Food for thought, food for all - Nichol Ng's remarkable journey

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Nichol Ng's extraordinary journey embodies the essence of resilience in leadership and life. Raised watching her father build a successful business empire through sheer determination, Nichol's world shattered when his bankruptcy in 1999 forced her to juggle multiple jobs at age 21 while shouldering family financial responsibilities. Rather than walking away, she chose to step back into the family business in 2002, beginning a remarkable story of rebuilding and purpose.

Just as success seemed secure with a new facility investment in 2019, COVID-19 threatened to repeat history. Facing crushing pressure as the responsible leader for hundreds of employees and her own family, Nicole reached a breaking point that led her to seek professional help. In 2022, she made the heart-wrenching decision to sell her family home to save the business, mirroring what her father had done decades earlier.

What makes Nichol's story truly exceptional is that throughout these personal financial battles, she co-founded and grew The Food Bank Singapore, an organisation now feeding over 300,000 people annually. During COVID-19, when recipients often saw no one else for months, Nichol's team focused on "nourishing souls" alongside bodies, adding moments of joy to their deliveries.

Today, at 47, Nichol stands at a powerful inflection point. After decades of putting everyone else first, she's discovering self-prioritisation. "In the last 12 months, amazingly, I have found my own voice," she reveals. "Having that self-love actually empowered me to do a lot more." Looking ahead, she envisions expanding to Food Bank Asia while exploring opportunities in education as her family business approaches its 100-year milestone in 2034.

Her advice resonates powerfully: think of difficult periods as being in a cocoon, not failing, but preparing for metamorphosis. For women specifically, she emphasises, "You are the decision maker in your life," encouraging them to make choices based on their own values rather than external judgments. Through her remarkable journey, Nichol demonstrates how purpose can transform personal hardship into meaningful leadership and lasting social impact.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you equipped with the tools to lead with confidence, overcome obstacles and unlock The Power Within

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