HEIDY QUAH

Heidy is a champion of human rights. At just 18 years old, she founded Refuge for the Refugees (RFTR), developing services and networks that empower refugees and advocates for their rights. RFTR supports 35 refugee schools, two shelter homes, and a social business school.

Today, Heidy’s influence extends far beyond Malaysia, as she guides policy and corporate responsibility efforts both locally and internationally. Her expertise in advocacy and strategy is especially critical in troubleshooting highly complex human trafficking cases.

Over the past decade, Heidy has received numerous accolades for her work. In 2017, she was named a recipient of the prestigious Queen's Young Leaders Award. And in 2020, she was honored with the South East Asia Women Of The Future Award for her ongoing contributions to human rights and social equity in the region. She’s an Associate Professor at Taylor's Lakeside University and a PhD supervisor at Australia Catholic University.