Investing in Her: Standard Chartered Private Bank’s powerful initiative that celebrates female leadership and legacy

What followed was an intimate fireside discussion with Hsu on leadership perspectives, and the trials and triumphs that marked her journey to the top. “Despite encountering challenges in the early years of my career, my genuine delight in my work fuelled my focus, creativity, and passion. It enabled me to overcome obstacles along the way,” she shared.

She then underscored the bank’s women-focused initiative: the Standard Chartered Women’s International Network. “If we want to see real change, we need to ‘invest in her’ … providing not just financial solutions but access to training, networks and mentors,” Hsu added. “Financial institutions can play a pivotal role in empowering women entrepreneurs, and in my role, I have the power to do something.”

Continuing the legacy of a family business is no simple feat, but these women have proved themselves more than capable of the task. We heard from three next-generation women executives who took to the stage for a “leading the legacy” panel.

Woh Hup’s fourth-generation scion Michelle Yong, chief executive officer of Aurum Land, and founder and chief executive officer of Core Collective; Rachel Sim, director of V3 Group and deputy managing director of TWG Tea; and Winnie Chan, chief executive officer and co-founder of Bynd Artisan shared what it means to represent the family brand. They spoke on the notion of possessing an owner’s mentality, the challenges that come with succession, and how they are future-proofing their businesses.

Bringing the forum to a close was a panel discussion on “creating meaningful impact”. Leaders in the field of philanthropy like Mary Ann Tsao of the Tsao Foundation; Lim Seok Hui, chief executive officer of Philanthropy Asia Alliance; and Hazlina Abdul Halim, president of Singapore Muslim Women’s Association and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish Singapore emphasised the importance of having a philanthropic mindset. The panel also delved into how to create meaningful impact and ways of contributing to society.

The “Investing in Her” forum served as a reminder that while there is a growing number of women in leadership roles today—according to the World Bank, one in three businesses are owned by women across the globe—more can be done to close the socio-economic disparity between men and women. “We must always be mindful of different groups and individuals around us, be aware of the gaps that exist, … think about how you can support in your capacity and then act,” Hsu concluded

The event was a testament to the bank’s commitment towards fostering gender diversity and empowerment in the realms of finance and business. By addressing challenges and celebrating female executives who enact positive change, the forum contributes meaningfully to creating a future where more women can thrive in leadership positions and entrepreneurial ventures.

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