Intro
Vivian Lim is a community builder, storyteller, and the driving force behind TEDxSingapore and Gen, a project exploring diversity and inclusion from an Asian lens. For over a decade, she’s helped shape how people in Singapore come together to share ideas and stories that matter.
In this conversation, Vivian and I talk about her philosophy of community building, what she’s learned from a decade of volunteer-led work, and how she balances vision, leadership, and personal growth. We also discuss the role of discomfort in creating meaningful change and how Singapore’s ideas landscape compares with others across Southeast Asia.
Story Highlights
- How Vivian started her TEDx journey as a student at NTU
- What makes community-building both inspiring and challenging
- Why she believes culture must be “caught, not taught”
- Insights from creating Gen and turning research into children’s books
- The differences she’s observed in creativity and storytelling across the region
Quote
“I believe that humans celebrate for that sense of connection and sense of belonging. That’s why all of us are drawn to this community, or the idea of having a group of like-minded people that can understand you, that can grow with you, that can evolve with you.”
About Vivian Lim
Vivian Lim is a Singapore-based community builder and curator who leads programs for TEDxSingapore and co-founded Gen, a platform dedicated to diversity, equity, and intergenerational storytelling in Asia. Trained as a mechanical engineer, Vivian found her calling in bringing people together to share ideas that inspire action. Her work spans event curation, youth engagement, and creative education initiatives.
Why This Conversation Matters
Vivian’s journey reminds us that communities don’t just happen — they grow through shared effort, trust, and time. Her reflections on discomfort and openness show how building spaces for honest, sometimes sensitive conversations is essential for progress. At its heart, her work is about rethinking what it means to belong.
Turning Points
From her early days at NTU organizing student-led TEDx events to leading one of Singapore’s most active idea communities, Vivian’s career has been built on curiosity and courage. She’s navigated burnout, shifting team dynamics, and evolving personal priorities, yet never lost her commitment to connection. Her next chapter with Gen marks a turning point — expanding from ideas on stage to storytelling that reaches families and children, proving that the language of community can start at any age.
Key Lessons
- Community is an organism. It evolves and grows in ways you can’t control.
- Culture is caught, not taught. Real engagement happens through experience, not hierarchy.
- Discomfort drives growth. Sensitive conversations are often the most meaningful.
- Focus changes with seasons. Hustle gives way to clarity over time.
- Shared purpose sustains. Optimism and collective energy keep communities alive.
If You Enjoyed This Episode
You might also like:
- Parul Sharma on Writing, Homesickness, and Creative Persistence — about rediscovering purpose through creativity.
- Yeo Min on Preserving Singapore’s Food Heritage and Redefining Chinese Pastry — a story of community, heritage, and craft.