Safura Atan

Head of the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), a Certified Coach and ICF Member

Safura Atan has over 20 years of experience within the entrepreneurial development and entrepreneurship industry. As a Certified Professional Trainer and Facilitator, she has accumulated vast exposure and developed expertise in entrepreneurship training programmes over those years. With her specialization in developing and delivering business coaching and training modules comparable to the international standard, she has discerning eyes for entrepreneurs’ training and development requirement and eager to bridge the gaps that exist in the current entrepreneur development landscape in Malaysia.

She has completed her Certificate of Coaching and Mentoring Professional and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Currently, she is the only Certified FORTH Innovation Methodology Facilitator based in Malaysia and is one out of two in Southeast Asia.

With an Accounting degree from UKM and MBA specializing in Entrepreneurship from UiTM, Safura has come a long way and has seen and done it all as far as SMEs’ business growth and development is concerned. She has essentially combined exposure in both worlds; entrepreneurship and development of business, from a venture capital perspective to being a team member of a startup company. The start-up company grew from a 4-man & 1-woman team to a successful and growing company by the time she decided to pursue other undertakings. Hence, she understands and embraces every challenge faced by our SMEs in many aspects of the business.

Most importantly, her working and entrepreneurship experience in various industries and credentials over the years has given her the edge and valuable insights in determining what works, what is practical and applicable in her current role as the Head of the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research. Her fortes and proven track record in successful implementation of entrepreneurial projects and facilitation are indispensable to the effective delivery of business coaching and training programmes in CEDAR to ensure its business sustainability, thus contributing meaningfully to the small and medium enterprises fraternity in Malaysia at large.

Abdul Aziz Abdul Samad

Head of Entrepreneur Development and a Certified Professional Coach

Abdul Aziz Abdul Samad is currently the Head of Entrepreneur Development and a Certified Professional Coach at the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR). He is an experienced development banker with Infrastructure & Development Bank of Malaysia and SME Bank since 1995.

His involvement in development banking started in processing financing applications and monitoring clients business performance at the Banks’ branches and Regional Office and then, as trainer, coordinator and secretariat for dedicated funds and entrepreneur development programmes e.g. Groom Big Programme, Graduate Entrepreneur Incubator Programme, Young Entrepreneur Programme, One District One Product Programme, Nursery Factory Scheme, Women Entrepreneur Programme and Entrepreneur Mentoring and Attachment Programme. He holds a BSc in Accounting and Finance from University of Wales, United Kingdom and Master of Business Administration from the National University of Malaysia. He is also a Certified Trainer by Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) and also holds a Certificate in Islamic Banking & Finance from International Islamic Universiti of Malaysia (IIUM).

Nur Fathiha Johan Ariffin

Head of Marketing and Business Development

Self-made entrepreneur, Fathiha Johan started her journey by selling noodles by the bus station in her primary days. With decades of experiences, Fathiha Johan not only able to bring pragmatic business strategy into CEDAR however she believes she is able to bring CEDAR to another height. Her combination of knowledge and working experiences makes her visible towards the entrepreneurial community.

Besides having first-class honor in her educational tertiary including bachelor degree and master degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Lancaster University (UK) and Help University respectively, she possesses industrial qualifications which further equipped her with the latest industrial based knowledge, which includes Project Management, Business Development, 6 Sixma (basic fundamental) and other certifications from trusted body such as MDeC, Tekun, INSKEN, PUNB, SME Corp and many more.

Her entrepreneurial journey includes working with relevant bodies such as Kumpulan Modal Perdana (venture capitalist) a subsidiary under MOF, EC Council a US-based IT security agency and close to a decade experienced running her own sales and marketing agency prior in joining CEDAR. Gaining exposure and connections especially from Telenex Services (own agency), she’s aware that there is an abundance of greatness and opportunity to be gained within the SME’s medium. She believes in giving back to the community even though the impact is only 1% or 1 soul. Stay honest, humble and happy!