration and nutrition products, Danone Indonesia operates 26 factories with 15,000 employees spread throughout the country.

Noting the importance of a safe work environment and empowering employees, the company has created a safe environment where people can say what needs to be said, including highlighting difficult topics and entrusting decision-making to employees as talents. It also carried out several digital transformation efforts, relying on accurate data for every step or decision taken.

"We have held the Best CEO Award for 20 years, but this year's survey is very unique because our leaders face a challenge in the pandemic era, along with the findings of innovative breakthroughs by CEOs where each elected leader has a different and distinctive strategic emphasis," Kemal added.

Every year, SWA Magazine and Dunamis Organization Service conduct the Indonesia Best CEO survey to provide appreciation for CEOs who have succeeded in spurring innovation and driving business performance through various collaborations or innovations.

To be eligible, the companies they lead must have good performance and implement good corporate governance, while the CEO's performance is assessed by employees at the managerial level up to 3 layers below the CEO.

Next, employees will evaluate their respective CEOs through various questions, and the results will appear in the Leadership Index (LI) as a measure. SWA and Dunamis Consulting will choose the 15 Best CEOs with an index above 90.

Popular

Indonesia bury China's hopes of reaching 2026 World Cup

Indonesia faces brain drain as skilled graduates leave for jobs abroad

Ministry reviews nickel mining in Raja Ampat after outcry