ZAIM MOHZANI

Senior Director of External Relations, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific
&
Career Strategist, Nation Building School

Purpose (Why I do what I do?)

I grew up a loser. I'm serious. I was socially awkward (maybe I still am), shy and quiet. I had few Facebook friends, even fewer real friends. I neither excelled in academics nor sports. I struggled through my childhood and teenage years. I thought I was the odd one out. I didn't have anyone to tell me it was okay to be an introvert.

Everything changed when I went to university. That's when someone saw something in me — something I never knew. He empowered me — gave me a leadership opportunity. And I thrived.

Ever since then, that has been my purpose: Seeing in people what they can’t see in themselves so they can live their best careers and lives.

Goal (How do I plan to achieve my purpose?)

I believe in the transformative power of community. This fundamental belief not only explains my journey to where I am today but also fuels my dedication to giving back. I harness my skills in community-building, public policy, and youth development to make a meaningful impact.
A critical concern and area of passion for me is the issue of decent work and employment. An overlooked global unemployment crisis is unfolding, characterised by escalating wage inequality, underemployment, and youth unemployment, exacerbated by a mismatch in skills and economic structural shifts.

As the Senior Director of External Relations at the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI), an internationally-ranked regional think tank based in Malaysia, I address these challenges from a broader ASEAN perspective. With over a decade of experience in public policy, including serving as the Founding Chairman of Impact Integrated under the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports from 2018 to 2023, my approach to these issues is informed by extensive regional insights and strategic leadership.

In addition to my policy work, I have actively engaged in career coaching since 2015 through the Nation Building School, helping young professionals navigate career pivots towards fulfilling roles. My efforts significantly ramped up during the pandemic, when I managed to achieve five-figure success in career coaching within just three months. Since then, I've had a direct impact on the lives of more than 500 professionals, aiding them in achieving their career aspirations.

Through these multifaceted efforts, from direct career coaching to strategic policy advocacy, I am committed to addressing the global unemployment crisis, leveraging my roles and experiences to foster a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.

Leadership Roles (What am I actually doing?)

KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI)
Senior Director of External Relations

KSI is a prominent think tank in Southeast Asia, focusing on sustainable development, digital economy and peacebuilding.
I manage high-level multistakeholder partnerships in the region including with governments of Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.
I've also played leading secretariat roles for our global initiatives such as Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur (ECKL), ASEAN Economic Club (AEC) and World Digital Chamber (WDC)

Nation Building School
Co-Founder & Career Strategist

Founded in 2015, Nation Building School is a social impact organisation dedicated to tackling unemployment and underemployment.
Engaged over 10,000 youths through workshops and outreach programmes.
Awarded The Edge Inspiring Young Leaders 2019 for our contributions.

Accelerators (to amplify the impact!)

Dalai Lama Fellows (2022)

Dalai Lama Fellows (DLF) is a unique one-year leadership program for emerging social change makers designed to help them cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and compassion
One of the 22 Fellows from 17 different countries working on a variety of social innovation projects that promote the flourishing of our communities
DLF inspired me to conceive and launch the Malaysia Jobs Coalition -- and to play a bigger game!

British Council Future Leaders Connect (2021)

Over 50 policy leaders selected out of 10,000 applicants worldwide, representing 13 countries
One of the four Malaysian participants; first time Malaysia has joined the programme
Underwent six weeks of intensive capacity-building activities to sharpen policy vision on zero youth unemployment

Acumen Academy Fellow (2021)

Acumen Academy is part of Acumen, a global U.S.-based non-profit impact investment fund with a mission to tackling poverty.
Being an Acumen Academy Malaysia 2021 Fellow, it's a one year journey learning the best social impact tools, strategies and mindset change.
The best part about being a Fellow is having a group of 18 like-minded comrades to go through with it you!

Chevening Scholar (2019/2020)

A fully-funded one-year Master's scholarship in the United Kingdom sponsored by the UK Government.
Selected for the Chevening Scholarship 2019/2020 batch.
Served as the President of Chevening Alumni Malaysia (2020/2022).

American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) Professional Fellow (2018)

Selected for the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellow Program, specifically Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Spring 2018 for Governance and Society.
Attached to the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and placed with YouthCARE Minnesota; based in Washington, D.C. for 2 weeks and spent 4 weeks in Minneapolis, Minnesota (while also visiting Fargo, North Dakota!).
Co-founded the YSEALI Council of Malaysia (YCOM), official alumni association of the YSEALI community in Malaysia.

ASEAN Youth Fellow (2018)

Selected for the inaugural 1st ASEAN Youth Fellowship jointly organised by Singapore International Foundation and National Youth Council Singapore with the full support of the government of Singapore.
Spent one whole week in Singapore engaging policymakers (former Deputy Prime Minister Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Minister of Culture, Community and Youth Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien), business leaders and NGO leaders.
Participated in the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) in Pulau Ubin!

Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) Associate Fellow

Selected as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society after my (failed) application for the Queen's Young Leaders Award.
Appointed as a member of the Literacy Working Group for the Asia.
Participated in high-level events in London including the Commonwealth Day 2020 in Westminister Abbey, Commonwealth Banquet 2020 and even a rare tour of Australia House!

Youth Advisor (ACTYVATE/Blue Ocean Youth Movement), Ministry of Finance Malaysia

Selected as one of a dozen prominent youth activists, social entrepreneurs and CSO leaders by the Ministry of Finance for the Blue Ocean Youth Movement initiative called ACTYVATE.
ACTYVATE was a unique online crowd-pledging and -funding platform that allows young Malaysian to initiate strategic projects across Malaysia.
Involved in various engagements and outreach programmes to promote, onboard and support youth activists, SEs and NGOs for the platform.

World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shaper

Selected as a Global Shaper with the Kuala Lumpur Hub from 2015 to 2020 -- and now officially an alumnus.
Conceived and organised the Global Shapers Speakers Series (SSS) which featured changemakers and NGOs in Malaysia.
Enjoyed connecting with Global Shapers from all over the world — and even had the chance to sit in in a Global Shapers London hub meeting!

AIESEC in Malaysia Supervisory Chair (2017-2021)

I'm actually not an AIESECer but was brought in as a member of the Supervisory Group (SG) for AIESEC in Malaysia in late 2016. Subsequently (probably due to making a lot of noise!), I was elected as SG Chair in 2017.
I've had the absolute privilege of mentoring and reverse mentoring (i.e. learning from) the successive committees of AIESEC in Malaysia!
I've formally stepped down as the SG altogether in 2021 due to other commitments. But I still have the utmost respect for the work this global movement does for youth development!

Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (PFAA) Founding President (2013-2014)

Selected as an inaugural Perdana Fellow (akin to White House Fellow) to the former Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities from 2013 to 2014.
Founded the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (similar to White House Fellows Foundation and Association) to build a changemakers from the network of Perdana Fellows to contribute to nation-building in Malaysia.
Secured the patronage of the Prime Minister, which has led to the successful continuation and institutionalisation of the Perdana Fellowship Programme despite the changes in government!

Toastmasters International Vice President Public Relations for Bangsar Club, Kuala Lumpur (2013-2014)

Grateful to be a member of the Toastmasters International — a global movement to improve public speaking and leadership.
Recognised as one of the youngest and fastest member to be elected in the executive committee of the Bangsar Club
Strengthened the established brand of Bangsar Toastmasters through social media, attracting up to 10 new guests in every meeting. Successfully won numerous awards – ‘Best Speaker’ – and represented the club for area and division contests!

Educational Background (to remind me I'm a nerd at heart)

London School of Economics and Political Science (2019-2020)

Course: MSc in International Strategy and Diplomacy (Distinction)
Top 3 of the class. My dissertation title was "Disrupted by AI? Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the U.S-China Arms Dynamics".
Modules include "Strategy in a Changing World", "Diplomacy and Its Challenges", and "Strategy In Action"; classes accompanied with simulations of diplomacy and negotiation conducted by ambassadors and practitioners.
Recipient of the Chevening Scholarship by the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (2010-2012)

Course: BA in Arts in Political Science
Coursework included the international political economy, media studies, world politics, and policy analysis of trade agreements on emerging economies.
Student leader: National Deputy Chairperson (2012-2013) of Malaysian Students' Council of Australia (MASCA) and State Deputy Chairperson of MASCA Victoria (2011-2012).

Profile

Zaim Mohzani is the Senior Director of External Relations at KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, ASEAN’s top-ranked regional think tank. Through KSI, he leads significant initiatives, including the ASEAN Economic Club and the World Digital Chamber, that enhance regional cooperation and digital innovation. Previously, Zaim served as the Founding Chairman of Impact Integrated under the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports, driving national youth policy and development from 2018 to 2023.

As a Co-Founder and Career Strategist of Nation Building School, a social enterprise, Zaim addresses systemic youth unemployment by equipping young and mid-career professionals with employability skills. His leadership extends to founding three non-profits, collectively impacting over 30,000 youths. He is Malaysia's first Designing Your Life (DYL) coach certified by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans of Stanford University. His leadership extends to founding three non-profits, collectively impacting over 30,000 youths.

Zaim was honoured as one of the Inspiring Young Leaders by The Edge Media in 2019 and received the prestigious Best Perdana Fellow award in 2023. His leadership acumen has been recognised through selections to various prominent programs, including Dalai Lama Fellows, Acumen Academy Fellowship, British Council Future Leaders Connect, World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, U.S. Department of State YSEALI Professional Fellowship, and ASEAN Youth Fellowship. Additionally, he is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society and has contributed as a youth advisor to the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Zaim earned a Master of Science in International Strategy and Diplomacy with Distinction from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Monash University. A Chevening Scholar, he led Chevening Alumni Malaysia and founded the Chevening Alumni Southeast Asian Network.