Indonesia, like many Asian countries, is a patriarchal society strongly influenced by a culture of hierarchy that hinders women from reaching the upper echelons of the business world.

But Carmelita Hartoto, chief executive and president of one of the country’s leading shipping companies, Andhika Group, has bucked the trend. She is also the first chairwoman of the Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (Insa) and vice chair of transportation at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.