Faridah | Collective Change Institute
Faridah
– Purpose-Driven Professional: A passionate psychologist, associate trainer, and parent coach with over 28 years of experience in the disability sector, dedicated to making a meaningful difference.
– Empowering Parent Coach: Builds authentic connections with clients, helping them uncover their inner strengths, find security, and feel empowered as caregivers to children and youths
– Engaging Facilitator: Renowned for her ability to connect with and engage participants across disability and commercial sectors, delivering knowledge, skills, and insights in ways that resonate and inspire action.
– Certified Practitioner: Certified in MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and Extended DISC, bringing expertise in personality assessments to enhance self-awareness and interpersonal relationships.
– Advocate for Inclusion: Deeply committed to promoting diversity, including gender equality and combating ageism, while fostering inclusive practices in workplaces and communities that enable all individuals to thrive.
– Culturally Curious: Well-traveled and having lived in multiple countries for 14 years, she embraces multiculturalism through her appreciation of people, food, and the arts.
– Creative Performer: A talented singer and lyricist who performs at both private and public events, blending her creativity with her professional pursuits.
Professional Background
Throughout her tenure at the same organization, Faridah has taken on various roles, starting as a teacher and transitioning to psychologist, principal trainer & consultant with the organization’s training arm, and now parent coach.
Faridah worked as a teacher first to truly understand what it would be like to be one, before she became a psychologist in a special education setting. Her connection with her former teaching colleagues helped her partner effectively in supporting the students and families. Her 12 years as a psychologist in the special education school enhanced her clinical experiences and understanding of different types of disabilities, as well as the students and families they come from. Most importantly, she experienced valuable support and mentoring from her head of department.
Over the next 12 years, Faridah joined the organization’s training arm as a principal trainer and consultant. In this role, she worked with diverse groups across disability and non-disability settings, spanning education, community organizations, and corporate sectors. She facilitated workshops aimed at fostering understanding of disabilities, particularly for those committed to building inclusive environments and practices.
Faridah’s passion for understanding people and their personalities inspired her to become an MBTI practitioner. She firmly believes that greater self-awareness leads to stronger appreciation and understanding of others. In recognition of how she applies MBTI stakeholders in the special education and preschool settings, she was invited to speak at the inaugural MBTI Type Education Conference held in Singapore in 2013.
In addition to her training work, Faridah is a skilled and sought-after speaker, regularly sharing her knowledge and insights at seminars, conferences, and panel discussions.
In September 2024, Faridah took the next step in her journey by enrolling in CCI’s Professional Coaching Development certification program. Driven to put her learning into practice, she immediately began incorporating the techniques and principles into her work with parents and her own personal growth.
The impact was evident. Faridah witnessed how her newfound perspectives and refined approach brought about quicker shifts in her parent clients’ self-awareness. With greater clarity and confidence, they began making intentional choices to engage with their children and youths in more constructive and meaningful ways.
Coaching Specialty
- Parent coaching
- Relationship
- Interpersonal skills
- Personal growth
Personal Background
“To know the world, you must first understand the household.” This is the wisdom shared by Faridah’s late father, who taught his eight children that to be authentic and credible to the outside world, we must first learn to embrace differences and foster harmony at home. Faridah carries this lesson with her, as she continually works to improve herself at home, at work and beyond. His words analogously aligns with her belief to continuously strengthen her inner resources so she can continue to be comfortable with who she truly is to the world outside.
Faridah’s name, which means “unique” in Arabic, reflects her distinct journey. As a Malay-Muslim, she spent half of her day studying at Madrasah (religious school) and the other half at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, where she proudly pursued her academic education. Faridah married young, just before she was set to pursue studies abroad, and left her family’s comfort at the age of 21. Her journey took her to the UAE, USA, and the Philippines, where she experienced diverse cultures and perspectives.
Faridah Ali embodies perseverance, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. As a late bloomer, she pursued her studies as a mature-age student in Australia, entering her career at a point when many of her peers had already amassed over 15 years of professional experience. Faridah’s commitment to growth is clear in her educational journey. After 12 years in her career, she pursued a Master’s by Research part-time on the “Quality of Life of Adults with Multiple Disabilities and their Parents” Her research deepened her understanding of the families she worked with, enhancing her practice and impact.
As a single parent, Faridah raised her daughter, now 26, a singer-composer studying in Melbourne. Throughout her journey, Faridah has remained dedicated to serving others with compassion and humility. She often makes time to mentor peers in her profession, offering support over a cup of tea during breaks, after work, or even on weekends.
Coming from a creative family of cooks, writers, musicians, and artists, Faridah continues to nurture her own creativity. She writes and performs whenever she can, and enjoys hosting intimate gatherings with friends, where deep conversations and humor flow over a meal made with love, uniquely prepared by her, with good jazz in the midst.
Coaching Style
Empathetic and Supportive: Creates a safe space where clients feel comfortable and valued.
Attentive Listener: Genuinely interested in clients’ journeys, meeting them where they are emotionally and respecting their readiness to engage.
Adaptive Partner: Flows with client needs, fostering trust, connection, and empowerment.
Champion of Change: Encourages and supports clients as they explore and embrace their own path to growth and transformation.
Personal Philosophy
“Everything in life is about good timing”
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive with a little nudge from someone who believes in them”
“Age does not matter as long as what matters does not age” (Chang, F.A. 2001)
