Leading AWS’ Sustainability policy strategy for Asia Pacific and Japan

I head up Public Policy for Singapore and ASEAN Strategic Initiatives, representing the Business in engaging policy makers to co-create policies so that communities and businesses can be best empowered by Cloud - sustainably. I work closely with Amazon’s Global Sustainability teams to Think Big on carbon, energy and water sustainability innovation. I develop strategies on how AWS can partner the Singapore and ASEAN governments on pushing their Sustainability agenda with Cloud, whether through energy efficiency from hyperscale cloud and innovation in Green Data Centre infrastructure, to how AWS’ services help drive sustainability solutions across sectors from finance to start-ups. I also work with our customers on how we can help them on their sustainability journeys.Among other things, I also drive policy engagements on digital trade agreements for the region, work with regulators and policy makers on cloud security and operational resiliency, advise on developing a Cloud First policy for healthcare and collaborate on up-skilling the national workforce with Cloud.

Working closely with the founders, I play an integral role in sharing my expertise and advising the Teja Ventures team on investment strategy and fundraising, in the areas of Sustainability and Technology.Teja Ventures is the first gender lens VC fund for emerging Asia, focusing on early stage technology companies for the She Economy. We believe women are the biggest arbitrage opportunity of our generation. We invest in diverse founders and companies which leverage the economic potential of women as a demographic - whether as consumers, online traffic or a mobile workforce. Our key market is South East Asia, with strategic exposure to India and China.

Built and Lead a 3000+ strong membership empowering women in Singapore to pursue their aspirations while building communities for women to thrive and promote a culture of mentorship, leadership and mutual support.Co-leading a circle on Women in Fintech while connecting and supporting them in advancing their ambitions in the region.Leads and organizes events and panels on Women in Technology, including TechXLR8 Asia, Uber and Microsoft.

I drove climate change land-related policies to ensure that Singapore and mitigate and adapted to the short and long-run impact of Climate Change, and led my team to develop the policy on Environmental Impact Assessments for all land developments in Singapore. I also drove other land-related policies ranging from private housing policies on lease renewals and short-term accommodation; to the development of growth centres including Jurong Innovation District and Lake Districts & Punggol Digital District. Led a team of 15 on all aspects of strategic land planning to optimise land use and drive economic competitiveness.I translated long-term Concept Plan to actual decisions on urban redevelopment, land reclamation, conservation, transport, healthcare, education, and underground developments.

I built and developed NTUC Enterprises’ first fully digital business and disrupted the financial advisory market in Singapore. Piloted with Monetary Authority Singapore (MAS) robo-advisory services for the masses using Design Thinking and Business Model Canvas including sizing addressable markets and evaluating feasibility and viability of business models. Structured the new business entity, guiding operations, due diligence, content development & user journey while leading Business Development and go-to-market strategy; scoped partnerships with Fundsupermart, Providend & Bambu.

Strategized and expanded the Labour Movement’s relevance in the changing employmentand economic landscape.Speechwriter for Singapore’s Prime Minister (PM) and Senior Minister of State (SMS), Lee Hsien Loong and Heng Chee How respectively. Shaped the narrative on the importance of tripartism in Singapore in the face of a weaker economy for the PM’s 2016 May Day Rally speech and other speeches.

Led the Ministry’s team responsible for driving economic strategy to increase Singapore’s competitiveness through developing & implementing policies, working closely with economic agencies across government, managing and messaging economy-wide trade-offs.As Budget Speech & Round-Up Speech writer in 2012, 2013 & 2015, I assisted Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, to shape economic policy landscape, narrative & public messaging.Led the development of nationwide SkillsFuture initiative, working closely with stakeholders while developing key pillars of $7.1B 3-year Transition Support Package to help businesses through restructuring:^ Developed & implemented $4.5B Wage Credit Scheme, a national scheme providing automatic Govt co-funding of wage increases to help with business costs. A global first, awarded MOF Best Project Award 2013, Most Innovative Project/Policy in Public Service, & short-listed for United Nations Award for Public Service 2014. $2.2B disbursed to 85,000 employers for wage increases given to 650,000 employees through systems developed.^ Conceived of $1.5B Productivity and Innovation Credit Bonus, a Government-matching programme disbursed to 25,000 businesses to increase productivity.Led establishment of Singapore's 1st Govt-backed and commercially run project finance company Clifford Capitol in 2012 to catalyse cross-border activity by plugging the gap for long-tenure, large ticket loans. Developed framework governing Govt's $3.9B Guarantee for debts issued, Clifford’s mandate and project qualifying criteria.Promoted research,innovation & entrepreneurial (RIE) activity –oversaw $16.1B budget allocation & implementation of programmes under RIE2015 & RIE2020.Enhanced vibrancy of the corporate ecosystem, grew Singapore-based globally competitive companies through initiatives such as $750M Co-Investment Programme to catalyse $1.5B of growth capital.

Strategized bilateral economic/political relations as key person analysing all aspects of China's economy ranging from its trade relations to 12th 5-year Plan; US-China and China-Asean relationsEstablished and managed networks of relevant Chinese and diplomatic corporate stakeholders to advance Singapore’s interest through constant negotiations, relationship building and seeking buy-in.Led landmark bilateral negotiations on the ground including the negotiation for China to send Pandas to Singapore to mark 20 years of diplomatic relations.Interfaced and negotiated closely with Chinese Ministry of Commerce/MFA to structure bilateral economic agreements/relations.

Desk Officer: Malaysia & Brunei Desk (Jul 2008 - Aug 2009)Oversaw bilateral negotiations on the Water Agreements with Malaysia governing our water dependence on Malaysia.Assisted to resolve the Points of Agreement impasse with Malaysia in 2010, an issue regarding state railway land outstanding since 1990. The team was awarded the National Day Award in 2009 for its work.Oversaw and led the Ministry's effort for high-level trips including staffing then-MM Lee Kuan Yew's 2009 multi-state, historical trip to Malaysia, the first in over a decade.Desk Officer: International Organisations Directorate (Jul 2007 - Jun 2008)Managed Singapore’s counter-proliferation work and adherence to international treaties.