As a native of a quaint town in Pahang called Bentong, who has now spread her wings to Amsterdam, The Netherlands as the Director of Regional Events & Strategic Initiatives at Elsevier, the world’s leading scientific publisher and data analytics company, Jagdesh Kaur Georgiou has carved a career out of resilience, innovation and empathetic leadership.
This is the story of how her life experiences taught her the importance of rising above setbacks, and why she attributes all she has achieved to something called ‘falling forward’.
A Childhood That Shaped the Course of Her Life
Jagdesh’s roots in Bentong are central to her story. Growing up, she was often singled out for her height and tomboyish nature. But rather than allowing these challenges to define her, she embraced them.
Reflecting on her childhood, she shared, “I wasn’t confident as a child; I was a giraffe, the dark-skinned girl. Then I realised I can do so much more—play netball, run really fast—why wasn’t I doing something about it?”
Her time on the school debate team also left a lasting impression. “The debate team taught me the power of storytelling, critical thinking and engaging with different people with diverse perspectives,” she explained. “I realised how carefully crafted narratives can influence and connect people, which would later help me in event management.”
Embracing Diversity & Change in Her Career Journey
Prior to venturing into the dynamic world of event management, Jagdesh’s professional trajectory was a patchwork of roles from different industries.
As a flight attendant and Bollywood Music Video TV presenter for Astro, she learned to navigate high-pressure situations with grace. Additionally, her work in modelling and pageantry taught her the value of confidence and presentation. “This is one of the jobs that taught me the most: how I present myself, poise, confidence and how I embrace individuality,” she said. “How I present myself now is a uniform.”
After moving to the Netherlands to be with her husband, she encountered a pivotal moment in her career. “I came across Elsevier in an online newspaper article for expats in The Netherlands,” she recalled. “At the time, I Googled Elsevier to learn more about it, and I saw how much I could grow there.” Starting in an operational role, she gradually transitioned into project management and then into her current leadership position.
On how she was able to rise through the ranks, Jagdesh credits it all to her personal philosophy of falling forward, a phrase that means picking oneself up from failure to grow and move forward.
“I embrace challenges as opportunities, and everything to me is a training ground for resilience and effective communication,” she stated.
Revolutionising Event Management at Elsevier
As Director of Regional Events & Strategic Initiatives, Jagdesh has transformed how Elsevier approaches event management. Informed by real-world needs and challenges, her strategies emphasise sustainability, cost-efficiency and inclusivity.
Our focus is always on creating meaningful impact,” she shared.” Building a successful conference goes beyond logistics—it requires a thoughtfully designed framework that prioritises sustainability, responsibility and community engagement. For instance, we implement strategies to meet ambitious carbon emission goals while maintaining an exceptional delegate experience. Additionally, we integrate CSR initiatives, such as volunteer programs or partnerships with local charities, to drive meaningful social impact. On a practical level, we also ensure leftover food is managed efficiently to reduce waste and benefit those in need. It’s about crafting events that inspire attendees while making a difference for both society and the environment.
Under her leadership, she introduced frameworks that streamlined event planning processes, reduced costs without compromising quality and increased attendee satisfaction through data-driven insights. Jagdesh also developed real-time dashboards to monitor performance and improve alignment with executive priorities, showcasing her commitment to innovation and strategic impact.
Her leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy and collaboration. “I’m constantly a listener,” she noted. “I don’t provide solutions but ask people questions and guide them to a solution.”
Jagdesh also shared her belief in embracing innovation. “We’ve introduced trending topics in the world like generative AI and sustainability into the events we organise.”
Beyond her role at Elsevier, Jagdesh has shared her expertise as a public speaker at embassy events, expat networking sessions and student panels. Covering topics such as resilience, women empowerment and personal growth, she leverages her communication skills to inspire action and foster dialogue. Her experience as a master of ceremony and panel moderator has further allowed her to engage audiences meaningfully, creating spaces for transformative conversations.
Watering Her Malaysian Roots
After living abroad for nearly two decades, Jagdesh’s connection to Malaysia remains strong. She shared, “I can leave Malaysia, but Malaysia can never leave me.”
She makes it a point to return home once a year during the winter season to escape the cold, and her visits are always filled with warmth, in more ways than one.
“The moment I step off the plane and am greeted by warmth, the tropical air and the vibrant energy, that defines Malaysia for me,” she shared.
Back in Amsterdam, Jagdesh keeps her family, especially her son, connected to his roots through food and traditions, such as cooking local cuisine and throwing Diwali celebrations.
Jagdesh also ensures that her family remains connected to Malaysian traditions by teaching her son common phrases like ‘terima kasih’, sat sri akal (Punjabi greeting) and sharing the significance of local customs. These practices not only preserve her cultural identity but also reinforce the values of resilience, humility and togetherness that are central to Malaysian culture. She has also extended the Malaysian culinary experience to her in-laws and friends in The Netherlands.
Giving Back to Malaysia and Uplifting the Underrepresented
Jagdesh also expressed a strong desire to give back to her home country. While she has been mentoring those close to her throughout the years via career advice and confidence building, there is more she wants to do.
“I’ve dedicated myself to supporting those around me, but I’ve yet to channel that energy toward empowering the next generation and underrepresented groups in Malaysia—something I feel deeply compelled to do now.” she said. She envisions working with MyHeart to establish mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives and cultural exchange projects. These efforts aim to empower young Malaysians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, by equipping them with the tools and confidence to thrive in global industries. Jagdesh sees MyHeart as a powerful platform to connect with like-minded professionals and drive transformative impact through collaboration. Jagdesh also hopes to equip fellow Malaysian women like her with the skills, confidence and opportunities to drive meaningful societal change.
She added, “I’d love to be part of any research groups that focus on event management experiences. If we can put together such a group, I’d be happy to share my results on building a framework to meet sustainability, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cost efficiency and carbon emission goals.”
A Vision for the Future
On what lies ahead professionally, Jagdesh aspires to continue driving transformative initiatives in event management, with a focus on sustainability, DEI and integrating emerging technologies like AI. Personally, she remains committed to empowering underrepresented groups by fostering confidence and leadership, particularly among women. Her vision is to create a legacy of growth, innovation and inclusivity, inspiring others to recognise their potential and make meaningful contributions to their communities. On a broader scale, she hopes to inspire others by sharing stories of her journey and demonstrate how resilience can transform challenges into opportunities.
She points to Malaysian trailblazers like Pandelela Rinong, Nicole David, and Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz as examples of resilience and determination. These individuals overcame societal and professional challenges to achieve greatness, embodying the spirit of ‘falling forward.’ Jagdesh believes their stories serve as a powerful reminder that, as the Malaysian proverb says, ‘Di mana ada kemahuan, di situ ada jalan’—where there is a will, there is away.
To young Malaysians who dream of forging their own paths, Jagdesh offers this heartfelt advice: ‘Embrace failure as a powerful teacher—it’s the momentum that propels you closer to your goals. Take bold risks, learn from your setbacks and have the courage to redefine success on your own terms. Most importantly, trust in your resilience and adaptability, and approach every step of your journey with kindness—towards yourself and others. Kindness not only builds stronger connections but also creates the foundation for meaningful growth and impact. The journey may not always be easy, but it is in these challenges that you discover your true potential and create a legacy of your own.
Are you a Malaysian abroad looking to connect with professionals like Jagdesh and explore opportunities to share your expertise? Sign up on MyHeart today to kickstart collaborations, build meaningful networks, and contribute to initiatives that bring the diaspora community closer together.
