For over 15 years, Michael Teoh’s insights, stories & passion into the world of the Millennial-Generation, the Future of Work, Entrepreneurship and Leadership, have brought him to speak to top companies with its leaders across 41 countries, where he was featured on CNN, BBC and had his thoughts echoed amongst world leaders in conferences organized by the United Nations. Aside from being recognized as a National Youth Icon for 2-times in his home country of Malaysia by the Prime Minister, Michael also received a place in the prestigious Malaysian Book of Records for his contributions in the development of the Youth Workforce, Volunteerism & Human Capital Development efforts.
Michael Teoh would describe himself as a Management Consultant-turned-Education Entrepreneur, with several Board positions in government ministries, advisory groups and as an Investor in several education-technology companies in Malaysia – Often times, him being one of the younger leaders being entrusted to those roles. He had served in Advisory roles with Microsoft’s Global YouthSpark initiative representing Asia, to advising the World Youth Parliament in Geneva on matters concerned with Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship, and both the Malaysian Ministries of Education, and Youth & Sports, often times as an Advisor appointed by the Minister.
Interestingly as well, Michael Teoh had shared the stage to speak in the presence of billionaire Sir Richard Branson, legendary rockstar Sir Bob Geldof, aviation tycoon Tony Fernandes and even, the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Yet, despite such recognitions, this Malaysian education entrepreneur would recall lessons of Grit & being Resilient during his early childhood years, where he was a victim of bully for over a decade and having survived a car accident that could have taken his life.
All those experiences, inspired Michael to stay resilient in his purpose to Inspire & Develop more Leaders from the ‘Millennial-Generation’, to be Responsible and Influential in the ways how they shape & contributed to the Future of our World’s Environment, Society and Governance.
That purpose led Michael to start his award-winning consulting & learning solutions firm – Thriving Talents in 2012, servicing Fortune 500 clients from across the globe and even winning him the coveted Malaysian Young Entrepreneur of the Year on 2-separate occasions, and bagging 2-separate awards for the business, namely the Top 100 SMEs in Malaysia and the Golden Bull Emerging SME of the Year, which is regarded as one of the oldest award for businesses in Malaysia.
Prior to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Michael Teoh’s career started in management consulting, where he learnt the tricks of the trade with 2 of the world’s leading consulting firms, during his undergraduate years in New Zealand. He then returned to Malaysia for several careers in Branding & Communications, Government Liaisons, Community Activation & Engagement, Innovating Consulting and Digital Media, being landing on his purpose and passion in the education scene.
He obtained his undergraduate qualifications from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand, before having expanded his learning through special programmes & executive courses by Stanford University and INSEAD in the years to come. He is also a Certified Train-the-Trainer by the Ministry of Human Resources (Malaysia), a NLP-Practitioner by the American Board of NLP (AB-NLP) and a Certified Motivation Coach (Singapore).
Michael would link his purpose to develop the Millennials early on, during the start of his ‘Speaking Career’ some 15 years ago, where he was a ‘Youth Speaker’, invited to speak at global summits like One Young World (London & Zurich), the Harvard Project for Asian & International Relations (HPAIR) and the World Youth Parliament in Geneva.
Michael’s guiding mantra in life sees him promoting Excellence and Benevolence in One’s Doing & Leadership amongst Others – A mantra which is drawn from his own beliefs: Walk with the Kings, but Never Lose that Common Touch!
