Soso Maya Watono, the Youngest Woman Appointed as CEO of State-Owned Enterprises

Kapanlagi.com - Maya Watono has officially taken on the title of President Director of PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero), more commonly known as InJourney. With this appointment, Maya records her name as the youngest female president director in the environment of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

This historic moment was established during the General Meeting of Shareholders (RUPS) held on November 21, 2024, and documented in the Decree of the Minister of BUMN Number SK-282/MBU/11/2024.

Maya's appointment as the leader of InJourney follows the transition of Dony Oskaria, the previous President Director, who now serves as Deputy Minister of BUMN under the direction of President Prabowo Subianto. This step is part of Minister Erick Thohir's initiative to strengthen the role of women in leadership within State-Owned Enterprises.

So, who exactly is Maya Watono? What has her career journey been like to reach this peak position? Let’s explore her inspiring story, from her educational background to her impressive contributions in the business and advertising world.

1. Background of Education and Early Career of Maya Watono

Maya Watono, an inspiring figure born in Jakarta on May 12, 1982, pursued higher education at the University of Western Australia, where she earned a Bachelor of Economics in 2004 and continued with a Bachelor of Science (Honours).

Starting her career in the advertising agency world, Maya built a strong network and strategic expertise before joining Dwi Sapta Group in 2007 as General Manager until 2014.

The peak of her career came when she was appointed as the CEO of the company from 2015 to 2018, and in 2019, she made history as the first and youngest woman to serve as Country CEO of Dentsu Indonesia. Under her leadership, Dentsu soared to become one of the leading advertising giants in the country.

2. Big Steps at InJourney: Transformation of Tourism and Aviation

In January 2022, Maya began her new journey as the Marketing and Tourism Program Director at InJourney, where she not only led various initiatives to revive the tourism sector that had suffered due to the pandemic but also promoted smart collaboration between the public and private sectors.

In an interview, she emphasized, "Tourism is one of the keys to economic recovery post-pandemic." Maya's success further shone when in October 2024, she was appointed as the Acting President Director of InJourney, and officially took on the position in November 2024.

Under her leadership, various transformation programs in the tourism and aviation sectors have been successfully launched, marking a significant step towards a stronger recovery.

3. International Awards and Achievements

Maya has achieved remarkable accomplishments that are not only recognized in her homeland but also on the global stage. In 2019, she was awarded the "Woman Leading Change Asia" by Campaign Asia, affirming her role as an inspirational leader.

Not stopping there, in 2022, she was selected as one of the "40 Under 40" by Fortune Indonesia, and in 2024, her name soared in the list of Asia-Pacific's 50 Most Influential and Purposeful Marketers.

All these awards are a testament to Maya's dedication to driving positive change, particularly in her leadership roles in major organizations like Dentsu and InJourney.

4. Appointment by Erick Thohir: Mission of Change in State-Owned Enterprises

The Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, confidently entrusted the leadership of InJourney to Maya Watono, who is the youngest female CEO in state-owned enterprises.

This appointment is not just a strategic move, but also reflects Erick's commitment to enhancing the representation of women in top leadership positions.

"Maya is an individual with extraordinary dedication. We believe that under her guidance and fresh innovations, InJourney will continue to soar and make a significant positive impact on the tourism and aviation sectors," Erick stated, emphasizing his hopes for the bright future that Maya will bring.

5. Maya Watono's Vision and Hopes at InJourney

In an official statement full of enthusiasm, Maya affirmed her commitment to making InJourney one of the pillars driving Indonesia's economy.

With the belief that collaboration and innovation are the keys to success, she expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her.

"InJourney has extraordinary potential to elevate our tourism and aviation sectors to a higher level," said Maya.

Looking ahead, she is determined to focus on developing sustainable tourism infrastructure and strengthening partnerships with international partners to achieve this grand vision.

(kpl/rmt)