Journey & Inspiration
Maheswari Kanniah’s path into compliance and governance was never a predetermined career choice—it was a calling rooted in a profound belief in fairness, accountability, and ethical stewardship. Early in her career, she observed firsthand how regulatory gaps and weak governance could erode trust and destabilize institutions. “That realization ignited a passion to be part of the solution,” she reflects. What might have been seen by others as a routine compliance function, she approached as an opportunity: to transform governance from a mere checkbox exercise into a strategic enabler of integrity and resilience. Over the years, Maheswari came to embrace governance not simply as a framework, but as a philosophy capable of shaping organizational culture, protecting stakeholders, and elevating leadership itself.
Her journey through some of Malaysia’s leading financial institutions offered pivotal moments that refined both her approach and her leadership style. Looking back across her roles at Maybank, RHB, and Kenanga, Maheswari reflects on each as a defining chapter that shaped her leadership journey. At Maybank, she was deeply influenced by the strength of its institutional legacy and learned the importance of embedding governance into the very DNA of a large, established organization. Her time at RHB sharpened her ability to act with urgency and clarity, reinforcing the value of courageous decision-making and collaborative alignment between business and compliance. At Kenanga, she embraced the role of a change agent, spearheading Southeast Asia’s first ACFE partnership and fostering a culture of fraud awareness and ethical vigilance across the organization.
Together, these experiences cultivated a leadership style that is both decisive and empathetic, strategic yet grounded in values—qualities that continue to define her impact across the financial and governance landscape.
Leadership & Culture
For Maheswari Kanniah, cultivating a thriving organizational culture goes far beyond policies and procedures—it is a deliberate practice shaped by consistency, visibility, and empowerment. She leads by example, demonstrating ethical courage even when it is inconvenient, which, she admits, is often the case. Creating safe spaces for dialogue and encouraging dissenting views are central to her approach, while transparency is actively recognized and rewarded. “Collaboration thrives when people feel heard and respected,” she notes, underscoring her commitment to mentoring and fostering cross-functional engagement. Accountability, she believes, is not about finger-pointing but about embedding clear expectations, fair processes, and a shared sense of purpose. Celebrating integrity, she emphasizes, is just as important as celebrating outcomes, because character forms the foundation for sustainable success.
When it comes to compliance, Maheswari refuses to let regulations become a mere roadblock. Instead, she frames them as a guiding compass for responsible innovation. By deeply understanding the business, she designs compliance frameworks that are agile, risk-based, and forward-looking. Early engagement between compliance teams and business units is key, she explains, allowing innovation to flourish on a foundation of trust and foresight.
Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: shift the conversation from “no” to “how.” In doing so, teams are guided to innovate responsibly, ensuring that growth and creativity thrive within the bounds of integrity and legality.
Expertise & Achievements
At Maybank, Maheswari drew inspiration from the institution’s rich legacy, where she witnessed governance deeply embedded into organizational culture. It was here that she refined her belief in aligning values with vision, learning how robust governance could serve as both a safeguard and a strategic enabler for sustainable growth.
At RHB Investment Bank, Maheswari led one of the most defining chapters of her career—strengthening governance and compliance through a values-driven transformation. She anchored her approach on three guiding principles: clarity, collaboration, and courage. With a meticulous focus on both technical and cultural aspects, she worked to deepen understanding across the organization and align compliance seamlessly with business goals. Building trust was central to her strategy—empowering teams to take ownership and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Decisive actions, from enhancing processes to investing in continuous staff development, were coupled with transparent engagement at every level. What emerged was not just stronger compliance, but a collective culture of excellence and integrity. “It was driven by a shared commitment,” she reflects, acknowledging the support of her staff, management, and Board, whose trust allowed her to lead with conviction and impact.
Her tenure at Kenanga Investment Bank further highlighted her role as a visionary change-maker. She was instrumental in forging Southeast Asia’s first partnership with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), a collaboration inspired by a desire to elevate fraud awareness and ethical leadership across the region. “I saw a gap in how organizations approached fraud—not just as a financial risk, but as a cultural vulnerability,” she recalls. By institutionalizing fraud education and establishing a regional benchmark, the initiative sparked a broader movement toward courageous governance, inspiring other banks to follow suit and raising the standard for ethical vigilance in the industry.
Today, Maheswari remains acutely aware of the evolving risk landscape in a hyperconnected, globalized world. Cyber threats, third-party vulnerabilities, and ethical erosion dominate her concerns, alongside emerging issues like ESG-related greenwashing, data privacy breaches, and AI-driven fraud. Yet, beyond technical risks, she emphasizes a deeper, cultural dimension: complacency. “It is easy for organizations to lose sight of their values in pursuit of speed or scale,” she warns. For Maheswari, effective risk management must evolve from a reactive stance to an anticipatory one, marrying foresight with a steadfast commitment to organizational values.
Recognition & Global Presence
Being the first Southeast Asian to receive the ACFE “Outstanding Achievement in Outreach and Community Service” award was a profoundly humbling milestone for Maheswari Kanniah. “It was not just a personal honor,” she reflects, “but a recognition of our region’s growing voice in global governance.” For her, the accolade symbolized more than individual achievement—it celebrated the collective efforts of the community of fraud fighters, compliance professionals, and ethical leaders she has mentored and collaborated with over the years. It affirmed her belief that outreach, education, and proactive guidance are as critical as enforcement. Her commitment to the field was further recognized in August 2025 when she was named CFE of the Year for the ACFE Malaysian Chapter, from John Gill, President of the ACFE with Lim Huck Hai, President of the ACFE Malaysian Chapter at the ACFE Asia Pacific conference in Kuala Lumpur cementing her influence both locally and internationally.
As the first Malaysian elected to the ACFE Board of Regents, Maheswari is setting her sights on inclusivity, education, and ethical innovation. She is passionate about amplifying voices from emerging markets, broadening access to fraud training, and championing governance models that are culturally
relevant yet globally aligned.
“I aim to bridge the gap between traditional compliance and digital ethics,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of frameworks that evolve with technology while remaining firmly grounded in core values. Beyond the world of finance and compliance, Maheswari’s achievements span her athletic legacy as well. Her induction into the Malaysia Book of Records, recognizing her dual ACFE milestones, and the Olympic Council’s Hall of Fame, celebrating her national sports career, are testaments to a life shaped by discipline, resilience, and service. “Together, they symbolize the integration of professional rigor and personal passion,” she shares. On a personal level, these honors are a reminder that legacy is not measured by titles alone, but by the impact one leaves on communities, institutions, and the next generation of leaders.
Sports & Life Lessons
Long before Maheswari Kanniah became a luminary in governance and compliance, she was a force on the hockey field, captaining Malaysia’s national team in the 1980s. Those years at the highest level of sport left an indelible mark on her leadership philosophy. “Sports taught me discipline, strategy, and humility,” she reflects. As captain, she navigated the pressures of international competition, learning to unite diverse personalities and make split-second decisions with long-term consequences. These high-stakes experiences translated seamlessly into the corporate arena, where boardroom decisions and regulatory negotiations demand both clarity and composure. For Maheshwari, leadership—whether on the field or in business—is never about control; it is about fostering trust, providing clear direction, and turning challenges into opportunities when the odds are stacked against you.
Beyond strategy, the athletic arena instilled enduring lessons in resilience, preparation, and teamwork. “In sports, you train for months for a few minutes of performance,” she observes, emphasizing how discipline and attention to process outweigh immediate results. Winning with humility and losing gracefully became principles that shaped her character, just as much as they guided her corporate ethos. She notes that behind every medal is a team—and behind every professional success, a community. These lessons, learned on the turf, continue to inform her approach to leadership, collaboration, and the cultivation of enduring organizational culture.
Vision & Advice
Maheshwari Kanniah’s journey into ESG and Impact Investing reflects her forward-looking approach to governance and financial stewardship. “ESG will redefine capital allocation, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement,” she asserts. She sees Malaysia poised to lead in areas such as Islamic finance, biodiversity, and social inclusion, but emphasizes that progress must go beyond mere compliance. Innovation, she argues, is critical—developing ESG products, integrating sustainability into credit models, and fostering public-private partnerships will shape the nation’s financial landscape in the coming decade. As a Certified Expert in ESG and Impact Investing, Maheshwari is deeply committed to driving this transformation and cultivating a culture of education and transparency that empowers all stakeholders.
For those entering the complex world of governance and compliance, her advice is rooted in purpose and courage. “This field is not just about rules; it’s about protecting trust,” she notes. Curiosity, continuous learning, mentorship, and ethical courage are non-negotiable. Maheshwari emphasizes that fresh perspectives are vital—governance needs voices willing to challenge norms, and compliance requires champions of integrity who navigate complexity without compromise.
Looking ahead, she sees compliance leaders evolving into strategic advisors, ethical technologists, and cultural architects. The rise of AI, blockchain, and global data flows demands digital fluency, anticipatory governance, and the ability to balance regulation with innovation. “Soft skills like empathy, communication, and influence are as critical as technical knowledge,” she reflects. The leaders of tomorrow, she insists, will be those who can navigate the intersection of ethics, agility, and technological change.
Her vision extends beyond frameworks and regulations; it is deeply personal. Having broken barriers in both corporate and sporting arenas, Maheshwari hopes her legacy will inspire courage—the courage to lead with integrity, challenge the status quo, and serve with compassion. She envisions governance not as a constraint, but as a catalyst, and ethical leadership as an essential, transformative force.
And if one life lesson encapsulates her journey, it is the enduring power of integrity. “Integrity is the quiet force that outlasts applause and withstands adversity,” she says. It anchors leaders when the spotlight fades or storms arise, proving that staying true to one’s principles builds a legacy no title or accolade can replicate. For Maheshwari, this quiet, steadfast virtue remains the compass guiding every victory, every challenge, and every step of her extraordinary journey.