The former civil servant advocating for better animal welfare policies in Singapore

Aarthi Sankar may have been with the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Singapore for just over a year, but she has big hopes for the animal welfare group as its executive director.

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Having completed a 10-year stint with the People’s Association, Aarthi is no stranger to large organisations and complex structures.

The 36-year-old shares that while being in the government sector was enjoyable as she liked working with people, she found herself at a crossroads, contemplating whether to start her own charitable venture, or join a charity where her skills in partnership building, change management and community engagement could help make a difference. In 2021, she felt it was time to move on to greener pastures.

“From a very young age, my family instilled in me the values of using my voice for good, and for speaking up against injustice,” recounts Aarthi. She remembers bombarding her mother with endless questions about why some people were less fortunate than others, and why people would abuse animals.

“These early conversations led me to read extensively on the subject of social disparities, further fuelling my passion for making a difference,” explains Aarthi.

When she came across the opportunity to join the SPCA, there were two factors that really inspired her: First, it was about that ability to give back to society, in the form of an animal welfare cause, and to be a voice for the voiceless. Second, joining a charity would mean she could use her experience to address very specific challenges faced by the SPCA, from managing public perception to navigating complex community networks.

“The SPCA, which primarily focuses on animal welfare, might have seemed like an unexpected choice given my background of working predominantly with people. However, deep down, I recognised that the issues surrounding animals often had a profound impact on people, necessitating human engagement and support,” she says.