UltraLuxe 2025: Celebrating 60 individuals who champion purpose and positive change

Hope, dignity, and opportunity—these are the threads that run through Nana Au-Chua’s work. As director of Soles4Souls Asia, she has witnessed how something as simple as a pair of shoes can change the trajectory of a life, such as giving children the means to attend school. The organisation’s work extends beyond shoe donation drives to include micro-enterprise programmes for women, partnerships with schools and NGOs, and a new regional campaign centred on sustainability and circular fashion. By giving gently used shoes and clothing a second life, Soles4Souls not only reduces waste but also restores dignity and livelihood to those in need. “It’s not just about charity,” Au-Chua shares, “It’s about offering hope and dignity to those who need it most.”

Her advocacy is matched by a personal curiosity for the world and its stories. An avid traveller and photographer, Au-Chua has even documented disappearing cultures such as the famed haenyeo divers of Jeju, South Korea—an encounter that deepened her appreciation for the resilience of women. Guided by authenticity, kindness, and love for family, she believes that legacy is measured not in wealth, but in the impact we leave behind. “At the end of the day, it’s the love we give and receive that leaves the most lasting legacy,” she reflects.

Dr Ho Ching Lin’s work is guided by a simple yet profound mission: to prevent blindness and empower communities to see—and be seen. Beyond her clinic at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), she channels this vision into VisionSave, the charity she leads as director and chairperson, turning awareness into action and ensuring that the gift of sight extends far beyond the operating theatre.

VisionSave’s initiatives exemplify her holistic approach to philanthropy. The Eye Ball, the charity’s signature fundraising gala, supports patient care, research, education, and community outreach, while this year’s campaign also raises funds for the Singapore Eye Bank, helping restore sight through corneal transplants. In collaboration with SG Assist, VisionSave will host Vision Beyond Sight later this year at Gardens by the Bay: a public awareness initiative celebrating 35 years of SNEC and highlighting low vision and inclusive living. Beyond events, Dr Ho actively invests in academic medicine, fostering research, fellowships, and professorships that ensure ophthalmology continues to evolve for future generations.

The ocean is more than a vast expanse of water to Julian Chang; it is a lifelong sanctuary. “The ocean has been a playground for me since I was a child,” he reflects, “I would love to contribute to making it pristine for everyone to enjoy.” The passionate scuba diver, fisherman, and yachtsman, and board director of International SeaKeepers Society (USA) has turned this passion into advocacy, championing marine conservation through research initiatives, community education, and global collaborations. Later this year, he will help lead The Collective Summit, a two-day conference spearheaded by Fabien Cousteau, alongside the Society’s Gala Award Dinner, both dedicated to advancing the mission of protecting our oceans.

Chang brings both expertise and joy to his work, finding adventure in every new project. Yet his guiding philosophy remains profoundly simple: “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” For him, success is not measured in accolades, but in moments of connection—whether with loved ones, friends, or strangers whose smiles he has managed to spark.

Generosity is Genevieve Peggy Jeffs’ lifelong rhythm—one that has carried her from fundraising galas in London to philanthropic milestones in Singapore. Over the past two decades, she has dedicated herself to rallying support for causes that uplift communities and empower youth. Her efforts are grounded in a simple philosophy: when you are privileged to make a difference, it is both a joy and a responsibility to do so.

In 2024, she chaired the Singapore Red Cross Gala, and in 2025, she helmed the Heartware Network’s 25th Anniversary Gala, celebrating 25 years of empowering youth and building resilient communities. Beyond fundraising, Jeffs is committed to preserving cultural heritage. As president of The Peranakan Association Singapore, she ensures that Peranakan traditions continue to be celebrated and passed down through generations. For this humanitarian and philanthropic icon, true impact is measured not just in funds raised, but in the connections, resilience, and joy fostered along the way.

The name Jean Yip is one that is familiar to many, if not most in Singapore. For over four decades, the woman behind it has been a leading visionary in the local beauty and wellness industry. But apart from her professional accomplishments, Yip is also deeply committed to giving back to the community. From her early days volunteering at school fun fairs to her ongoing work with the Catholic Building Fund, she has championed initiatives that provide shelter, counselling, and support for the underprivileged—turning lessons in compassion into a personal mission that spans generations.

For Yip, philanthropy is inseparable from human connection. The exco member of Catholic Building Fund invests her energy not only in projects that uplift others, but in mentoring and nurturing the next generation to lead with both purpose and empathy. Whether refurbishing spaces in the church or fostering meaningful relationships through education and guidance, she believes that uplifting others is the truest measure of success. Through it all, Yip remains anchored by family, health, and quality time spent with loved ones—values that guide her as she continues to shape a legacy of care, connection, and excellence.

According to Dr Seow Yian San, transformation can be both a professional calling and a personal mission. From her early days navigating financial hardship to pursuing a second degree in dentistry, she has experienced firsthand how education can empower, open doors, and create lasting change. Today, as an orthodontist, Dr Seow delights in the quiet victories of her patients reclaiming confidence, and she takes equal pride in the ripple effects of mentorship.

Her advocacy extends far beyond her dental clinic. As president of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), she champions initiatives that advance gender equality and support women in vulnerable circumstances. Under her stewardship, the Summit for Action on Gender Equality (SAGE) 2025 will bring together leaders, advocates, and policymakers to tackle issues from mid-life wellness and the evolving role of technology. Meanwhile, the annual In Her Stride campaign raises critical funds for women and children escaping domestic violence, ensuring safe spaces, guidance, and a path to rebuild. Through every initiative, Dr Seow demonstrates that true leadership blends courage, compassion, and community—and that giving back is not just an act, but a responsibility she embraces wholeheartedly.

Advocacy begins with empowerment. Board member and fundraising chair of Daughters of Tomorrow, Sharon Sim champions financial literacy and women’s advancement, working to create pathways for low-income women in Singapore to secure gainful employment and brighter futures. With more than 25,000 women in Singapore still struggling to find and sustain a livelihood, the organisation’s mission ‘Empowering Women, Enabling Families’ is one that Sim embraces wholeheartedly. Her advocacy is rooted in the belief that when women are equipped with financial knowledge and resources, they can unlock opportunities not just for themselves, but for entire families and communities.

Sim’s professional journey reflects that same clarity of vision. A financial industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, she has co-authored the book Why Women Don’t Talk Money, launched Purpose Venture Capital, and now leads at AlTi, where she collaborates with families, founders, and changemakers to align capital with meaningful impact. Yet for all the milestones, it is often the quieter moments that mean the most—those mornings of gratitude and groundedness. For Sim, purpose is not a lofty ideal but a daily practice: to live fully, to connect deeply, and to leave a legacy that empowers others to rise.

For Dr Audrey Looi, purpose and profession are deeply intertwined. When her son James was diagnosed with retinal dystrophy as a child, she realised how little support existed for families navigating visual impairment. That moment of heartbreak became a catalyst: together with her husband and like-minded advocates, she co-founded iC2 Prephouse, a non-profit resource centre dedicated to helping children with low vision continue their education in mainstream schools and build independent, fulfilling lives. Today, as founding board director and board adviser, Dr Looi continues to guide its growth—most recently championing initiatives such as Singapore’s first Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) course and the launch of an Orientation and Mobility programme for children. Her work underscores a simple yet powerful conviction: that every child deserves the tools to see, learn, and thrive.

Beyond her advocacy, Dr Looi’s career as an ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon reflects the same blend of science and compassion. She leads her private practice Ava Eye Clinic, while also serving as president of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Yet amidst her many achievements, what she values most remains constant: time with loved ones, purposeful work, and the chance to give back to society.

Purpose has always been SarahEl Low’s compass, since the tender age of 17 when she first volunteered with Christian youth groups. Today, she straddles multiple worlds with grace and conviction: as a healthcare professional practicing health psychology, honorary secretary of the Singapore Psychological Society, and co-founder of the Asean Fashion Designer Showcase (AFDS), which uplifts emerging regional designers. Whether championing mental health awareness, curating mentorship for creatives, or offering pro bono counselling sessions to vulnerable communities, Low approaches each venture with the same guiding principle: to create impact where purpose meets opportunity. Upcoming initiatives such as the World Mental Health Day 2025 campaign and AFDS’ international showcases are testaments to her commitment to advancing dialogue, talent, and well-being on both local and global stages.

“My journey has never followed a conventional path. Everything I pursue now I would hope to be driven by purpose—with clarity, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to impact,” says Low, “I do not follow trends; I follow purpose.” Her multifaceted path—from teaching English to children in Myanmar on a mission trip to helping found a thriving church in the Netherlands— reflects her belief in the transformative power of faith and service. Purpose, to Low, is not a pursuit but a way of life; an evolving legacy built on faith, clarity, and compassion, meant to uplift those around her and inspire her children to lead with integrity and heart.

Storytelling is more than a craft to Michelle Chang—it is a calling. As co-founder of Mocha Chai Laboratories, she has spent over a decade championing Singapore’s film community, investing in bold narratives and supporting the next generation of filmmakers through partnerships with festivals like SGIFF, SYFF, BIFAN, and QCinema. Today, she is on a mission to spotlight female voices in film and television, encouraging women to embrace their purpose and reshape the narrative on their own terms. 

For Chang, advocacy in the arts means creating space for stories that matter—and telling them with power and pride. Besides film and television, she also has a flourishing parallel life as an artist. Painting has become a language of healing and resilience for Chang after the loss of her twins. And now, whether through film, art, or her upcoming YouTube channel dedicated to women and lifestyle, Chang continues to weave narratives that inspire, uplift, and connect. Through every story she tells, she reminds us that purpose often emerges not from opportunity alone, but from the courage to transform personal trials into collective hope.

Discover the iconic niche luxury Singapore and the world have to offer. To book VerveArté experiences, and to pre-register for JeweLuxe shopping expeditions, visit www.ultraluxeglobal.com for details.

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