When CEOs Took a 5KM Walk With Uni Students… No, It Wasn’t Awkward
What happens when you throw 20+ big-name CEOs, startup founders, and industry bosses into a park… and tell them to walk 5KM with hundreds of uni students, fresh grads, and young professionals?
No, it’s not a networking trap or a “how do you do, fellow kids” moment. It’s Leaders on the Walk — Malaysia’s first-ever mentorship-on-the-move event that ditched boring conference halls for the lush, leafy vibes of Perdana Botanical Garden.
Over 300 young Malaysians showed up, laced up their sneakers, and got the rare chance to have unfiltered conversations with top C-suites and people managers — the kind of leaders you normally only see on LinkedIn or in a company annual report.
Instead of panel talks and PowerPoints, this was mentorship 2.0:
Fresh air instead of fluorescent lights.
Walking side-by-side instead of sitting in rows.
Real talk instead of rehearsed speeches.
Chua Chai Ping, Country Head & HR Director of Experian Malaysia said:
“We are incredibly proud of the profound impact ‘Leaders on the Walk’ has had. This event truly embodied the spirit of Merdeka, allowing established leaders to ‘give back’ to the future talents of our nation. The energy and genuine engagement between the leaders and the mentees were truly inspiring, reinforcing our steadfast commitment to building a robust mentorship ecosystem and preparing the next generation for real-world leadership challenges.”
She also made it clear this isn’t just a one-hit wonder:
“‘Leaders on the Walk’ is not envisioned as a one-off activity. Instead, it marks the start of a longer-term mentorship ecosystem, designed to continuously nurture and empower future leaders in Malaysia. Experian Malaysia, with the support from our partners from GBS Networking Circle and PIKOM–GBS Malaysia, is eager to build on this success and remain dedicated to championing leadership development and nation-building initiatives for years to come.”
The idea? To break down barriers between “old guard” leadership and the next generation — and to prove that learning from the best doesn’t have to be stiff, intimidating, or locked behind a seminar ticket.
And it wasn’t just Experian making it happen. Heavy hitters like TalentCorp, Shell, HSBC, EY, Dell, Abbott, and even top universities like UM, Taylor’s, Monash, and UTM joined in — showing that Malaysia’s future leaders are worth the investment and the 5KM walk.
Why it matters:
If you’re a young Malaysian trying to figure out your career path, chances are you’ve wished you could just… ask someone who’s already there. Leaders on the Walk made that happen — in the most chill, no-suit-required way possible.
Now the question is: When’s the next one? 
