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Tan Shin Hui Appointed to WLI Steering Committee
WLI Singapore is pleased to announce the election of a new Co-Chair.
WLI Champions of Change Launch
12 January 2022
On 11 January 2022, the Women’s Leadership Initiative under ULI Singapore launched its Champions of Change Pledge, which was crafted after several discussions amongst the WLI Steering Committee and fellow ULI members. The intent is to increase the visibility of leaders who actively support DEI from conscious behaviour as a role model, advocate systematic improvements and influence the ecosystem.
Anthony Couse, Asia Pacific CEO, JLL shared his journey.
Anthony Couse, Asia Pacific CEO, JLL shared his journey which started in 2014 when he was asked by the company to lead its diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) ambitions. A four-step journey was mapped out in this sequence: Ambition, Awareness, Action and Accountability. From his observations, he candidly opined that Accountability should have come before Action, and that Action should have been sought much sooner. It requires dedicated resources and people outside of HR. “You are changing the culture of the company, you are changing the behaviours of people and in many instances, you are pushing against the culture of a country,” said Anthony. With a system thinking approach, JLL dedicated region-wide resources to reshape its internal leadership mindset, communicated its actions widely and frequently, took clear action on its ambitions and disallowed concessions or bypass in its DEI policies and processes.
Chan Hui Min, Director and Board Member at DP Architects, spoke about her quest to pay it forward.
Chan Hui Min, Director and Board Member at DP Architects, spoke about her quest to pay it forward through inclusive leadership and mentorship. Architects have to go through an apprenticeship to earn a license. DP Architects have three generations of leaders, from the more senior ones, to current leaders, to the upcoming leaders. She spoke about the strong female role models Mrs Koh-Lim Wen Jin and Mrs Chan Yew Lih, whose respective spouses Mr Koh Seow Chuan and Mr Chan Sui Him, set out to create an open and inclusive environment for women in the company. The male leaders from her past Chairman Francis Lim up to current CEO Seah Chee Huang likewise supported women colleagues through mentorship and partnership, which she said was critical in developing this healthy environment. Placing emphasis on equal regard for the needs of everyone in the team regardless of gender, Hui Min said, “We have a culture to be accommodative of people who have needs [to care] for their families. Getting to know each other’s families helps to engender this culture.” Being a beneficiary, she is now dedicated to paying it forward with her colleagues and team, male and female in Singapore, and propagating this culture in other DP Architects teams in other cities.
“As a working mom, there is always this dilemma to choose between spending that extra minute with my kids or replying that email. […] But that’s okay. I have learned to accept that this is part and parcel of being a working mom. If I am not here for one moment, I strive to be there for the next moment.”
Karen Lee
CEO, ARA LOGOS Logistics Trust
Karen Lee, CEO of ARA LOGOS Logistics Trust, recounted how she found her calling in the real estate industry when she worked in JTC. Noting that the real estate industry was traditionally dominated by competent men given its brick-and-mortar roots, her career development was supported by good companies and bosses who supported DEI underpinned by a meritocratic system. Karen spoke about how she missed out on many of her kids’ milestones while at work. “As a working mom, there is always this dilemma to choose between spending that extra minute with my kids or replying that email. […] But that’s okay. I have learned to accept that this is part and parcel of being a working mom. If I am not here for one moment, I strive to be there for the next moment.” With this personal appreciation of the delicate balancing act between family and career, Karen shows empathy to any colleagues who need time off to care for families and children.
To a question about resistance towards females as bosses or leaders, Karen concurred that both male and female staff have voiced their reluctance to report to a female boss. She believes that this was because there was a general lack of confidence that women can do the job as well as the men. Rather than pushing back on the sentiment, she thinks it was more impactful to allow time and space for women leaders to prove their competence.
Jonathan Eu, CEO of Singapore Land Group, spoke about how his DEI journey started overseas. Being a Singaporean Chinese, he came to gain a deeper appreciation of the questions and battles faced by marginalised groups when he lived and worked overseas. He experienced the visceral shift in community dynamics when country leaders changed. He makes a personal pledge to take active steps to influence gender equality in Singapore Land Group, from having candid discussions about sensitive topics, creating equal training, development and career pathway opportunities and raising DEI awareness. Jonathan observed that while there is an overall appreciation for the importance of DEI, more action needs to be taken. He added, “My personal goal for this year is to create safe story-telling sessions and, encouraging vulnerability, for colleagues to share personal stories at these sessions.”
WLI Singapore thanks the speakers and guests for their insights and candid comments during this inaugural session. As part of this Champions of Change initiative, WLI Singapore will be hosting frequent exchange sessions between our Champions of Change and over time, look for signs of DEI progress in our ULI community and the wider real estate industry.
To be part of this initiative, please click here to read about our pledge and sign up either in your personal capacity or as a company representative.
Special Thanks to venue hosts:
