YASMIN RASYID

Sustainability Consultant, Educator, Influencer and Advocate.

EXPERIENCE
Founder and President at EcoKnights
June 2005 - Present
A community-based NGO with a focus on community empowerment and development in sustainability
through strategic interventions and smart partnerships.
The organization works closely with government agencies, community groups, academia and under NGOs
to promote the mainstreaming and effective adoption of sustainable development goals and efforts.

Vice Chairman
May 2017 - Present
Assisting the Chairman and the members in advancing better environmental management for
the sustainability of the country's future.

Public Speaker and Influencer

December 2010 - Present
Spoken extensively in the last decade on various national and international issues related to sustainability,
women empowerment, work-life balance, NGO leadership, social entrepreneurship, and in scientific and
academic conferences and symposiums (environmental issues and NGOs).

Co-Founder and Director

November 2015 - Present
Partnerships, networking and strategic communications (inclusive of media) on behalf of PopTani Asia.
Involved in strategic planning and development along with the other directors.

Sustainability Consultant
December 2012 - Present
Consultation services to clients in areas to enhance sustainability practices in policies, business practices,
employee engagement, social responsibility efforts, and build environment.
Chairperson
November 2012 - May 2017 (4 years 6 months)
1. Organizational Development
2. Strategic Fundraising (e.g. CSR)
3. Working closely with relevant stakeholders (media, government agencies, corporate) to lobby for
better environmental governance
4. Strategises and designs intervention programs for communities
5. Speaker at national and international conferences
6. Ground work with communities via community intervention programs.
7. Networking with national and international partners in conservation and sustainability

Head of Research and Development

November 2003 - November 2005 (2 years)
Head the R&D department in product development and global product registration of KustemVax,
only intranasal pneumonia vaccine for goats and cows.

Communications Officer at WWF-Malaysia

November 2001 - November 2003 (2 years)
Provide public-friendly scientific narratives on WWF Malaysia's environmental programs to the media
and public. Worked on designing and production of communication materials for various target groups of
WWFM's stakeholders.

Scientific Officer at WWF-Malaysia

November 1998 - November 2001 (3 years)
1. Freshwater ecology expert conducting scientific studies to lobby for integrated river basin management
in the Selangor river basin
2. Outreach via paper presentations in conferences and symposiums,
3. Environmental communication

EDUCATION
University of Malaya
Master of Science (M.Sc.), Biotechnology
2000 - 2003
Activities and Societies:
part of the Animal Biotechnology Embryo Laboratory (ABEL) in the Institute of Biological Sciences.
participate and volunteer time to this research group to address laboratory management and tasking.
participate in symposiums and provide support for any on-campus research-based efforts.
Duke University
Bachelor's degree, Biology
1994 - 1998
Activities and Societies:
part of the International House where along with other Malaysians, we host International Day, and
would fundraise through the sales of Malaysian food and display of cultural diversity and heritage.
active in on-campus outdoor activities such as roller blading and so forth.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Forever Duke Award,
NGO Leadership Award,
Women of the Future Award 2016,
Top 40 Under 40 (Public Service Category) Award,
Winner, Ultimate Fun, Fearless and Fabulous Award by Cosmopolitan Malaysia,
2012 Harian Metro Mother's Day Award,
Women Icon Award 2017,
30 Women Achievers & Leaders of Malaysia at Golden Globe Tigers Award