WLI Singapore Commendation Award 2023

28 June 2023

Michelle Wong, ULI Singapore

ULI Singapore is delighted to announce the winners of the WLI Singapore Commendation Award 2023: Chua Shi Jie, Faith Tan and Rica Teo.

(L-R) WLI Singapore Commendation Award Recipients Chua Shi Jie, Faith Tan, Rica Teo

Earlier this year, ULI Singapore reached out to the local universities to nominate female graduands of real estate related studies to be considered for the WLI Singapore Commendation Award. The intent of the award is to increase the visibility and professional development opportunities for women in the industry as part of WLI’s objectives to:

Promote the advancement of women, throughout their careers, as leaders in the real estate industry
Increase the number of women who serve in leadership positions in the real estate industry and in ULI
Increase the visibility of women leaders in the real estate industry and in ULI
Increase the number of women who are active ULI Full members and support the development of young women members as leaders in ULI and in their positions.

The WLI Singapore Steering Committee Co-Chairs met with the nominees and were impressed by the level of talent and the graduands’ astuteness about the built environment. As ULI’s mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, the Co-Chairs anchored their deliberations around the graduands’ view of the built environment as well as their personal motivations to serve the needs of the wider community.

Shi Jie, Faith and Rica stood out for their dedication towards their respective areas of interest and voluntary service. To further nurture these commendable graduands’ interest in real estate and support their career progression, the Award includes:

Cash prize of SGD1,000
1 year membership with ULI which provides access to:
- Global research content
- Learning events and activities
- Peer-to-peer networking
- Leadership engagements
Exclusive opportunity to participate in the WLI Singapore Steering Committee meetings

The Award Ceremony was hosted by AECOM, one of ULI Singapore’s Patrons. In attendance were members of ULI Singapore’s Executive Committee, WLI Singapore Steering Committee, the WLI Singapore Champions of Change, university representatives and stakeholders.

Tang Wei Leng, WLI Singapore Co-Chair delivering the Opening Remarks

Following the presentation of the awards, WLI Singapore Co-Chair Tan Shin Hui facilitated a fireside chat with Shi Jie and Rica to find out more about their perspectives and hopes for the future of the built environment.

(L-R) Tan Shin Hui, WLI Singapore Co-Chair; Chua Shi Jie, WLI Singapore Commendation Award Recipient

To Shin Hui’s question on how Shi Jie finds the time to pursue her interests and multiple volunteer services alongside a demanding academic curriculum, Shi Jie said that her parents played a big part by not stipulating expectations or goals. Rather, they encouraged her to explore her interests and find something that would nurture her to be the best version of herself. She also credits her peers and friends at her Church who continuously encouraged her during stressful times.

Shi Jie realised at a young age that the built environment had a direct impact on the social and mobility issues of the residents. She found meaning and purpose to pursue a career in this industry in the hopes of being part of reshaping the built environment that would help its residents, especially those less privileged, to thrive.

Shi Jie observed that the young children are under a great deal of pressure to excel academically. She was therefore quite committed to impart knowledge to primary school students in a fun way. “I don’t want them to be deprived of fun learning!” She added that seeing the young kids have fun during these sessions was in itself such an enjoyable experience that it also washed away her own stress.

(Stage Right) Rica Teo, WLI Singapore Commendation Award Recipient

When asked about why Rica chose to study Project and Facilities Management, she explained that she pivoted from her long-standing pursuit of the science track after she attended NUS Open House and chanced upon the Project and Facilities Management booth. It left a deep impression with her on how the built environment is a vital component of our daily lives. Inspired and motivated to be a direct influence on shaping the future of the built environment, she knew she needed to be in a role that was more hands-on, and one where she could visibly see the outcome from design to physical form. Strong is her belief that she has also reached out to other students to encourage them to take up the course so that the next generation can take a far more active role in shaping their city.

Rica also shared that she had recently attended with a group of friends the Humanitarian Affairs Green Summit in Thailand, and they were inspired to take action to promote sustainability in the built environment. They are currently organising with NUS and other key stakeholders its inaugural NUS Green Summit that would take place from 25 – 28 August 2023. The key interest is to expose the NUS student and faculty community to the industry players and to encourage greater awareness and collaboration towards a greener built environment.

Faith Tan, WLI Singapore Commendation Award Recipient

As Faith was unable to attend the ceremony in person, she pre-recorded her remarks which were shared during the ceremony. On what led her to study real estate:

Fresh out of junior college, I had a passion for geography and was intrigued by the built environment. Effective urban planning and buildings can create a sense of space and community. It was my aspiration to play a role in shaping future skylines.

I was then drawn to real estate given the various pathways, ranging from urban studies to valuation and investments. During my course of study, I slowly uncovered my interest in real estate investments. This spark began on exchange when I was exposed to higher level finance modules. The varying nature of different assets was intriguing. No asset is ever the same, even within its sector.

During the chat sessions, a few of our leaders in attendance also shared words of support and advice for the award recipients.

The Urban Land Institute believes that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are the pillars of sustainable, thriving communities. Our members exemplify this belief in their support for WLI’s objectives and various activities. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to URBNarc for sponsoring the cash prize.

If you or your firm would be keen to support this Awards programme, please reach out to ULI Singapore.

In attendance: ULI Singapore Exco Members, WLI Singapore Steering Committee, WLI Singapore Champions of Change, University representatives, Awardees and their supporters

ULI Singapore thanks our venue host

Event Photos

Award Trophies
Tang Wei Leng, WLI SG Co-Chair
Congratulations to Chua Shi Jie, WLI Singapore Commendation Award Recipient
Chua Shi Jie’s Fireside Chat with Tan Shin Hui, WLI SG Co-Chair
Shi Jie shares about her passion to impart learning in a fun way to the primary school children.
Congratulations to Rica Teo, WLI Singapore Commendation Award Recipient
Rica Teo’s Fireside Chat with Tan Shin Hui, WLI SG Co-Chair
Rica credits her father for supporting and advocating her interest in real estate.
(Left) Allen Ang, EVP, Head of Green Building & Technology, CDL and Rica’s supervisor when she begins her role as a management trainee at the firm
(Right) Proud father Eric Teo attended the Award ceremony
Chan Hui Min, WLI Sg Steering Committee member expressed her delight to have such bright and passionate young talents join the industry.
Tang Wei Leng commended Shi Jie’s approach and rationale when deciding between the various real estate executive roles available.
Mireille Wan, WLI Sg Steering Committee member, advised Rica to consider sustainability not just in terms of buildings but to consider the notion of sustainability in terms of people and communities.
(L-R) Chan Hui Min, WLI Sg Steering Committee member & Director, DP Architects; Terence Seah, Director and Head of Hong Kong, Singapore and Shenzhen at Benoy; Awardee Chua Shi Jie; Kelvin Chan, VP Investment (Asia), Link REIT