From taking bold strides into male-dominated industries, to grooming the future generation of creatives, this year’s inspiring nominees of The Weekly’s Great Women Of Our Time Awards 2016 are daring dreamers changing our world…
From taking bold strides into male-dominated industries, to grooming the future generation of creatives, this year’s inspiring nominees of The Weekly’s Great Women Of Our Time Awards 2016 are daring dreamers changing our world…
Tan Su-Lyn, 43 Co-founder and CEO, The Ate Group
Su-Lyn is a multi-hyphenate: As a brand catalyst, she co-founded integrated communications agency, The Ate Group (which counts Odette, Destination New South Wales, and The Omakase Group, amongst its illustrious list of clients); she has edited numerous cookbooks and restaurant guides, such as Passion and Inspiration (renowned chef Justin Quek’s first cookbook), and the Lonely Planet World Food Guide to Malaysia and Singapore. Su-Lyn also co-founded food blog Chubby Hubby with her husband, Aun Koh.
Sarah Tang, 28 Co-founder, Sarah and Schooling
Most people know Sarah for her portfolio of design work for publications from Epigram, Marshall Cavendish, Math Paper Press, National University of Singapore Press, Monsoon Books, and LASALLE College of the Arts. But this ardent supporter of Singapore’s literary industry has also been working hard behind the scenes to support the Arts. When she’s not busy designing literary books, you’ll find her hard at work with Itchy Fingers, a series of weekend workshops featuring lessons by independent local craftsmen.
Lim Shujuan, 33 Curator, National Gallery Singapore
After a $532 m decade-long restoration, the National Gallery Singapore is now home to the world’s largest collection of modern Southeast Asian art. And behind the transformation of the former Supreme Court and City Hall, stands a committed team of industry experts, including Shujuan, who played a key role in the restoration project as its building history curator. She is also the project editor of The Making of National Gallery Singapore, a 168- page book that documents the history and transition of the two monuments.
Clara Yee, 26 Independent Art Director
This year, Forbes listed Clara, a Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design graduate, as one of the “30 under 30” young designers defining fashion and art in Asia. Clara was the artistic director behind Singapore Tourism Board’s “Singapore: Inside Out”, a multidisciplinary showcase of Singaporean talents in the Arts, which travelled to Beijing, London, New York and back. She has also designed scarves for British luxury fashion house, Alexander McQueen, and worked with clients like Warner Music.
Lim Wenhui, 34 Partner, Spark Architects
Many of us have marvelled at the architectural design of the rejuvenated Clarke Quay, and the beautiful Shanghai International Cruise Terminal – but did you know that these well-known projects were completed by award-winning architecture firm, Spark? Wenhui, who spearheads the socially-conscious firm’s Singapore headquarters, also oversees its global brand and graphic identity. Wenhui is credited for leading the teams that won Spark’s first commissions in Vietnam in 2009, and in Australia in 2013.
Sabrina Goh, 31 Founder and Fashion Designer, Elohim by Sabrina Goh
A draughtsman’s daughter, this LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts graduate draws inspiration from architectural forms for the designs for her seven-year-old brand, Elohim by Sabrina Goh. The Singapore Young Designer Contest finalist 2006 and 2007, was selected to be mentored by fashion veterans such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Victoria Beckham, as part of last year’s Fashion Futures Programme. Today, her label is stocked in stores in the US, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea.
Chrissy Goh-Tasker, 49 Founder and CEO, JLCSports.com
An independent entrepreneur, Chrissy started off with an online platform to retail sporting goods. Her company JLCSports.com is now the leading online regional platform that acts as both retailer and wholesaler for leading sports brands such as Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Asics, New Balance, Nike and Converse. She has since diversified her reach into the business of recycling. Her latest venture, The Gon Company, has developed a Domestic Crushing Machine that reduces the size of recyclable Melissa Tan cans and bottles.
Melissa Tan, 37 Chairman, Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS); General Manager, Wah & Hua Pte Ltd
As the chairman of the WMRAS, Melissa champions its efforts to promote trade and commerce for the waste and recycling industry. A former tax consultant, she took over the reins of her father’s waste management and recycling company, Wah & Hua. The dynamic mother-of-three also advocates environmental responsibility as a grassroots leader in the Hong Kah North constituency.
Dr Sheila Vasoo, 46 Senior Consultant and Rheumatologist, Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
Dr Vasoo pioneered the Pregnancy Loss Program (a first in Singapore) at the National University Hospital with Professor Mahesh Choolani. In 2012, she was awarded the John Gusdon New Investigator Award at the joint American and European Society of Reproductive Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting, for their work on the placenta and the immune system in women with recurrent pregnancy losses.
Winnie Chan, in her 40s Founder and CEO, Bynd Artisan
Bynd Artisan reflects Winnie’s fight to take the traditional art of bookbinding into the future. Bynd Artisan is her way to provide younger customers with a tactile experience of choosing and making their own notebooks – something Winnie, the third generation scion of Grandluxe, a 71-year-old stationary manufacturing company, wants to preserve as we enter a digital world. In July, the homegrown brand, which can be found in selected retailers in Singapore, made its first international launch in Lane Crawford, IFC Mall, in Hong Kong.
Yvon Bock, 36 Founder and Managing Director, Hegen
Yvon’s vision has always been about making a difference. The mother-of-four drew on her own breastfeeding experience to create a revolutionary line of baby bottles. Hegen was founded with the aim to design meaningful products that advocate breastfeeding, protect the integrity of breast milk, and enhance the breastfeeding journey for parents everywhere. In 2014, the mumpreneur showcased Hegen bottles at Kind + Jugend, the largest baby products trade show in Cologne, Germany.
Anisa Hassan, 44 Managing Director, IJL Asia; Founder, Nusantara Health Pte Ltd
This former broadcast journalist took the plunge and decided to be her own boss after the premature birth of her elder daughter. In March 2004, Anisa completed a month-long training in the US in preparation for the July launch of It’s Just Lunch Asia, a franchised upscale match-making agency for busy professionals. The business-savvy mum-of-two has authored two books about dating, and launched Oobat, a range of doctor-developed health supplements made with jamu.
Jayne Nadarajoo, 47 Founding Director, Melbourne Specialist International School, White Lodge Education Group Services Pte Ltd, The Pantry @ Loewen Gardens
An advocate for special needs integration, Jayne has always welcomed children with learning disabilities into White Lodge, a preschool she founded in 1999. Jayne later founded the Melbourne Specialist International School (MSIS) in 2014, and established The Pantry Cookery School, a social enterprise cafe which provides vocational training and life skills programmes for the students of MSIS.
Cheryl Chong, 30, Co-founder, The Social Co/50For50
This creative changemaker co-founded The Social Co with her good friend, Rebekah Lin. Together, the pair launched 50for50, a 19-month nation-wide campaign which ended last March. The initiative raised close to $2.25 m for 58 local charities, matched equally by the Singapore Government. By the end of its run, 50For50 had reached a remarkable total of $4.5 m. Cheryl and her team are now working on 1 For 1, a new fund-raising campaign to get Singaporeans to donate just $1 each.
Fion Phua, 46 Founder, Keeping Hope Alive
For over 20 years, Fion and her team of more than 50 volunteers have been knocking on the doors of one- and two-room rental flats every Sunday, actively seeking out residents who need help. These volunteers deliver porridge to the needy, providing them with practical necessities like induction cookers and mattresses. Last year, the mother-of-one was a recipient of the annual President’s Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards and won The Singapore Woman Award 2015.
Esther Wang, 28 Founder and CEO, Joytingle
Supported by an ACE Startsups grant from SPRING Singapore, and incubation support from Social Venture Lab@NUS, Esther set up Joytingle in 2012. She worked closely with the National University Hospital and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, to invent Rabbit Ray, a patient-engagement device ideal for four- to eight-year-olds. Rabbit Ray helps to educate kids about the importance of vaccinations and blood taking, and helps them be more comfortable and less fearful.
Associate Professor Ho Ghim Wei, 40 Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Science Programme, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore
Believing that women can excel equally in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industry, Assoc Prof Ho now leads the Ho Research Group at NUS with the aim of creating novel nanostructured materials for energy and environmental sustainability. Last year, the mother-of-two was an honouree winner in the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) 2015 Awards.
Associate Professor Sierin Lim, 39 Assistant Chair (Research), School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Singapore
STEM ambassador for the Singapore Committee for UN Women, Assoc Prof Lim’s Bioengineered and Applied Nanomaterials Laboratory (BeANs Lab) researches the use of protein engineering to deliver molecules for medicines like anti-cancer drugs; and contrast agents, which help enhance images during medical imaging procedures, such as MRIs.
VOTE FOR THE WOMAN WHO INSPIRES YOU
Arts & Media
Design & Style
Health, Sports & Wellness
Finance & Commerce
Education & Public Service
Science & Technology
VOTE & WIN PRIZES WORTH $1,230!
Vote for the nominee that inspires you and stand to win a gift set comprising:
• Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light & Get Perfect Set worth $530
• Swarovski Alegria STS/MOP/STS worth $700
• You may vote as many times for as many nominees as you wish.
• Winner of The Most Inspiring Award will be determined by unique votes and judges’ decisions.
• Winner of The Most Inspiring Award will be announced at The Weekly’s Great Women Of Our Time Cocktail Party on September 29, 2016, and will be featured in a future issue of The Weekly.
HOW TO WIN
1. Visit www.womensweekly.com.sg
2. Click on the “WIN + EVENTS” tab.
3. Select the contest you wish to take part in and fill in the required fields.
Terms & conditions:
Closing date: September 23, 2016. Winners will be notified via email. Promotion is open to all residents of Singapore, other than employees and their families of SPHM Pte Ltd and its associated agencies.
Presenter: 
Co-sponsor: 
