PETALING JAYA: Sunway Group executive deputy chair Datin Paduka Sarena Cheah has been named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2026 list, joining five Malaysian leaders recognised among 100 women from 14 Asia-Pacific markets.
The recognition follows her inclusion in Forbes Asia’s 2025 Power Businesswomen list, which highlighted 20 executives shaping the region’s business landscape.
Cheah, who was appointed executive deputy chair in January 2025, is responsible for driving Sunway Group’s international expansion and pursuing new growth opportunities.
She brings more than 30 years of experience with the group, including nearly a decade leading its property development operations in Malaysia and Singapore.
She has played a key role in expanding Sunway’s development footprint across several international markets including Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Her leadership responsibilities also include overseeing the development of Sunway City Iskandar Puteri, Sunway’s largest integrated township in Johor within the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone.
Cheah’s leadership has earned extensive industry recognition. She received The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property CEO Award in 2017 and became the first woman to be named Malaysia Real Estate Personality of the Year at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Malaysia) in 2020.
In December 2024, she was conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’-Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (D.S.I.S.), which carries the title Datin Paduka, by the Sultan of Selangor. The award recognised her leadership at Sunway and her efforts to uplift underserved communities nationwide.
Cheah joined Sunway in 1995 and has held roles across corporate finance, internal audit and business development before assuming senior leadership positions.
She was involved in the merger of Sunway Holdings Bhd and Sunway City Bhd and played a key role in the listing of Sunway REIT and the establishment of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.
She currently chairs the foundation’s management committee and serves on Sunway Bhd’s Board Sustainability Committee. She is also a trustee of Yayasan Raja Muda Selangor and has supported Sunway’s partnerships with organisations including Selangor Youth Community and the Malaysian AIDS Foundation to create opportunities for underserved and marginalised communities.
