10W Singapore — Highlighting Impressive Women Leaders
Powerful cultural diversity, elite business climate, wild economic transformation and pure perfection are just some of the few things Singapore is revered for. These Singaporean leaders show us how courage, humility and authenticity are truly the foundation for success.
10W Singapore represents a variety of cultures, generations, and professional sectors — including tech, business entrepreneurship, veterans, and venture capital.
From starting a company and moving across the globe in the midst of a pandemic to masterfully learning 7 languages to co-founding a venture fund alongside a demanding job with Fortune 10 company — these women teach us masterful lessons.
Wondering how to take a leap of faith, balance remote work-life balance, and lead the life you’re proud of? 10W Singapore shows us how.
What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
Xi Liu — Founder at Ferne Heath
How to make my voice heard and respected as a young woman in the tech and now in the startup world. When I worked for corporates, whenever I started picking up a new project, there were always doubts in the room. Even now, as my own company’s CEO, I still face the same problems when people see me and identify me as a woman at 20s then they question how much I know my business. I don’t think it’s necessary to respond to everyone’s doubts, but the important part is to not let it get into my way while staying humble.
Diane Boettcher — Tech Executive & Navy Veteran
Figuring out who I am and what I want to do. I’ve done so many different roles in a variety of locations and industries. My career has been this lurching, exciting, accelerated symphony of various movements and instruments. I’m still learning how to best align these experiences and package them properly for each role. There’s also an element of being able to adapt myself to situations and bosses without losing myself.
Lillian So — Fintech Lead
Something that I am still struggling with is impostor syndrome. I often meet with people who have anywhere between five to twenty years experience on me, and I have had to get used to feeling intimidated by sharing a table with these people. I have to remind myself that there is value in having a unique perspective and that if I’m doing something that feels challenging, that just means it’s the first time I’m doing it and to be conscious of the opportunity to learn something new.
Maria Tan — Book Author (Bilingual English Indonesian Storybook Author)
The challenge I always face is choosing what I want to focus on. There are so many good opportunities and good ideas out there to execute, but to be strategic, I must choose my focus.
How do you stay motivated?
Martina Malafova — Tech Program Manager
The key is to understand what’s driving you. I learned early on that I am a builder (not a farmer) and I have a need to constantly learn. I also understood that I’d rather be a generalist than a specialist.
Monica Garde — Product Manager, Google Pay
I stay motivated by making sure my work, either professional or personal, creates a positive impact. There was a time when I wanted to be a doctor because I loved the idea of having a career where I could do something good for others. I know now that there are many ways to give back.
Magda Chelly — Serial Entrepreneur, Former CISO, Public Speaker
My biggest motivation is my team. They are my biggest source of inspiration and by far my best supporters. When I see the new team members working with us, it gives me the drive to achieve success for them. Their dedication is what motivates me to keep the hard work and perseverance. The overall positive energy, encouragement, team collaboration is all what keeps me going. My team dedication and commitment, as well as my co-founder and partner’s support helps me to take up greater challenges and risks without the fear of failure or backing out. I feel alive, happy and proud.
What’s a turning point in your life that’s contributed to how you lead?
Diane Boettcher — Tech Executive & Navy Veteran
Early on, I was obsessed about being right, about doing the right thing for the mission. In the military, we focus on the mission a lot. I was so laser-focused on completing the mission, that I lost sight of the people near me. A customer of mine was so deeply unhappy with the way that I treated him. He complained to my boss. I was stunned. I was right. I was. Everyone would tell me I was right. And, in the end, it wasn’t enough that I was right. I had been unkind. And while I wasn’t actively mean, I also hadn’t been seeking ways to be kind. That was it. That was my turning point. And it wasn’t a switch. I didn’t wake up one day and decide that I would be different and then was. But I started. I started the change. I started choosing kindness. I started making small choices every day that shape the way I lead. I’ve made it my mission to lead with kindness.
Lillian So — Fintech Lead
I have always sought out help from mentors and leaders and have not really lost the sense that I need guidance. In the past year, I’ve found myself in roles where people now value my guidance and advice, which was completely new for me. I feel like the biggest shift has been becoming conscious of the impact and responsibility that you have as a leader, and as a mentor. Being able to reflect on and appreciate the help I’ve received lets me understand my role in helping others.
Christel Goh — Founder, Grow Public Relations
My relationship with my grandma. She took care of me ever since I was young. As I grew up, she got older. I saw how she aged. It made me particularly interested in the aging sector. This led to me starting my social enterprise — playhuahee.com where I create games and activities for seniors. This then spun off into a public relations consultancy business where I support start-ups and SMEs in Singapore to gain awareness through media publicity.
Monisha Varadan — Web Warrior at Google, Founder and Investor in Zephyr Ventures, Lecturer at INSEAD, Mother of Two
The tail end of my struggle of coming back from maternity lead to complete exhaustion and a breakdown, I had to take a 3-month sabbatical. It forces you to pause and rethink and puts life back in perspective. What it did teach me as I came back from that sabbatical was that being vulnerable was the only way to lead. I had to tell my story to those who asked, and I noticed the reactions were so different than I expected. People were strangely inspired, looked up to me. Psychological safety and vulnerability (core principles where I work) are two things I try and focus on as I manage various teams today.
What’s a life-hack you do that helps you be successful?
Maria Tan — Book Author (Bilingual English Indonesian Storybook Author)
Focusing on one thing at a time works wonders for me. It’s only May but I’ve published 14 bilingual Indonesian English storybooks this year by doing this very thing. Previously it took me 2 years just to publish 2 storybooks.
Cécilia des Courtis — Tech Marketing Manager
I think being curious is the thing that has helped me the most. For instance, I love networking as a way to meet new interesting people and learn about different jobs and industries. Also, setting clear boundaries between work and personal time.
Xi Liu — Founder at Ferne Heath
Never regret ANY decision in the past, not even what you had for breakfast.
Monisha Varadan — Web Warrior at Google, Founder and Investor in Zephyr Ventures, Lecturer at INSEAD, Mother of Two
Listen to your heart — you can only excel in doing things you enjoy, spending time with people you like, investing in a career that you actually want to be in — so make the time, listen to your heart. You will be far happier, faster, more productive, and achieve a lot more if your heart is in it.
What’s one of your favorites quotes/mantras?
Lillian So — Fintech Lead
Toni Morrison said, “…remember that your real job is if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.”
Maria Tan — Book Author (Bilingual English Indonesian Storybook Author)
My favorite quotes: “Never let your emotions overpower your intelligence”. There will always be times when you don’t feel like doing what you’re supposed to do. Don’t give in. Keep your focus.
Diane Boettcher— Tech Executive & Navy Veteran
“Decide what reputation you want to have. Then go earn it.” — Lt Gen Lori Richardson, USMC
Cécilia des Courtis — Tech Marketing Manager
“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room” (Anita Roddick, Founder of the Body Shop).
Xi Liu — Founder at Ferne Heath
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” Rosa Parks
Martina Malafova — Tech Program Manager
“Incrementalism leads to irrelevance over time…change tends to be revolutionary, not evolutionary.” Eric Schmidt
“Always forgive your enemies — nothing annoys them so much.” Oscar Wilde
“Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness.” Buddha)
Studies show we have roughly 70,000 thoughts per day and 65% of them are negative. I hope this advice brought a smile to your face and a new idea or perspective. It’s especially inspiring to learn from such a diverse group of leaders.
From industry expertise, culture, generation, and aspirations, these women brought unique advice to 10W. Thank you to the Singapore group for sharing your wisdom!
Throughout 2020, we’re highlighting many cities around the world. Please nominate a leader you know HERE.
