Karishma Samtani’s journey to be her best and bring out the best in others began with her grandma and mum, who were beacons of light that served the community tirelessly. Her building blocks for engaging in multifaceted approaches to making a difference are a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving others.

With Karishma’s blend of expertise in Financial Services, dedication to mental health, and passion for cancer prevention, she is a force to be reckoned with. Karishma’s impact reaches far beyond the confines of her profession, leaving a lasting impression on the lives of countless individuals she has touched.

Over the years, in her professional role and pro-bono basis, she has worked with over 3,000 students individually through universities, non-profit organisations, and social enterprises, helping them achieve their goals. Karishma’s struggles with prejudice and marginalisation as an ethnic minority catalyse her relentless drive to make a worthwhile progressive impact.

Monica Divik Agarwal has demonstrated exceptional leadership in HR across FinTech, Banking, and Technology sectors for over 15 years. Her expertise includes successfully navigating HR mergers, driving meaningful change, and cultivating enduring cultures within global delivery models.

Throughout her career, Monica has made significant contributions to renowned organisations such as HSBC, Barclays, Atos, and Silverlake Group, effectively aligning HR initiatives with organisational goals. However, her passion extends beyond her professional accomplishments. Monica is dedicated to empowering women through executive coaching, leadership development, and mentoring programs with esteemed institutions like NUS, Wedu, and YSEALI.

As a highly regarded keynote speaker and co-leader of a LeanIn circle focused on women’s leadership development, Monica embodies the spirit of women uplifting one another. Her commitment to mentoring young girls perfectly complements the narrative we have crafted, where women take ownership of their stories and inspire each other as role models.

Mukta Arya is an accomplished Human Resources Professional with over 24 years of experience in the APAC region. She has worked with Essar group, Tata TD Waterhouse Securities/Tata TDW Asset Management, and Ogilvy and Mather. Since 2006, she has been with Societe Generale, where she has held various positions including Head of HR for India, Regional Head of Talent Development and Inclusion in Hong Kong, and Head of HR for SEA in Singapore. Currently, she is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Societe Generale, APAC, based in Hong Kong.

Mukta is a certified coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation and a Global Fellow in Talent Management from Wharton University. She has certifications in areas such as Diversity and Inclusion, MBTI, FIRO B, Experiential Learning, HR Audit, Competency Mapping, and Leadership Development. Additionally, she is a published author of four books.

Natasha Latiff is an international human rights lawyer, ESG advisor and part-time lecturer at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU). She is the co-founder of two award-winning non-profit organisations led by women, which have garnered recognition from leaders such as President Bill Clinton and the UK Attorney General, Dominic Grieve. Her commitment to mentorship on ESG led her to win the Southeast Asia Women of the Future Awards in 2023.

Natasha embarked on her human rights journey at the young age of 17, venturing alone to Afghanistan during a tumultuous period of war and conflict. At the height of a protracted war and conflict, she found her calling and eventually met her husband. Over the next two decades, she devoted her life to leading fact-finding missions into high-profile human rights crises worldwide, advocating for justice for survivors, and empowering individuals and institutions to prevent and address grave human rights violations.

Meet Neelu Singh, a professional banker and passionate explorer. Born and raised in India, she made the bold decision to relocate to Singapore in her late twenties. For over a decade and a half, she has embraced the bustling city-state as her home.

While Neelu meticulously plans her travels, she takes a more spontaneous approach to the rest of her life. Despite her academic background in history, she found herself immersed in the financial services industry for the past 25 years, a path that she continues to tread. 

Neelu’s magnetic personality draws her towards people, making meaningful connections that fuel her energy. A strong advocate for self-care, she firmly believes that women must prioritise their own well-being before caring for others. She has an incredible journey as she navigates the dynamic world of finance while wholeheartedly embracing the uncertainties that life has to offer

Chapter Title: To Go or Not To Go!

Sarah Cole, a native of UK, ventured abroad in 2008 to pursue her passion for education. Over the years, she has emerged as a highly sought-after leader in Physical and Health Education. Holding accreditation as an ICF Coach and armed with a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Policy, Sarah has honed her expertise through specialised training in Team and Health Coaching. Her unwavering dedication lies in championing well-being and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives, transcending both professional and personal spheres.

Having traversed educational landscapes in the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Sarah’s current endeavours centre on collaborating with school teams and communities. Her mission is to instil a coaching ethos, fostering a culture of continuous learning. Through this approach, she aims to bolster sustainable change by cultivating enhanced and collective leadership, ultimately nurturing enduring and positive transformations.

Sherli Inggrit, an Indonesian Migrant Worker with 14 years of experience in Hong Kong, actively supports and provides information to fellow workers through migrant groups. She ensures that her community is aware of employment rights, labour regulations, and updates from relevant authorities such as the Hong Kong Government and the Indonesian Consulate. In addition to offering guidance, Sherli assists migrant domestic workers in completing essential forms for visa extensions, contract terminations, and passport renewals.

As a PathFinders Ambassador for the past three years, Sherli has undergone personal growth through various learning opportunities, collaborations, and the initiation of engagements related to significant topics. These include Maternity Protections in Hong Kong, Love Scams and Healthy Relationships, Planned Parenthood Plans, and Mental Health. Despite the challenges presented by both face-to-face and virtual platforms, Sherli remains motivated and supported, successfully creating positive impacts through collaboration.

Sherli takes immense pride in her proactive role in self-empowerment and the empowerment of her community, fostering unity and resilience among fellow migrant workers.

Zhala Sarmast, originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, is an individual with a wide range of interests including sciences, philosophy, languages, sports, music, and social activism. At the age of 15, she left Kabul to pursue her secondary education and undergraduate studies. Zhala is a proud holder of a Bachelor of Science (with Honours) degree in Physical Sciences from Yale-NUS College.

In addition to her academic achievements, Zhala is a valuable member of Afghanistan’s National Women Cycling Team. This team not only performs consistently well in competitions but also serves as a beacon of courage and bravery in Afghanistan. Zhala and her team were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for their exceptional efforts in promoting women empowerment through sports.

Currently residing in Singapore, Zhala is actively involved in the science and technology industry.

Dr. Dina Faidi, the founder of Creativity & Beyond Consulting Firm (UAE), is highly skilled in executive education, innovation, design thinking, leadership, cognitive behaviour, and human skills development. With over 25 years of professional experience and a doctorate in education, she excels in merging academic knowledge with practical expertise to offer personalised solutions through consulting, teaching, facilitating, coaching, and mentoring.

Beyond the business sector, Dr. Dina actively engages in promoting social responsibility by educating, mentoring, and inspiring youth and women through collaborations with social enterprises and NGOs. Her dedication to this cause is evident through her role on the advisory board of Challenge to Change (CTC). In her free time, she seeks solace in nature, often exploring remote mountains.

Magdalena Snowden, hails from Eastern Europe but navigating a Western society with deep-rooted Middle Eastern culture, embodies a unique amalgamation of cultural sensitivity and humility. Her unwavering belief in her own worth propels her from mere survival to resounding success.

Transitioning from a focus on personal advancement to one centred on continuous growth, Magdalena’s journey transcends self-obsession and becomes a guiding light in coaching and empowerment. Amidst COVID-19 pandemic, she fearlessly served in a UAE COVID field hospital, providing compassionate care while empowering her team to see challenges as temporary hurdles and fostering resilience and life skills.

Magdalena’s story stands as a testament to resilience and empathy, showcasing her steadfast commitment to personal and communal growth. Her transformation from self-improvement to the empowerment of others epitomises the transformative potential that lies within self-belief, leaving an indelible mark as a living testament to the power of uplifting oneself while inspiring others.

Noor Maki, originally from Iraq but raised in the United Kingdom after being born in Syria, now calls Dubai her home. Living there with her teenage daughter, she has established herself as a highly experienced corporate lawyer with a remarkable 15-year track record in the legal industry. Currently serving as a General Counsel, Noor handles legal matters across the Middle East and is sought after as a speaker, sharing her vast knowledge and insights at various conferences and workshops.

Additionally, her passion for fitness led her to become a certified fitness coach, and she now actively coaches at the esteemed global functional training franchise.

By embracing a multi-faceted lifestyle as a lawyer, fitness coach, and mother, Noor embodies the belief that determination and resilience can empower individuals, particularly women, to unleash their full potential. Through her varied endeavours, she strives to inspire others to become the best versions of themselves.

She devotes her life to more than seven thousand children throughout the world.

Rose Hindy is an experienced Executive coach with over 13 years of expertise in coaching leaders across industries. Through her coaching, she simplifies and engages with senior executives, helping them achieve personal and career growth. Rose’s coaching style is candid and courageous, providing honest feedback that pushes clients outside their comfort zones. She creates a safe space for leaders to explore their true potential, values, and life and career purposes. 

Certified as a professional co-active coach, Rose is also a public speaker and a content producer and TV host for two shows. She is fluent in English, Arabic, and French and holds an honours graduate degree in Computer Science.

Outside of her coaching practice, Rose is an athlete, windsurfer, and kickboxer. She believes in the mind-body connection for coaching success and goal achievement. As a single mother, she dedicates all her free time to her two beautiful children.

Sylvia Severine Fernandes, a seasoned Learning and Development Expert, excels at designing training programs and content for critical roles and leadership interventions. She is a certified Happiness Coach and believes in helping people find their purpose and goals,

With over 30 years of experience, she also specialises in implementing wellness and engagement strategies. Her passion for writing extends to crafting inspiring narratives about individuals, extraordinary events, and real-life heroes. 

Sylvia’s own journey has motivated her to inspire women and individuals globally by sharing stories that encourage courage, happiness, and purpose. Having worked extensively with women in India, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries, she cherishes her grounded upbringing in Mumbai, crediting her resilience to some key people around her.

Despite facing early struggles, a battle with cancer, and a challenging divorce, Sylvia continues to conquer obstacles, finding solace in friends and family.