By: Elle dela Cruz

Dr. Malini Saba stands as a visionary force at the intersection of business, philanthropy, and advocacy. As the Founder and Chairman of Saba Group, a privately-held company with investments across agriculture, real estate, energy, and technology, she has built a formidable global business empire driven by ethical entrepreneurship. Beyond the boardroom, she channels her success into humanitarian impact through the Saba Family Foundation, a pioneering organization committed to empowering marginalized women and children worldwide.

With a hands-on approach that emphasizes sustainability over short-term aid, her foundation supports initiatives spanning healthcare, education, human rights, and mental health across Africa, South America, South Asia, and the United States. Known for her fearless advocacy and unwavering commitment to justice, Dr. Saba embodies a leadership style rooted in compassion, resilience, and cultural inclusivity. Her story is not only about breaking barriers as a self-made entrepreneur but also about using her platform to challenge systemic inequalities and inspire transformative change.

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Saba reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped her journey, the philosophies guiding her philanthropic vision, and the pressing global challenges she believes will define the next decade of impact work.

Your journey from being born into a middle-class immigrant family to becoming a self-made businesswoman across multiple industries is remarkable. What pivotal moments or challenges shaped your path, and how did these experiences influence your decision to establish the Saba Family Foundation?

Dr. Malini Saba: From a very young age, I felt a deep calling to do what’s right by people. It has always been part of who I am. I spent my early years volunteering at churches, temples, and community centers, helping feed the poor and tutoring children who couldn’t afford school. I never saw religious lines. To me, love, forgiveness, and understanding are universal.

Later, I volunteered at Stanford Hospital’s cancer ward while studying to be a nurse. Working with patients at the end of their lives had a profound impact on me and eventually led me to pursue a PhD in psychology.

When I first achieved a significant income at the age of 30, setting up the Saba Family Foundation was the most natural decision. I didn’t want to fundraise from others. I wanted to create a foundation that could empower women and children, focusing on healthcare, education, and human rights. It’s a calling, not a career choice.

You’ve successfully operated across diverse sectors including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, fintech, and commodities. How has your extensive business background in international markets informed your approach to philanthropy, particularly in designing sustainable solutions rather than temporary aid?

Dr. Malini Saba: My businesses are designed to self-fund our philanthropic work. We don’t raise outside money. Profits, especially from commodities, go directly into the foundation.

Doing business globally taught me that, regardless of one’s location, people share the same fundamental needs: food, shelter, healthcare, education, and a means of earning a living. When we support communities, we don’t just give aid and walk away. We stay for decades, working alongside them to build schools, roads, healthcare services — whatever is needed most.

We don’t assume we know best. We listen to what the community tells us they need. Trust and respect are everything, and that’s how we’ve built real, lasting impact.

With initiatives spanning multiple continents and serving millions of underserved women and children, what frameworks or metrics do you employ to evaluate the effectiveness of your foundation’s programs?

Dr. Malini Saba: We don’t reinvent the wheel. We partner with local organizations that are already deeply embedded in the community. One of our non-negotiable rules is that funds must go directly to the cause, not toward administrative costs.

We expect clear reporting from our partners, but I also personally spend time on the ground. You can’t understand what’s happening by sitting behind a desk. Being present in the community gives me a real sense of what’s working and what isn’t.

As a single mother, businesswoman, psychologist, author, and philanthropist, you embody numerous roles simultaneously. How do you balance these different aspects of your life, and has your approach to leadership evolved as you’ve transitioned from Saba Group to focusing more intensively on your philanthropic work?

Dr. Malini Saba: My daughter comes first, always. Everything else in my life is built around her. Being a mother is the most important role I have. I make sure I’m there for her speeches, competitions, and the everyday moments, too.

Work fits into the space around family life, not the other way around. I still work long hours, but because my priorities are clear, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

While I don’t practice psychology actively, I’m deeply interested in mental health and we’re launching a podcast on that soon. As I stepped away from the Saba Group to focus more on philanthropy, my leadership role also shifted. It’s now about nurturing, empowering, and helping others lead, especially women who are shaping future generations.

Based on your three decades of experience across both business and philanthropy, what emerging global challenges do you believe will require the most innovative philanthropic responses in the coming decade, and how is the Saba Family Foundation positioning itself to address these future needs?

Dr. Malini Saba: The world is going through massive shifts. America is pulling back its global support and communities everywhere will have to stand stronger on their own.

I believe the answer lies in education, especially for young girls. When girls are empowered, they lift entire communities. Our foundation is dedicated to maintaining accessible and robust education, ensuring that the next generation of women leaders possesses the knowledge and confidence to drive change.

Throughout your career, you’ve been recognized as an advocate for the marginalized sector. What personal philosophy guides your work, and what lasting legacy do you hope the Saba Family Foundation will create in the global philanthropic landscape?

Dr. Malini Saba: I don’t work to leave a legacy. I work because I believe it’s our duty as human beings to help each other.

When you understand yourself, you realize that titles, wealth, and fame don’t matter. What matters is the positive change you create for others. That’s why I use media and storytelling. Good work must receive visibility, to counterbalance all the negativity we encounter every day.

If we can help even one child realize that they have the power within themselves to reject injustice, prejudice, or oppression, then we have made a difference. Freedom begins with knowledge, and education is the most powerful tool we have to create lasting change.

A Global Vision for Building a Better Future

Dr. Malini Saba’s journey illustrates that true leadership is measured not by personal success, but by the lives uplifted along the way. Through her businesses and the Saba Family Foundation, she has refined philanthropy as a lifelong commitment to action, empathy, and empowerment. Her unwavering focus on education, healthcare, and human rights continues to create lasting change across continents.

As global challenges grow, Dr. Saba’s vision, which is rooted in community, sustainability, and compassion offers a powerful blueprint for the future. Her work reminds us that meaningful impact begins with listening, understanding, and never losing sight of our shared humanity.

Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, Elle dela Cruz, and do not necessarily reflect the official position or views of Dr. Malini Saba, Saba Group, or the Saba Family Foundation. While the information provided is based on publicly available sources, readers are encouraged to verify any details independently. The article is for informational purposes only and does not endorse any products, services, or political opinions. Any philanthropic initiatives mentioned are those of Dr. Saba and her foundation.