Dr. Malini Saba (www.malinisaba.com) exemplifies the concept of using business to serve humanity; she is a self-made businesswoman, an ardent philanthropist, psychologist, single Mom, fitness enthusiast, author, passionate culinarian, human & social rights activist and a global advocate for women and girls. Dr. Saba is also one of the very few self-made leaders in the commodity industry, and the first woman owner and CEO in the commodity space. She has helped millions of underserved women and children in South and Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and the U.S. to gain access to life-saving medical, educational services and achieves economic stability.
With an aim and vision to help one billion people around the world, she has helped them to have access to basic healthcare amenities, education facilities and opportunities to help them in breaking the cycle of poverty and educate people on human right issues. Dr Saba launched the ‘Anannke Foundation’ (previously known as Saba Family Foundation) to serve as the umbrella organization for all of her philanthropic efforts and activities which focuses on healthcare, education and human rights. The organization has undertaken numerous projects in the respective fields including partnering with President Bill Clinton on many global initiatives and was jointly featured in multiple newspapers and magazines, Stanford Medical Center, YUVA, CARE International, Concern Worldwide Program, Net Aid programs, Say Yes for Children’, Aman Movement’, Humanity Crew’, Maharani Gurcharan Kaur Euro Group’, Save the Children etc.
Dr. Saba was born in Malaysia to a family of modest means, which instilled in her a very strong work ethic that helped her rise to success through sheer perseverance and the belief that she could. Her parents also emphasized compassion for those less fortunate, and as a child, she would bring clothes and books to shelters and spend time there.
Dr Saba received the Kalpana Chawla 2005 award for ‘Outstanding Woman Of The Year’ from the friends of Indian community of Los Angeles, the Mother Theresa award in 2004 from the friends of Indian community of Los Angeles, the 2007 Ambassador Of Peace award from the federation of peace in London, the 2001 Entrepreneur Of The Year – Business Women’s Network Washington D.C., and the 2005 Philanthropist Of The Year award by “Pratham’ an NGO promoting education.
With proven achievements in investment, real estate, commodity and PC industries, Dr. Saba repeatedly produces sustained revenue and growth in dynamic and changing markets. She has an extensive business background in international, multi-cultural environments and broad experience with highly engineered systems, which require deep understanding of critical business drivers in multiple markets. Dr Saba has continued her path to build her businesses, while continuing to mentor, teach and fund local initiatives. She currently heads a global commodity which employs around 3750 local workers.
Dr Saba regularly donates funds towards building schools in Africa, India and South-East Asia. She also fund scholarships and has previously funded over one million students. Furthermore, the operations of the foundation focus on funding organizations that work with children and young adults.
Saba Group Holdings, finances Dr Saba’s philanthropic works which is a group of privately held company that she founded in Asia. Dr. Saba has a passion for agricultural commodities, such as rice, and natural resources because they are essential to human existence. In addition to rice, Saba Group Holdings operates palm oil, cashew and wheat businesses. The company also operates in the gold mining, ship breaking, iron Ore and hospitality sectors. Saba Group Holdings employs best business and sustainable business practices in South and Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Dr. Malini Saba is also the Founder of Saba Entertainment Group, whose mission is to develop, create, source and invest in international and economically viable feature film, TV and immersive experiences. It also produce short form content projects that could be released theatrically, video on demand (VOD), subscription (SVOD) with intent to present socially relevant, entertaining and empowering content.
An avid writer, successful businesswoman and brilliant researcher, she wants to work relentlessly to provide access to women and children through the life span, not only for preventive health but social and economic gain. She continues to speak in global forums and intends to impact policies globally across governments. Dr. Saba launched a food business in Asia In 2006. She traveled through South East Asia to the Far East and finally onto Southern Asia with her entrepreneurial businesses. Dr Saba also devoted her time in writing “The Abbreviated Cook,” a compilation of quick and easy recipes offers a twist on traditional South and Southeast Asian dishes which can also be found at her website www.serendipspice.com
Dr. Saba has started recently Founded a social media community ‘TheSingleWorkingMother’ to empower and provide support to Single Working Mothers who are currently working (any type of job, in any type of career, with any type of work arrangement), wants to learn about the challenges of being a Single Working Mom –or wanting to re-enter the workforce.