Lilyana Latiff
Women In Tech
When one woman helps another, amazing things can happen. Professional careers leap forward and humble home-based startups can progress. Together we learn more the unique challenges faced and find solutions through collaboration.
Eve Writes | 25 October 2018
Business & Entrepreneurship : Women In Tech
A calming and subtle scent of Lime Soy Candle from
Debuting Eve ‘Women In Tech’ is the outspoken Lilyana Latiff, present CEO of MyNEF (New Entrepreneur Foundation). A non-profit organization, MyNEF mandate is to grow the tech industry in Malaysia and to continually cultivate new technopreneurs through collaborative programmes.
Her peers often describe her as lively, personable, dedicated and level-headed. A ‘spirited technopreneur’ -- where many would not like to speak of their failed ventures and mistakes, close friends and associates tells us she would readily admit hers. She does so candidly with no fear or favour, nor any ill-feelings of parties she’s worked with. ‘Spirited’ because …the next thing you know, she’s on to test her mettle with something totally unexpected!
I have failed many times in life (and business) - but I never regrets the actions that led to that failure.
I keep moving forward.
Lilyana Latiff, CEO of MyNEF
While her present role in MyNEF was not entirely unexpected by many, the mandate that MyNef holds as a non-profit under the Ministry of Finance is no ‘walk-in-the-park’ ...much less leave room for 'failures'
“We help tech companies “connect-the-dots” towards funding and capitalisation, media awareness, and access to markets and partnerships. Our activities are not bound to Malaysia – we also have partners, and run programmes, across South East Asia,”
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Lily runs a tight ship. Her roles requires her to constantly seek opportunities for collaborations and partners that will enable MyNEF to achieve their mandate. Always open and excited to discover new things, she is never uncomfortable in unknown situations and admits that she gets energized by situations that allows her to create new rules and new things!
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Inspired by the PROUST Questionnaire, About Eve uncovered more of the "spirited" side of Lily!
1. What are you most excited about these days?
ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards
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2. What is the best thing that happened to you this year?
Getting a driver (LAUGH!)
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3. If you could switch lives with someone for a day who would it be?
Meghan Markle
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4. What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Pray more
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5. What’s your favorite exercise?
Errr ;-p what exercise?
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6. Best way to decompress?
A good spa or a good read
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7. What’s your favorite country to visit?
Portugal
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8. Last country you visited?
Indonesia
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9. Country you wish to visit?
Egypt
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10. What’s your favorite ice-cream?
Baskin Robbins Jamoca Almond Fudge
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11. What makes you smile the most?
My kids
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12. What’s the coolest thing in the world?
Tesla the car
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13. What is the cutest thing in the world?
ME! (She laughed Hysterically)
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14. What’s your favourite band?
The Police
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15. Favourite Solo Artist?
Sting
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16. If you could go to any concert past or present, what would it be?
Beethoven
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17. If Your Life was a song what would your title be?
"Do You Know" Diana Ross
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18. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
A gold bar
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19. What’s your favorite movie of all time?
You've Got Mail
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20. What was the movie that made you cry?
E.T.
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21. If you could make a documentary, what would it be about?
Startups!
22. If you could have one superpower what would it be?
Read minds
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23. Favourite superhero?
Greatest American Hero, or Spawn
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24. What is the skill still unmastered?
Conversion Optimisation (dont ask!)
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25. Do you like surprises?
YES!
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26. If you could do a flash mob where would it be?
Malaysian Parliament ... I think they need to "chill"!
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27. Do you bake?
No
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28. What’s your favorite dessert?
Tiramisu!
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29. You are stuck on an island, you can pick one food to eat forever without getting tired of it, what would you eat?
Fried Chicken ala Kunyit
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30. Tea or Coffee?
Coffee
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31. What do you usually order in Starbucks? (or in your favorite café)
Hazelnut Frappe
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32. What’s your favourite book of all time?
Hermann Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund
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33. What’s the next book you plan on reading?
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
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34. To be or not to be?
That is the question...
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35. Dolphins or koalas?
Koalas
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36. Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls
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37. One thing you can’t live without?
Sleep
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38. What’s one cause that’s dear to your heart?
Helping Startups to accelerate
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39. Do you have a morning beauty ritual?
Yes
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40. What’s the priciest thing you’ve ever splurged on?
Clothes or Macbook Air
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41. What is something you always travel with?
Extension cord!
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42. Your idea of happiness…. a good laugh!
Connect with Lily at lilyana@mynef.com
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