Meet Anna Haotanto, a mentor with the Her World Mentorship Programme

Being a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) can often mean being the lone female voice in meetings, or the unintentional target of unconscious biases. For the second year of our Her World Mentorship Programme, we want to empower young women by providing them the tools, guidance, and support needed to break down these barriers and overcome limiting beliefs.

Nine exceptional mentors – each with a wealth of experience and expertise – tell us why they are passionate about giving back and share the wisdom they’ve gleaned throughout their careers. 

Anna Haotanto believes in leveraging tech to address the challenges that women face at work. That’s why she established Zora Health, a platform for fertility, reproductive and family health, in 2023. The start-up connects patients, employers and care providers to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, partnering with top corporations to offer employee benefits. Earlier this year, it raised $1 million in funding to launch a one-stop fertility care platform, including egg freezing, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and fertility testing. It will also offer corporate workshops, consultation services and fertility financing.

Currently, Zora Health has a client wait list of over 180 patients, and partnerships with more than 50 clinics in 16 cities in eight countries globally. “Throughout my journey, I’ve had a lot of health issues. Last year alone, I had five surgeries,” the founder and CEO shares. “I thought I was suffering from perimenopause – a condition where you have early menopause – and started learning more about the symptoms. It was an interesting area that I didn’t know much about, but I soon realised there were very few solutions here. I couldn’t find a single source of truth or a platform of trusted resources.”

Her search led her to do deeper research into fertility, as egg freezing was a topic that she was familiar with due to personal experience. “Technology has changed a lot of the way we do things, the way we travel, the way we stay in hotels, and the way we commute. There are many developments, but not in fertility care,” Anna points out. “South-east Asia has only three or four fertility tech companies. I thought it was an exciting market: high quantum, underserved.”

Previously, Anna was the managing partner at ABZD Capital, and served on the Board of Directors for Gourmet Food Holdings. She also founded The New Savvy, Asia’s leading financial and career platform for women, reaching 80,000 subscribers across five countries. Anna shares: “One key lesson from my ventures, including The New Savvy, is understanding and catering to the specific needs of your audience. This approach has shaped Zora Health’s mission.”

What excites you the most about being a mentor?

It provides a platform to bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement. I grew up reading Her World and have always admired the women featured and the stories highlighted. By connecting experienced professionals with emerging talent, we can share invaluable insights, offer guidance, and inspire the next generation of female leaders.

What’s one piece of advice you wish you had received early on in your career?

It is to embrace failures as learning opportunities, and not to be afraid to take risks. Building a strong support network and seeking mentorship early in your career can provide invaluable guidance and open doors to new opportunities.

If you could speak directly to those hesitant about pursuing a STEM field, why would you encourage them to do so?

I would encourage those hesitant about pursuing STEM to consider the vast opportunities for innovation, problem-solving, and making a tangible impact on the world. STEM careers offer the chance to be at the forefront of technological and scientific advancements that shape our future. The diversity of roles and the potential for personal and professional growth make STEM a rewarding and fulfilling path. Your unique perspectives and contributions are needed to drive progress, and create inclusive, sustainable solutions.

PHOTOGRAPHY Veronica Tay
OFFICIAL BEAUTY PARTNER Cle de Peau Beaute
ART DIRECTION Ray Ticsay & Adeline Eng
STYLING Neo Lirong, assisted by Sabrina Kong
HAIR & MAKEUP Benedict Choo, Aung Apichai and Clayton Goo, all using Cle de Peau Beaute
LOCATION Mandala Club