#19. Rachel Nadia Goh and her Values, Passion and Purpose

Values are your non-negotiable foundation, passion is about what excites and motivates you, and purpose is your deeper reason for existence.
- Harvard Business Review

Whether you are a founder or creator, a leader or a gig worker, a consultant or a teacher, discovering and aligning your values, passion, and purpose will give you the best chance at having a fulfilling career, and more importantly, a meaningful life. On top of that, organisations can achieve their mission, and society and beyond will benefit in the long run. Wantedly’s mission is to create a world where work drives passion, and this is why we want to inspire reflections on what our own values are, and how we discover our passion and strive towards our purpose.

This year, Singapore celebrates our 60th birthday, and to honour this momentous occasion, we are embarking on a year-long content series featuring 60 stories on people who have become who they are today because of Singapore, and who are making a difference in Singapore.

Introducing Rachel

Rachel has been in development and humanitarian work for more than 16 years. In the last decade, she has spent time with families and children in difficult circumstances in countries spanning Haiti, Ethiopia, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and more. Each time she returned from the field, she came back broken but fuller.

She is the founder of Kin Collective, a passion project which aims to nurture a generation of compassionate changemakers. Through Kin, Rachel and likeminded partners share stories inspired by real children and families she has encountered on her humanitarian travels. Told through simple children’s books, she hopes to encourage families and children to grow in empathy for those around them in different circumstances as they grow in global perspective and hopefully, to embark on their own personal journeys to reach out to those who struggle.

In her own words

Rachel's 4th book launched on 30 November 2024.

During a time of war, two best friends - Sara and Hana - find themselves separated by a fence. Despite the distance and danger, Sara and Hana choose to hold on to their steadfast friendship. In the darkest times, the power of trust, love and three simple wishes light their way.

*This story hopes to advocate for peace and the protection of children caught in conflict by serving as a reminder of our innate ability to hold on to common humanity."

We were very encouraged when our book was well-received, and parents felt that children responded well to the themes integrated into the story. More importantly, we were heartened when we received feedback that families felt equipped and confident starting conversations with their little ones at home about what was going on in the world today, in accessible and very gentle ways. So this year, with the world continuing to hurt and divide, we knew we wanted to step up our efforts to advocate for peace and how possible it still is, if only we believed and partook in it as a community. After all, why should conflict be so loud and peace be so quiet?

So this World Peace Day 2025 (21 September), Kin Collective and Allegra Productions will be staging an adaptation of the story. The simplest story in spirit and essence, taken to character by a talented and well-loved cast comprising of Isabella Chiam, Rusydina Afiqah and Xuan Ong. With 3 shows on the day, we don’t want to commemorate peace. We want to advocate for it. We want to breathe life back into it. We want to share the possibility and share in the possibilities.

1. What are your top 3 values?

Empathy, respect, fraternity. In a world that is as troubled and divided as we see it today, these are even more important to hold on to – values that set us apart as humanity, values that can keep us together. I believe in the equal dignity of each person, and importantly, trust that these values are what underpin our ability to honour that.

2. What keeps you up at night?

I’m often kept awake with new and alternative ideas of how to grow support for the underserved and those who go unheard, particularly in fragile settings around the world – how to cut through the noise, the numb, the disengagement, and instead to encourage, inspire, ignite.

3. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Truth be told… I’m a terrible morning person, but nothing three cups of strong black coffee can’t fix! I’m also a stickler for punctuality and work ethic, so you can expect that I’ll be up and out the door on time for purposeful meetings.

4. What fills your cup?

My faith is important to me – I draw my purpose and passion to serve from there. Giving of oneself and sharing the gifts one has in service of others, journeying with others to do it together with joy, brings me joy.

Rachel in a market square with her co-founder of an independent non-profit serving children in Vietnam

5. What’s your vision for Kin Collective? What will it take for that to be realised?

Kin Collective is all about sowing seeds through gentle conversation and allowing each reader and family to grow in empathy and generosity on their own terms. Our vision is to nurture a generation of compassionate changemakers through fostering positive values, encouraging dialogue and through that, nurturing changemakers who ultimately drive change that we need in this world. It will always be an ongoing journey and a generational one, which is what I believe we need so much more than finite points of accomplishment.

6. Please leave us your well wishes for SG60.

I think Singapore turning 60 is a meaningful milestone which reminds us of strength in diversity but the daily hard work it takes from each of us to honour that, to prefer it, to choose it.

Globally today, conflict is so loud and peace so quiet -- why do we let it be so?

My hope is that more of us step up to lend our voices for peace with courage and simplicity, with purity of purpose and heart.

If you are keen to connect, please reach out on LinkedIn. :)

Wantedly is proud to support Rachel and Kin Collective in their first-of-its-kind World Peace Day Family Play. Presenting:

— "Sara, Hana and Their Three Wishes" —
a powerful stage adaptation of
Kin Collective's
latest beloved children's book.

Check out with promo code wantedly5 for an exclusive discount, valid through 31 Aug 2025.

This series was brought to you by Wantedly Hire - an application tracking system optimised for modern hiring practices. Experience seamless hiring with tailored workflows designed to align with your recruitment structure, automated interview scheduling, and actionable insights to optimise hiring performance!

SG60’s theme is a refreshed spirit, and by celebrating Singapore’s journey to date, Wantedly is glad to spotlight those who have contributed to the past, and will be shaping the next chapter of the Singapore story. And as a nation, we reflect on our shared values of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness, which allowed us to prosper.

Once again, in celebration of SG60, let us strive to be bolder and kinder to one another, for Singapore and ourselves.