Sharifah Faizah, SIM-RMIT alumna, Co-Founder of HERD Singapore

In a world where the corporate ladder often overshadows the pursuit of deeper meaning, Sharifah Faizah's journey offers a compelling counter-narrative. For this SIM-RMIT University alumna, her career path is driven by a desire to make a difference and find fulfilment beyond the conventional boundaries of the corporate world.
 

A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE

But her journey didn't begin in the business sector. Initially, on a path toward a healthcare career, Sharifah pursued a diploma in Biomedical Sciences, a field known for its clear, well-trodden routes to success. But life has a way of steering us in unexpected directions. "I realised that I would not enjoy the work opportunities in the biomedical sciences field as it involved very little people-to-people interaction and more lab work." During a gap year working at a small-medium enterprise (SME), she discovered a new interest in the intricate workings of business. The complexities of operations, management, and strategy sparked her imagination, prompting a bold decision to pivot from medical sciences to the world of business.

This shift led her to enrol in the Bachelor of Business (Management) programme at SIM-RMIT, where she began to lay the groundwork for her future endeavours. However, Sharifah's education was not just limited to the classroom. Seeking broader horizons, she embarked on an exchange programme in Montreal, Quebec, studying at the John Molson School of Business.

She was challenged to think differently in this diverse environment and exposed to new perspectives. "The exchange experience I embarked on was a life-changing moment for me and my entire family. My persistence to experience the world pushed my family to see beyond the limitations they created for themselves. At the same time, it pushed me to want to explore the world in both my professional and personal life." Sharifah stepped out of her comfort zone, adapting to new surroundings and ways of thinking. Here, she began to see the world—and her place in it—through a different lens.
 

A NEW CORPORATE CHAPTER

Armed with a new perspective, Sharifah ventured into the corporate world. She took on a role as an executive at the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), diving headfirst into the fast-paced business world. "Marketing, events, and hosting were the arenas where I honed my skills," she said, noting how the experience offered her a firsthand look at the engine of commerce, from strategic planning to customer relations. The work was demanding but rewarding.

However, after four years in the corporate trenches, something began to shift. Sharifah found herself yearning for something more, something beyond the pursuit of financial success and career advancement. She wanted her work to have meaning and to contribute to the greater good. "After working in the corporate sector for about five years, I started to feel a dip in my motivation because I was feeling purposeless and unfulfilled," she admitted.

In a move that defied conventional wisdom, Sharifah walked away from the stability of her corporate job without any concrete plans for the future. Instead, she embarked on a year of volunteering that would lead her to the heart of her true passion. This was a time of exploration, reconnecting with old interests and discovering new ones. Among these was a profound love for animals, particularly horses.
 

A YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING AND THE MAGIC OF HORSES

Volunteering at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Singapore marked a turning point for Sharifah. During her year there, she experienced firsthand the profound connection between humans and animals, particularly the therapeutic impact of horses. "I was blessed with the opportunity to volunteer at the RDA, where I discovered the magic of horses," she recalled. It was a time to reassess, to think deeply about what she had achieved and where she wanted to go next. She recognised that the true value of her journey lay not in external successes but in the impact, she had on others.

Sharifah continued her work in Equine Assisted Intervention (EAI) at EQUAL, serving as an instructor and operations executive for four years. It was during this time that her love for horses deepened, and she understood the transformative potential of EAI. "Horses are a unique breed of animals in the animal-assisted intervention space," she explained. "As prey animals, they possess an extraordinary sensitivity, able to pick up on your 'vibe instantly'. This makes them incredibly effective in offering judgement-free therapy, where they help us discover courage, self-love, confidence, and capabilities we never knew we had."

Her experiences with horses fuelled her passion for the field, leading her to seek additional ways to connect with and uplift others. This passion found new expression when Sharifah took on a role as a youth outreach officer at The Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre (HYC). The after-school programme she leads is a lifeline for underserved children, providing them with a safe, nurturing environment where they can learn and grow. For Sharifah, working with these children is a source of immense pride and fulfilment. She takes joy in watching them thrive, gain confidence, and discover their passions.

Sharifah found immense joy in seeing the positive changes in the lives of those she served, whether it was a child gaining confidence or an adult finding peace through the gentle presence of a horse. This realisation led to the birth of HERD (Human. Equine. Relationship. Development) Singapore, a social enterprise co-founded by Sharifah and four others, dedicated to improving lives through equine-assisted interventions.

HERD wasn't just a business; it was a mission. "We felt it is an extremely underrated, under-explored but very effective modality for intervention that benefits any persons looking to improve their mental wellbeing," she explained. The enterprise aimed to provide therapeutic services to those in need, from children with special needs to adults facing mental health challenges.

Sharifah's business background from SIM-RMIT played a crucial role in HERD's early successes, enabling the team to navigate the challenges of building a mission-driven organisation. However, the journey was not without its challenges. Just as HERD began to find its footing, the relocation of their equine partner forced the enterprise into a hiatus. Yet, rather than seeing this as a setback, Sharifah embraced it as a meaningful chapter in her ongoing quest to align her career with her values.
 

LESSONS IN FULFILLMENT AND PURPOSE

Reflecting on her path, Sharifah recognises that true fulfilment lies in work that resonates with one's deepest values—work that not only sustains but also enriches. Her story illustrates the belief that when passion and purpose drive a career, work evolves from being just a job into a true calling.

Sharifah offers simple yet earnest advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs: "Be bold. Everyone has something they believe in or are passionate about. Find yours and never let go". Her story inspires and reminds us that the path to fulfilment is often less travelled but all the more rewarding.