What do you remember the most from your childhood? Is there any special memory you’d like to share?

I don't have a particular memory that I wanted to share, but I remember it was altogether a happy childhood.

Growing up, what were those habits that made you the person that you are today?

I was an inquisitive kid, always asking questions to adults or teachers.

I was always reading and trying to find the reason/ answer to any question that I have. I'm a chatterbox.

My father cultivates the reading habit early on, he bought us new books every month to read and rewards our achievements with books.

I read less now than I would like, with technology, we have different ways to consume new information.

What would you like to share about your family, your bond with them, how do you stay together despite the busy lives we live?

My family is a typical Malaysian family, where my father works and did overtime for long hours and my mom is a stay-at-home wife.

Both of them are hardworking folks, we don't have much, but we live comfortably within our means.

Growing up, there are altogether 5 (siblings) of us, and we are very close. We bicker a lot when we were younger (which siblings don't?), but we know we always have each other's back.

These days, technology plays an important role to stay connected. We constantly check with each other and share digitally our life happenings and milestones. 

Where do you draw your strengths from? Who or what are the biggest inspirations of your life?

My biggest inspiration will be my mother. She is hardworking, resourceful, and resilient.

What is your formula of balancing your work and personal lives and being an ace in both? -

Honestly, it is tough to balance work and personal life, one way or another, there will be a certain point in your life, where one will definitely demand more over the other.

Back in circa 2017 - 2019, I'm required to flew across multiple South East Asia countries for work.

Each trip will be 2-4 days, and I will be doing about 10-15 trips (or more) each year.

The jam-packed schedule and traveling took some tolls on my health, but on the positive side, it flourished my work and career. I am grateful for the opportunity and experiences.

I also learn a lot from my travels, meeting new people, visiting interesting places, and learning a new culture; and the best part is making new lifelong friends.

Having the right support system will definitely help. I am thankful my husband understands my work demands and supported my career growth.

Also, knowing you have your family to ground you, as your anchor and them being your biggest fan is definitely a boost.

I think what most important is knowing when to prioritize which at what time. Liking what you do for work, helps too. 

What disparity do you still see on the gender front at the workplace?

The imaginary glass ceiling. We sometimes self-limit ourselves from achieving our full potential.

We are too polite and always feel the need to prioritize others instead of ourselves first. I think it is a cultural thing for an Asian female (to take a backseat/ secondary role).

Female leaders, sometimes tend to be a little (extra) conscious too, we can be our own worst self-critique.

If you would be given the superpower for one day to do something for Women, what would be that?

Women are already is incredible creatures, we are capable of doing so many things, we are smart and we are emotionally strong.

Perhaps in terms of superpower, and I am being selfish here, perhaps if we can figure out how we can download information faster (learn faster), sort of like 'THE MATRIX' where you can download skills/ info to your brain and apply it in daily life! haa! 

What is the happiest moment of your life that you’d like to share?

There are many happy moments in my life personally and professionally as well. If I have to choose, that would be:

The day that I got married to my husband (of 13 years).

And when I successfully organize the ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards, an international level program that brought together participants from all around the world.

What was the biggest setback in your life and how did you overcome it?

It is normal to have roadblocks and set back in different parts of your life. It is okay to feel upset or even angry. But we need to able to rise above it and figure out how we can best tackle and solve it.

What is most important is knowing that it is temporary, and with each hardship, there will be ease. 

Share any initiative/s you have taken to empower other women if any?

I am part of an NGO called MADCash, which empowers underprivileged women via micro-financing.

We raised fund via donation (from public members and corporate sponsors), and use them to help micro-business owner that need cash-loan. Most are doing home-based-FB-related businesses.

We have successfully completed our pilot program in 2020 and the lovely women have repaid back their micro-loans. Yeay! (the repaid money will be used for the next round of funding- and so-on)

For the Year 2021, are already in our second-round funding coming, with more women entrepreneurs

Define in your own words - #WorkingWomenWonders

Capable, inspirational, and impactful.

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