Ranessa Theyakaraja
Ranessa Theyakaraja
I have been fortunate to receive nominations and awards in my professional stage career, but the work that shaped me most began long before the spotlight. My life has carried both triumphs and trials, including miscarriages, sexual assault, rape, and teenage bullying. These experiences did not define me, but they sharpened my empathy, deepened my resilience, and gave me an unshakeable clarity about the work I am here to do.
Born in 1991 to a lawyer and a homemaker, I was raised between firm reasoning and quiet resilience. My mother migrated to Malaysia with no safety net, building a life through courage, care, and conviction. She taught me that true leadership often begins in the unseen — in the strength to hold things together when no one else will.
Grounded in a multiracial, dual-faith household, I grew up attuned to nuance, contrast, and cultural codes. Living between worlds shaped me into a natural translator between voice and system, art and strategy, tradition and transformation. My lineage includes spice traders, teachers, community leaders, architects, and artists — builders of institutions and shapers of national memory across India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. I carry their legacy of resilience, reinvention, and bridge-building.
Today, I continue to create and perform as a stage arts professional and serve as the Founder of Women’s Circle of Malaysia, co-stewarding initiatives in women’s wellness, sustainability, and education. Whether delivering a keynote, facilitating a workshop, or performing on stage, I bring together storytelling and strategy to inspire connection and drive change.
If you’re seeking a speaker who can bridge disciplines, uplift communities, and spark meaningful conversations on women’s health, resilience, and leadership, let’s talk!
Affiliated School of Thought
Areas of Focus
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Turning life’s hardest moments (miscarriage, assault, bullying) into fuel for purpose, leadership, and authentic connection.
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How women can reclaim health, voice, and agency while building supportive communities.
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Lessons from theatre and performance for confidence, communication, and leadership in business and life.
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Navigating identity, leadership, and belonging in multicultural and multi-faith environments.
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Using personal and organisational narratives to inspire action and long-term change.

