Genashtim was featured in The Edge Malaysia for its efforts in advancing disability inclusion in the workplace. The feature placed the spotlight on four remarkable individuals at Genashtim – Tan Ee Beng, Amalina Hares, Mazrina Mahat, and Rajkumar Selvaraj – who continue to challenge conventional perceptions of ability in the workforce. Thomas and Grace Gan, manager of the Enabling Academy (EA), were also featured for their roles in advancing disability inclusion, including neurodiversity, within corporate environments.

Tan Ee Beng: Engineering Inclusion Through Resilience

Tan Ee Beng’s journey resonates deeply with many people with disabilities (PWDs) striving for recognition and opportunity. Despite facing obstacles due to his visual impairment, Tan’s resilience led him to Genashtim, where he now spearheads the ESG Services department.

Sharing an unpleasant experience at his previous workplace, Tan expressed disappointment with societal perceptions of people with disabilities. However, he remains optimistic, maintaining a strong focus on his abilities and on the growing realization that PWDs need support, not sympathy.

Thomas Ng: From Disappointment to Development

For Thomas, the journey toward inclusive employment began with his fascination with the talents and abilities of people with disabilities. While serving at a school for the blind in the Philippines, he was struck by the exceptional computer skills demonstrated by its students.

His admiration soon turned to disappointment when he discovered that many of these capable individuals were not being employed. Determined to create meaningful opportunities for them, Thomas went on to establish Genashtim in 2008 as a for-profit social enterprise that would challenge conventional hiring practices and workplace models by providing sustainable remote employment to people with disabilities.

Thomas’ commitment to empowering PWDs through gainful remote employment has since grown beyond those early beginnings, with Genashtim building a global workforce across six continents, all working remotely.

Amalina Hares and Mazrina Mahat: Champions of Remote Work and Inclusivity

Amalina Hares and Mazrina Mahat are living proof that physical challenges do not prevent meaningful participation in the workforce. Both successfully navigate remote work environments while balancing their responsibilities as mothers.

A Southeast Asian Games bronze medal winner, Amalina shared how working at Genashtim enables her to personalize her workspace according to her needs. Mazrina, meanwhile, values the flexibility that allows her to continue working while caring for her daughter, who has epilepsy, underscoring the transformative potential of flexible work arrangements.

Rajkumar Raj: Achieving Success Through a Growth Mindset

Raj, an independent verification analyst (IVA) for B Corp, exemplifies the value of harnessing diverse perspectives in advancing disability inclusion.

He emphasizes the importance of confronting challenges with a progressive mindset to continue moving forward and creating more opportunities, rather than settling into complacency.

Grace Gan: Empowering the Neurodivergent Community for Employment

Grace Gan’s leadership at Yayasan Gamuda’s Enabling Academy (EA) embodies a steadfast commitment to advancing neurodiversity in the workplace. Through innovative programs and strategic partnerships, Gan and her team continue to redefine corporate inclusivity by helping neurodiverse individuals realize their full potential.

The Enabling Academy’s holistic approach to employment transition and ongoing support demonstrates the transformative power of collaborative initiatives in driving systemic change and creating a more inclusive ecosystem where opportunity, support, and accessibility extend across the disability and neurodivergent spectrum.

Championing Disability Inclusion: A Collective Endeavor

For Thomas, the feature in The Edge Malaysia is not simply recognition of Genashtim’s work, but an opportunity to highlight the people whose experiences demonstrate what inclusive employment can make possible. He believes that meaningful progress comes through collective action and a sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Under his leadership, Genashtim continues to foster an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, with a strong sense of belonging. For Thomas, building a more inclusive future means creating workplaces where diversity is genuinely embraced, opportunities are accessible, and every individual is given the chance to contribute and succeed.