As Executive Director of Antica Foundation, Dixon Lim channels the entrepreneurial grit he once used to grow businesses into a new kind of mission – one grounded in empathy, dignity, and community repair. His approach is both personal and pragmatic, shaped by early experiences volunteering with seniors and a quiet conviction that lasting social change comes not from spectacle, but from presence – from consistently showing up for those too often unseen.
Though less than a year old, Antica Foundation is already challenging the boundaries of what modern philanthropy can look like. With a focus on two often-overlooked groups – vulnerable seniors and ex-offenders – Lim and his team are building programmes that blend innovation with humanity. Whether it's using radar-based sensors to ensure senior safety without compromising dignity or training ex-offenders to serve as caregivers, Antica’s work is a testament to what becomes possible when we connect the dots between care, purpose, and second chances.
Tell us more about yourself, your background, and how you found yourself as Executive Director of Antica Foundation.
I’ve always been drawn to building things – whether it was my first venture selling vintage watches in university, or later, scaling businesses across different industries like consumer goods and F&B. That entrepreneurial journey taught me a lot about resilience, leadership, and creating value in the face of uncertainty.
But even as I was growing those businesses, I found myself pulled toward something deeper. I used to volunteer with the elderly in Geylang Bahru – many of them lived alone, with little support. Just spending time with them, hearing their stories, and understanding their struggles opened my eyes to a different kind of impact. It showed me how simple acts, like a listening ear or consistent presence, could restore dignity and bring comfort to someone who’s been forgotten. That experience never left me. Over time, I realised I wanted to use the skills I’d built in business and finance to drive more than just profit – I wanted to build something that could uplift lives. That’s what led me to Antica Foundation.
Today, as Executive Director, I see my role as connecting resources with real needs in a way that’s thoughtful, sustainable, and empowering. To me, philanthropy isn’t just about giving – it’s about creating lasting change, and ensuring no one in our community is left behind.
In a media statement, you’ve said that “True social change doesn’t come from grand gestures, but from the quiet, consistent act of restoring dignity.” What personal experiences or observations shaped this belief?
This belief of mine comes from years of witnessing how small, everyday acts can change the trajectory of a person’s life. I’ve seen ex-offenders who, after months of rejection, light up when someone finally trusts them and gives them a second chance. I’ve met seniors who don’t even remember the last time someone called them by name, until a volunteer sits beside them, listens, and treats them with warmth and respect.
It’s not the headline moments that shift society. It’s the quiet consistency of showing up, listening, and choosing to see people for who they are, not just what they’ve been through or done. Over time, those small acts compound. That’s where dignity is restored and where real, lasting change begins.
(Related: Purpose and Legacy - Allen Law)
Antica Foundation works with two often overlooked groups: Vulnerable seniors and ex-offenders. What drew the foundation to serve these particular communities, and why do they matter now more than ever?
At first glance, vulnerable seniors and ex-offenders may seem like very different groups to work with. But what unites them is a shared experience of being overlooked or excluded from society. Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves dignity, purpose, and connection in this world.
Seniors often grapple with loneliness, declining health, or feeling left behind by a fast-paced world. Ex-offenders, meanwhile, face steep barriers to reintegrating into society. There is social stigma, a lack of opportunities, and also the weight of their past. At Antica Foundation, we see a unique opportunity for us not just to support these communities, but to connect them in ways that are healing and empowering for both.
This is why our programmes are intentionally designed. For seniors, we focus on their safety, well-being, and meaningful social connections. For ex-offenders, we offer mentorship, skills training, and career pathways. One of the initiatives we’re most proud of is training ex-offenders to work as care staff for our beneficiaries at the Senior Activity Centre. It’s more than a job – it’s a relationship built on trust, purpose, and mutual respect. It challenges stereotypes and shows what’s possible when communities come together.
Ultimately, they matter now more than ever because in an increasingly divided world, inclusion isn’t optional. It is essential.
Project GUARDIAN uses technology in deeply human ways. Briefly tell us more about it, and how do you ensure that innovation doesn’t just solve problems, but builds trust and connection as well?
Project GUARDIAN equips homes with fall detection sensors in a way that honours dignity and builds trust amongst our seniors. As traditional monitoring tools can feel invasive to them and those around them, we chose radar-based sensors: They are non-intrusive, require no cameras or wearables, and demand nothing from the seniors.
The system quietly monitors key areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. When a fall is detected, an alert is sent through WhatsApp to someone we call an “Angel” – a family member, neighbour, or trained volunteer – who is able to check in personally. It’s a simple system, but deeply human at its core.
What builds trust and dignity is that our seniors maintain full independence, and they are supported by real people – not just technology. It’s not just about solving a safety issue, but about strengthening relationships, creating peace of mind, and showing that technology in care can be both smart and compassionate.
What have been some of the most meaningful stories of encounters you’ve witnessed through Project SECOND WINGS, which supports ex-offenders through vocational training, or your community workshops?
I can share many moments that have stayed with me. One story that stands out is of a former inmate who had spent over a decade in prison and was terrified of being around people again. He joined one of our community workshops. He was quiet, withdrawn, and barely even spoke a word. But over time, through consistent mentorship and encouragement, he began opening up. Eventually, he trained as a senior care aide and now visits isolated seniors weekly. One of them recently told us, “He’s not just helping me. He’s part of my family now.”
Another time, a young ex-offender shared how shocked he was that someone saw him as a mentor figure. He had joined thinking he’d be learning, but ended up teaching others how to manage conflict and rebuild self-worth – skills he never thought he had. These kinds of role reversals are powerful.
You launched Antica Foundation less than a year ago and it’s already making waves. How do you balance urgency with sustainability when building a legacy-driven initiative from the ground up?
There’s always a temptation to move fast in a new company or brand, especially when the needs are so immediate. But we have been very intentional at Antica Foundation about building deep rather than wide. For us, legacy isn’t about how quickly we can scale, but about how meaningfully we can serve. We listen before we act. We start small, refine often, and prioritise partnerships and collaborations that align with our core values. And most importantly, we invest in people, our team, our volunteers, and the communities we serve. That’s what gives the work its staying power.
"It’s not the headline moments that shift society. It’s the quiet consistency of showing up, listening, and choosing to see people for who they are, not just what they’ve been through or done. Over time, those small acts compound."
Looking ahead, what does ‘purpose and legacy’ mean to you – not just for Antica Foundation, but in your own life and leadership?
Purpose to me means staying deeply connected to the needs of the community, while legacy is about building something that lasts beyond any one person. At Antica Foundation, that means expanding our programmes thoughtfully, embracing technology to serve better, and nurturing a strong, compassionate volunteer network. But more than just growth, it's about staying rooted in listening and understanding how lives and communities evolve, adapting with humility and heart.
On a personal level, I hope my leadership inspires others to step forward, whether a student, a working professional, or retiree, there's always a way to contribute. By mentoring, running workshops, or simply offering time and skills, we can all leave behind a legacy of kindness and connection. That, to me, is the true measure of purpose and a legacy.
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