Dr. Belle Lim, a prominent advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), has been making waves in Australia through her impactful work. Recently inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for 2024, she has dedicated her career to empowering migrant communities and championing DEI initiatives, particularly for young women.
This is the story of what sparked her journey into DEI, how she supports her fellow Melbourne-based Malaysians and her plans for leveraging her experience abroad to improve women’s participation in the Malaysian workforce.
Early Passion for DEI and Advocacy
Dr. Belle’s journey began at the young age of 17 when she moved to Australia to pursue higher education–starting with a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Monash University.
Her beginnings in DEI began taking root around this time, due to her own experiences as an international student and her observations of the inequities faced by migrant communities. “As I thought about how to turn my studies into a meaningful career, I was guided by my purpose and mentors with shared values.”, she reflected. “I’ve always been really passionate about empowering migrant communities in Australia, especially for young women who come here as students”.
This motivated her to become an advocate for international students, and she served as the National Women’s Officer for the Council of International Students Australia from 2018 to 2019, and later, as its National President from 2020 to 2021. In this role, she represented female international students on public and policy platforms, advocating for their rights and well-being. She also played a key role in delivering initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and experiences of international students across Australia.
During this time, Dr. Belle also pursued her Ph.D. in breast cancer genetics. “I did enjoy the research during my Ph.D., but I found that DEI, in terms of health research and delivery, and in general the well-being of people in Australia remains quite inequitable”, she shared. This led her to recognise the importance of applying her knowledge to create real-world impact.
From there, she ventured into policy research and economic analysis as a policy analyst at Deloitte Access Economics and gradually worked her way to her current position as the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at MindTribes.
A Multifaceted Career
Dr. Belle’s career has been incredibly diverse so far, spanning academia, not-for-profit initiatives and DEI consulting. As a policy analyst at Deloitte Access Economics, she honed her skills in programme evaluation, economic analysis and policy research to support governments in making informed decisions.
Driven by her passion for empowering international students, she founded Future Forte Incorporated, a non-profit organisation dedicated to delivering programmes for women international students in Australia. One such programme is the Future Forte Conference, which has been held yearly since 2019 and empowers international students by showcasing their contributions as well as the power of diverse leadership. As the founder and board chair, she spearheads the development of partnerships with universities, government agencies and businesses to support the organisation’s mission.
Currently, she also serves as the Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MindTribes, where she leads consulting and advisory services, conducts academic research and collaborates with clients to develop and implement DEI programmes.
Giving Back to Malaysia
While she has been living in Australia for over 10 years, Dr. Belle remains deeply connected to her Malaysian roots and has found ways to make a tangible impact on fellow Malaysians’ lives throughout the years.
For one, she has continuously worked with the Consul-General of Malaysia in Melbourne, Mr Nik Muhammad Nasyron Syah NIK DAUD, and previously Ms Mazita Marzuki, to organise various projects for Malaysians in Melbourne, such as a virtual Merdeka Day celebration held in 2020 to bring Malaysians together during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Additionally, she has represented Malaysia on multiple international platforms. During the 11th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris in 2019, she was one of 75 change-makers invited to discuss youth engagement with UNESCO and shared her insights on the gender dividend. In 2023 at the Schmidt Futures International Strategy Forum, California, she collaborated with a team of global leaders and experts on high-impact initiatives aimed at driving social and environmental change.
Today, she continues to seek opportunities to give back to the Malaysian community and is currently involved in a research project with TalentCorp in Malaysia. This project focuses on identifying the barriers and opportunities for women’s participation in the Malaysian workforce.
“There’s no better way to influence change than by partnering with TalentCorp and the government. With this project, we’re hoping to generate evidence and insights on the issues and barriers that prevent women from going into the workforce or cause them to leave it. Hence implementing policies and programmes with key stakeholders to improve business performance and our national productivity”, she said.
Her approach to this project echoes one of her most fundamental beliefs, which is that collaboration and knowledge-sharing between Malaysian professionals at home and abroad is a powerful tool for affecting real change. As such, she sees initiatives like MyHeart as crucial for fostering these connections and empowering Malaysians to contribute to the nation’s development.
Future Goals and Initiatives
Dr. Belle’s dedication to DEI extends beyond her professional endeavours. Moving forward, she is eager to further develop her skills as a board director and chair, aiming to influence policy and decision-making at higher levels. She envisions driving advocacy campaigns and delivering pilot programmes that promote gender equity and inclusion, particularly in partnership with influential companies in Malaysia.
“I believe that Malaysia is entering a period of significant positive transformation. I’m hopeful to play my part in working with the Malaysian government to take the lead in setting examples for policies that guide businesses and organisations to do better”, she shared.
Her ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. She believes that by fostering diversity, promoting equity and embracing inclusion, we can unlock the full potential of individuals and for the good and prosperity of our nation.
Are you a Malaysian abroad seeking to connect with your community and contribute to a more inclusive world? Join MyHeart today and become part of a network that champions diversity, fosters collaboration and empowers Malaysians worldwide.
