Sabine Agius Cabourdin on leadership, governance and her new role

When Alex Borg became Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista earlier this year, one of his most significant structural reforms was the announcement of the party’s first-ever CEO.

The role was given to lawyer and social-impact advocate Sabine Agius Cabourdin, marking a new organisational direction aimed at strengthening internal governance and widening participation.

Speaking to MaltaCEOs.mt, Dr Agius Cabourdin said the transition required difficult but necessary decisions – particularly her choice to step back from FIDEM Foundation, the organisation she founded in 2018 to support vulnerable women through education and mental health programmes.

“Stepping back from FIDEM was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make,” she said, noting the centrality of the foundation in her professional and philanthropic life. “Leadership also requires responsibility… with my new role as CEO of the Partit Nazzjonalista, it became crucial to protect the independence of the Foundation”.

She stressed that the decision was driven by governance considerations, given FIDEM’s long-standing collaborations with businesses, institutions and sponsors that expect political neutrality. While no longer involved in daily operations, she underlined that her commitment to the organisation’s mission remains unchanged, emphasising that it is now led by Judith Valletta, “who has been part of FIDEM since its inception and understands its values and vision”.

Reflecting on her years leading FIDEM, Dr Agius Cabourdin said the most significant insight was witnessing how transformational targeted support can be.

She described how initiatives such as the Skill Up programme were designed to remove practical and emotional obstacles that often prevent vulnerable women from pursuing skills or career development. “When the obstacles fall, potential becomes visible,” she explained, noting that programmes expanded over time to include emotional literacy support, childcare solutions and wellbeing services for corporate teams.

However, she also acknowledged persistent national shortcomings, particularly “limited engagement from certain public structures,” which she said highlighted systemic gaps in Malta’s approach to gender equality and social mobility. This challenge, she added, strengthened FIDEM’s advocacy ethos and reinforced the need for sustained, strategic persistence.

Her overarching takeaway: “Meaningful change begins with listening. When you listen properly, the right solutions become far clearer.”

Dr Agius Cabourdin’s legal background in commercial and corporate governance is shaping the way she approaches the PN’s internal transformation. She noted that the principles of good leadership do not change across sectors:

“Strong organisations rely on clear systems, consistent processes and accountable structures. These principles are universal. They apply in the private sector, in the social sector and within political organisations.”

The new CEO said her priority is to strengthen internal structures, modernise operations and support long-term sustainability within the party. Her experience at FIDEM – particularly the importance of eliminating barriers and fostering stability – has influenced this approach.

“You cannot create impact without creating stability. You cannot drive change without building trust. And you cannot build trust without integrity,” she explained. This, she said, is why stepping back from FIDEM was aligned with her understanding of responsible leadership: safeguarding its neutrality while taking on a new politically sensitive role.

Looking ahead, she outlined a disciplined leadership philosophy anchored in focus and steadiness: “Focus on the work. Focus on the targets you set. Focus on the deadlines that support good governance. And remain steady when there is pressure or noise. Leadership is not reactive. It is the ability to shape circumstances with clarity, purpose and disciplined action.”

While the political dimension of her work is new, she maintains that her underlying values remain constant: Dignity, independence and empowerment – principles she says continue to guide every decision she makes.

Additional reporting by Robert Louis Fenech.