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Our People

Meet our Board of Management and the team that runs the organisation.

Board Members

Deryne Sim Lifen (Ms)

Vice-President

Shalom Lim Ern Rong (Mr)

Honorary Secretary

Yap Qian Yin (Ms)

Honorary Treasurer

Black and white photo of Navin Nair, he is smiling, has short hair and is wearing a dark shirt

Navin Nair (Dr)

Assistant Honorary Treasurer

Phoebe Tay Wen Jun (Ms)

Committee Member

Sim Yu Xiang (Mr)

Committee Member

Yip Lai Foon (Ms)

Committee Member

Management Team

Anusiah Tharmalingam (Ms)

Administration Manager

Black and white photo of Max Soh, he is smiling, has short hair and is wearing a tartan patterned shirt

Soh Wei En (Mr)

Research and Policy Manager

Nur Shafiqah binte Sahar (Ms)

Communications & Outreach Executive

Yogeswari d/o Kunusegaran (Ms)

Access Guide Consultant

Theresa Goh Rui Si (Ms)

President

I believe that everyone deserves equitable access to society that will allow them to lead life as independently as possible.

Theresa Goh is a Queer Paralympic Swimmer from Singapore. She represented her country internationally for 20 years before retiring end of 2019. She is an advocate for LGBTQ rights especially in Singapore, but also aims to be a voice for other causes that speak to her. Theresa strongly believes in the importance of seeing the ability in a person without erasing their disability.

Deryne Sim Lifen (Ms)

Vice-President

The inclusive support she experienced during her postgraduate studies shaped her perspective on the importance of accessibility and belonging. It inspired her commitment to building a society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

Deryne Sim is a Singapore-qualified lawyer with a passion for advancing justice, inclusion and equal opportunity. She completed her Bachelor of Laws at the National University of Singapore before receiving the UK Chevening Scholarship and the US Fulbright Scholarship, which she used to pursue postgraduate studies in technology law and human rights law. Deryne was diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss at the age of 24. 

Shalom Lim Ern Rong (Mr)

Honorary Secretary

As an aspiring DEI and social advocate, my goal is to play a role in enabling disability justice to be normalised within the minority landscape in Singapore and to operate on a level that's on par with existing civil society movements.

Shalom Lim is a disability advocate and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Rebirth Ensemble. Living with muscular dystrophy, he champions disability rights, accessibility and independent living. Through his work at Shalom Medcare, Muscular Dystrophy News Today and Rebirth Ensemble, he advocates for disability-led leadership, innovation and equal opportunities for all.

Yap Qian Yin (Ms)

Honorary Treasurer

Empowerment begins with inclusion. I am empowered in my best ability to dismantle barriers, embrace differences, and create a world where abilities are celebrated, not limited. Every voice matters, every talent counts. I believe, together, we pave the path to employment and social acceptance for all.

Yap Qian Yin is a dynamic financial professional holding a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance and a member of CPA Australia. A proud Paralympian, she represented Singapore globally in para-sailing, embodying resilience and determination. Driven by her lived experiences, Qian Yin advocates for disability inclusion, fair employment, and workplace diversity. Outside her professional and advocacy commitments, she is an avid foodie who loves researching and exploring Singapore’s culinary scene. She also enjoys learning new skills like crochet and Nagomi art for self-healing and personal growth.

Black and white photo of Navin Nair, he is smiling, has short hair and is wearing a dark shirt

Navin Nair (Dr)

Assistant Honorary Treasurer

Being a person with disability, I am passionate about advocacy works and my ultimate goal is to keep making a better version of myself and always live life to the fullest.

Dr Navin Nair holds a DBA (Doctorate) Degree in Managerial Science from USA, Masters in Human Resource Management from USA & UK. Learning is his passion and he enjoys life to the fullest and upholds the motto “equal rights and opportunities” for all. Playing the piano and keyboard relaxes him and he rarely says no to briyani and awesome desserts.

Amal Husnah binte Jamaludin (Ms)

Committee Member

Making mistakes is part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to make some when interacting with members of the disabled community, or anyone else who might be different from you. As long as people continue learning while addressing their biases, we can create an inclusive society that benefits everyone.

Amal Husnah Jamaludin has been doing technical support for the past few years, despite not coming from a technical background. She is relatively new as a disability advocate, but has always been passionate about different groups of people being fairly treated and equally represented in society. Husnah enjoys attending performances by her favourite artistes, as well as her favourite local theatre company. She also loves to read, and buying new Fenty Beauty products.

Marcelia Patience Lim (Ms)

Committee Member

Making sure no one get left behind and being the voice for the people with disabilities whom needs the voice so that everyone else regardless of abilities or disabilities get equal opportunities.

Marcelia Patience, whose career has expanded from teaching to administrative work, finds joy and fulfillment in being a silent advocate for People with Disabilities and taking on new challenges through volunteering and outreach. In her free time, she pursues hobbies such as playing in a band, crocheting, drawing, gaming and reading non-fiction.

Phoebe Tay Wen Jun (Ms)

Committee Member

Phoebe Tay is deaf. She earned her PhD in Linguistics from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore in March 2026. In September 2026, she began a full-time role as Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) Linguistic and Community Advisor at Kara Technologies. Prior to this, she studied and worked in Australia and the United States from 2003 to 2020.

For more information about Phoebe and her research, visit www.phoebetay.com

Sim Yu Xiang (Mr)

Committee Member

Yu Xiang (known also by his stage name “Sky Shen”) is a multi-disciplinary artist-educator, musician, and disability advocate. After graduating from Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Communications & Media Management as valedictorian of his cohort, he went on to complete a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences (Sociology) with Highest Distinction Honours from the National University of Singapore. He has worked with various social service agencies in diverse capacities for over 15 years, using his sensitivities to social issues and expertise in content creation for advocacy. His unique blend of skillsets and journey as an active performing musician allow him to engage in awareness discussions in both formal and entertaining contexts.

Yip Lai Foon (Ms)

Committee Member

Amanda Yip is a multi-sensory artist, disability advocate and Co-Founder and Creative Director of Rebirth Ensemble. Living with vision impairment, she champions accessibility, inclusive design and disability representation through art and storytelling. Drawing on her lived experience, she advocates for disability-led innovation, greater independence, equal opportunities and meaningful inclusion in society. 

Anusiah Tharmalingam (Ms)

Administration Manager

Anusiah brings more than 27 years of experience at DPA, with extensive knowledge of the organisation’s finance, administration and operational functions. Known for her strong work ethic, sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment, she is often the go-to person for getting things done. She enjoys organising events, improving processes and finding practical solutions that support the organisation’s effectiveness. Her dedication, reliability and attention to detail have made her a valued and trusted member of the team.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with family and has a particular love for ginger and masala chai and Indian cuisine. Passionate about continuous learning, she welcomes new experiences and remains curious about life’s journey and the insights it brings.

Black and white photo of Max Soh, he is smiling, has short hair and is wearing a tartan patterned shirt

Soh Wei En (Mr)

Research and Policy Manager

Max Soh joined DPA in 2021 and oversees the organisations research and policy initiatives – such as conducting original research for DPA, writing commentaries on policy developments facing the disability community, and organising DPA’s efforts in advocating for more disability-inclusive policies, laws, and initiatives in Singapore. As a person with a visual impairment since birth, Max brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work – having previously been involved with disability organisations, particularly in the international disability space.

Nur Shafiqah binte Sahar (Ms)

Communications & Outreach Executive

Shafiqah plays an integral role in supporting DPA’s outreach and engagement initiatives, with a focus on the Inclusion Ambassador Programme, Experiential Disability Learning, and membership programme. She oversees the coordination and delivery of engagement activities, facilitates opportunities for persons with disabilities to share their lived experiences, and supports initiatives that promote greater awareness and understanding of disability inclusion. Through her work, Shafiqah is committed to amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities, fostering meaningful connections with the community, and advancing DPA’s vision of a more accessible and inclusive Singapore.

Yogeswari d/o Kunusegaran (Ms)

Access Guide Consultant

Yoges joined DPA in 2017 as a Programme Executive, organising events, outings and creative programmes for members aimed at revitalising community spaces through playful design and experiences. From 2020 to 2023, she continued work with DPA as a freelance consultant, leading DisOrdinary Love, Singapore’s first disability-focused, sex-positive platform, bridging conversations around sex education and disability. Since 2023, Yoges has focused on accessibility guides, audits and mapping projects, alongside occasional work in the arts and cultural sector. Outside of work, she explores crafts and creative practices, constantly experimenting with different ways of making.