Start Somewhere

FOUNDER & ARTIST | ARTABLY

A self-taught illustrator and artist who is passionate about using his craft to make a difference. He loved drawing cartoons since childhood and his journey lead him to discovering the power of storytelling as he aspires to communicate meaningful messages and inspire others in significant ways. This session is important to him as he hopes to bring the same joyful experience to others through the workshop.

“To build whole communities, we need to make art inclusive and accessible.”

SESSION
Care-racter Co-Creator Crash Course:
How to use PowerPoint as an inclusive design tool

FOUNDER | MYLES & MORE

From film production to creative visual teaching and education, Brandon Myles is all about making messages hit home. With over 25 years in the game, he’s worked with big names like Microsoft, UMW Toyota, Lexus, Standard Chartered, DBS, and OCBC. Brandon’s specialty? Crafting content that doesn’t just connect – it educates and makes a real impact.

“To build whole communities, we need to get real with ourselves.”

SESSION
Death by a Thousand Cuts:
How to Overcome Distraction in an ADHD World

CO-FOUNDER | BRAVE FEATS STUDENT CARE

Chuen-Yin started her career in education as a Mathematics and Music teacher in secondary school. She is an experienced educator who has held positions as Vice-Principal, Principal and Cluster Superintendent. She was most recently the Principal of Nanyang Girls' High School up till Dec 2022.

She has since left the Ministry of Education and co-founded Brave Feats Student Care to pursue her ideals of education; offering a positive space to empower children. She believes that every child deserves to be joyful and confident.

“To build whole communities, we need to have deeper connections with our children.”

SESSION
Raising Children Compassionately:
How to build deeper connections using Non-Violent Communication

FOUNDER | WERABLE

Claudia is the founder of Werable, a design studio at the forefront of inclusive fashion. A Parsons School of Design graduate, her venture into adaptive fashion began when she crafted a coat for a friend with ALS. From hands-free dressing systems to innovative designs that can be worn single-handedly by stroke survivors, Claudia is designer with a deep focus on social innovation.

“To build whole communities, we need to fashion a kinder, more inclusive tomorrow.“

SESSION
One Size Fits Some:
How can we scale inclusion meaningfully?

BUSINESS MANAGER | KONTINENTALIST

Darrell manages and runs Kontinentalist's business initiatives, including the data storytelling studio and training arm. He is also part of the product team developing Lapis, a software platform for collaborative data storytelling.

He believes in enhancing data accessibility and equity for all, and sees participatory mapping as a critical practice that supports this for local communities.

“To build whole communities, we need to speak to the people in our communities to understand their pains, concerns and aspirations.”

SESSION
Roots & Routes:
How do we map Bedok’s communities through time?

DIRECTOR & CENTRE MANAGER | INSCHOOL

Edward has been part of the disability inclusion and inclusive hiring work for 6 years with Inclus since 2018, working with people with disabilities (PWDs) from the age group of 18+ onwards and helping them to achieve gainful employment and independent living. He eventually expanded the work into InSchool in 2024 to help children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) from the age group of 7-12 by curating individualized personal growth plans for each of them.

Today, he is creating much-needed opportunities for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children and adults to be aware of the SEN landscape and develop understanding, empathy and kindness among the future generations.

“To build whole communities that are inclusive and understanding, we need to raise awareness on the challenges faced by parents/caregivers of SEN children.”

SESSION
Building an Inclusive Society:
How can we better support caregivers of children with special educational needs (SEN)?

ARTIST | MOPPYART

Elizabeth loves telling stories. Be it through illustrations or the written word, she loves it. She specialise in comics inspired by her passion for mental health. She hope that by reading her comics, it may bring a smile or a little ray of hope to her audience.

“To build whole communities, we need to aise awareness about mental health.”

SESSION
Care-racter Co-Creator Crash Course:
How to use PowerPoint as an inclusive design tool

CEO, ETONHOUSE COMMUNITY FUND

Once a dedicated and successful salesperson driven by a passion to transform learning with technology to benefit the digital generation, Fannie subsequently discovered a greater passion in the business of transforming lives and that of future generations. She joined the non profit sector, starting off as a volunteer and have segued into a career. Poverty alleviation, creating equitable access to education for disadvantaged communities - she is an ally to causes that would tip the scales a bit more in favour of social justice (while continually learning what that means in practical terms).

“To build whole communities, we need to cultivate greater sense of responsibility towards one another and society as a whole.”

SESSION
Living On The Edge:
What does poverty in Singapore look like?

FOUNDER | GREEN NUDGE

Li Seng is the founder of Green Nudge, a social enterprise that supports businesses and communities to achieve positive environmental impact through activities such as coastal cleanups, workshops, outreach talks and sustainability consulting.

Li Seng’s experience in the public, community and social enterprise sector since 2013 has reinforced his belief that effective public policies need to be supported by ground-up actions and engagement. In order to create long-lasting change, Li Seng seeks to create change organically and collectively.

Playing an interfacing role within the tri-sector, Li Seng is able to provide sectoral knowledge through a system thinking lens to make informed decisions and strategies. On both a personal and professional front, he is happy to discuss disposables, sustainability of events, public education, and is familiar with corporate social responsibility and community / youth engagement.

“To build whole communities, we need to know what type of fund resources are available to us.”

SESSION
Grants & Glory:
How to slay the funding game

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | STUDIO DOJO

Khai Seng started out in the design field in 2004. Before starting Studio Dojo, he was formerly Head of Singapore for Foolproof, an experience design agency. Throughout his career, he has designed large-scale digital systems and facilitated training programmes for C-suite executives and professionals to drive design-oriented organisational changes.

He believes great design is only part of the equation. It is also key to bring sustained impact and cultural changes in how people live and work. Thus, being a certified New Ventures West Integral coach was a turning point – it introduced him to effective ways to help designers be better leaders.

“To build whole communities, we need to first fully understand the deep sh!t we are all in.”

SESSION
The World is in a Mess:
Really meh? Then how ah?

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL | BRAVE FEATS STUDENT CARE

Joanna Sin has over 20 years of experience working with children and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling. As the Assistant Principal at Brave Feats Student Care, she is dedicated to empowering children by enhancing their socio-emotional literacy and executive functioning skills, ensuring they are well-equipped for lifelong success.

“To build whole communities, we need to have deeper connections with our children.”

SESSION
Raising Children Compassionately:
How to build deeper connections using Non-Violent Communication

PEDAGOGIST | PLAYEUM

Karen is currently Playeum’s In-House Pedagogist. She is passionate about looking deeply into the potential of play in diverse settings. She is also invested in changing the narrative on children’s voices and in bringing back play for adults. She believes that playfulness is embedded in the human DNA but it is the one trait we tend to neglect most of the time.

Before she located her tribe at Playeum, she conceptualised several key educational projects at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve that promote eco-literacy for the preschool community in her 7 years there. Karen also spearheaded various children’s exhibitions as well as cultural awareness programmes for students and educators with the National Heritage Board, Singapore for more than 10 years. Her MA in Museum Studies triggered her research on embracing play in serious galleries and forever changed the trajectory of her journey with playful pedagogies.

“To build whole communities, we need to design and test a process where children can express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.”

SESSION
Children’s Circle:
What matters to our Children?

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | DAUGHTERS OF TOMORROW

A trained engineer, Kaylee is pioneer of Daughters Of Tomorrow, having spent eight years in various capacities including Program & Operations, Employment Bridging, Home-based Childminding and even IT System deployment and support.

Kaylee is committed to DOT’s vision of empowering women through financial independence and improving the socioeconomic mobility of the lower 20th percentile of women population in Singapore. DOT creates opportunities and promotes a more inclusive workplace for women by working with an ecosystem of partners so that low income families can be enabled with mobility.

“To build whole communities, we need to leave no one behind, consume less and build on meaningful relationships.”

SESSION
Living On The Edge:
What does poverty in Singapore look like?

STUDENT

Danial Asri was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 12, when his school teachers noticed his “significant difficulties in social communication and interaction”. Despite being bullied for expressing his emotions differently compared to his neurotypical peers, Danial persevered and did not allow this to affect his performance in school.

Having gone through discrimination and stigma by his peers and teachers, Danial made the decision to disclose his condition to his classmates when he enrolled in Temasek Polytechnic in 2017, and experienced a significant improvement in terms of his social interactions. Danial hopes to create a more inclusive society by breaking the stigma surrounding autism, and helping to clarify the assumptions that people may have about his condition.

“To build whole communities that are inclusive and understanding, we need to raise awareness on the challenges faced by parents/caregivers of SEN children.”

SESSION
Building an Inclusive Society:
How can we better support caregivers of children with special educational needs (SEN)?

LECTURER

Murray Ho is an educator with eight years of experience teaching at institute of higher learning (IHL), currently serving as a lecturer at a Business School in an IHL. With a passion for special educational needs (SEN), Murray champions inclusive practices within the business education sphere. She serves as an advisor to interest groups and students, playing a pivotal role in mentoring, coaching, and counseling students towards academic and personal success.

Murray is also a passionate advocate of using art for therapy, integrating creative approaches into her educational and counseling practices to foster holistic student development, both in academic and private settings.

“To build whole communities that are inclusive and understanding, we need to raise awareness on the challenges faced by parents/caregivers of SEN children.”

SESSION
Building an Inclusive Society:
How can we better support caregivers of children with special educational needs (SEN)?

EDITORIAL LEAD | KONTINENTALIST

Nabilah oversees the editorial direction of Kontinentalist. She has 14 years' experience in journalism, editorial, and creative/corporate communications. Nabilah is interested in the stories people tell, and facilitating conversations about the identities and spaces we inhabit.

“To build whole communities, we need to look around and listen.”

SESSION
Roots & Routes:
How do we map Bedok’s communities through time?

LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT LEAD | PLAYEUM

Nur Hafizah is the Learning Lead at Playeum with over six years of experience designing and leading inclusive, play-based programs aimed at fostering essential life skills in children. She specialises in scaling open-ended play-based learning initiatives by enhancing the capabilities of families and practitioners.

Hafizah's portfolio includes developing and implementing learning experiences for marginalised communities, collaborating effectively with schools, social service organisations, museums, and community groups to bring these initiatives to life.

Her work spans curating engaging workshops, crafting capability training for case workers and volunteers, and designing inclusive programs. She is passionately committed to creating empowering and connected communities where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Hafizah is dedicated to ensuring that every child is heard, valued, and included in decision-making processes.

“To build whole communities, we need to build playgrounds for our minds, bodies, and hearts, where we are respected and play a vital part.”

SESSION
Children’s Circle:
What matters to our Children?

CAREGIVER OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS

Tahirah is a mother of 10 kids, of whom 7 of them have SEN, ranging from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to ADHD to global development delay (GDD).

She has been a strong parent advocate for children with special needs for the past 17 years and mental health conditions for 9 years. She regularly gives back to the community by volunteering her time as a guest speaker & writer for Rainbow Centre, Unlocking ADHD, SPD, schools, printed and online media. She was also an Inclusion Champion with SPD for 2 years.

“To build whole communities that are inclusive and understanding, we need to raise awareness on the challenges faced by parents/caregivers of SEN children.”

SESSIONS
Children’s Circle:
What matters to our Children?

EX-SEN OFFICER & DIVERSITY & INCLUSION PARTNER

Winston has bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Although he graduated from National University of Singapore with an Honours Degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2014, Winston eventually pursued his passion to help students with special educational needs (SEN) as an SEN Officer, first in Nanyang Technological University for 2 years, then at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) for 5 years.

During his time in TP, Winston ventured into disability advocacy work and he was invited by various schools and organisations for panel discussions and to conduct disability awareness talks and training. Today, Winston is working at Inclus to help persons with disabilities (PWDs) find gainful employment, as well as provide consultancy services and training for corporates who are keen to journey on disability inclusion and inclusive hiring.

In 2013, Winston was awarded both the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities and the Outstanding Deaf Student (Tertiary) Award. In 2021, he was awarded the Goh Chok Tong Enable Award (UBS Promise).

“To build whole communities that are inclusive and understanding, we need to raise awareness on the challenges faced by parents/caregivers of SEN children.”

SESSION
Building an Inclusive Society:
How can we better support caregivers of children with special educational needs (SEN)?

COMMUNITY MANAGER | KONTINENTALIST

Samira is the Community & Digital Marketing Manager at Kontinentalist, where she takes care of partnerships and oversees outreach efforts and social media.

Over the past six years, she has done research, writing and community organising work on issues of migration, mental health and democracy in Asia.

“To build whole communities, we need to democratise decision-making powers amongst communities.”

SESSION
Roots & Routes:
How do we map Bedok’s communities through time?