Women in leadership: 8 inspiring role models in Singapore

Across the world, women have been pivotal in shaping societies and driving progress, whether that’s behind the scenes or front and centre. Singapore is no different – in spite of its tiny size, this little red dot we call home boasts a cadre of remarkable women who have made their mark in places like communities, businesses, political arenas, academia and beyond.

In Singapore, women hold 21% of senior management roles in corporations, and only 3 in 10 Singaporeans are very comfortable with women in leadership. Frankly, we’re missing out.

Women only hold 32.2% of senior leadership positions globally, but for the organisations that do have women in leadership roles, the difference is stark: companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability as compared to companies in the fourth quartile.

Advocating for more women in leadership roles means that we craft an inclusive and egalitarian future for the next generation. This doesn’t just benefit women, but also elevates us as a whole when innovation and contributions are supported and nurtured regardless of gender.

As International Women’s Day rolls around on 8th March, we’re celebrating the female leaders that inspire us. Join us as we delve into the stories of the true Singaporean heroes setting the bar in their respective fields.

1. Rachel Lim and Dione Song

This dynamic duo leads Love, Bonito, a homegrown women’s fashion brand with over 250 employees spread across their Singaporean headquarters and country offices in Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Their progress is nothing to scoff at – not only do they have an omni-channel presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the U.S., Cambodia and Hong Kong, their international e-commerce site also ships to 20 other markets worldwide.

Rachel’s story started early. At 19, she first sold pre-loved apparel under the name BonitoChico with her university friends, Viola Tan and Velda Tan. Five years later in 2010, Love, Bonito was born when the trio decided to design their own clothing, and the rest is history.

Meanwhile, Dione’s journey with Love, Bonito started in 2018, when she was hired as the company’s chief commercial officer. She was integral to the brand’s shift from regional startup to its current status as a much beloved global presence, eventually becoming Love, Bonito’s first CEO.

Together, Rachel and Dione lead a diverse and talented team focused on creating the most thoughtful brand for the modern Asian woman – their efforts create incredible impact by inspiring and empowering women with confidence worldwide.

2. Cynthia Chua

An award winning lifestyle entrepreneur based in Singapore, Cynthia is the founder of Spa Esprit Group, an international organisation with over 200 outlets and more than 2000 employees. The group is known best for nearly 30 years of quality beauty spas and food and beverage establishments such as 40 Hands, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Tippling Club and Tiong Bahru Bakery.

Cynthia isn’t just an entrepreneur and a tastemaker, she’s also focused on filling gaps in the F&B, health and beauty industries. Her lifestyle empire features urban spa experiences, personal care for both men and women, farm-to-table eateries and rooftop farming – all concepts well ahead of the curve when they were first presented.

Despite her busy lifestyle and her business successes, Cynthia makes it a point to carve out time for matters close to the heart, like her family and sustainability efforts. Regardless of niche, every brand, product and business decision under the Spa Esprit Group umbrella considers the effect they will have on the health and wellbeing of the planet, as well as their customers, partners and employees.

Cynthia doesn’t shy away from intimate or taboo topics – in fact, her inventiveness in creating lifestyle brands that empower women has led her towards revolutionising Singapore’s personal grooming industry with brands like Strip, Browhaus and Two Lips.

3. Jamie Koh

The founder of Brass Lion Distillery, Jamie and her team created Singapore’s first standalone micro-distillery, where they specialise in the production of high quality, small batch craft spirits.

When they couldn’t find locally made Singaporean spirits back in 2012, the answer was clear: they were going to make one. After a six year journey where Jamie mastered the art and science of distillation under the tutelage of master craftsmen worldwide, Brass Lion Distillery’s flagship spirit, the Singapore Dry Gin, was born.

This isn’t Jamie’s first rodeo, however – her first step into F&B was in 2010, when she set up Singapore’s very first specialty shots bar, Chupitos. The concept was the first of its kind back then in a male-dominated industry, and she wasn’t taken very seriously. Nevertheless, it’s since withstood the test of time and become an iconic haunt at Clarke Quay.

Jamie’s latest venture with Brass Lion Distillery aims to educate international and local audiences on the art of creating handcrafted spirits, as well as diversify the Singaporean market with locally-made spirits. With nearly 15 years in the thriving local bar scene, her upward trajectory in building a global spirits brand is inspiring, we’re certainly following her journey closely! .

4. Angela Sim and Lynn Yeo

Source: Her World

Angela Sim and Lynn Yeo make up the two-person powerhouse behind Alps Group and Cloversoft, providing affordable and eco-friendly household products that are both safe and sustainable.

The pair first met as HSBC investment bankers in the 2010s, where they had nearly two decades of experience in the field combined. In 2013, Angela met a scientist in China who was developing unbleached bamboo tissues and shared her discovery with Lynn, thus kickstarting Cloversoft’s launch in 2014.

Cloversoft’s products include tissue paper, household cleaning supplies, personal care items, baby care products and much more. While the company has been self-funded over the years, it’s growing threefold year-on-year in sales on average, with a growing customer base in Asia-Pacific markets.

In the face of climate concerns and species endangerment, Angela and Lynn took a leap of faith and stepped away from their comfortable and secure careers in favour of sustainability and change. Today, Cloversoft’s bamboo-derived products in their iconic polar bear themed packaging can be seen in Singapore, India, Malaysia, Brunei and the Maldives.

5. Chanel Go and Germaine Lye

Chanel, Germaine and their co-founder Mitchell lead Our Barehands, a social enterprise and international collaborative platform. Their venture involves co-creating unique and quality lifestyle pieces with producing communities around the world – in essence, connecting us with artisans and the beautiful pieces they make.

Our Barehands isn’t just about lifestyle products that are designed well, affordable and of good quality. It’s also about making open, honest and lasting change in communities by ensuring sustainable livelihoods for the craftsmen and women they work with. Established since 2019, this social enterprise has collaborated with communities all over the world in places like Malaysia, Yogyakarta, Karnataka, Gujarat, Chiang Mai, Yangon, Colombia and Venezuela.

Through Our Barehands, Chanel and Germaine shelved their plans for a conventional career and devoted themselves to local communities. They help by sourcing market-relevant and high quality materials for their products, while also connecting artisans to resources that include upskilling and training. These efforts uplift traditional skills and artistry alongside the life stories that go into crafting every piece.

6. Ng Gim Choo

The founder and chairwoman of EtonHouse International Education Group, Ng Gim Choo has been in the business of Singaporean international education for nearly 30 years. Her story began when she was living in the UK and saw how happy her children were at school. This inspired her to venture into the education sector, and the first EtonHouse school was opened in 1995 at Broadrick Road.

Ng’s motivation to pioneer a child-centred educational philosophy in Singapore paid off – today, EtonHouse offers preschool, primary, secondary and high school programmes to over 20,000 children, with 130 schools across 11 countries. Her contributions to Singaporean education standards were recognised manifold over the years, where she was listed in Forbes’ Asia Power Businesswomen 2021 and Forbes 50 Over 50: Asia 2023 among other accolades.

After her son, Ng Yi-Xian, took over the reins as group CEO, Ng now devotes herself to philanthropic efforts under the EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF), where she works with children and youth from underprivileged families to improve their lives through education. She is a firm believer in the impact of education on a child’s life, and she wishes for every child to have access to good quality education and equal opportunities towards success.

7. Gan Guoyi

Gan Guoyi is half of the pair behind Jigger & Pony Group — the hospitality company bringing us award-winning Singaporean brands and restaurants, like Singapore’s best bar four years in a row — Jigger & Pony, Live Twice, Gibson, Sugarhall, Rosemead, Caffe Fernet and Humpback. They also have a bottled cocktails line called Pony, that lets customers bring home their classic and signature cocktails if they can’t dine in.

Since Jigger & Pony Group’s founding in 2012, their focus has been on creating venues where guests find comfort, forge friendship and share happiness. That’s not all – they also take pride in their role in building an inclusive and vibrant F&B community that draws both domestic consumers and international visitors through the principles of convivial hospitality.

Beyond Jigger & Pony’s escapades and accolades, Gan also worked with other industry leaders to set up the Singapore Cocktail Bar Association during the pandemic. The non-profit helped to raise relief funds for bar staff and operators, encouraging the industry to band together in order to weather the storms of circuit breakers and other pandemic restrictions.

Gan’s experience as a SIA flight attendant instilled in her an attention to detail, a certain persistence and a focus on building connections that she continues to embody through every brand under the Jigger & Pony Group.

8. Alicia Pan

Also a popular singer-songwriter, Alicia Pan is the co-founder of Yoga Movement, a 200 strong company with ten locations in Singapore. She first found her calling when following the recommendation of her friends — she attended a yoga class in an attempt to slow down and find time for herself.

While Alicia wasn’t initially a fan, she quickly became an avid enthusiast, attending classes 3 to 5 times a week. In 2009, she met her now-husband, Peter Thew, who would eventually venture into the fitness industry and start Yoga Movement with her.

12 years later, Yoga Movement has obtained a cult following, alongside an exciting partnership with Australia-based Strong Pilates, bringing cardio-infused pilates to Singaporean shores. An ambitious multi-hyphenate who balances her business, singing career and motherhood efforlessly, you may be wondering, “how on earth does she manage all that”? Well, she’s got a valuable tip for everyone out there, particularly small business owners — “Know your target and have a clear direction. Do not try to be everything to everyone.”

Happy International Women’s Day!

As we celebrate International Women’s Day with the theme of ‘Inspiring Inclusion’, the journey of these remarkable women in leadership exemplifies the transformative power of inclusion. Their stories not only inspire but also underscore the importance of breaking barriers and fostering environments where women can thrive.

In Singapore, these role models have demonstrated resilience, determination, and excellence in their respective fields, paving the way for future generations of women leaders. Their achievements remind us that true empowerment lies not only in personal success but in creating opportunities for others.

As we applaud these trailblazers, let us collectively work towards a future where every woman is encouraged to rise, lead, and contribute her unique talents to the world.

Here at Employment Hero, we’ve also released a mini-series on our socials, titled ‘Beyond Boundaries: International Women’s Day in the Remote Work Era.’ Six big questions, six inspiring heroes sharing their experience of being female trailblazers in a remote work environment. Don’t forget to check them out!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is current as at 7th March 2024, and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd (ABN 11 160 047 709) and its related bodies corporate (Employment Hero). The views expressed in this article are general information only, are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees, and should not be relied on as professional advice. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this article. You should undertake your own research and to seek professional advice before making any decisions or relying on the information in this article.