NCSS 40-Under-40 2026

Overview

The eighth run of the signature youth leadership programme was held from 7 to 9 October 2026 at One Farrer Hotel. 40 emerging leaders from the social service, healthcare, public service, private and social enterprise sectors gathered to learn, network, reflect on insights shared by guest speakers, and discuss issues affecting the social service sector.

The theme for 2026 was “Learn, Lead, Link, with Purpose”, taking participants on a transformative journey of:

• Learn: Develop greater self-awareness and leadership effectiveness through assessment, reflection and experiential learning.

• Lead: Strengthen capabilities to lead innovation, organisational transformation and systems change.

• Link: Build meaningful relationships and networks across sectors to enable collaboration and collective impact.

• With Purpose: Connect leadership practice to Singapore's evolving social landscape and the future of social services.

Participants benefited from the personal and authentic insights shared by distinguished leaders from the social, public and corporate sectors. The programme offered a series of leadership conversations featuring Ms Ong Toon Hui, NCSS Deputy Chairperson, Ms Karen Ngui, Managing Director and Head of DBS Foundation, and Senior Minister of State Mr Goh Pei Ming . Participants also connected with NCSS leaders and 40-Under-40 alumni at programme segments.  

The programme included experiential learning journeys to Changi Airport Group to explore how a large organisation embeds innovation at scale; AWWA to understand leadership practices and people-centred approaches supporting organisational transformation; and Montfort Care and The Anchor @ Marine Parade to examine how healthcare, community and social service partners collaborate to address complex needs. A sharing session involving SingHealth Regional Health System, Montfort Care and Marine Parade Community Space Ltd further enabled participants to consider how multi-stakeholder partnerships could support more integrated and sustainable services.

Participants engaged in inspirational and reflective sessions to deepen their self-awareness and develop their Leadership DNA, gaining insights into their leadership personas, leveraging their strengths and navigating potential blind spots to support their growth as leaders. They also had opportunities to consolidate their learning, reflect on their leadership journey and identify actionable next steps through a facilitated group reflection session.

Through these comprehensive engagements, participants engaged in holistic learning to build a collaborative community of emerging social service leaders.

NCSS 40-Under-40 2026 Day 1 – Key Highlights

Welcome address by Mr Lim Shung Yar, Chief Executive Officer, NCSS.

My Leadership DNA Workshop facilitated by MAD Learning helped participants explored strengths, blind spots and ways to lead teams effectively.

Cross‑Sector Learning Journey at Changi Airport Group explored how a large organisation embeds innovation through agile teams, structural enablers and continuous experimentation.

Leadership Conversation with Ms Ong Toon Hui, Deputy Chairperson, NCSS.

The panel (left to right):

• Ms Ong Toon Hui, Deputy Chairperson, National Council of Social Service

• Mr Asher Low, Executive Director, Limitless Ltd (40-Under-40 Alumni of 2022 Cohort)

Engagement Dinner with NCSS Leaders and 40‑Under‑40 Alumni: Informal table conversations fostered candid exchange and shared perspectives.

Participants, NCSS leaders and 40‑Under‑40 alumni came together for an engagement dinner and a 40U40 Collective spotlight.

NCSS 40-Under-40 2026 Day 2 – Key Highlights

Leading Change, Centering People: The AWWA Journey featured visits to AWWA’s Day Activity Centre and Home with facilitated discussions.

AWWA CEO Mr J.R. Karthikeyan shared about the leadership decisions, organisational pivots and people-centred practices that supported AWWA’s transformation.

Leading Across Systems and Sectors learning journey: Montfort Care Goodlife! and The Anchor @ Marine Parade.

Exploring community‑based service models linking healthcare, community and social service partners.

Panel Discussion: Insights from SingHealth RHS, Montfort Care and Marine Parade Community Space Ltd.

Panel discussion speakers (left to right):

• Dr Eugene Shum, Director, Community Partnerships, SingHealth

• Mr Derrick Wong, Group Director, Montfort Care

• Mr Derrick Wong, Executive Director, Marine Parade Community Space Ltd

• Mr Fareez Bin Mohamed Fahmy, Chief Executive Officer, Allkin Singapore (40-Under-40 Alumnus of 2020 Cohort)

NCSS 40-Under-40 2026 Day 3 – Key Highlights

Leadership Insights: Four Shifts for Greater Social Impact.

Leadership Insights panel (left to right):

• Ms Karen Ngui, Managing Director and Head, DBS Foundation

• Mr Mohksin Rashid, Executive Director, AMP Singapore (40-Under-40 Alumnus of 2023 Cohort)

Group Reflection: Participants turned key learnings into practical leadership commitments and next steps.

Leadership Conversation with Mr Goh Pei Ming, Senior Minister of State for Social & Family Development.

Leadership Conversation panel (left to right):

• Mr Goh Pei Ming, Senior Minister of State

• Ms Cai Chengying, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Pro Bono SG (40-Under-40 Alumna of 2023 Cohort)

Closing Remarks by Mr Yoganathan Ammayappan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, NCSS.