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.
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.
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
|
Nation Building School
|
Accelerators (to amplify the impact!)
|
Acumen Academy Fellow (2021)
|
|
ASEAN Youth Fellow (2018)
|
|
World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shaper
|
|
Toastmasters International Vice President Public Relations for Bangsar Club, Kuala Lumpur (2013-2014)
|
Educational Background (to remind me I'm a nerd at heart)
London School of Economics and Political Science (2019-2020)
|
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (2010-2012)
|
Profile
Zaim is the Senior Director of External Relations of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI), an internationally-ranked regional think tank based in Malaysia. Through his work in KSI, Zaim has established prominent platforms such as the ASEAN Economic Club and the World Digital Chamber. With over 10 years of public policy experience, Zaim was the Founding Chairman of Impact Integrated, a government agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports from 2018 to 2023.
Zaim Mohzani is also a Co-Founder of Nation Building School, a social enterprise dedicated to tackling systemic unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. Zaim is currently its Chief Career Coach, helping professionals pivot into careers they love.
Over 10 years, he has established three non-profit organisations that have impacted over 30,000 young people. In recognition of his work, Zaim has been selected for various fellowships and leadership programmes including Dalai Lama Fellows, Acumen Academy Fellowship, British Council Future Leaders Connect, World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, U.S. Department of State’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship and ASEAN Youth Fellowship. Zaim is also the founder and chair of the YSEALI Council of Malaysia (YCOM), among the first YSEALI alumni associations in the region. He was appointed as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
Zaim holds a Master of Science (MSc) in International Strategy and Diplomacy (Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science from Monash University (Australia). He was selected as a finalist for the British Council's UK Alumni Awards 2021-2022. As a Chevening scholar, Zaim has served as the President of Chevening Alumni Malaysia (2020-2022) and is currently the Founder of the Chevening Alumni Southeast Asian Network (CASEAN).
Zaim Mohzani is also a Co-Founder of Nation Building School, a social enterprise dedicated to tackling systemic unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. Zaim is currently its Chief Career Coach, helping professionals pivot into careers they love.
Over 10 years, he has established three non-profit organisations that have impacted over 30,000 young people. In recognition of his work, Zaim has been selected for various fellowships and leadership programmes including Dalai Lama Fellows, Acumen Academy Fellowship, British Council Future Leaders Connect, World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, U.S. Department of State’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship and ASEAN Youth Fellowship. Zaim is also the founder and chair of the YSEALI Council of Malaysia (YCOM), among the first YSEALI alumni associations in the region. He was appointed as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
Zaim holds a Master of Science (MSc) in International Strategy and Diplomacy (Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science from Monash University (Australia). He was selected as a finalist for the British Council's UK Alumni Awards 2021-2022. As a Chevening scholar, Zaim has served as the President of Chevening Alumni Malaysia (2020-2022) and is currently the Founder of the Chevening Alumni Southeast Asian Network (CASEAN).