Tasleem Banu
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi, I’m Tasleem, I’ve been at Friendzone for over 4 years!
My background is in Mathematics, though I’ve always had a passion for social projects. This interest started when a friend shared a story about helping others, and it inspired me to pursue the social sector after graduating☺️.
In my free time, I love watching crime movies (but “White Chicks” is my all-time favourite movie). I also really LOVE to SLEEP (my colleagues have many unglams of me taking a nap unfortunately) 😴
What do you do at Friendzone?
As the Programmes & Partnerships Lead, I work closely with our partners to design programmes that meet both their objectives and ours. I manage our Programmes team, who will handle everything from creating icebreakers to crafting conversation cards, procuring logistics and facilitators, and then making sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
What excites me most is very cliche but it's seeing our programmes come to life on the day itself! It feels satisfying to be able to complete a programme that meets the objectives, and then seeing the programme in action through participants' interactions! The best is hearing laughter or seeing smiles on the event day as I get to see how the work I do helps build connections ✨
What’s the most underrated thing about programmes at Friendzone that most people don’t know?
A lot of thought goes into the conversation cards!
The choice of words — tone, clarity, flow — is carefully considered to ensure the questions spark meaningful conversations among attendees. We put a lot of effort into creating cards that truly enhance the participant experience.
If you have any feedback, feel free to approach me at events 🤭. We’re always looking to improve!
What’s a memorable Friendzone moment that’s touched your heart?
One of the most memorable moments was when a regular participant sent us an email expressing how our events helped him build confidence in communication.
As an introvert, he had always been the quietest in group settings, but through attending Friendzone events, he felt more comfortable connecting with others. That message really showed me the lasting impact our events have, helping people not just make friends but improve their social skills 🤗
Share with us a friendship tip!
I keep a list of things my friends like, whether they’re big or small things. For example, my list has my friends’ favourite food, activities, and even colours.
If you like giving thoughtful gifts, this list comes in handy. It’s a great way of showing you care, whether it’s through a small snack you bought from the supermarket or an expensive bag they mentioned they like in passing!
What’s your favourite song?
Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader 😌 It’s been my favourite song since I was a child and it’s now my comfort song. I also enjoy listening to music from as early as the 50s to the late 2000s. One of my favourite artists of the past is Frank Sinatra 🎶
Tasleem, Programmes & Partnerships Lead
Tasleem hosting former Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at a Bedok neighbourhood community event
Tasleem getting the venue ready for an event at NTUC Centre
Tasleem with fellow facilitators at a Friendzone neighbourhood gathering
Tasleem participating in her own neighbourhood event at Tampines!