As we commemorate this year's International Women's Day #InspireInclusion, it is crucial to acknowledge and elevate women's voices who drive change, question conventions, and lead the charge toward a more inclusive and fair society.
These exceptional individuals demonstrate resilience, leadership, and innovation, significantly contributing to their industries and organizations. In this feature, we listen to GlobalFoundries, Google Asia Pacific, Siemens Energy, and other leaders on how they foster inclusion in their workplaces.
Preeti Arora Razdan, Diageo Southeast Asia's Managing Director
Inclusion is fundamental to Diageo's achievements. Personally, Razdan is heavily engaged in the Spirited Women Network ERG, where she passionately advocates for and uplifts the voices of her female colleagues. Through this initiative, they build relationships, share experiences, and provide resources for personal and professional development, cultivating an environment where everyone can thrive. It goes beyond policies and procedures, which foster a sense of belonging and ensure that every individual has the chance to excel.
Aileen Tan, AIA Singapore's Chief Human Resources Officer
Tan believes strongly in fostering a supportive network that allows aspiring employees to step up and take on leadership roles. AIA Singapore's believe in better, a people-first mandate, empowers employees through upskilling and mentorship to ensure a future-proofed and well-equipped workforce. Implementing flexible policies is one of Tan's top priorities, and creating a nurturing environment that recognizes contributions regardless of gender and supports employees' unique needs and diverse talents, helping them reach their fullest potential.
Siah Soh Yun, Technology Development Vice President at GlobalFoundries
At GlobalFoundries (GF) Singapore, Yun and the team consistently prioritize fostering an inclusive culture, beginning from the top. All people managers, including many male colleagues, undergo training to address gender biases. Yun is also a proud member of GF GLOBALWOMEN, the company's largest employee resource group worldwide. It provides coaching and mentorship opportunities for female professionals, enabling them to build confidence collectively.
Tan Wan Ting, Weave Asia's Founder and Marketing Director
At Weave Asia, Ting and the team cultivate an inclusive environment by dismantling traditional workplace hierarchies and promoting transparency and a culture of continuous learning. Recognizing that no one knows everything, they encourage open communication about knowledge gaps and provide support, guidance, and training to address them collaboratively. In this environment, authenticity is prized over perfection, and pretense is unnecessary. Embracing diversity of knowledge and experiences fosters a culture where everyone feels respected and empowered to contribute.
Sapna Chadha, Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier at Google Asia Pacific's Vice President
Mentors played a crucial role in Ting's career journey, inspiring her to give back by mentoring both men and women within Google and beyond. Seeing her mentees overcome bias and find their voices brings Ting immense fulfillment. Ting believes in investing time as a mentor to expedite progress, supporting initiatives like Google Career Certificates across Southeast Asia that empower individuals, and advocating for ambitious gender equity goals. Ting emphasizes that true progress requires bold action.
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