1 July 2026 – Close to 100 corporate leaders came together at SBF Foundation’s Community Marketplace 2026 on Wednesday, 1 November 2026 – a purpose-driven platform designed to transform corporate intent into practical actions for inclusive hiring and social inclusion.

Themed “Mobilising corporate-community partnerships, Magnifying social inclusion opportunities”, the event connected corporate leaders with 22 community partners supporting diverse underserved communities, including persons with mental health conditions, vulnerable women, displaced individuals, children and youth, seniors and persons with disabilities, sparking honest conversations with empathy and collaborations.

In her opening remarks, Ms Yap Su-Yin, Chief Executive Officer of SBF Foundation, underscored the importance of stronger corporate-community partnerships to broaden access to opportunity and launched the Strategic Talent Playbook – a practical guide to help employers take their first step towards inclusive hiring. Guest speaker Mr Francis Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Trampolene, drew key insights from the Playbook, highlighting inclusive employment as a proven business advantage that boosts retention and workplace culture. He noted, “While everyone is fishing in the same pond, inclusive employers are discovering new sources of talent.”

The panel discussion, “From Intent to Impact: Making Inclusive Hiring Work in Practice”, moderated by Mr Jeffrey Tan, SBF Foundation’s Director, Programmes and Partnerships, addressed practical implementation. Panellists Ms Pamela Chong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bettr Group, Ms Chen Sihui, Director of Gourmetz Learning Support, and Mr Francis Tan emphasised that empathetic leadership combined with thoughtful job redesign drives operational excellence and innovation.

Actionable collaborations emerged during the mini dialogue sessions and 1-to-1 consultations, enabling corporate leaders to engage directly with community partners to forge purposeful partnerships tailored to their organisational goals.

Community Marketplace 2026 reaffirmed that when businesses embrace diversity, everyone thrives. By bridging corporate purpose with community action, the business community continue to build resilient workforces and a more inclusive society.

Download the Strategic Talent Playbook – https://sbffoundation.org.sg/sbf/strategic-talent-playbook/