Alleena Abdullah has built her career around a rare mix of strategy and empathy.

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As the founder of Yellow Tree Global, she empowers both underserved communities and corporate clients through brand, marketing, and entrepreneurship training—always with people at the heart of it.

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With a career that’s taken her into grassroots communities, boardrooms, and everything in between, she’s developed a deep appreciation for the different ways people work, lead, and connect.

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Whether she’s jogging at sunrise, mentoring a refugee-led business, or sparking a meaningful conversation at a networking event, Alleena shows that building human capacity is as much about listening and trust as it is about expertise.

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🌻 How do you set your vibe for the day?
It really depends on how intense my days have been—especially since my work is all about building capacity for others. On a normal day, I need my jog, stretches, and grounding exercises.

When things get tough, I lean more into meditation and regulating my nervous system, using the same tools I share with the people I serve.

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🛋️ How do you relax?
I cook food (usually from around the world and spicy hot Negri Sembilan dishes) I love and share it with people I care about. Then I make sure to spend time alone to let my body rest… before heading back to spend more quality time with my favourite people.

Oh and I put my buds on and berangan - daydream!

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💼 How would you describe your work to someone outside of your field?
Alleena is a human capacity builder. I help individuals and organisations (underserved and businesses) grow through consultancy, training and coaching.

My area of knowledge? Brand and marketing strategy with a large serving of human motivation.

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‍📚 What’s an ‘aha’ moment in your work that made you feel, “This is why I do this”?
When, on my most exhausting day, the communities I serve give me a joy and energy I can’t put into words.

Or when someone is in tears saying, “I didn’t know I could do this. Thank you for showing me.” That’s when I know I’m in the right place.

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‍🪷 Working closely with many different communities can take a lot of heart. How do you protect and refill your own energy?
I constantly check in with myself and watch out for the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. The moment one creeps into my mind, it’s my cue to reset, find my calm, and regain composure.

It’s hard, but must be done - gotta practice what I preach.

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🪴 How do you approach building trust with communities that may have every reason not to trust outsiders?
I immerse myself in their culture, mannerisms, and way of life—either through research or by remembering what my mother and late grandmother taught me in Malay: berbudi bahasa—be courteous, have manners.

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🌏 Why is it important not just to appreciate—but to integrate diverse cultures into how we work, lead, and collaborate?
Culture shapes the way we communicate. It’s complex, but that’s why it’s worth investing in—by meeting people from all walks of life, whether halfway across the world or right in our own backyard. It softens how we approach business, which is vital in a world where conflict escalates so quickly.

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🤝 Do you enjoy networking?
Yes—but always with purpose. I let my instincts and energy guide me. I’m not a small-talk person; I’d rather look someone in the eye, really listen, and let them know I genuinely care.

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‍🌐 Best encounter at a networking event?
When a simple hello turns into a real connection—and that connection grows into a genuine friendship. That’s when networking stops feeling like “work” and starts feeling like life.

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💖 What's your favourite thing about Mole?
I love Team Mole and the brand because they keep their heads down and focus on building genuine relationships—with customers and with businesses. My first interaction was at their event booth, and I loved their humble start-up vibes. Humility is rare in this space.

And the fact that they’re local? Wherever I go, when someone scans my Mole card, I light up and tell them, “It’s Malaysian!”

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🎧 What are you listening to now?
Hahahah OMG - Folded by Kehlani - whooooo can you see my head bopping?

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🍧 Favourite snack or dessert?
Ooooooh dessert Pengat Pisang Abu (coconut milk and jaggery dessert with tropical bananas) - do not get me anywhere near Ragusa hazelnut chocolate!

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Alleena's approach is rooted in genuine curiosity.

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Instead of arriving with ready-made answers, Alleena takes the time to understand the people she’s working with—their stories, their challenges, and their unspoken needs. This has allowed her to bridge gaps that often keep communities and businesses apart, fostering trust in places where skepticism might otherwise stand in the way.

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In every collaboration, she balances strategy with empathy, ensuring that solutions aren’t just effective on paper, but resonate with the people who will live them out. It’s this blend of head and heart that turns one-off projects into long-term partnerships, and chance meetings into ongoing alliances.

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What sets her apart isn’t just her skill set—it’s her instinct to listen first, act with integrity, and spark collaborations that last.

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Whether you’re looking to expand your reach, tap into new markets, or simply learn from someone who understands the nuances of connecting across cultures, building your network with Alleena means gaining a partner who sees the bigger picture—and knows how to get you there.

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And if you’re lucky, that connection might just be made over a shared love of good food, as seen on Alleena's exciting foodie adventure on her IG!

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Alleena's LinkedIn

Alleena's IG

Yellow Tree Global

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