1. What does International Women's Day mean to you?

To me, it’s a day to not only celebrate but also reflect on the positive journey of women globally throughout all these years. It’s a recognition that when given the opportunity, women have a lot to contribute to this world and are committed to achieve their full potential.

2. Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you over your career?

I found inspiration in many people throughout my career. I looked at one person and told myself I want to be like this guy/lady, then I see another individual and liked the other aspect of what the person portrayed. So, I guess I built my own role model from bits and pieces of these many amazing people I have met along the way.

Anyway, one lady that really inspired me was Dr Jemilah, who was the gynecologist for my three children. Her confidence, cheerfulness, positivity and almost hyperactive personality every time you met her was contagious and how she constantly felt she needed to do more even when she has achieved so much.

After she initiated the humanitarian group, Mercy Malaysia, she has never looked back. I remembered visiting her in the hospital after she came back from a mission to Iraq where she got shot, and she showed me the bullet and said that the incident would not stop her from moving forward in achieving her agenda. She has achieved so much since, no wonder that she is now Tan Sri Dr Jemilah.

3. What is an interesting fact about you that people might not know?

That I loved writing and appreciate art tremendously. Growing up, I believe I was more of a right brain. I used to daydream a lot and secretly wrote short fictions, both in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

4. What motivates you to be where you are now?

I was a bit of a feminist growing up and felt the need to work hard to prove the point that we women could achieve the same, if not better, than men. Growing up, those were the exact words my dad planted in my head.

5. Share with us a quote that you live by.

"Work hard in silence, let success be the noise."

6. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?

This is easy. I led a very protected childhood and there were many things I did not experience when I was growing up. If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to be more adventurous and try new things, explore my potential and don’t be afraid to venture out of my comfort zone as the sky is the limit.

7. If you had a choice between two superpowers; mind reading or time travelling, which would you choose and why?

To be honest, I do not wish to have any of those powers. There is a reason why God created what is in everyone’s mind a secret and I do not want to tempt that. I also do not wish to time travel because not knowing your future makes your life interesting and full of hope. Why visit the past or try to amend that? It is what made you who you are today.

8. What is your favourite movie from the '90s?

I don’t know if this one was in the late 90s or early 2000, but one movie which is my favourite is Erin Brokovich. Julia Roberts did a very good job in portraying the struggle and sheer determination of a single mother, Erin, and the movie also taught us not to look down on a person or judge a person just by their appearance.

9. What are you excited about the future?

Oh, there are a lot to be excited about the future. I saw how we shaped downstream into Sime Darby Oils, and I would like to contribute towards ensuring our target for our SDO’s growth is achieved. Also look forward to the time after when I retire where I can spend more time on my hobbies.

10. What song best describes your personality?

Song? Definitely will have to be ‘You Gotta Be’ by Des’ree.

1. What does International Women's Day mean to you?

For me – it is a day when women from all walks of life in every socio-economic fields, including home makers (amongst corporate, government and social workers) are celebrated for every shed of tears and every drop of blood sacrificed in balancing the socio-economic successes of their families, communities, districts, states, countries and the world at large. It’s a day of remembering that gone are the days when women play second fiddle to men.

2. Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you over your career?

I have few role models in my life. Firstly, my mother who shaped me in becoming a business-minded person. Coming from a family running multiple family businesses, I have naturally picked up the bargaining skills from my mother – who is a hardworking person whom never gave up in rescuing our own family economy time and again, through multiples obstacles and challenging times. My siblings and I start our days at 6am with household chores then off to harvest some reaps from our family farm and finally in manning our grocery shops – no excuses on school days or holidays. I learned multitasking from my mother. Despite dropping off from school in lower primary, my Mother slogged hard to earn and save as well and to spend only for necessities and not on nice to haves. That was the building blocks in developing my dad’s business to greater heights and recognition. A natural leader my Mother was.

My second role model is, Mrs. Siew who is my ex-employer in Sri Nona Food Industries. It’s a Chinese owned company and I’m the only Indian in that organization. She is a humble and loving lady whom treats me equally. She taught me the successful formula on people management – which I’ve applied across other organizations and something which I still practice to-date. I’ve learnt that only by respect can one achieve the desired results. Appreciation and gratitude to each and every person contributing to our success smoothen our journey onwards. When you see a successful leader – look at the dedication and quality of the team.

3. What is an interesting fact about you that people might not know?

I love teaching especially to the juniors. During my free time – I spend lots of time with school children in developing their innovative thinking skills for science innovations. I would’ve guided almost 300 school children to-date to support and guide their science projects be it for school, state, national and even international levels. Being with Sime Darby – I’m naturally game towards sustainability. Words can’t describe when I see the kids I coach succeed with their innovations at every levels. Most importantly – I know the kids whom I’ve guided are engrained with sustainability and recycling for a greener earth. When I go to schools to coach – I take my kids along as I would like them to learn from me in teaching the same across generations.

4. What motivates you to be where you are now?

I worked for three local food industries that were generally SMEs until I stepped into Sime Darby – which is a respected conglomerate and a leading GLC across all the industries in its portfolio. The challenges I endured in Sime Darby varied from my past experiences; however what I learnt from my previous stints has helped me immensely. Many of my dreams were realized after I joined Sime Darby. Good remuneration and benefits superseded the industrial standards that I’ve known of. My lifestyle improved in an environment I loved to be in doing what I love to do. As such, I’m naturally aspirated and motivated to be more innovative day by day in strengthening Sime Darby’s offering in gaining bigger market share in the organisation. I’ve also had the privilege to have worked under the leadership of great leaders that guided and aspired me to be who I am. I would like to express my gratitude to Mrs. Nienke Pek, a Dutch national based with Sime Darby, whom hired me into Sime Darby. She had eventually left to Netherlands. All the bosses thereafter have been truly professional towards me. I’m privileged to have picked up many leadership skills from them that I get to put to use in my line of work.

5. Share with us a quote that you live by.

"More smiles - less worries; more compassion - less misjudgements; more blessings - less stress; much love – no hate". This is my personal mantra and quote that I live by. I try to smile as much and be happy with what I do. I believe in the law of attraction. Positive thinking and thoughts brings forth positive results. In contrary, negative words and thoughts would hinder our journey towards success.

6. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?

My advice to the younger generation: - Never ever under estimate your natural talent. Create the will-power in achieving what you aspire. Be positive and confident in whatever you do. Practise yourselves to perfection. No pain, no gain and do not waste time in small talks. Always think big. There are so many opportunities and tools to help and guide in achieving the desired results. Nothing comes easy – hard work perseveres. Don’t give up easily. Have a mentor and don’t be shy to ask and learn. It’s always better to be a fool for a minute by clarifying what you have to. Be selfless when it comes to service – especially your knowledge. You will gain more by sharing and will never lose a bit. That’s the law of nature.

7. If you had a choice between two superpowers; mind reading or time travelling, which would you choose and why?

I would choose mind reading. Why? Understanding human thoughts is almost impossible. By having this superpower, I would be able to sense the blocks towards right action. Besides that this also will allow me to correct myself, knowingly or unknowingly.

8. What is your favourite movie from the '90s?

My favourite movies in 1990's was 'Armageddon'.

9. What are you excited about the future?

I know that I still have more things and improvement to be done for my company. Leading the Frying Centre of Excellence (FCOE) excites me in making Sime Darby the best Frying Oil supplier globally. I know that I may face a lot challenges in this frying oil innovation but I believe with best team that I have, we can achieve that, twice shorter the expected time and thrice better than expected.

10. What song best describes your personality?

"This girl is on fire" by Alicia Keys

1. What does International Women's Day mean to you?

For me International Women’s Day means a day we celebrate achievements made by women all over the world in various sectors women participate in, especially professionally.

2. Can you tell us about a role model who has inspired you over your career?

A role model that has inspired and continues to inspire me is my mother, who is a retired school principal, a wife, a mother and an active member of her community. She has always led by example and instilled in us even at a young age to actively pursue our dreams no matter our circumstances.

3. What is an interesting fact about you that people might not know?

I am an avid social marathon runner who has completed a number of marathons in my country, South Africa, including the world renowned 90km Comrades Marathon as well as four other World Major Marathons (London, New York, Chicago and Berlin).

4. What motivates you to be where you are now?

I am motivated by creativity and finding new ways to improve or do things differently. I know that one of the few things that are constant is change and our progression as humans has always been propelled by our ability to evolve. I am always motivated to push myself and to become a better version of myself.

5. Share with us a quote that you live by.

It is by one of my favourite authors and spiritual leader, Eckhart Tolle, on embracing the present: "Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at this moment"

6. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?

I would tell my younger self to be brave, to "walk into every room with confidence and speak your mind with conviction, you definitely have something worth listening to". It is something I sometimes still battle with, even at my big age.

7. If you had a choice between two superpowers; mind reading or time travelling, which would you choose and why?

I would definitely choose time travelling, for a moment to connect one more time with the loved ones that I have lost and to the future for a special moment to share with my daughter that I may not live long enough to witness.

8. What is your favourite movie from the '90s?

I love movies and it would be so hard to choose just one favourite movie from the 90s, the one that comes to mind would have to be the science fiction action film - The Matrix (Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne) - released in 1999; and which depicts a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside a simulated reality.

The turmoil brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has me sometimes wondering if perhaps we are living within the Matrix.

9. What are you excited about the future?

I am excited about the new possibilities brought about by rapid technological advancements which continue to enhance our human experience.

10. What song best describes your personality?

Beyonce – Mood 4 EVA