Denise Phua is a Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC and the Mayor of Central Singapore District. She entered politics in 2006 after two decades of experience in corporate roles in marketing, training and development, and HR, and has been a voice for low-income, low-skilled Singaporeans and the disabled since.

Phua worked at organisations such as Wuthelam Group and Hewlett-Packard before leaving the business world in 2005 to become a full-time volunteer at Pathlight School, an autism-focused institute. She entered politics a year later, and still takes an active hand in initiatives promoting the visibility of the disabled and underprivileged. These include the Purple Parade, an annual gathering that celebrates the abilities of those with special needs, and the Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra.

Phua also oversees two charities, the Autism Association of Singapore and the Autism Resource Centre; as well as two special schools, Eden School and Pathlight School. She is also chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, in which she speaks up on issues concerning the future workforce and education.