Born in 1962, Shemara Wikramanayake is a prominent Australian businesswoman who initially pursued a career in law before transitioning into banking. In 2018, she assumed the role of Managing Director and CEO of Macquarie Group Ltd. Known for her advocacy in increasing renewable energy production, Wikramanayake has urged governments to quadruple renewable energy output by 2030 to mitigate the global impacts of climate change.
In 2022, Wikramanayake garnered attention as the highest-paid CEO in Australia, receiving a total compensation of $A23.7 million for the second consecutive year. Her professional journey began as a corporate lawyer at Blake Dawson Waldron before joining Macquarie Group Ltd in 1987. Over the years, she held various pivotal positions within the company, including heading its corporate advisory office in New Zealand and playing a significant role in establishing offices in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Her tenure with Macquarie Capital spanned almost two decades, during which she assumed leadership of Macquarie Asset Management in 2008, guiding its growth for over ten years.
In December 2018, Wikramanayake succeeded Nicholas Moore as Managing Director/CEO of Macquarie Group, marking her historic appointment as the first female CEO of the company and the sixth overall. She has been actively involved in global climate initiatives, serving as a Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation and participating in the UN’s Climate Finance Leadership Initiative.
Notably, Wikramanayake holds a unique position in the Australian corporate landscape as the only female CEO among the country’s top 20 companies by market value. Additionally, she made history in 2019 as Australia’s highest-earning female CEO. Her influence extends beyond national borders, as evidenced by her recognition in Forbes’ lists of Most Powerful Women in the World and Fortune’s roundup of influential female business leaders.
A vocal advocate for climate action, Wikramanayake addressed the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing private climate finance for emerging markets. Her presence at the conference underscored her commitment to environmental sustainability, further highlighted when she was seated beside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
In recognition of her exceptional leadership during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wikramanayake was honored as one of The Australian Financial Review Business People of the Year for 2021. Apart from her corporate endeavors, she also provides advisory services to the Australian government on green technology investment and serves as co-chair of the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative in India.
In her personal life, Wikramanayake’s journey began in England, where her Sri Lankan father practiced medicine. However, the family faced challenges and prejudice, prompting their relocation to Australia when Wikramanayake was 14. Despite the initial struggles, they settled in Sydney, where her father secured employment at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Wikramanayake pursued her education at the University of New South Wales, obtaining degrees in Commerce and Law, followed by further studies at Harvard Business School.
