Allianz Asia Pacific has launched the second year of its MoveNow Mentoring Program, in collaboration with Halogen Foundation and the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), doubling the number of mentees participating in 2025.
The initiative, which connects young individuals and para-athletes with experienced mentors, is focused on enhancing their transition from school to employment through skills training, industry exposure, and personalised guidance.
Now in its second year, the program is seeing increased engagement across the region, following positive outcomes from its 2024 launch.
According to Allianz, last year’s cohort reported notable gains in understanding their career interests, clarifying personal values, and boosting their preparedness for the job market.
Anusha Thavarajah, regional CEO of Allianz Asia Pacific, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to youth development through strategic partnerships.
“In just one year, this program has helped young people and para-athletes gain clarity, confidence, and new perspectives. We’re proud to see how far it’s come and excited to keep building on this momentum. We’re also grateful to our partners for walking this journey with us, and [we] look forward to working together to open more doors for the next generation,” she said.
The initiative’s expansion is supported by Halogen Foundation and SDSC, both of which play key roles in program delivery.
Ivy Tse, CEO of Halogen Foundation, said the partnership’s growth underscores its impact.
“We are really excited to partner Allianz Asia in growing this program from our first year and extending this learning opportunity to double the number of participants this round. Building upon this three-way partnership with Allianz and Singapore Disability Sports Council, we are committed to bring greater value to young mentees who are amid their school-to-work transition,” she said.
She said that mentors continue to be vital to the program’s success.
“We are extremely grateful to be able to support our mentees in their journey of self-discovery and development. A big thank you to all the mentors who have stepped forward to share their life and join us in this endeavour,” Tse said.
Kelly Fan, executive director of SDSC, said the program helps para-athletes explore new possibilities outside of sports.
“The Allianz MoveNow program has been a game-changer for young para-athletes, and we’re excited to embark on this second run with Halogen. Beyond sports, we hope this experience helps the new group of promising para-athletes discover their potential, gain valuable career insights, and get a head start in preparing for their future,” she said.
In 2024, the MoveNow initiative was recognised as a finalist for the Corporate Excellence Award at the National Mentoring Summit organised by Mentoring.SG and Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth — a recognition Allianz says affirmed the initiative’s direction.
The 2025 kick-off event, hosted at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, included remarks from Singapore Paralympian Sophie Soon, who spoke about her experiences navigating challenges and building a career.
Activities included structured mentor-mentee sessions and networking to encourage long-term engagement.
