Surina Shukri Obituary, Cause Of Death: What Happened to Ex-MDEC CEO? Funeral
Surina Shukri, the former CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and a prominent figure in the blockchain and fintech industry, passed away on February 29, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 47 years old.
Surina was widely respected and admired for her leadership, vision, and passion in driving the digital transformation of Malaysia and empowering the local tech ecosystem. She was also a vocal advocate for women in technology and a founding member of Women in Blockchain Asia.
A Trailblazer in the Digital Economy
Surina was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1977. She graduated from the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences with a dual degree in 1999.
She then moved to New York City, where she worked as an investment banker, strategist, and leader at JPMorgan Chase & Co for 17 years. She held various senior roles in the firm, including managing director and head of strategy and innovation for the global corporate and investment bank.
In January 2019, Surina returned to Malaysia to take up the role of CEO of MDEC, the government agency responsible for developing and promoting the digital economy. She was the first woman to hold the position and the youngest CEO in the agency’s history.
Under her leadership, MDEC launched several initiatives and programs to support the growth of the digital sector, such as the Malaysia Tech Month, the Digital Skills Training Directory, the Global Testbed Initiative, and the MyDigital Alliance Leadership Council.
She also spearheaded the development of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, a comprehensive and ambitious plan to transform Malaysia into a digitally-driven, high-income nation by 2030.
Surina was instrumental in attracting foreign and local investments, partnerships, and talent to the Malaysian digital scene. She helped to facilitate the establishment of regional headquarters, innovation hubs, and digital centers of excellence by global tech giants such as Microsoft, Huawei, Tencent, and Alibaba.
She also nurtured and mentored local startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators, providing them with funding, training, networking, and market access opportunities. She was a strong supporter of the blockchain and fintech sectors, and a champion of the regulatory sandbox approach to foster innovation and experimentation.
Surina was a frequent speaker and panelist at local and international events, sharing her insights and expertise on the digital economy, blockchain, fintech, innovation, and leadership. She was also a prolific writer and contributor to various publications and platforms, such as Forbes, The Edge, and LinkedIn.
A Role Model and Inspiration for Women in Tech
Surina was not only a successful and influential leader in the digital economy, but also a role model and inspiration for women in tech. She was passionate about empowering and advancing women in the male-dominated fields of technology, finance, and entrepreneurship.
She was a founding member of Women in Blockchain Asia, a regional network of women professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts in the blockchain industry. She was also a governing board member of Unesco’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education of Peace, a global initiative to promote peace education and gender equality.
Surina was an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech sector, and a mentor for young women aspiring to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). She often shared her personal and professional journey, challenges, and achievements with various audiences, especially female students and graduates.
She also participated in various initiatives and campaigns to raise awareness and support for women in tech, such as the #SheMeansBusiness program by Facebook, the #ChooseToChallenge theme for International Women’s Day 2021, and the #WomenInTechMY movement by MDEC.
Surina was recognized and honored for her contributions and achievements in the tech industry and the society at large. In 2020, she was named as one of the World’s 50 Most Influential People Revolutionising Governance in the inaugural Agile 50 list, a joint initiative by Apolitical and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Agile Governance.
She was also listed as one of the Top 100 Fintech Influencers in Asia by LATTICE80, one of the Top 50 Women in Tech by Forbes Asia, and one of the 100 Most Inspirational Linkedin Icons in Malaysia by Marketing in Asia.
Surina Shukri Cause of Death
| Name | Surina Shukri |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1977 |
| Date of death | February 29, 2024 |
| Place of death | Ampang Puteri Hospital, Kuala Lumpur |
| Cause of death | Breast cancer |
| Education | Wharton School of Business University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences |
| Family | Husband: Jasmin Ong Rashid Children: Ean, Arianna, and Zac |
| surina.kay.elle | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
A Loving and Devoted Wife and Mother
Surina was not only a trailblazer in the digital economy and a role model for women in tech, but also a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was married to Jasmin Ong Rashid, a fellow Wharton graduate and a managing partner at a private equity firm. They had three children, Ean, Arianna, and Zac.
Surina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, shortly after she became the CEO of MDEC. She underwent treatment and surgery, and continued to work and lead the agency with courage and resilience. She also used her platform and influence to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support.
She resigned from MDEC in August 2021, citing health reasons and family priorities. She then focused on spending time with her loved ones and pursuing her personal interests and passions. She also remained active and engaged in the tech community, serving as an independent, non-executive director with Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group) and CIMB Investment Bank Bhd, and a board member of Accelerate Global, a fintech startup.
Surina passed away on February 29, 2024, at Ampang Puteri Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, surrounded by her immediate family. She was 47 years old.
Her funeral prayers were conducted at Masjid At-Taqwa in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and she was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery.
A Legacy of Leadership, Vision, and Passion
Surina Shukri left behind a legacy of leadership, vision, and passion in the digital economy and the tech industry. She was a trailblazer, a role model, and an inspiration for many, especially women in tech. She was also a loving and devoted wife and mother, who balanced her professional and personal life with grace and strength.
She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her family, friends, colleagues, and the tech community. She will also be honored and celebrated for her contributions and achievements in the digital transformation of Malaysia and the empowerment of the local tech ecosystem.
She once said, “I believe that technology is a force for good, and that it can create positive impact for the society and the economy. I also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate and benefit from the digital economy, regardless of their background, gender, or location.”
Surina Shukri lived by these beliefs, and she made them a reality through her work and actions. She was a true leader, a visionary, and a passionate advocate for the digital economy and the tech industry. She was a woman in tech, and a woman of impact.
