Once too shy to speak up in class, Limbang-born Hani Nur Zaihanirah Zaini has made history as the first Malaysian woman elected to the Toastmasters International Board — a journey shaped by courage, community, and the power of finding her voice.
Inspiring a New Generation of Leaders
When Nur Zaihanirah Zaini describes her journey, she often speaks of doors — doors that open to versions of ourselves we never knew existed.
For her, Toastmasters was one of those doors: behind it, she discovered a voice that was not only confident but also capable of reaching far beyond Sarawak.
At 33, that voice has propelled her into history. This Limbang-born leader has become the first Malaysian woman elected to the board of directors of Toastmasters International, the world’s leading organisation for communication and leadership.
It is not just the title that matters to Hani but what it represents in a world of rapid change. In an age where artificial intelligence can craft speeches in seconds, she believes the real power lies not in the words themselves but in the emotions they stir.
“People may forget your words, but they will never forget how you made them feel,” she opened our conversation.
Her election at the 2025 Toastmasters International Convention in Philadelphia was the result of a rigorous global nomination process.
Out of thousands of members worldwide, she now sits among a select group entrusted with shaping policies and the vision of an organisation that has been developing communicators and leaders for over a century.
Yet Hani’s path to this moment did not begin in boardrooms or on global stages. It began quietly — at the back of a classroom.
From silence to speech
As a diploma student, Hani remembers slipping into seats at the very back, hoping not to be noticed.
“I felt I couldn’t compete with my peers. Public speaking was daunting, and leadership seemed far beyond my reach,” she admitted.
That began to shift in 2013, when she walked into her first Toastmasters meeting.
What she found was not a stage of polished speakers intimidating newcomers but a circle of encouragement. Every round of applause and every piece of feedback became a brick in the foundation of her confidence.
“With the encouragement I received, I slowly started to believe in myself,” she said.
From one speech to another, her courage grew until the once-shy student stood as a leader, guiding others through the very doors she had once hesitated to open.
“Toastmasters isn’t just about learning to speak. It teaches you how to listen, to lead, to encourage, and to inspire others,” she explained.
Balancing roles, building strength
Hani’s professional life is just as demanding as her volunteer leadership.
As group general manager of Faradale Holdings in Kuching, a wholly owned company of Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak, she is responsible for strategic growth, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement.
She also serves on AZAM Sarawak’s board committees, supporting socio-economic development, youth empowerment, and community-building initiatives.
The balancing act doesn’t end there. She is also a wife, mother to a toddler, and daughter — caring for her own mother who lives with her family in Kuching.
How does she manage it all? Hani credits a strong support system.
“If it wasn’t for the support of my loved ones, I don’t think I could have done it alone. My husband, my three-year-old daughter, my mother-in-law, and my teammates — their encouragement has been my greatest source of strength,” she shared with a smile.
That grounding in family and home life keeps her connected to her roots — a connection she carries with her wherever she goes.
Carrying Sarawak to the world
Despite her global responsibilities, Hani never forgets where she comes from.
Whenever she travels abroad, she tucks small pieces of Sarawak into her luggage — colourful slices of kek lapis, bottles of Sarawak black pepper, and handwoven songket.
These gifts are more than souvenirs; they are statements of identity. They remind international colleagues that her leadership is shaped not just by corporate titles but by culture, heritage, and a sense of belonging.
“These little things are my way of introducing who we are,” she said.
Her perspective as a Sarawakian woman also shapes her vision for Toastmasters. While English and Spanish dominate the organisation’s programmes, Hani is pushing for greater inclusivity of other languages.
“I want to introduce Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, and Tamil so that more communities can access the benefits of Toastmasters.
“Language should not be a barrier to growth,” she explained.
Leading with purpose
For Hani, leadership is not about filling the air with words. It is about speaking with intent.
“A leader doesn’t just talk for the sake of talking. Every speech must have a purpose — to encourage, to inspire, or to guide,” she pointed out.
This clarity of purpose is part of what earned her the Distinguished Toastmaster designation, the highest recognition within the organisation.
Over the years, she has served in multiple leadership roles, becoming a mentor and role model for many. But even as she speaks with conviction, she is mindful of listening.
“You learn to lead not just by speaking, but by hearing others — by making space for their voices too,” she added.
It is this balance — of guiding and listening — that also shapes how Hani views leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Her reflections often turn to the times we live in. With AI increasingly shaping how information is generated and shared, she believes human communication will only grow in value.
“AI can help us write speeches, but it cannot make people feel. The human voice carries emotion, empathy, and authenticity. That is something technology cannot replace,” she emphasised.
In her role on the Toastmasters International Board, she sees herself as a “working ambassador” — not only contributing to policies and strategies but also championing the human elements of communication that unite people across cultures and continents.
Opening doors for others
For young women in particular, Hani’s journey carries a powerful message. She has walked the path from silence to influence, and now she wants to ensure others feel brave enough to follow.
“Don’t let others’ words shake your confidence. Do it wholeheartedly; take the first step bravely — that’s when doors to success will begin to open,” she advised.
Here, her door metaphor comes full circle. Toastmasters opened one for her, revealing strengths she had not imagined.
Today, she stands on the other side, holding it open for those who are ready to grow, ready to find their voice, and ready to lead.
And while her international election is historic, Hani is quick to remind us that her greatest fulfilment is not measured in boardroom decisions or high-profile speeches but in quiet, everyday transformations — in individuals who dare to step through their own doors of possibility.
“Toastmasters is like a door that leads to a version of yourself you never knew existed — more confident, more capable, more courageous.
“Walking through that door was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I know it can be for anyone ready to grow,” she noted.
Her journey shows that true leadership is not about standing alone at the top but about walking alongside those who encourage, mentor, and believe in you.
A voice that inspires
From a shy student hiding at the back of class to a global leader shaping the future of communication, Hani embodies the power of voice, courage, and community.
She has carried Sarawak to the world stage while reminding the world of something deeply human: that words may fade, but the emotions they spark endure.
Her story is not just about a personal breakthrough. It is about possibility — the possibility that lies behind every closed door, waiting for someone brave enough to knock, step through, and speak with purpose.
