Location: Online
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
In recent years, the number of social enterprises in Singapore and the region has been growing. Through our recent publication “The State of Social Enterprise in Singapore” (commissioned by British Council) in 2021, we have learned that the around 64% social entrepreneurs in Singapore are females. In tandem with positive steps towards increased awareness and efforts to creating a more inclusive society, we seek to explore how social entrepreneurship and efforts to create a more inclusive society intersect.
“Embracing Abilities: Female Social Entrepreneurs” gathers female social entrepreneurs to share the common challenges they have faced and the motivation behind their work. Join us to further understand the landscape of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) within the ASEAN community.
Our Panelist:
Mrinalini Venkatachalam, WEConnect
Mrinalini Venkatachalam is the Regional Director for South East Asia and Oceania at WEConnect International, a global nonprofit network that works with multinational corporations and multilateral organizations to generate market-access opportunity for women’s business enterprises in over 125 countries through supplier diversity. The organization identifies, educates, registers, and certifies women’s business enterprises based outside the U.S. that are at least 51% owned, as well as managed and controlled, by one or more women, and then connects them to qualified buyers across the globe. WEConnect International’s network of corporate members, primarily Fortune 500 companies, represent over $1 Trillion in annual purchasing power.
Over the last twelve years, Mrinalini has engaged with large corporates, government agencies, SMEs and community organizations to provide them with a platform to create measurable social impact. She speaks regularly at community events, corporate events, and conferences about the role that gender equality plays in achieving a more sustainable world for everyone. Mrinalini has been awarded the Singapore Women’s Weekly’s Great Women of Our Time award in the Public Service and Education category and has been nominated as one of Cleo Singapore’s 2016 top ten Changemakers.
Michelle Lim, Make The Change
Michelle is the co-founder of M.A.D School by Chatsworth Medi@rt Academy and social enterprise Make The Change (MTC). She has been actively involved in tertiary education and lifelong learning since 1996. Recognised and well-respected in the arenas of social enterprises and local media, Michelle is the board member of International Charity Organisation Solutions To End Poverty.
Quek Jing Yan, Seociety
Jing Yan is the co-founder and SEO/SEM specialist of Seociety. She specialises in digital marketing strategies and creating optimal online user experience. Jing Yan has been an active volunteer leader with Beautiful People, an organisation that works with teenage girls in the shelter. With her experience in business, marketing and mentoring, she has coached many people with disabilities and helped them to find employment or build their own business.
Febrina Bayurini, Kesuma Indonesia
Kesuma Indonesia is founded by 4 local women, and Febrina is one of the co-founders. The organisation aims to build a social enterprise that empowers local housewives and disabled women in the village area through embroidery handicrafts and training with a focus on supporting environmentally friendly businesses.
