Congratulations to Ms Milena Pires, winner in the 2024 Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards

All at East Timor Trading Group congratulate our CEO, Milena Pires, on winning the Outstanding Mentor or Coach for Women’s Economic Empowerment award.

Milena Pires is a trailblazing leader whose lifelong advocacy for Timor-Leste’s independence, gender equality, and economic development has defined her career. Beginning in 1975, she supported the Timorese community through organisations such as the Timorese Australian Council (TAC) and the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS). From 1989, Milena championed Timor-Leste’s self-determination on global platforms, including the UN and Belgium’s Parliament, highlighting human rights abuses. She also organized a meeting of Timorese women survivors of violence and abuse with the UN Special Rapporteur Against Violence Against Women.

During Timor-Leste’s UN-led transition, Milena represented women on the National Consultative Council, contributed to drafting the Constitution, and advocated for and secured a quota system for women’s political representation, together with Rede the women’s network which she co-founded. Elected to the UN CEDAW Committee in 2002, she worked to monitor women’s rights and organise an international conference on human trafficking.

As Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the UN (2016–2020), Milena strengthened the nation’s global presence and facilitated Timor-Leste’s hosting of the 2019 SDG-16+ Forum.

Now, as CEO of the East Timor Trading Group (ETTG), Milena is committed to driving gender-inclusive business development and overcoming challenges such as regulatory changes and financial constraints, while fostering sustainable growth and mentoring women leaders.

In addition to her role with ETTG, Milena serves on Timor-Leste’s Council of State and engages in youth and human development initiatives. Her dedication to social justice, women’s empowerment, and inclusive growth continue to inspire.

Milena’s focus for the future includes strengthening ETTG’s leadership, enhancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, and advancing innovation to ensure sustainable business development. Her lifelong commitment to equality cements her position as a wonderful leader and role model.

Mr Sakib Awan, Chair of ETT commented on Ms Pires’ award, “When Milena assumed the role of CEO at East Timor Trading, she brought with her passion and a wealth of leadership skills. In her relatively brief time as CEO, she has already made her mark on the business, and we are now incredibly proud to see her win this important award.”