Marie Kretz di Meglio, Founder of Uplifters, Honored with 2026 Impact Social Award
2026 Impact Social Award
Marie Kretz di Meglio, who has dedicated over a decade to working in Asia, has been recognized for her commitment to a frequently overlooked community: migrant domestic workers. After establishing herself in both Singapore and Hong Kong, she founded the NGO Uplifters in 2018, driven by a stark realization – millions of women leave their home countries due to economic necessity, often facing precarious working conditions with limited access to education, savings, or support networks.
According to the International Labour Organization, these workers are among the most vulnerable migrants. Often isolated, living with their employers, and heavily indebted to secure employment contracts, they have few resources to improve their circumstances. Uplifters was created to address this reality, with a clear goal: to empower these women throughout their migration journey.
On Tuesday, June 3, Marie Kretz di Maglio received the 2026 Impact Social Award from Annika MILVILLE – Director of International – Malakoff Humanis.
10,000 Women Supported in Hong Kong and Singapore
Founded in Hong Kong in 2018 and expanding to Singapore in 2024, Uplifters supports women from Southeast Asia by strengthening their financial skills, well-being, and self-confidence, helping them transform their migration experience into a stepping stone toward lasting stability and fulfillment. Since its inception, Uplifters has assisted over 10,000 women in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the surrounding region, and plans to continue its growth.
The NGO develops free training programs, accessible via smartphones and platforms like Facebook, to reach a wide audience. Its flagship program, Dare to Dream, helps participants enhance their financial management skills, plan for the future, and prioritize their mental health. To date, over 9,500 women have benefited from Uplifters’ training, with 83% reporting that the program has profoundly changed their lives. The results are tangible: 97% now save money, compared to 35% previously, and confidence in their financial capabilities has more than doubled.
Beyond the educational content, Uplifters’ impact is rooted in a deeply human and community-driven model. The organization is run by and for domestic workers: former participants become volunteers, leading support groups and mentoring new enrollees. More than 50 Team Leaders, who are still employed as domestic workers themselves, dedicate their free time to supporting their peers, fostering a resilient and self-sufficient ecosystem.
Learning Together and Regaining Confidence
For Marie Kretz di Meglio, the greatest achievement lies in this collective dynamic: “having created a space where these women can learn together, help each other, and regain confidence in their ability to build a better future.” The impact of Uplifters now extends beyond direct beneficiaries, as many alumni launch local initiatives to support their communities. This demonstrates the power of grassroots movements in addressing social challenges.
Currently, Uplifters employs 5 to 7 staff members, has 5 administrators, and relies on the support of over 50 active volunteers. Since 2018, the organization has mobilized $1.7 million in donations and grants. Unique in Asia in its format and scale, the NGO demonstrates that education, when accessible and grounded in local realities, can be a powerful tool for social empowerment.
Our impact is based on a community model: the training is led by former participants, who are themselves migrant domestic workers, which fosters trust, empowerment, and sustainable behavior change.
The program offerings have expanded to include professional training (childcare, communication with employers), modules on physical and mental health, remote parenting, and micro-entrepreneurship programs to prepare for returning home. Some training materials have been translated into Indonesian, and the NGO is now registered in both Hong Kong and Singapore, strengthening its regional presence.
