Cover Meet Aida Zunaidi, Ayana Jihye Moon and Nur Dinie Fadil, the inspiring trailblazers who are paving a better future for women and girls (Photo: Natalina Zainal)
Meet Aida Zunaidi, Ayana Jihye Moon and Nur Dinie Fadil, the inspiring trailblazers who are paving a better future for women and girls (Photo: Natalina Zainal)
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Meet the inspiring trailblazers under 30 years old, who are paving a better future for women and girls in Malaysia through education, entrepreneurship and community
Acclaimed poet and activist Maya Angelou famously said once: “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of sharing the stories of incredible women trailblazers who have both excelled in their chosen industries while sparking long overdue conversations about equality. While some have opened up about their trials and triumphs, many still toil behind-the-scenes with their achievements unseen or known only to a few. It’s time we changed that.
Now in its third year in Malaysia, The Front & Female Awards recognises groundbreaking women who are inspiring progress for women and girls and affecting change for other women through their work and lives.
In December 2024, we opened public nominations for the awards to seek out the individuals who fit this criteria, whether it be advocating for women’s rights or equity, closing gender gaps, driving the female agenda, or blazing a trail and breaking barriers for others to follow.
Presented in partnership with Sime Darby Property, BMW Malaysia, L’Oréal Paris, Lladro and Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, The Front & Female Awards ceremony will take place on March 20 in Kuala Lumpur, where we will announce the six winners from these inspiring nominees, identified with the help of our expert voting committee comprising some the most influential names in finance, sports, healthcare, arts, technology, and more in Malaysia.
Read more: Meet the incredible winners of Front & Female Awards Malaysia 2024
Three nominees were shortlisted for this year’s Rising Champion category for the Awards—given to an individual aged 30 or under whose work inspires or champions women and girls to drive their advancement.
We spoke to these inspiring ladies ahead of the Awards to find out what motivates them and the most rewarding aspects of their work.
Ayana Jihye Moon
Above Seoul-born Ayana is an entrepreneur, model, author and founder of Ayana Foundation
Seoul-born Ayana is an entrepreneur, model, author and founder of Ayana Foundation
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From being penniless in a foreign country to navigating prejudice and adversity in her teens, Ayana Jihye Moon’s story is as inspiring as it is incredible. Hailing from a wealthy family in Seoul, South Korea, Ayana converted to Islam at the age of 16, despite the disapproval of her parents. With no support from her family, Ayana moved to Malaysia to learn more about Islam, enrolling as a student at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
“I was poor. I lived at friend’s home and started working as a model to make money,” shares Ayana, who authored Ayana Journey to Islam, available in Bahasa Indonesia and Malay. “Alhamdulillah, after several years, I became financially stable in Malaysia and Indonesia, gaining recognition as a brand ambassador, best-selling author, and the CEO and founder of Ayana Foundation.”
Ayana Foundation aims to provide financial support and mentorship to young women who face similar challenging circumstances. Establishing the foundation using her own funds, Ayana launched the Ayana Scholarship to help underprivileged and promising female students pursuing higher studies at IIUM. The scholarship covers tuition and boarding fees for four years for up to 15 female students.
“I walk the talk. What I am doing now is a promise to respond to the du’a I made in my most difficult times,” Ayana says, challenging the misconception that only enormously wealthy people can give back to society.
What drives you to do what you do?
I always felt indebted to Malaysia and Indonesia for giving me a chance and becoming family to me. I believe that if we give excellent students proper educational opportunities, we will be able to create more female leaders and change-makers. I wanted to share this value with many less fortunate girls out there who have potential.
The Ayana Foundation and Scholarship support talented B40 female students and offer a community for these women to grow together. My foundation is not a place to simply feed and patronise less fortunate women, but a platform to share my experiences, support, and connect them to society.
It is especially important for B40 women to know how to climb the hierarchical ladder themselves on their own and that spirit will be a great help in improving women’s human rights in Malaysia as a whole.
What impact do you want to make in the next five years?
I aim to significantly expand the Ayana Scholarship, increasing the number of female students supported by three to four times. I also plan to launch the Ayana Exclusive Internship to connect talented women with companies that value workers’ rights. Additionally, I plan to establish the Ayana CSR Fund and Impact Fund to drive long-term change, leveraging my business network to launch these initiatives within the next two years. While the foundation’s core mission is women’s empowerment, we will also champion issues like climate change, ensuring a lasting, sustainable impact.
What advice would you share with other women on becoming change-makers in their own right?
Always be sincere and work hard. Always think about why you did this in the first place. Don’t work just to show off on social media.
Aida Zunaidi
Above Aida Zunaidi is the co-founder and CEO of Ibupreneur
Aida Zunaidi is the co-founder and CEO of Ibupreneur
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You will learn a lot about life through the lens of others.
Years ago, Aida Zunaidi recognised how many women from low-income households suffered during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns—particularly single mothers with little savings and who lived on daily income—some as little as RM40 a day. Still a student then, she established Ibupreneur to give these struggling mothers a shot at financial independence.
This social enterprise helps underprivileged women living in urban poverty to become micro-entrepreneurs, scaling their businesses and offering educational opportunities to boost their skills and financial independence. Thanks to its educational arm, Ibupreneur Academy, graduates’ average household income increased from RM1,605 to over RM4,000 after completing the Ibupreneur Academy’s online and offline programmes.
“It is often that I meet women on survival mode,” Aida says. “It is super important that we provide an avenue for them to have basic needs fulfilled, access to resources that improve their knowledge, and a caring environment to break the cycle of urban poverty from growing further.”
What drives your work today?
Seeing life changes for the better, such as children returning to school after dropping out, mothers having additional savings to treat their children, or a family moving to a safer neighbourhood. Our goal is to uplift women out of urban poverty through education both in technical and life problem-solving skills. An empowered woman lives purposefully, but I meet women who find that unimaginable because they are fighting to survive daily. I want to break that trauma before it continues to the next generation.
Who inspires you and why?
Melinda Gates. Her innovative solutions to champion women and family’s wellness are remarkable—from her work in Africa, Bangladesh, and deeper parts of the world. I’m so excited for her book The Next Day on transitions, change and moving forward.
What are your philosophies about work and life?
Stay calm and humble. Always be open to listen to feedback, improve, and grow. I’ve seen too many plot twists to take life for granted. C’est la vie!
Nur Dinie Fadil
Above Nur Dinie Fadil is the executive director and co-founder of GAP Malaysia (Generasi Aspirasi Pemimpin Wanita Malaysia)
Nur Dinie Fadil is the executive director and co-founder of GAP Malaysia (Generasi Aspirasi Pemimpin Wanita Malaysia)
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It makes all the difference in the world to have a seat at the table where decisions are made, and to have your voice heard when it matters. This is exactly what fuels Nur Dinie Fadil’s resolve to champion women’s voices through GAP Malaysia (Generasi Aspirasi Pemimpin Wanita Malaysia). GAP Malaysia is an NGO that advances women’s political empowerment in Malaysia, amplifying their voices in leadership and preparing women for political leadership in Malaysia—a historically male-dominated arena.
“Leading GAP Malaysia matters to me because it allows me to directly empower women and girls nationwide and drive meaningful change through advocacy,” Dinie says. “We have directly impacted more than 3,000 women and girls since the founding year 2021 through capacity building programmes and our #BreakWithGAP initiatives.”
GAP’s political participating programmes have called for greater female representation in the Malaysian Parliament and state assemblies. Beyond her NGO work, Dinie manages the Malaysian Women & Girls Forum (MWGF), a UN-backed platform driving gender equality through policy and advocacy.
What drives your work today?
I am committed to empowering women and girls in Malaysia—across politics, economics, and society to ensure they have a voice, the opportunities they deserve, and a place at the table where decisions are made.
Who inspires you and why?
The women around me. GAP Malaysia was co-founded by myself, Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza, Datuk Azlinda Zubir, and other women leaders from politics and business to empower women and girls politically and economically. I am inspired by trailblazers like YB Dato Sri Azalina, whose leadership in reform, law and governance drives change for women and girls, and Puan Sri Bibi, whose grassroots efforts uplift communities. Their dedication, along with other women leaders, fuels my commitment to breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and ensuring women have a strong voice in shaping Malaysia’s future.
Through leadership training, financial literacy programs, and policy advocacy, we equip women with the skills to lead. Our mission is to accelerate action toward gender equality, ensuring women’s voices are heard, valued, and included in shaping Malaysia’s future.
Be sure to check out the other nominees shortlisted for the Front & Female Awards 2025:
- The trailblazers championing women’s health and well-being
- The female founders elevating women and girls in Malaysia
- The mavericks advancing the female agenda, from sports to the big screen
- The leaders championing women’s professional development in business, politics and more
- The inspiring change-makers championing women’s equality and rights
Credits
Photography: Natalina Zainal
Make-Up: Joey Yap and Ler Wan Ning
Hair: Nicole Ng and Angeline Low
Creative Direction: Noemy Zainal
Topics
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
