Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin

Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin is an advocate of Malaysia’s cultural economy, now guiding Partnerships and the Creative Sector at Think City, an impact-driven organisation under Khazanah Nasional Berhad that promotes liveable and sustainable urban environments. At Think City, Izan spearheads efforts to champion the creative economy and creative cities, with a particular emphasis on transforming Downtown Kuala Lumpur into a vibrant creative destination that attracts both local and international visitors, positioning it as a leader in culture-based urban renewal.

Previously, Izan founded and served as CEO of CENDANA, Malaysia’s Cultural Economy Development Agency, where she and her team underscored the arts as an essential economic force. Under her leadership, CENDANA generated RM40 million in economic impact, invigorating the local creative economy through strategic grants and programmes that benefited over 1,000 artists and organisations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CENDANA rolled out crucial relief initiatives, distributing emergency funds to support more than 700 artists. Her team also led cultural programming, infrastructure development, and capacity-building efforts that engaged the public with the arts and strengthened Malaysia’s cultural identity on a regional stage. Through strategic partnerships, CENDANA advocated for integrating the arts into national development, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for Malaysia’s creative sector.

With a career that transitioned from accounting to the arts, Izan’s background includes managing Enfiniti Vision Media and establishing the My Performing Arts Agency (MyPAA). Recognised for her impact, she has received nominations and accolades such as The Malaysian Women’s Weekly Great Women of Our Time and Prestige’s 40 Under 40. Now, at Think City, Izan’s focus in the capital city hopes to elevate Kuala Lumpur’s cultural identity, advocating for an urban revitalisation model that harmonises heritage with innovation and strengthens the city’s global creative standing.

For me, making an impact means driving meaningful change in cities by leveraging the power of arts, culture, and community to create sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive urban environments. I’m fortunate to learn Think City’s multi-dimensional approach in focusing on transforming spaces, shaping a sense of place, and fostering economic opportunities that benefit both the community and the broader creative sector. Through opportunities in work on initiatives like the Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District (KLCCD), I get to be involved in creating spaces that reflect local heritage while supporting creative innovation, enhancing Kuala Lumpur’s cultural footprint both locally and internationally. Impact for me also involves capacity building within the ecosystem, ensuring that people and organisations involved have the resources, training, and platforms they need to thrive. By integrating arts into urban planning and development, I view impact as a catalyst for both improving the quality of life for city residents and positioning Kuala Lumpur as a leading creative destination in Southeast Asia. This approach not only drives job creation and fosters resilience but also promotes sustainable urban renewal. In my role at Think City, I am deeply committed to championing initiatives that celebrate and preserve cultural identity, engage communities, and elevate arts and culture as integral to a city’s legacy and future.