ON THE HEELS OF HER RECORD-BREAKING SQUASH CAREER, DATUK NICOL ANN DAVID IS TURNING HER FOCUS FROM WINNING TITLES TO CHANGING LIVES—AND SHE’S DOING IT HAND IN HAND WITH HER PHILANTHROPY PARTNER MARIANA DE REYES. IN OUR NOVEMBER COVER, THE DUO PROVES THAT THEIR IMPACT OFF THE COURT IS AS POWERFUL AS NICOL’S LEGACY ON IT.

Widely regarded as the greatest female squash player of all time, Datuk Nicol Ann David has stepped beyond her eight World Championship titles to shape a new legacy. “I’ve learned to see myself beyond the identity of an athlete. I’m capable of more than just playing squash!” she laughs. By her side is Mariana de Reyes—co-founder of the Nicol David Organisation—whose unrelenting enthusiasm and aptitude have turned their vision into reality. Together, they are reshaping the playing field for a new generation.

As soon as our cover stars step into the studio, the dynamic becomes clear: yin and yang. There’s a palpable rhythm between them, a chemistry only 20 years of friendship can cultivate. Nicol, soft-spoken and grounded, is a calm presence on set. Mariana, on the other hand, is animated and engaging, filling the room with energy. They are total opposites, yet perfectly complementary; interconnected in a way that feels instinctive. It’s fitting, really. Whether it’s on our set or in the community, this balance defines them.

FROM ENDS TO BEGINNINGS

The seeds for the Nicol David Organisation have been rooting for years. “Giving back to Malaysia has always been my goal, even during my squash career,” Nicol shares. “I felt that everything I had learned during my professional career—discipline, values, mindset—needed to be shared. It was never an afterthought—it was always part of the plan.” So, when the time came to hang up her racquet and forge a new identity beyond squash, Nicol’s vision was clear. The issue was figuring out how to make the transition from champion to changemaker.

As it turns out, this turbulent personal period was the perfect time for Nicol to relocate to Colombia. Here, in Mariana’s home country, the two women reconnected—a stroke of luck that kicked everything into place. “We kind of fell into working together by accident,” Mariana laughs. She was working in corporate at the time, and her expertise set the groundwork for the foundation. After months of being coached on business know-how by Mariana, Nicol finally popped the question: “Why don’t you quit your job and come to Malaysia to set this up with me?”

“I thought she was insane at the time! I never thought I would leave Colombia, and I had absolutely no plans to,” Mariana exclaims. “But at that point in my life, I wanted to do something meaningful and make a change for the better. So I quit my job, packed my bags, and moved to Malaysia—a country I’d never been to—right before COVID hit.”

The first two years were tough. Not only was the Colombian completely unfamiliar with our culture and people, but she was also unemployed! “It was a good time, though—it allowed us to lay out a game plan for the foundation. Looking back, it really was a happy accident that changed my life,” she beams. It didn’t take long for her to feel at home, either. As it turns out, Malaysians and Colombians have a lot in common. “I struggled with spicy food at first, but now I’m fully assimilated!” Mariana jokes. “The cultures are very similar in the sense that we are both family-oriented, warm, humble, and caring,” she reflects, adding, “I think having my background in sports also helped me adapt. As squash players, we’re used to meeting people from all backgrounds at tournaments, and that gave me the tools to connect quickly and embrace Malaysian culture and values.”

The Nicol David Organisation was launched in 2022, led by one core mission: to empower Malaysians through sport and education. Why that particular combination, you ask? “Sport sets the foundation for good character,” Nicol asserts. “Good sportsmanship teaches great values like teamwork, discipline, respect, and resilience. When kids play sports, they learn how to work hard and interact with others in meaningful ways, and it can help to shape them as people.”

It goes deeper than that, too. For Nicol, sport and education are part of her DNA. “My dad was a national football goalkeeper for Malaysia, and my mum was an English teacher growing up,” Nicol reveals. “I always wanted to be like them. My dad taught me discipline and drive, while my mum created a home environment that taught me respect, gratitude, and empathy, which are values I have carried through my life. They are the reason that sport and education are at the heart of the Nicol David Organisation.”

PUTTING PEN TO PAPER

Running a nonprofit is no easy task, especially when your name is attached to it—and more so when neither co-founder has ever worked in the impact space before. Still, the two women have made it work with Mariana at the helm. “At first, people questioned our experience, but we’ve grown into our roles. We started with five interns, all of whom were thinking, ‘What the hell are we supposed to do?’. Now, we have 14 full-time staff and two offices.”

The first step was building trust. “People need to believe in you before they’re willing to work with you,” Mariana explains. “Thankfully, Nicol’s legacy helped open doors. Our first major supporters, Yayasan Hasanah and Sime Darby, believed in our vision before we had even started. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here today.” From there, the team focused on proving their credibility. It took some time, but the foundation now has solid programmes, clear metrics, and tangible impact. “I feel more confident as time goes by that we’re on the right track and that we’re building something of an international standard,” Mariana continues proudly.

In just three years, the organisation has launched three flagship programmes reaching over 150 children in Kuala Lumpur and more than 200 in East Malaysia. The pilot programme, Little Legends, is an after-school initiative for children from low-income families that combines squash and English lessons.

Ibu Legends soon followed, designed to empower mothers with the tools they need to better provide for their families. “I’ve always called mums ‘invisible heroes’ because they give everything and rarely get recognition,” Mariana explains. Through this programme, the Nicol David Organisation provides mental health support, medical checkups, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training to mothers in the B40 and M40 brackets across the country.

Building on that momentum is Positive Play, which responds directly to the rise in mental health issues among children in Malaysia. The initiative brings movement and mental wellness to public schools, teaching gratitude and mindfulness.

FROM STRIDE TO STRIDE

The duo is constantly refining their approach to ensure that the modules they offer are truly serving the community. “Our programmes are crafted around the potential roadblocks we come across,” Mariana explains. “I just try to keep things running as smoothly as I can, and a lot of that is anticipating what we’ll need and what can go wrong.”

“We’re working at the preventive stage, educating families and schools to promote healthier habits,” she adds. It’s not just lip service, either—the data backs it up. Like any business, the foundation uses clear metrics to measure the impact of its work both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the results speak for themselves. “In just four weeks, children in our programme have improved their self-image and confidence by 30 percent,” Mariana beams, stats at the ready. “We work with parents to carry out at-home surveys, we equip the kids with self-assessment tools, and we constantly monitor psychological outcomes, like signs of anxiety or stress, so we can provide early intervention.”

All of the data collected by the organisation is used to prove that the programmes work, which is what has earned the organisation support from its funding partners. Among its loyal collaborators is Cartier, the official partner of this month’s cover feature—a fact that feels serendipitous. The jewellery house has been a supporter of the Ibu Legends initiative from the very start, grounded in shared values.

“Cartier embodies timeless elegance and strength, and it’s an honour to have them on board. Their commitment to empowering women aligns perfectly with our mission,” says Nicol. “And, of course, their pieces are always a beautiful treat!” Mariana adds with a smile.

With three years of incredible achievements under its belt, what comes next for the Nicol David Organisation? “For now, our plans are under wraps,” Nicol smiles. “But I can confirm that we’re focused on expanding within our three pillars and our outreach programmes in schools. We’d love to support the dads, too!”

“Ultimately, we just hope that the foundation continues to grow, reaching more communities across Malaysia, and maybe even the world,” she muses. “In a way, I hope I also continue to grow. It’s been transformative to see myself through a different lens. I’m so used to my identity being tied to my squash career, and having let go of that part of me to start something new has been a challenge, but I’m so proud of myself for seeing it through.”

LOOKING AHEAD

“My hope is that the children and mothers we work with can have an amazing story of their own and a positive future,” Mariana adds. “As long as I am a part of the journey in any way, that’s enough for me.”

As for anyone else looking to enter the impact space, the duo has some sage advice. Essentially, it boils down to this: Just do it! “Find something you’re passionate about and take action,” says Mariana, sternly. “Don’t just think it. Do it. Find like-minded friends to pursue your passions with and build something together.”

“Every woman has something unique to contribute to the impact space,” Nicol continues. “All it takes is time and effort to create that impact. As long as your cause is rooted in passion and substance, everything will fall into place.”