From Military Command to Community Impact: The Leadership Journey of Feroz Akber
A New Chapter for Mendaki
In 2025, Yayasan Mendaki entered a new phase of leadership with the appointment of Feroz Akber as Chief Executive Officer. His appointment marked more than a leadership transition. It reflected a deliberate move towards strengthening both strategy and community connection at a time when expectations around education and social mobility are evolving. Having stepped into the role on 1 November 2025, Feroz brought with him not only decades of leadership experience but also a clear sense of responsibility towards the community Mendaki serves. His leadership arrives at a time where the organisation is expanding its focus beyond traditional academic support into a more holistic model that supports students, families, and long term career development.
Built Through the Singapore Armed Forces
Before entering the social sector, Feroz Akber spent more than 25 years in the Singapore Armed Forces. Over the course of his career, he held key leadership positions including Commander of the 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade and Head of the Army Safety Inspectorate. These roles required more than operational excellence. They demanded accountability, discipline, and the ability to lead people in complex and high pressure environments. Leadership in the military is immediate and tangible. Decisions affect real outcomes and leaders are responsible not just for results but for the people under their command. This foundation shaped how Feroz views leadership today. It is not about authority. It is about responsibility.
A Leader Already Grounded in the Community
What distinguishes Feroz Akber’s transition into Mendaki is that it was not a step into unfamiliar territory. Even before his appointment, he was actively involved in community work. As Chairman of M³ at Geylang Serai, he worked closely with grassroots organisations to support initiatives such as the Mendaki Homework Café, Ramadan programmes, and distribution efforts for families in need. These experiences gave him direct insight into the realities faced by the community. He was not stepping into Mendaki to learn about the ground. He was stepping in already connected to it.
Leadership as Responsibility
At the heart of Feroz Akber’s leadership philosophy is the idea of amanah. Leadership is not simply a role to fulfil but a responsibility entrusted to serve others with integrity and purpose. This perspective carries through in how he approaches decision making at Mendaki. The focus is not just on programmes or metrics. It is on impact. It is on ensuring that every initiative has a clear purpose and contributes meaningfully to the lives of students and families. In many ways, this reflects a shift from command based leadership to service based leadership. The environment may have changed but the core principle remains the same. To lead is to serve.
A Personal Lesson That Shaped His Leadership
When speaking to Founders Club, Feroz Akber shared a moment from his younger years that continues to shape how he leads today. He spoke about failing his English preliminary examinations before his O Levels, and how at that point, it affected his confidence and how he saw his own potential. What stood out was not the failure itself, but what came after. A teacher reached out to him and offered support, reminding him not to give up and that he was not alone. Feroz shared that this experience stayed with him over the years, not as a defining setback, but as a reminder of the importance of belief and support. Today, it influences how he approaches leadership by ensuring that people are not judged only by where they are at the moment, but supported for what they can become.
Setting the Direction for the Future
As CEO, Feroz Akber is focused on strengthening Mendaki’s long term impact. This includes building a more comprehensive support system that spans from early education to workforce readiness.The organisation is placing greater emphasis on developing students across different abilities, supporting families more holistically, and preparing individuals for a future shaped by rapid changes in technology and the workforce. This approach recognises that success today requires more than academic achievement. It requires resilience, adaptability, and access to the right opportunities.
Leading the Next Phase of Impact
Feroz Akber’s journey reflects continuity rather than change. From the Singapore Armed Forces to Mendaki, the underlying principle of his leadership remains consistent. It is rooted in service. In the military, it was service to the nation.
At Mendaki, it is service to the community. His leadership brings together structure and empathy, discipline and understanding. It is shaped by experience but guided by purpose. As Mendaki moves forward, his role is not just to lead an organisation, but to help shape pathways for the next generation. And in doing so, he carries forward a simple but powerful idea.That leadership is not about where you start.It is about the responsibility you choose to take on.