Mah Sing Group’s Datuk Seri Leong Yuet Mei, Sunway Property’s Sarena Cheah and more accomplished ladies who have made their mark in the historically male-dominated local property sector

Datuk Seri Yuet Mei Leong, executive director of Mah Sing Group

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Mah Sing Group

With over two decades of experience in property development, Datuk Seri Yuet Mei Leong is the executive director of Mah Sing Group Berhad, which will soon launch the M Nova mixed development in Kuala Lumpur as part of its affordable M series of developments. Yuet Mei is the elder sister of Mah Sing Group founder and managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum.

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Sarena Cheah, managing director of Sunway Property Development

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Kah Mun for Tatler Malaysia

A second-generation business leader with a passion for sustainable city planning, Sarena Cheah has held many hats at Sunway Berhad since joining its corporate finance and group internal audit divisions in 1995.

She has led Sunway’s property arm since 2015, spearheading the development of its green-certified properties and overseeing its ESG goals in line with Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon and sustainable economy and a net zero greenhouse gas emission nation by 2050.

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Joanne Kua and Dr Krystine Kua of KSK Group

Tatler Asia
Photo: Imran Sulaiman/Tatler Malaysia
Above Photo: Imran Sulaiman/Tatler Malaysia

Former investment banker Joanne Kua is KSK Group Berhad’s CEO and managing director of KSK Land Sdn Bhd. The eldest daughter of KSK Group founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Kua Sian Kooi, Joanne has been instrumental in elevating the prestige of the group’s award-winning property arm, KSK Land, together with her sister, Dr Krystine Kua, the co-founder and head of KSK City Labs.

A medical doctor-turned-proptech leader, Krystine has plans to harness the power of big data and AI technology to transform the process of buying and owning property for homeowners.

More: Sisters Joanne, Krystine and Cindy Kua on the Professional Side of Sibling Life

Dr Yasmin Rasyid, sustainability director at Lendlease Malaysia

Tatler Asia
Photo: Yasmin Rasyid
Above Photo: Yasmin Rasyid

An environmentalist, sustainability scientist and founder of environmental NGO EcoKnights, Dr Yasmin Rasyid was appointed the sustainability director of globally integrated real estate group Lendlease, the company behind The Exchange TRX integrated development in Kuala Lumpur. At the Property Guru Summit 2021, Yasmin was invited to speak about what makes The Exchange TRX so climate-resilient.

Dato' Yeoh Soo Keng, executive director at YTL Corporation

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Tatler Malaysia

A civil engineer by training, Dato’ Yeoh Soo Keng joined YTL Corporation in 1986, eventually heading the group’s procurement division and taking on numerous executive roles within the company as well as working on such prestigious projects as the British High Commissioner's residence, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, National Art Gallery, and Yeoh Tiong Lay Plaza.

Yeoh sits on a number of boards including YTL Power International Berhad, Malayan Cement Berhad, and YTL Foundation.

In 2018, she was awarded the Construction Leading Lady Award at the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB)’s Construction Industry Excellence Awards 2018.

Yuin Yi Choy, director at Masteron Group

The director of hospitality at premier property developer Masteron Group—the company behind the recently launched KR7 Residences in Taman Mas Puchong—Yuin Yi Choy left law to join the family business and oversee its hotels, most notably the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown and Ardoe House Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Carmen Chua, CEO of ONE IFC

A Gen.T Malaysia 2018 honouree, Carmen Chua is the managing director of ONE KLCC, the developer behind the prestigious One KL residential condominium project in KLCC. As the CEO of One IFC, she is known for her hands-on approach, working eight years on the development of the iconic six-star St. Regis Hotel and Residences Kuala Lumpur, which opened in 2016.       

More: The Woman Behind Malaysia's OneKL On The Realities Of Being A Successful Luxury Developer

Carrie Fong Abdullah, director at Hedgeford Sdn Bhd

Tatler Asia
Photo: REHDA Youth/Facebook
Above Photo: REHDA Youth/Facebook

In 2011, Carrie Fong was appointed the director of Hedgeford Sdn Bhd after building her knowledge and experience in property development at Glomac Bhd. She also served as the chairwoman of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association's youth wing (known as REHDA Youth) for three years with a focus on strengthening the next generation of property leaders while doing CSR and promoting best practices for the industry. 

Fong and her team spearheaded the building of the country's first Platinum-rated green childcare centre in Malaysia for the Women's Aid Organisation, a CSR project that saw over 30 industry partners in REHDA's network coming together to create the purpose-built shelter on a pro bono basis.   

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