my story

Hey there! 👋 Let me share a bit about my journey and what drives me. I spent a solid decade as a public servant, navigating the ins and outs of bureaucracy with a passion for making a difference. Then, by what some might call fate or serendipity, I stumbled upon the world of design.

Picture this: I graduated from an economics background. Little did anyone know, I found myself at the forefront, kickstarting a movement of design thinking in our country from humble beginnings as a senior officer from SPRING Singapore.

Fast forward through 15 years of being a consultant and coach, working with folks who weren't necessarily design-trained but eager to harness its power. My focus for a good 8 years was in transforming strategies, policies, services, and processes into more human-centered solutions with my clients at ThinkPlace, a leading strategic design consultancy. The majority of my time was spent collaborating with public sector clients, all in the pursuit of creating solutions for the greater good.

In line with my Ph.D, I find the spark that lit the fire in my belly was the desire to support leaders in the public service to find their inner voice. Why? Because change is a never-ending journey, filled with new tools and techniques. But at its core, leadership is about connecting with people, bringing your whole self to the table. 

I've had countless leaders confide in me, unsure about the role of emotions in their professional lives. Some feel the pressure to remain strictly professional, questioning if there's room for emotions in leadership. Leaders often also find themselves consumed with fixing problems, and not being able to see how they could lead creatively too. Others shared their challenge in managing the changes and often stuck in a hamster of chasing deadlines, initiatives and another new tool. 

So here I am, honing in on leadership—perhaps you'd call it management too, or simply being the boss. My goal is to find your  PSDL (Public Sector Design Leader) in you - one that I've found through my rigorous research and testing with public sector leaders that can be particularly impactful for navigating the future. Come join me on this journey of learning and growth. Let's succeed together!