Dian Andyasuri talks about leadership in a male-dominated industry, empowering women’s networks in Delta Dunia Group, and her experience as the first-ever female president director and country chair for Shell Indonesia.
Chapter: Nurturing and developing female talent
About: Dian Andyasuri is a director at PT Delta Dunia Makmur Tbk (Delta Dunia Group), a holding company with a diverse portfolio of businesses operating through its subsidiaries in full-scope mining services in Indonesia and Australia, a mining asset technology, and a socially focused enterprise. The company manages 14 mining sites across Indonesia and
Australia. Prior to joining Delta Dunia Group, Dian was the president director and country chair of Shell Indonesia.
Tell us about your journey in a male-dominated industry.
Growing up in a male-dominated environment, I was exposed to engineering and leadership from an early age. My parents—both engineers—introduced me to various aspects of the industry, instilling a fascination for tangible outcomes and community contributions. Pursuing an accounting degree, I began my career in one of the Big Four accounting
firms. Since then, I have gained diverse experiences in finance, IT, technology, marketing, sales, and business development through roles at Thames Water, consulting firms (PA Consulting) with clients that include Malaysian cargo and an ADB-funded project in India, 3 (Hutchison), Shell, and now Delta Dunia Group. Over almost three decades, I have followed a path driven by my passion for witnessing utility development across countries, creating tangible outputs, and positively impacting communities and nations.
From your experience with leading companies in a variety of industries, do you see any trends that work particularly well to retain and attract women?
In my career and in the countries where I have worked or have projects, I have never witnessed a company deliberately putting up barriers for women to succeed or discriminating against them. However, I have noticed that many women tend to impose
constraints and doubts on themselves. Women often seek complete certainty in their abilities before taking on a new challenge. Yet, it is essential to remember that being 60 percent certain is enough because the remaining 40 percent can be learned along the way.
Women must be confident that their abilities are sufficient to start the role and then get comfortable learning along the way. Another common tendency is for women to assume that if they perform well, success will naturally follow, and the work will speak for itself. However, men who are equally competent might intercept more opportunities by campaigning more actively for the roles they want. Therefore, it is crucial for women to be willing to raise their hands and advocate for themselves. By doing so, they increase their chances of success.
If women can adopt these two approaches— embracing uncertainty and advocating for
themselves—I believe most environments are generally supportive for women to thrive and
succeed. However, there are additional steps that women can take to support each other and enhance their efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness. Some companies have established frameworks and networks to facilitate this support. For instance, I founded a women’s network at Shell in 2016, which has grown and been passed down to five generations of leaders. We even collaborated with other male-dominated companies such as General Electric and Schlumberger. Similarly, at Delta Dunia Group, we have established the MahaDEWI network, which empowers women to thrive in their careers, families,
and overall happiness, and we are looking forward to working with other women networks in the future, both within the resources industry and beyond.
Did you have a support system that contributed to your growth? How important are these support systems in your journey?
I am truly blessed to have a strong support system that has played a crucial role in my journey. The support system works both ways: strengthening me, and in return, I strive to strengthen them. My family, including my husband and daughter, has been an unwavering source of support. There have been times when I worked in Singapore while my husband stayed in Indonesia, and we learned to be effective and efficient in supporting each other. It was an exciting dynamic that required understanding and adaptability, but through it all, as family and individuals, we grew together.
Having a network of women and friends at work has been equally important. Additionally, it is crucial to have supportive leaders who invest their time and effort in mentoring and sponsoring. In the case of Delta Dunia Group, both shareholders have shown tremendous support for women’s empowerment. When I joined the company in September 2022, I was
the only female director. Now, we have five female directors within all of our subsidiaries. This support has made a significant impact on my journey and overall success.
“It is crucial for women to be willing to raise their hands and advocate for themselves. By doing so, they increase their chances of success.”
Let’s talk about the women’s network you mentioned: MahaDEWI. How do you see these women’s networks being a part of your journey?
I have always been a proponent of women’s networks. In my earlier days, particularly during my time in consulting, I had the privilege of witnessing how women come together to support each other. I benefited from the help and support of my network. Working in Singapore at Shell—a more than 100-year-old company—allowed me to actively participate in the Singapore women’s network committee. Through this experience, I realized that women’s networks not only benefit women in a company but also extend their impact beyond the organization to the surrounding communities and even benefit the male members of the company. Throughout my leadership career, I have seen how the company and individuals can both flourish with the support of a women’s network, not to mention the positive impact on communities and eventually nations. I then became a firm believer in
the concept of women’s networks.
In Indonesia, we initiated programs focused on the women employees in our company. However, we gradually expanded our efforts to include the female spouses of our employees. This inclusivity is exemplified by the creation of different women’s networks and support systems established at our operational sites. We then scaled these local women’s networks and their initiatives at the group level and named it MahaDEWI. These networks provide support for women to thrive in their careers, families, and overall happiness. It helps women excel in their professional lives, maintain healthy mental well-being, and establish strong connections with others, eventually becoming support systems for each other.
Moreover, at Delta Dunia Group, we have implemented the Wifepreneur program, a flagship program from our main subsidiary, PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama (BUMA), which empowers our employees’ wives to become entrepreneurs. All these initiatives contribute
to creating a supportive environment for women to thrive.
When you worked in Singapore, you navigated being apart from some of your family members to pursue your career. For many women, this is a huge challenge. What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders facing this situation?
Finding your moral compass and understanding the reasons behind your choices can be a significant source of motivation. Personally, I have two main reasons that drive me forward:
First, it is crucial to understand why you do what you do and what motivates you. For me, being a good role model to my daughter is paramount. As I mentor many young women, I often encounter individuals who do not have a role model to look up to and seek guidance from. I never want my daughter to feel that way. I want her to witness the possibilities and
opportunities available to her and understand what it takes to achieve her goals. While you may not see the immediate results when your child is seven years old, you gradually witness their transformation into the best version of themselves as they grow. You see them starting to care about others, competing for the right reasons, and evolving into individuals who can
positively impact the world. It may take time and require unwavering belief in your choices, but if you stay determined, you will eventually reap the rewards.
Second, as an Indonesian working with Shell, I became aware of the rarity of my position in a
company with 260,000 employees. This realization fueled my desire to bring more Indonesians into the realm of global professionals. I wanted to ensure that
individuals from my country had the opportunity to discover their potential and become the best versions of themselves.
“Finding your moral compass and understanding the reasons behind your choices can be a significant source of motivation.”
There will inevitably be rough times along the way. During those moments, it is important to find your inner strength. When I wake up each morning, witness the rising sun and hear my daughter’s voice, I know it is time to pick myself up and keep moving forward. To aspiring women leaders facing similar challenges, my advice would be to find your own moral compass and understand the reasons behind your choices. Stay motivated, and remember why you embarked on this journey. Believe in yourself, and never lose sight of the impact you can make, not only on your own life but also on the lives of others. With determination,
resilience, and the support of a strong network, you can navigate the challenges and achieve your goals.
“With determination, resilience, and the support of a strong network, you can navigate the challenges and achieve your goals.”
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