PETALING JAYA: Meet Micky Ng, a “chief imagination officer” and founder of an event agency specialising in conferences.
It’s a role she has held for almost eight years.
Prior to that, Ng was the event director in the same company.
“My core responsibility is to imagine possibilities before they exist and guide teams to turn those ideas into meaningful work,” she said.
In practical terms, Ng said her day revolves around shaping concepts, solving problems creatively and ensuring projects remain human and impactful rather than merely efficient.
“I imagine the ‘why’, the ‘what if’ and the ‘what’s next’, then help the team bring those ideas to life in a practical way,” she said in an interview.
Ng, 44, explained that her job title is not a gimmick created for effect but a role that emerged naturally as she built the company.
“The title came after the role, not the other way around,” she said.
Ng acknowledged that there had been a gamut of reactions to her job designation.
“It ranged from curiosity to scepticism but it would usually lead to deeper conversations about the value of creativity at work.
“Unconventional titles open doors to better conversations and remind people that work doesn’t always have to fit rigid labels,” said Ng, who has a degree in mass communication, majoring in advertising and public relations.
Another Malaysian with an unconventional designation is Aina Farhana Zulkifli, who works as a “low-carbon inspiration engineer” at a sustainability consultancy firm.
The 34-year-old explained that her role was to help companies rethink everyday operations, from energy use to employee behaviour, in ways that reduce carbon emissions.
“My job is part technical, part motivational.
“I translate data into actions people can actually adopt because sustainability only works when people feel inspired, not forced,” she said.
Aina Farhana acknowledged that her job title often draws puzzled looks but it helps signal that her work goes beyond compliance or reporting.
“It tells people that sustainability is not just about numbers, but about changing mindsets,” Aina Farhana said.
Aina Farhana, who has a background in environmental engineering, began her career in carbon auditing and compliance reporting before realising that data alone was not enough to drive change.
“I started in the technical side of sustainability, such as calculating emissions and preparing reports, but I noticed companies would file the reports away and move on,” she said.
Aina Farhana explained that her shift into her current role came from a desire to bridge the gap between technical solutions and human behaviour.
“I realised we needed to inspire people, not just instruct them.
“That’s how I ended up combining engineering knowledge with behavioural change strategies,” she said.
