Kuala lumpur: Over 300 students and young professionals had the rare chance to walk side-by-side with top corporate leaders in the inaugural 'Leaders on the Walk' programme, turning the historic Perdana Botanical Garden, here, into a five-kilometre open-air mentorship arena.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the unique initiative by Experian Malaysia, held in conjunction with the Merdeka month, brought together more than 20 C-suite executives and industry figures for an informal yet impactful exchange of ideas, personal stories and career insights.
Experian Malaysia Country Head and Human Resources Director Chua Chai Ping said the programme was inspired by the need to bridge the generational gap and reduce power distance between seasoned leaders and emerging talent. Chua emphasized the importance of creating a platform where leaders from various industries can connect with aspiring managers, budding leaders, and university students, providing an opportunity that is seldom available.
She described the event as an empowering Merdeka initiative, aligning with the company's tradition of giving back to the community. Chua also mentioned that 'Leaders on the Walk' is intended to be the start of a long-term mentorship ecosystem rather than a one-off activity. Supported by partners such as GBS Networking Circle and PIKOM-GBS Malaysia, Experian Malaysia is committed to championing leadership development and nation-building initiatives for the future.
Participant, K. Mathura, co-founder of Ascendance, a youth organization, noted the experience as a rare opportunity to learn directly from senior leaders in a relaxed and open environment. Mathura expressed her belief in the value of learning from others' experiences and found the event to be an enjoyable learning opportunity.
Wong Xin Yi, a student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), shared that the walk allowed her to see leaders in a different light. She appreciated the relaxed atmosphere which enabled a more equitable exchange of insights, often not shared in more formal settings.
The event was supported by leading corporations, including TalentCorp, Lumileds, Sanofi, Ernst and Young, Dell, Abbott, HSBC, Shell, and BASF Asia-Pacific Service Centre.