press kit - malini saba · 2020. 2. 14. · malini saba was born in seremban, malaysia to a family...

Philanthropist, Rights Advocate and Global Entrepreneur

PRESS KIT

Chairman, Saba Industries

• Operations Management

• Acquisitions & Integrations

• Organic Business Growth

• Strategic Planning

• Staff Development & Promotion

• Performance & Quality Standards

• Customer Satisfaction & Allegiance

• Leadership Team Development

• P&L Management/Budget Planning

• Engineering & Manufacturing

• Change Management

• Commercial & Customer Support

• Strategic Partnerships

• Bottom-Line Improvement

Dr. Saba has been at the forefront of women’s rights and positively impacting the lives of low-income and at-risk women and children worldwide. As a young girl growing up in Southeast Asia, her biggest interest was in the empowerment of women struggling for human rights, health

and economic stability. Very early in life, she saw the value of small efforts and spent time in helping at the shelters, buying clothes and schoolbooks as well as teaching children.

In 2001, Dr. Saba started Saba Family Foundations. As the Chairman of SFF she started multiple initiatives on changing the way women in poverty viewed themselves and their role in society.

Dr. Saba embodies the concept of using business to serve humanity. She helps underserved women and children in South and Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and the USA gain access

to life-saving medical and educational services and achieve economic stability.

PRESS KIT • Dr. Malini Saba • © Copyright 2019 Malini Saba, all rights reserved. Email: [email protected]

Women’s Empowerment

Feeding the World

Sustainability

Anti-Poverty

Healthcare

Education

Equality

mailto:[email protected]

MISSION

BACKGROUND

To help people around the world gain access to basic healthcare, provide opportunities that allow people to break the cycle of poverty, and educate people on human right issues, improve their lives and their children’s lives.

Saba Family Foundation seeks to launch a comprehensive, global access and impact platform to serve more than one billion people over the next 10 years. Our team researches, coordinates and expands services to critical populations.

Malini Saba was born in Seremban, Malaysia to a family of modest means, which instilled in her a very strong work ethic that helped her rise to suc-cess through sheer perseverance and the belief that she could. Malini’s parents also emphasized compassion for those less fortunate, and as a child, she would bring clothes and books to shelters and spend time there.

Through hard work and determination, Malini left behind poverty to become a billionaire. Note: she is not just any billionaire. She was the first self-made Sri Lankan woman to independently grow her wealth.

In 2002, Ms. Saba launched Saba Family Foundations to serve as the umbrella organization for all of her philan-thropic works. The foundation has undertaken numerous projects, including: partnering with Stanford Medical Center to train physicians from developing countries; distributing preventative health information on HIV/AIDS, immunizations, gastric and reproductive health; providing vocational education for women in Togo, West Africa; and supporting human rights issues around the world.

Funding for Ms. Saba’s philanthropic works comes from Saba Industries, a group of commodities companies that she founded in Asia. The commodities are rice, iron ore mining and gold. Saba Industries exports 500,000 tons of rice worldwide. The company’s iron ore is used to make steel and its gold is used for jewelry and technology products. The 2000 worker company also adheres to environmental guidelines for rice farming and ore mining.

Dr. Saba built her businesses, while continuing to mentor, teach and fund local initiatives. She also looked beyond the borders of the US into Asia and South America, investing in commodity firms around the world. She continues to speak in global forums and intends to impact social policies globally.

She believes there is nothing a woman cannot achieve. She also believes that you can learn most things in life if you put the time and really want to learn them. Her secret to success is never to lie and never pretend to know everything. “We are constantly in a learning mode. It is when we think we know it all, we have failed.”

“My father once told me there were two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try and be the first group; there was much less competition.”

In her free time, Ms. Saba enjoys cooking as a way to unwind. She wrote “The Abbreviated Cook,” a book of quick and easy recipes that offer a twist

PRESS KIT • Dr. Malini Saba • © Copyright 2019 Malini Saba, all rights reserved. Email: [email protected] PRESS KIT • Dr. Malini Saba • © Copyright 2019 Malini Saba, all rights reserved. Email: [email protected]



AWARDS2017 - Gentry Hall of Fame Award

- Philanthropist of the Year

2007 - Ambassador of Peace Award

from the Federation of Peace, London

2005 - Kalpana Chawla Award

for Outstanding Woman of the Year

from the Friends of Indian

Community of Los Angeles

2005 - Philanthropist of the Year

by “Pratham’ an NGO promoting

education for children.

2004 - Mother Teresa Award

in Los Angeles County

2001 - Entrepreneur of the Year

- Business Women’s Network

Washington DC Board of Seats


Malini understands that leadership is not about titles or photos or selfies. True leadership is about authenticity, standing up for principles, even in the face of strong opposition. Her angry critics see her as a pugnacious destroyer. But those who know her understand she is all about methodology and doing what is right by people and for the people.

Authentic leadership is a product of honesty. Honesty is about putting needs of others before your own – honesty in communicating informa-tion, both positive and negative – honesty in accepting viewpoints which are different from yours – honesty in integrating the values you profess with behaviors you exhibit. Honesty is also the product of clarity – in what you stand for and what you will not stand for.

We can take a lesson from Malini Saba. Always stay true to your core values regardless of how others view things under a populous lens. Only through this method can you truly help others and be a good leader too.

What has she taught us?

• To march toward success against all odds• To stand up to bullies who felt a woman’s place is not in business• To do everything in your power to achieve your dream• To stay true to your ideals through it all• To use your power to protect those that can’t protect themselves

We celebrate Malini Saba as an inspirational woman leader of our times. She embodies true inner strength and is a real role model for young women all over the world.

“Being a leader is like being a lady. If you have to remind people you are, you aren’t.”Her favorite quote:



RESOURCE LINKS

QUOTES

Articles in the Huffington Post:

01/10/17 The Atrocity of Child Marriages11/03/16 Three Tips to Form Better Personal and Professional Relationships10/10/16 Three Lessons All Mothers Should Teach Their Daughters08/29/16 Ladies: Always Stand Your Ground Even When It Would Be Easier to Fold08/05/16 How Will a Woman in the White House Change America?07/19/16 Why Women Should Help Other Women

“Ask rather than tell.”

“Fear is your worst enemy.”

“Don’t miss your open door.”

“Do what is true to your soul.”

“We don’t need to control everyone.”

“It’s okay to experience loss, heartbreak and failure as long as you learn from it.”

“Know and understand your employees.”

“Who you truly are is where you come from.”

“In life you have successes and failures yet those failures are also successes if you learn from them.”

“Whenever you take a step forward you will shake things up and only with this can you create change. Through and through we also change as a person.”

“You don’t have to do it the way they want you to do it.”

“The reason I have been able to be so financially successful is my focus has never, ever been for a minute on money.”

~ Dr. Malini Saba

My mantra has always been:

“Once you accept, completely accept that things will happen to you and that there is nothing you can do about it, stress miraculously leaves your life.”

After a long day of work, she comes home to her husband, child, cats and dogs.

“They are the most important part in my life. When I am not traveling, I make it a point to drop and pick up my child from school, do the grocery shopping for dinner that night and come home and make dinner with a glass of good wine. That is my normal routine. I make sure I always read to my daughter every night and talk to her about life, the Universe and why we are all here. This I do without fail even when I am traveling, FaceTime®

is awesome for that. I want to give her an understanding of the world and life. I believe it’s important for parents to talk to their kids. It’s not about the amount of time you spend with them. When you do spend time with them, you have to give them 100 percent of your time – meaning no phone, no computer, no one else talking to you; just you and the child. That quality time is priceless.”


https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-atrocity-of-child-marriages_b_587501bae4b08052400ee64c

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/three-tips-to-form-better-personal-and-professional_b_581b6caee4b03d4898dec1b7?guccounter=1

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/three-tips-to-form-better-personal-and-professional_b_581b6caee4b03d4898dec1b7?guccounter=1

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ladies-always-stand-your-ground-even-when-it-would_b_57c46000e4b024fca58c777c

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-a-woman-in-the-white-house-change-america_b_57a4a0abe4b0c94bd3c93a1c

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-women-should-help-other-women_b_578e6ef9e4b06fcf086d3658



ACTIVISM

• Anti-Bullying

• Feeding the World

• Healthcare Access

• Women’s Empowerment

• Human Rights

• Anti-Poverty

• Education

• Mental Health

• Children and the Elderly

• Domestic Violence

Saba Industries

Invests US $100M

in Southeast Asia

Rice Industry

London, UK – May 5, 2018

Company aims to modernize

industry, promote organic rice

farming and improve farmers’

quality of life.

Saba Industries, a privately-

held, manufacturer and global

exporter of rice and other com-

modities, is investing US $100

million in Southeast Asia’s rice

industry to help modernize the

sector, promote organic rice

farming and improve farmers’

quality of life. The investment

will span two years and is one

of the largest investments in

Southeast Asia’s rice industry.

SFF worked extensively with the Stanford University Medical Center, on Emergency Medicine Fellowships to fund and train emergency care physicians from developing countries such as India and Tashkent, to go back with skillsets needed to help develop emergency care in rural districts and promote mobile programs in preventive health practices for immunizations, gastric and reproductive health.

SFF provided funds and mentorship to Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA), Mumbai. YUVA has encouraged the formation of sev-eral collectives, primarily comprising women and children, which have engaged in the discourse on their development and thereby ensuring self-determined and sustained collective action in their communities.

SFF was involved in funding CARE International in Togo, West Africa. CARE is actively involved in providing health, hygiene, and vocation-al education for women. CARE Togo has been involved in programs in health, water infrastructure, prevention of child trafficking, and capacity building for community organizations.

SFF collaborated with Concern Worldwide Program, focusing on opportunities for women and girls. Concern Worldwide works in Somalia responding to emergencies caused by drought, flooding, conflict and food shortages, and continues to respond as they arise, with long-term resilience programs for nutrition, health, education and economics.

SFF and Dr. Malini Saba joined hands and funded women leaders from India to visit Washington DC to gain insights into leadership for chang-ing the world. The founders knew ‘that women are essential to progress in their communities.’ So, Vital Voices was created to make space for women to be heard. SFF believes in investing in women leaders because they take the responsibility to improve societies, strengthen laws, create jobs and defend political freedoms.

SFF funded several Net Aid programs. Net Aid was an anti- poverty initiative, started as a joint venture between the United Nations’ Development Programme and Cisco Systems. It became an independent nonprofit organization.

SFF worked on several initiatives including funding part of the ‘Say Yes for Children’ drive, and Dr. Saba has made donations to the Australian Outback Doctors, San Francisco Arts Academy, India’s Artists, and Children’s Hospital in Cambodia.

Dr. Saba provided significant support for the Cancer Center at Stanford Hospital and Clinics. She worked with President Clinton on global ini-tiatives and was jointly featured in multiple newspapers and magazines.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Development_Programme



BUSINESS SUCCESS

With proven achievements in investment, real estate, commodity and PC industries, Dr. Saba repeatedly pro-duces sustained revenue and growth in dynamic and changing markets. She has an extensive business back-ground in international, multi-cultural environments and broad experience with highly engineered systems, which require deep understanding of critical business drivers in multiple markets. She has led and motivated worldwide teams comprised of more than 2,000 employees and managed P&L for business exceeding $400M.


SELECTED ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Turned around an underperforming $410 million global division, stream-lining four business units around a coherent operational worldwide strategy, restoring profitability, winning market share in strategic and emerging regions, and delivering double-digit EBITA growth.

Reversed losses into profits, expansion of struggling $80 million division; quickly restored forward momentum, generating year-over-year revenue gains and profits at steady 20% return-on-sales.

Integrated six acquired companies into a worldwide $300 million division that outpaced competitors, maximized share of strategic markets, and elevated earnings. Drove return-on-sales to height of 12%.

Transformed the poorest performing business unit company-wide into a top performer generating $60 million sales and 12% profits (and growing) in period of just 3 years.

EXPERIENCE

1992 to Present – Built distinguished, 15+year record of progressive achievement and advancement with this $1.5B commodity producer of products/services focused oil and gas, materials and minerals. Worldwide reach with facilities throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

Advanced to lead three global business units with staff of ~1,300 and $250 million annual revenues; additional unit integrated in 2007 to bring totals to ~2,000 personnel and $400+million.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Ramped division from lowest-ranking profits in company to #3 position in 2009, reaching 11% profits, 40% gross margin

Produced profits at levels enabling SIG to minimize losses from newly-acquired company and eventually sell entire SIG METS operations for over $250 million.

Built acquisition pipeline and relationships with key organizations. Implemented strong, aggressive marketing campaigns/programs within critical markets.



ARTICLES

The Financial Express Newspaper

The Business of Agriculture Magazine

The Afternoon Despatch and Courier

Corporate Tycoon Magazine

Amar Ujala Newspaper

Entrepreneur India Magazine

Glittering India

Ambition

Even from a young age, despite thinking that life would be difficult, Malini had a sense of her own destiny.

Hard Work

She determined she would learn everything about business, build alliances and ingratiate herself with the business community.

Courage, Intelligence and Logic

She assumed all three qualities. A successful person must have all three.

Charm and Charisma

She has a presence about her that consumes any room she walks into. She has the ability to hold people’s attention to whatever she is speaking about and make everyone feel they were listened to and cared for.




INTERVIEW TRIVIA

Best career advice I’ve received:

Always think before you act. Never take anything personally – it’s business.

The moment I felt I’d made it:

When I stopped worrying about money

How I made my first dollar:

Working at Red Rooster as a cashier.

Favorite perks in the job:

Traveling all over the world in my job and meeting interesting people.

If I weren’t a businesswoman what would I be?

I would be a writer. I love writing. Three qualities that got me to where I am today:

I never give up on anything. I listen to everyones opinion. I forgive and forget.

Song I would play at my funeral:

Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”

Food I am not ashamed to admit I love:

Chocolate cheesecake. It’s my favorite thing to eat. It makes me happy.

Superhero power I would like to have:

To make the world happy. I would swish it like a wand and make ev-eryone happy with where they are in their life and what they have.

What every woman should try once in her lifetime:

Taking a trip on the Orient Express. It’s the best experience, just beautiful and set in time.

If I could live abroad where would it be?

On an island like Bora Bora. It’s just an amazing place.

First album I bought:

Madonna ’s “Like a Virgin”

Book that left a lasting impres-sion on me:

“South Beach Diet”, I never knew anything like that could actually work.

On my bucket list:

I want to take the Blue Train in Africa, see Iceland and fly a plane.

One thing I am exceptionally good at:

Dancing

One thing I am exceptionally bad at:

Lying

My first kiss:

With the man I married

Advice to a woman with a broken heart:

Take it as a learning experience and that the Universe was protecting you from further hurt. The Universe took it away because something better is

on its way to you. Cherish that feeling and trust the Universe. It makes mira-cles happen when you let go.

How I unwind after a tough day:

I listen to a Frank Sinatra record and have a glass of wine.

Craziest thing I did for love:

I moved countries for him only to discover he was after my money.




10 THINGS

Ten things you did not know about Malini Saba

1. She is a top paid Commodity CEO. She has an impressive salary. This serves as a testament to her formidable talent as a business woman.

2. She is one of the very few self-made leaders in the commodity in-dustry, and the first woman owner and CEO in the commodity space.

3. She is a psychologist. Although particularly well equipped for her CEO position, she originally studied psychology, which she finds indispensable during her work with her business.

4. She was rated #1 of 10 candidates to succeed in San Francisco Magazine. She was picked one of ten to definitely succeed and to watch over the next 10 years.

5. Her favorite cars are Mercedes and Bentley. She is crazy about cars and loves to race.

6. Her favorite past time is cooking. Malini loves to cook and create new recipes. She authored a cookbook named “The Abbreviated Cook.”

7. She does not always like fame. Malini has on occasion expressed some annoyance with being recognized constantly. Though she attempts to stay under the radar and do simple things she finds it sometimes intrusive.

8. She loves children. She loves being around children. She finds that they keep her grounded and they help her remember to keep things simple.

9. She collects teddy bears. She finds them to be calming.

10. She meditates. Malini Saba is a spiritual person. She believes in staying true to what the Universe wants for all our well-being. In her words it is all about the Yin and the Yang; it’s a balance. We need to have balance to be able to run a mega-company and remember it is not all about me – it is about the company, its workers and mission.




PARTNERS

CONTACT

PRESS KIT • Dr. Malini Saba • © Copyright 2019 Malini Saba, all rights reserved. Email: [email protected]

Promotional Images:

Dr. Malini Saba is available for speaking engagements on women’s rights and healthcare issues, and for corporate events. She is actively seeking companies that will partner with her in her viable farming plan to feed every hungry person worldwide.

Malika M. Kiral Personal Assistant to the Chairman

[email protected]

Saba Industries GroupVietnam | India | Cambodia

Sri Lanka | Laos | Mexico | USA

South Africa | Southeast Asia

UNICEF

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

UpCara

a Sanskrit word for “access and serve,” was launched in 2017 by the Saba Foundation. UpCara is dedicated to access, empowerment and preventative health practices for at-risk women through their life span. YUVA

Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) is a voluntary development organization committed to enabling vulnerable groups to access their rights and address human rights violations.

Humanity Crew

Humanity Crew is an international aid organization specializing in the provision of first response mental health interventions and psycholog-ical aid to refugees and people in crises. SFF is partnering for a one year project addressing children living in Athens, Greece. This partnership aims to promote the refugees’ well-being and to improve their integra-tion process by addressing one of the most important challenges among refugee children, parents and the local community: bullying.



press kit - malini saba · 2020. 2. 14. · malini saba was born in seremban, malaysia to a family...

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