IT'S a bright and early 8.30 in the morning, and I can't help but wonder who in their right mind schedules an interview at this ungodly hour. Then it dawns on me. It was me. I did this to myself. The reason? Mathura Kannan's availability, which left me with no choice but to agree to this early rendezvous without thinking.
"I'm truly sorry for subjecting you to an early morning meeting!" Mathura offers her profuse apologies, amused by my dishevelled appearance and bloodshot eyes.
It's painfully evident that I'm not a morning person. "I'm so sorry to put you through this!" she apologises again, her laughter underscoring the humour of the situation. I must have looked quite a sight.
I quickly straighten up in my chair and try to appear more awake and alert. After all, I don't want to make a terrible first impression during this interview. I'd be damned if I allow myself to slack off in front of this high achiever!
"Let's get started, shall we?" I say, reaching for my notes and preparing to dive into this conversation. She looks at me inquisitively, her eyes behind her spectacles still crinkled in amusement. The day had already started for her long before I appeared on her screen in a Zoom call.
With conferences to organise, teams to lead, and a constant stream of innovative ideas, her role as the co-founder and advisor of Ascendance, an international youth organisation that has impacted over 50,000 students in the past eight years, keeps her exceptionally busy. Their mission, encapsulated in the hashtag #OneMillionTeens, is a monumental undertaking.
Mathura's tireless dedication has earned her numerous accolades. She's been hailed as the regional finalist for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards, in recognition of her contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically focusing on quality education in Asia. Additionally, she's garnered acclaim as one of Wiki's "100 Changemakers creating real impact in Malaysia".
At just 27, Mathura wears many hats. She's not only a Chartered Accountant, but also holds the role of junior director at Simply Empowering, a company specialising in outsourcing accounting and offering business advisory services.
On top of that, she's the author of Money Matter$ — The Guide to Finance & Life for Gen Zs and hosts a talk show called Money Matter$ where she gathers insights and wisdom from various individuals on the subject of money management.
In June 2022, she embarked on her most recent adventure as the chief executive officer of ET Ideas Group, a social business incubator. In this role, she collaborates closely with the ET Ideas Council to create a platform for individuals aspiring to establish businesses that contribute value to the world.
It's almost mind-boggling how much Mathura has achieved at such a young age. However, when congratulated, she modestly deflects the praise, attributing her success to the remarkable team of individuals who work alongside her. "I have an amazing team of people that work with me," she insists, before thanking me.
Even though it's barely morning, she's already juggling a multitude of responsibilities with remarkable energy. Her bright demeanour, punctuated by easy smiles and boundless enthusiasm, shines through as she candidly confesses: "I'm not sure why I chose Tuesday for all these meetings!" accompanied by a casual shrug of her shoulders.
I quietly think that she might be wearing a cape beneath her plain dark shirt. You don't get to do all these things without having some kind of super-power. I tell her that and she laughs heartily. "Trust me, it's not easy!" she assures, still chuckling.
GROWING PAINS
Mathura's journey has indeed been quite remarkable. She shares a bit about her background with a chuckle: "I was born in Sentul Medical Centre...wait...that's oddly specific!" Her laughter punctuates the conversation. She's the middle child of three siblings, and her parents were both teachers. "Strangely enough, when I was born, my father decided to venture into business," she reveals.
As a young girl, Mathura attended a Tamil school where her mother taught. She reflects on her upbringing, admitting: "It's a bit of a mixed bag, being a teacher's kid. On one hand, you receive special attention in school because, well, your mum is a teacher. But on the flip side, if you make a mistake, you can be sure you're in for a tough time because, after all, your mum's a teacher!" The experience, it seems, had its share of advantages and challenges.
She candidly opens up about her own challenges, saying: "I had my fair share of insecurities while growing up." I offer: "Middle child syndrome?" with a sympathetic nod, and she grins, exclaiming: "How did you know?" It's a feeling easy to relate to; after all, I'm a middle child as well.
Siblings often feel like they're in a numbers game. The oldest child gets attention for their milestones, while the youngest receives extra care due to their dependence, leaving middle children to often feel overlooked — a relatable struggle for many.
Mathura opens up further, admitting: "I grew up with this feeling that I wasn't as loved as my siblings." It's a heavy burden she carried, even though that perception was likely misplaced. "I was hurt, angry, and I felt misunderstood," she confides in a soft voice.
Her childhood struggles extended beyond the home as well. "I had short hair, dressed differently, and that led to a lot of hurtful name-calling," she shares with a hint of vulnerability.
After a brief pause, she reflects: "It's strange how I can still remember those names they called me to this day. Even though they may have been said in passing, words can really cut deep." Her experiences remind us of the lasting impact that hurtful words can have, even as we grow older.
Mathura carried a burden throughout her upbringing. She reflects on that time, admitting: "I carried a lot of rage and anger inside of me." She offers a wry smile as she continues: "The smallest thing would set me off, and I found it difficult to communicate with my parents, so I shut down." It's a poignant reminder of the complex emotions and challenges many young people face as they navigate their formative years.
FINDING PURPOSE
Despite her inner turmoil, Mathura excelled academically, ultimately pursuing an accountancy qualification at a local college. Reflecting on her youth, she chuckles, admitting: "I wasn't overly ambitious. Once, I suggested starting a painting business for schools in need of a makeover. My parents weren't thrilled with the idea!"
During her time in college, Mathura became part of ET Ideas, a social incubator platform established by a cadre of social entrepreneurs with the mission to inspire and empower young individuals.
She explains: "My parents and my youngest sister were already connected with the people involved in this platform. Encouraged by them, I attended their talk show called ET Youth."
Her participation in ET Youth turned out to be transformative. Mathura reflects on the experience, saying: "All of a sudden, I was exposed to concepts like setting goals, following your heart, and other ideas that really made me think. Something inside me sparked."
It's a moment of personal growth and inspiration that many can relate to — the moment when newfound ideas and perspectives ignite a sense of purpose.
ET Ideas fostered an environment where young individuals were encouraged to pursue their passions and explore their areas of interest. In Mathura's case, she had the chance to intern at the accounting division of the platform.
"For once, we were told that we could be anything we wanted to become. All too often, we're pigeonholed and pushed into roles that don't align with who we truly are. At ET Ideas, we had the freedom to pursue any path, and that was incredibly refreshing," she relates, smiling.
Influenced by these formative experiences, she and a group of like-minded friends who joined the same platform, came together to establish Ascendance, which has now become a global youth organisation spanning 28 countries.
Explaining their motivation, Mathura shares: "Our aim was to establish a space and offer the resources that young people required to truly express themselves because we knew they had incredible potential. Currently, rather than encouraging them to be themselves, we often dictate who they should become."
Her words underscore the importance of mentorship and the profound impact of guiding the next generation, helping them discover and develop their authentic selves.
FINDING HEALING
As Ascendance rapidly expanded, with the young team travelling across the nation to conduct motivational programmes for students in schools, Mathura's internal conflicts persisted.
She candidly admits: "The anger I carried from my early years still lingered within me." She reflects ruefully, adding: "I wasn't easy to work with, especially in the beginning."
The demanding hours she put into Ascendance, alongside her internship as an accountant while studying, began to concern her parents. Mathura recalls: "I'd return home late at night after a full day of programmes at schools with the Ascendance team, and my worried mother would be waiting up for me."
As communication between Mathura and her parents continued to deteriorate, and tension simmered at home, she recalls her mentor at ET Ideas consistently urging her to have a candid conversation with her parents.
She confides: "I had this belief that my parents didn't love me and that they favoured my siblings. Many of my hang-ups, insecurities, and anger stemmed from that belief. So my mentor advised me to confront my parents and genuinely listen to what they had to say."
Summoning her courage, Mathura arranged a breakfast date with her father. She recounts: "It was quite awkward at first! We stared at each other, ate our food and came home!" But eventually they slowly started conversing with each other.
During one such conversation, she finally expressed her true feelings to her father, and he was stunned. He assured her that he loved her deeply. Mathura doesn't remember his exact words, but she vividly recalls how she felt at that moment. That conversation became a turning point, a source of healing. Gradually, many of her insecurities and anger began to fade away.
Breakfast dates with her father have since become a cherished and regular occurrence in her life. She proudly shares that they have evolved into one of the most treasured parts of her week.
Mathura reflects on her personal growth, saying: "I've learnt to open up more. I'm a work in progress, of course, but I was determined to work on myself. I mean, if I'm so insecure and then I go and tell a kid to be confident, it's not going to work. They don't follow what you say. Kids follow what you do."
Since then, there has been no looking back for Mathura.
As our conversation winds down, Mathura shares: "I'm much calmer than I used to be, more patient, and better at managing things. I'm truly grateful for this change because I like myself better now." Among all her accomplishments, this transformation is what she's proudest of.
I pose a final question, asking her: "If she had a message for her younger self, what would that be?" She takes her time to reply. "I'd tell her that things will be okay," she says simply.
Certainly, if the younger Mathura could glimpse into her future, she would likely be astounded by the incredible heights she has reached and the lives she has touched.
But perhaps the most profound revelation would be the realisation that love and acceptance were never absent; they'd always been right there, surrounding her from the beginning of her remarkable journey.
