Inclusive Employment: Valerie Ng shares her experience being a visually-impaired professional and how an inclusive workplace helped her find her true calling at Social Collider

Inclusivity is Empowering Everyone!

As part of Wantedly’s new series on inclusive hiring in partnership with SGEnable, we talk to disabled employees and their employers to get to know more about their challenges, their culture, how they overcome, and thrive together to reach their goals.

We are honoured to feature Valerie Ng in this series. An animal rescuer and avid volunteer, Valerie counts entrepreneurship, leadership and community engagement as her enduring value-add to any company she is a part of.

Currently in a HR and innovation project management role at impact aggregator Social Collider, Valerie shares her experience as a visually-impaired employee and how progressive hiring practices and an inclusive culture empowered her to find her purpose and calling in her career.

Valerie, can you tell us more about your career background and how it led you to Social Collider?

My background is deeply rooted in Human Resources (HR) and administrative roles, which has allowed me to develop strong organizational skills and a knack for teamwork. I hold a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy, which laid the foundation for my analytical and organizational abilities. Over the years, I've gained extensive experience in HR, working with various organizations managing recruitment, employee engagement, and training programs.

My journey began with helping out in my family business, where I realized it was somewhat sheltered. I felt that I would learn more and grow professionally if I worked outside that environment. This prompted me to explore opportunities beyond the family business, eventually leading me to HR and administrative roles. These roles honed my skills in organization, communication, and collaboration.

Apart from my professional career, I've been actively involved in volunteer work. I've served as the Treasurer of Soundball Singapore, volunteered at numerous events held by International Blind Tennis Championships in Spain, Causes for Animals, and the Singapore Red Cross. Last year, I was a youth mentor with MILK FUND. My time volunteering has enriched my understanding of community engagement and the importance of building networks.

These experiences also naturally led me to Social Collider, where I get to blend my HR expertise with my passion for social impact. At Social Collider, I get to work on collaborative projects that bring together diverse people and resources, fostering innovation and social entrepreneurship. An example is our recent exploration of partnerships with Korean startups in the skincare field. This role aligns perfectly with my career aspirations and personal values.

Tell us more about your role at Social Collider.

At Social Collider, my role involves coordinating and managing collaborative projects that drive social impact. I work closely with startups, social enterprises, and various stakeholders to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. My responsibilities include:

Project Management: Overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of projects that align with our mission of promoting social innovation. This includes setting goals, timelines, and ensuring that resources are effectively utilized.
HR and Administration: Managing HR functions such as recruitment, employee engagement, and administrative tasks to ensure smooth operations within the organization.
Community Engagement: Organizing events, workshops, and networking opportunities that bring together individuals and organizations to collaborate on social impact initiatives. These events are designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and build a supportive ecosystem for social enterprises.

Can you share a recent win or something you are proud of?

One of my proudest achievements is seeing travel projects through from start to finish and leading a service trip myself. Coordinating such an event—especially one that involves so many moving parts—presents its challenges. But the true reward comes when I receive heartfelt gratitude from the students involved. 

Knowing that my dedication and effort has made a tangible difference in their experience is an accomplishment in itself. It’s not just about the logistics; it’s about creating an experience that leaves a lasting impact, which is why it’s so meaningful when students thank me or remember me for the role I played in coordinating everything.

In addition to these projects, the workshops I lead on inclusivity hold a special place in my heart. I take great pride in blending professional responsibility with meaningful impact, which speaks to the passion I bring to my role. Teaching students values that extend beyond the classroom is a reflection of my commitment to their holistic growth. 

It’s not just about imparting knowledge—it’s about inspiring them to apply what they’ve learnt in meaningful, real-world ways. The most rewarding part of seeing my students embrace these values is when they integrate them into their everyday lives, showing compassion and understanding towards others. Watching them actively contribute to a more inclusive and empathetic environment brings me immense fulfillment and affirms the lasting value of the work I do.

What was your interview process and experience like with Social Collider?

My experience interviewing with Social Collider was unique. It wasn’t the typical formal interview where I was asked a series of standard questions. Instead, the conversation was focused on discovering what I truly enjoy doing and understanding my strengths. 

It felt more like a collaborative discussion, where they were genuinely interested in learning about me as a person—my values, passions, and how I can contribute to the organization. 

This approach made the experience feel more authentic and less transactional. It allowed me to reflect on what drives me and how I could align my skills and interests with the goals of Social Collider, which was a refreshing shift from more traditional interview processes.

What are some of the inclusive practices or policies put in place in your company that have made you feel supported?

One of the inclusive practices that has made me feel supported is the attention given to detail and collaboration within the team. For example, when I travel for work, I know that my colleagues are always looking out for me, ensuring everything runs smoothly and that I’m supported throughout the process. 

Additionally, everyone in the team makes sure that my work, such as presentation decks, is properly formatted and aligned before submission. This collective effort ensures that the final product is cohesive and meets the expected standards, allowing me to focus on the content rather than getting caught up in minor details. 

These thoughtful practices make me feel valued and create an inclusive environment where everyone’s strengths are acknowledged and leveraged.

What do you wish companies and organizations can do more of to support PwD employees? 

To better support employees with disabilities, I wish companies and organizations will focus on the individual’s abilities rather than their disability. This means assessing each person’s strengths, skills, and experience and matching them with the tasks that align with their capabilities. It's essential to move beyond assumptions or limitations based on disability and instead foster an environment that encourages open dialogue and flexible solutions. 

By providing reasonable accommodations and ensuring tasks are assigned based on an employee’s expertise, organizations can create a more inclusive and empowering workplace for everyone.

Through pursuing your career and ambitions, has there been something someone shared that you have carried with you till today?

I’ve been given advice that has stuck with me throughout my career. A co-worker and mentor once shared the idea of "under-promise and over-deliver." This simple yet powerful advice has shaped my approach to work, reminding me to manage expectations while always striving to exceed them. 

It encourages a sense of accountability and integrity, ensuring that I not only meet but exceed the goals set, which builds trust and enhances my professional reputation. This mindset has helped me navigate challenges and build strong, lasting relationships with co-workers and clients alike.

What motivates you and keeps you going?

It is the resilience I’ve developed throughout my life. I often remind myself that if I could fight for my life as a premature baby, pulling multiple tubes in the incubator, I am capable of overcoming any challenge that comes my way. This perspective gives me the strength to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult things get. 

Additionally, the love and responsibility I feel towards my rescued pets at home serve as a constant source of inspiration. Caring for them reminds me of the importance of perseverance, compassion, and always striving to make a positive impact.

Can you share a dream or goal of yours?

A goal that I have is to open my own pet café or pet shelter/boarding place. Success to me would look like creating a space where people can connect with animals in a safe and loving environment while also providing shelter and care for pets in need. 

It’s about combining my passion for animals with my entrepreneurial spirit, and ensuring that both pets and people benefit from the services offered. Building a community around this idea, where animals are treated with compassion and customers can experience the joy of spending time with them, would be the ultimate fulfillment for me.

Finally, what is one thing you wish more people would know about being in your shoes, and being differently abled?

One thing I wish more people would understand about being differently abled is the small struggles I face internally, even though I may appear to look "normal" on the outside. There are challenges that others might not see, such as navigating spaces, managing tasks, or needing extra support to accomplish everyday things. These daily obstacles can sometimes go unnoticed especially for the average person, but they require extra effort and patience on my part. 

I wish more people would recognize that being differently abled doesn’t mean being less capable; it just means I may approach tasks differently or need accommodations to perform at my best and thrive.

Thank you, Valerie!

About the campaign

Inclusivity is Empowering Everyone! is a Public Education for Disability Inclusion campaign by Wantedly Hire in partnership with i’mable by SGEnable.

For more inspiring stories on Inclusive Employment, you can follow the series here.

Our public inclusive Job Portal is now live.

If you are an inclusive employer and wish to list your openings, please send your JDs to andrew@wantedly.com.

About i’mable by SGEnable
i’mable celebrates the abilities of persons with disabilities and encourages everyone to take positive action for disability inclusion and commit to building a more inclusive society and enabling lives.

About Wantedly
Our mission is to create a world where work drives passion. We champion employer branding for companies to attract the right talents for the right opportunities. Wantedly Hire is an application tracking system optimised for modern hiring practices.