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"This approach has enabled our people to operate confidently across cultural and business boundaries while maintaining strong local identity and pride," shares Howell Yong Hao Er, Manager, HR & Administration.
Moomoo Securities Malaysia & Moomoo Shared Services (Moomoo Malaysia) places people at the heart of everything the company does.
As a young startup, one of its biggest hurdles was harmonising diverse mindsets, expectations, and work rhythms while balancing global standards with local culture.
To navigate this, the team introduced initiatives that prioritise meaningful human experiences and embed empathy into every HR touchpoint. By creating a safe space where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated to excel, Moomoo Malaysia strengthened both its culture and performance.
This unwavering commitment paved the way for its success, earning the Bronze award for Excellence in Championing Women Leaders at the HR Excellence Awards 2025, Malaysia.
Catching up with HRO, Howell Yong Hao Er, Manager of Human Resources & Administration, Moomoo Malaysia, sheds light on the company's empathy-led-people-first philosophy that is driving the company’s success.
Q Tell us about your inspiring HR initiative – what sparked the idea, and how did you know it was the right path to take?
At Moomoo Malaysia, we believe HR begins with “Human” — placing people at the heart of everything we do. Our initiatives are designed not just to manage resources, but to cultivate a meaningful human experience. The idea was sparked by our desire to move beyond traditional HR frameworks and reimagine how people connect with their work, leaders, and purpose. We knew it was the right path when we saw genuine engagement, trust, and ownership emerging organically from our teams — the true markers of a human-first culture.
Q Every journey has its ups and downs – can you share a challenge your team faced and how you worked through it together?
As a young startup bridging global standards with local culture, our biggest challenge was harmonising diverse mindsets, expectations, and work rhythms. Instead of enforcing rigid frameworks, we embraced cultural inclusiveness and mutual understanding.
By integrating empathy into every HR initiative — from onboarding to development — we created a space where people felt heard, valued, and inspired to perform. It wasn’t always easy, but by staying human and authentic, we built alignment through trust, not compliance.
Q What impact has this initiative had on your organisation so far, and what do you hope it inspires in the wider HR community?
Our initiative nurtured a “glocalised” culture — one that blends global excellence with local authenticity.
This approach enabled our people to operate confidently across cultural and business boundaries while maintaining strong local identity and pride. It enhanced collaboration, reduced friction, and strengthened our employer brand.
For the wider HR community, we hope this demonstrates that culture integration is not about conformity, but connection — enabling talents to thrive globally without losing who they are.
Q Looking back, is there a moment, person, or value that kept you and your team motivated throughout the journey?
During the foundational “0-to-1” stage, our motivation came from seeing culture take shape in real time — the laughter in the pantry, the eagerness to grow, and the pride in shared success. Every milestone reminded us that HR’s work is not about policies or systems, but people. Witnessing employees engage deeply with our vision, and seeing business performance rise alongside morale, reinforced our belief that a human-centric culture is the best form of business strategy.
Q If you could offer one golden nugget of wisdom to HR professionals aiming for excellence, what would it be?
Stay human, be a human HR.
"In a world of automation and data, never forget that HR’s greatest power lies in empathy and connection. People don’t remember processes — they remember how you made them feel. Build from that truth, and excellence will follow naturally."
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Lead image: Provided
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