OUR TEAM
Bridging Hope Team
We are dedicated to journeying with all the individuals and families that decide to join us!
Director cum Lead Coach
Peggy Lam
Bridging Hope was established because of Peggy’s desire to help and work with neurodiverse individuals to live independently. She aims to help them understand how unique they are despite their challenges and make a difference in their lives. She enjoys exploring alternative strategies to work with individuals and believes in creating awareness and advocating for their welfare.
Peggy’s first degree was from Iowa State University, the USA, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Her travel around Europe for a year and a “calling” prompted her to change her career. She first pursued a Diploma in Learning Management and Child Psychology from the College of Allied Educators. She then graduated with a Master in Education major in Special Education from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
Besides her teaching qualifications, Peggy is a Certified PEERS® for Young Adults facilitator. She is trained to administer Therapeutic Listening with the Whole Body and Job Coaching. She also uses various skills in her teaching, including Behaviour Management, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), Executive Functioning, Mindfulness, Social Thinking, Lego Therapy and Acceptance and commitment therapy for young people.
Peggy’s other interests and experience include volunteering, supporting, and advocating for teenagers and young adults facing mental health challenges. She used to serve in the special children’s ministry at her church. She is the founding and one of the Executive Board members as the Treasurer for the Special Education Network in Asia’s (SENIA) chapter in Malaysia. Their primary purpose is “to support Senia’s mission to advocate for and provide resources / supports for differently-abled individuals.”
She also volunteered with Autism Initiatives Malaysia (AIM). AIM is a network of individuals working together to develop private and public sector support to improve the lives of those affected by autism spectrum conditions. She served as the Finance and Secretariat to the Organising Committee of the 1st AIM Symposium in July 2018. Currently, she is one of the facilitators of the AIM High Women Support Group and one of the coaches of the AIM High Group.
Director cum Marketing Manager
Anna Tan
Anna has a child with learning differences of her own. With a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing youths with learning differences, she joined Peggy to start Bridging Hope. She believes that a specialist centre dedicated to building the very person of people like her child is indispensable in shaping their future. Bridging Hope is about laying the foundation for the future of adults with learning differences. For many of us, growing up was a rite of passage where we developed our self-esteem and emotional security to prepare us to live our lives and reach our full potential. Adults with learning differences are no different. At Bridging Hope, each person is evaluated according to his or her potential to develop an individually tailored program to build self-esteem and lay or reinforce that person’s emotional well-being.
We hope that all will grow in their personhood until they are self-sufficient and can live independently. One day, parents will no longer be around. Bridging Hope is the path of hope to place the future of individuals with learning differences in their own responsible hands. This will be crucial, especially after Mum and Dad are gone. That is why Anna co-founded Bridging Hope.
Head Coach
Muhammad Nurhariz Bin Mohd Fauzi
Muhammad Nurhariz is a dedicated and experienced special education and behavioural therapy professional. With a strong background as a Special Education Teacher, Behavioral Therapist, and Shadow Aide, Hariz has demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing individualised education plans for students with special needs across various age groups. He has worked with young children, teenagers, and young adults, providing them with the necessary support and guidance to achieve their academic and developmental goals. Through evidence-based instructional strategies rooted in applied behaviour analysis (ABA), Hariz promotes positive behaviour, facilitates communication, and fosters the growth and success of individuals across different stages of their lives.
In his leisure time, Hariz enjoys staying active by working out at the gym and values quality moments with family and friends. With his dedication, expertise, and ability to connect with individuals of different age groups, Hariz strives to impact the lives of those he serves positively. Hariz is currently assisting in conducting the PEERS® for Young Adults programme.
Assistant Coach
Ban Sasha
Sasha is a first-class honours graduate from the Bachelor of Education Degree Programme at SEGi University & Colleges Malaysia. She majors in Special Needs Education (SEN) while minoring in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). She is interested in journeying with individuals who are differently-abled as well as language; therefore, she accomplished her research for her Degree’s Final Year Project regarding the topic ‘Using Storytelling to Develop Context in Social Interaction for Children with Autism’.
Before pursuing her degree programme, she completed her bible seminary course with Tung Ling School of Ministry, and that was when she felt assured about her “calling” of having a role to play in building up future generations. She feels most joyful being around different individuals and finds it a blessing to be a part of their growth and learning.
Aside from her teaching qualification, she possesses different interesting skills and talents such as public speaking, performing arts, content creation, and arts & crafts. She also serves in her church’s children’s ministry, youth ministry, and stage production team.
Sasha believes that every individual has the right to be embraced and respected as who they are. Hence, always seize the opportunity to learn while bridging the gap for different ones. Being the youngest in the team, her enthusiastic character brings much cheerfulness and vibrant energy to the learners and the team.
Visiting Consultants for PEERS® for Adolescents and PEERS® for Young Adults
Visiting Consultants for Other Programmes
Job Coach Conducting Bridging Horizons Pre-Employment Skills
Catherine Chin
Ms. Catherine stands as a highly motivated and accomplished professional, boasting a rich and diverse background in corporate domains such as Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, Marketing, and Communications. In her capacity as a senior job coach and trainer for pre-employment training programs, she plays an indispensable role in shaping and executing strategic initiatives dedicated to establishing sustainable employment pathways for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Drawing from her extensive corporate experience, Ms. Catherine possesses a profound understanding of the intricate nuances and unique requirements of both organizations and individuals. This keen insight allows her to craft bespoke programs that resonate with the aspirations of job seekers with ASD, aligning them seamlessly with the expectations of prospective employers. Consequently, she becomes a bridge-builder between these two worlds, facilitating meaningful and enduring employment opportunities that contribute to the professional growth and personal fulfillment of individuals with ASD while simultaneously enriching the workplace with diverse talents. Ms. Catherine’s unwavering commitment to this cause not only transforms lives but also fosters inclusive and thriving work environments.
Occupational Therapist Conducting Community Living Skills and
Group Programme
P’ng Jie Yi
Jie Yi is an experienced Occupational Therapist registered with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) since 2009. She is pursuing a PhD in autism spectrum disorder, focusing on research studies. Jie Yi participates in workshops, training sessions, and conferences, including Sensory Integration (#3964), Therapeutic Listening, Irlen Screener, and Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT).
Jie Yi is a highly motivated and professional therapist who collaborates with families and educators to help children unlock their full potential. She has gained valuable experience working in diverse settings, including private institutions, nonprofit organisations, and schools, providing comprehensive assessments and interventions for individuals with various developmental concerns. Jie Yi also delivers training and consultation services to individuals, schools, centres, and workplaces to foster inclusivity for individuals with neurodiversity.
With extensive expertise in supporting individuals with various diagnoses, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Genetic Disorders, Learning Difficulties, and vision and hearing impairments, Jie Yi has demonstrated remarkable ability to cater to specific needs. Jie Yi enjoys outdoor activities outside her professional pursuits, like hiking and travelling. She takes pleasure in organising social outings for teenagers and young adults with autism, as she firmly believes in the power of companionship and diverse activities to enhance the overall well-being of individuals.
Board of Advisors
Dr. Ng Sui Yin
Dr Ng Sui Yin, a graduate of the University of Bristol, is trained in both Paediatrics and Paediatrics Neurology in UK. She did her postgraduate training in the London teaching hospitals, UK and Toronto Children’s hospital, Canada. Upon returning to Malaysia, she was a lecturer in Paediatrics / Paediatric Neurology in Universiti Putra Malaysia and was providing clinical services in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Selayang Hospital.
Dr Ng has been working as Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Neurologist in Gleneagles Hospital since 2005. She also has a special interest in Biomedical Interventions for autism in that autism is not just a developmental and behavioural disorder but underlying gut, metabolic and immunological disturbance.
Dr. Ng’s willingness to lend her vast experience and specialised knowledge is so welcome to us at Bridging Hope, and we look forward to working with her in the years to come.
Mr. Wong Koon Tatt
Koon Tatt has a heart for disadvantaged communities and is actively involved in community transformation programs in Malaysia, Myanmar, and Philippines through his companies, church and NGOs.
Programs close to his heart includes Community Forestry Programs with the indigenous village population in Sabah, Refugees Schools in KL, Village Rehabilitation in Myanmar, Orphanages in Yangon and empowering flood displaced victims in Manila amongst others.
He is also the Chairman of Yayasan Generasi Gemilang, a charitable foundation committed to building a strong nation by raising exemplary next-generation individuals and strengthening families.Its key focus areas are mentoring the next generation with leadership and life skills, equipping parents and youth to face cyber-related issues, and community development for marginalized communities in Malaysia.
We are privileged to have Koon Tatt as one of our advisors who has such a heart for children and families both here and abroad. His broad experience and depth of love for others will no doubt serve as a blueprint for Bridging Hope as we chart our own course.