Izz-spiring lead

Girl power: Izzana (centre) says there have been many success stories of G4G workshop participants. — Photos courtesy of Izzana Salleh

WHEN Izzana Salleh reflects on her journey, one thing stands out: the power of belief – both in oneself and in others.

Raised in a family that values leadership and public service, she saw early on how courage and determination could open doors. These early lessons shaped her vision for empowering others, particularly young women, to rise to leadership roles with confidence and purpose.

Her journey has been marked by academic excellence and a profound commitment to social impact. With a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University, Izzana combines a strong educational foundation with a passion for creating meaningful change.

In 2017, Izzana co-founded Project Girls4Girls (G4G), an international non-governmental organisation that began when she was still studying. G4G’s mission is simple yet transformative; to empower young women with the courage, vision and skills to take on leadership roles in their communities and beyond.

What started as a small initiative has grown into a global movement, active in over 40 countries and positively impacting the lives of more than 17, 500 women and girls. Through mentorship programmes, workshops and community-building initiatives, G4G has become a platform for women to connect, learn and lead.

Since its Malaysian launch in 2019, G4G has made significant progress in equipping young women to embrace leadership roles.

Signature initiatives, such as mentorship cohorts, skill-building workshops, and "Brunch and Build" networking events, provide inclusive spaces where women can grow, connect, and support one another.

The impact of these programs is evident. One mentee achieved a 20-fold salary increase over the course of her career, while a mentor credits G4G with reigniting her professional ambition.

Beyond individual success stories, G4G also tackles systemic challenges, addressing issues like workplace harassment, gender bias, and work-life balance. The organisation fosters a safe environment for women to openly discuss these barriers while advocating for systemic changes, such as workplace equity, expanded childcare access, and greater gender diversity in leadership roles.

Looking ahead, G4G as a global entity has set an ambitious goal: to train one million women leaders by 2030 through digital platforms and strategic partnerships, which reflects the organisation’s commitment to a future where women lead meaningful progress across all sectors of society.

Izzana says G4G's mission is to empower young women and girls to find the courage, vision and skills they need to achieve their fullest leadership potential.

Before co-founding G4G, Izzana had a diverse career that showcased her leadership skills and innovative thinking.

As CEO of RISE Human Capital, she focused on driving social and behavioural transformation through progressive policy interventions. She also played key roles in Malaysia’s talent development and digital economy sectors, serving on the boards of TalentCorp and MDEC, as well as contributing as a member of the investment panel for Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).

In addition to her Harvard degree, Izzana holds an MBA from Imperial College Business School in London and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from California State University, Pomona.

> Since its inception in 2019, what are some of the key milestones and achievements of the G4G Malaysian chapter?

G4G was born in the United States in 2017, when a group of us co-founders from Harvard Kennedy School, then postgraduate students, decided to team up and create an impactful platform dedicated to empowering women with the courage, vision, and skills to step into their fullest leadership potential. It made its way to Malaysian shores in 2019, with my return to Kuala Lumpur.

On a broad scale, we’ve significantly expanded our partnerships, collaborating with corporate organisations, government agencies, universities, and NGOs. These alliances have been instrumental in amplifying our reach and delivering meaningful programmes tailored to Malaysia’s diverse communities.

On the ground, our mentorship model has fostered extraordinary two-way transformations. The industry mentors we bring on board have not only guided and uplifted our mentees but they also experience “reverse mentoring” – their mentees’ passion and resilience reignite their own ambitions, providing newfound purpose in their personal and professional lives.

However, the true highlight of our journey lies in the transformations of our mentees. Throughout the programme, we witness their courage grow exponentially – whether taking bold steps toward leadership, negotiating for better opportunities, or advocating for the salaries they deserve.

These successes are more than individual triumphs; they symbolise the broader ripple effect of empowering women to uplift families, communities, and society.

> What are the current ongoing projects that G4G Malaysia is focusing on to empower young women in public leadership?

Our mission is to empower young women and girls to find the courage, vision and skills they need to achieve their fullest leadership potential. This mission drives every project and initiative we undertake, as we strive to equip future female leaders with the tools and opportunities to thrive in leadership roles.

One of our flagship initiatives is the mentorship cohorts we run in collaboration with our partners, including corporate organisations, universities and NGOs. These cohorts provide safe and nurturing spaces for young women to build essential skill sets, practise leadership frameworks through role-playing and gain inspiration from successful women who share their journeys.

By combining practical frameworks and videos – both curated with the advice of our Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School professors – along with role playing a healthy dose of raw storytelling, we create an environment where mentees can see themselves as leaders and learn to navigate challenges with confidence.

In addition to the mentorship programmes, we offer complementary leadership workshops tailored to meet the specific needs and demands of our community. These workshops cover a wide range of topics, from personal branding to public speaking, ensuring that participants have access to resources that enhance their leadership toolkit.

Finally, we facilitate networking sessions that allow women and girls to forge meaningful connections with peers, mentors and industry leaders. These sessions provide a platform for building long-lasting relationships that can support their personal and professional growth.

Through these initiatives, G4G Malaysia continues to foster a community of empowered women who are not only ready to take on leadership roles but are also equipped to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

> Are there any upcoming initiatives or programmes that you are particularly excited about?

One initiative we’re particularly proud of is our recently launched G4G Brunch and Build networking event, which brought together women and girls in a supportive environment to connect, exchange ideas and cultivate meaningful professional relationships.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received reinforces the need for spaces and ecosystems that cater to the unique needs of women leaders. These spaces are designed to be safe, inclusive and structured – providing a more comfortable alternative to traditional networking settings.

For many women, particularly busy working mothers or those new to networking, Brunch and Build offers a format that works within their schedules and creates opportunities for impactful connections, all while encouraging those who may need a little nudge to step out of their shells and achieve their full potential.

Moving forward, we plan to expand this initiative and introduce more programmes that align with these principles, creating platforms where women can grow, learn, and lead in ways that are both meaningful and sustainable for them.

At G4G Malaysia, we believe that empowering women to thrive on their terms will not only transform individual lives but also inspire broader societal change.

> How do you approach leadership within the organisation and what strategies do you use to inspire or motivate your team and members?

Our approach to leadership is rooted in collaboration, inclusivity and empowerment. We believe in leading by example – demonstrating the courage, vision, and resilience that we encourage in others – while fostering an environment where every team member and participant feels valued and heard.

One of our key strategies is cultivating a shared sense of purpose. At G4G Malaysia, we are driven by the mission of empowering young women and girls to step into leadership roles, and we continuously remind ourselves and our team that every contribution makes a real difference in shaping future leaders and building a more equitable society.

Purpose is a powerful motivator, and when everyone understands how their efforts align with the larger vision, it inspires collective action and commitment.

We also prioritise creating a culture of trust and open communication. Within our organisation, we ensure that everyone, from mentors to mentees, has a voice. Feedback, ideas, and even constructive criticism are welcomed because we believe leadership is about listening, learning and growing together.

Motivating our team involves recognising and celebrating wins, both big and small. Acknowledging the dedication and contributions of our members and volunteers strengthens their sense of value and fuels their passion for the work we do. At the same time, we encourage innovation and creativity, empowering individuals to take ownership of ideas and lead initiatives that align with their strengths and interests.

Finally, we believe deeply in the power of mentorship and shared learning.

Leadership is not a one-way journey; we gain as much inspiration and insight from our team and participants as we hope to provide them. This mutual exchange of ideas creates a vibrant, motivated, and forward-thinking community within G4G Malaysia.

> What are some of the challenges that G4G Malaysia has faced in its efforts to empower young women?

We are committed to empowering young women to overcome systemic barriers and unlock their full leadership potential. While challenges like sexual harassment, gender bias in hiring and promotions, pregnancy discrimination, and under-representation in leadership roles persist, we see these obstacles as opportunities to create meaningful and lasting change.

Through our mentorship cohorts and leadership workshops, we provide women with the tools, skills, and confidence to navigate these challenges with resilience. These programmes create safe, supportive spaces where participants can engage in open dialogue about issues like workplace harassment or career setbacks and gain actionable strategies to overcome them.

We also focus on addressing work-life balance, a challenge faced by many women due to limited childcare options and societal caregiving expectations. Our Brunch and Build networking events, for instance, are specifically designed to meet women where they are – offering inclusive, structured, and family-friendly platforms where they can connect, grow, and forge meaningful professional relationships. These events demonstrate that leadership and personal commitments are not mutually exclusive but can thrive together.

To combat persistent stereotypes and promote gender equality, we prioritise education and awareness. By fostering a deeper understanding of gender issues, we empower women to challenge societal norms and inspire others to do the same.

We firmly believe that every conversation, every workshop and every connection contributes to shifting cultural mindsets and building a future where women’s leadership is the norm, not the exception.

Furthermore, we are equipping women to take tangible steps toward economic empowerment. Whether it’s negotiating better salaries or pursuing leadership opportunities, we encourage women to embrace their potential and claim their rightful space.

Through these efforts, we’re contributing to greater female representation in leadership roles and helping to close the gender gap across industries.

> How has G4G Malaysia contributed to the broader societal change in Malaysia?

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is hearing the success stories of our participants and mentors.

As one of our community members shared, the G4G programmes equipped her with the tools to re-negotiate salaries, advocate for promotions, and effectively communicate her strengths. Over eight years and four career transitions, she deployed our Harvard Kennedy School professors’ negotiations framework and role played with our mentors. This helped her grow her self-confidence significantly so much that she managed to secure a salary increase of 20-fold during that time.

Another inspiring story comes from one of our mentors, a managing director, who credits the programme with teaching her to take risks. This mindset shift has not only elevated her career but also reinforced the importance of leading by example and encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones.

We’ve also seen incredible transformations in our mentees. One participant shared how G4G helped her conquer her fears and develop greater self-awareness. Today, she’s more confident, open to new opportunities, and actively participating in platforms that build her leadership skills. Her journey exemplifies how our programmes give women the courage to push past limitations and realise their full potential.

By empowering individuals to grow, lead and take action, we’re helping to create a society where women’s leadership is celebrated and where they have the tools to contribute meaningfully across all sectors.

The transformations we witness fuel our commitment to building a future where more women in Malaysia can step into leadership roles and drive the societal progress we all aspire to achieve.

> G4G Global aims to train one million future leaders by 2030. What unique strategies does G4G Malaysia employ to achieve this ambitious goal?

Many of us co-founders are strong believers in setting what we call “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” (BHAGs). This ambitious target is our BHAG at G4G – a vision that inspires us to think boldly, act courageously, and continuously push beyond our comfort zones to create real, lasting impact.

One of the things that I learned from a former boss was the core principles of transformation, one of which was the concept of playing the “game of the impossible”. This approach encourages overcoming the fear of failure by setting Olympic-level goals that challenge us to think and work differently. By starting with seemingly impossible targets, we cultivate innovative, transformational ways of working and that mindset drives everything we do at G4G Malaysia.

Our commitment to going digital has also been a game-changer. By leveraging technology, we’ve expanded our programmes to touch lives in over 40 countries, including Malaysia. This digital approach allows us to scale our initiatives, overcome geographical barriers, and reach women and girls who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities.

To achieve this ambitious goal, we recognise the power of partnerships. We’re always looking for like-minded organisations and leaders who are ready to go big on impact with us.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of our strategy, and we welcome anyone who shares our vision to connect with us and help drive this mission forward.

Ultimately, G4G Malaysia is playing an integral role in this global vision by fostering boldness, embracing innovation, and building an ecosystem that empowers women and girls to lead fearlessly. Together, we’re not just imagining a better future – we’re actively building it, one leader at a time.