Asian women leaders in tech are coding the future

Her most defining career moment came in 2014 when she became CEO of AMD at a time of financial turmoil, with the company facing $2.2 billion in debt. Under her leadership, AMD introduced the groundbreaking Zen chip architecture, revolutionising the semiconductor industry. By 2020, AMD had overtaken competitors in processing speed, securing major deals with technology giants such as Lenovo, Sony, Google, and Amazon. Once teetering on the brink of collapse, AMD surged ahead to challenge rivals such as Nvidia, even surpassing Intel in market value.

In 2022, Su was named one of the world’s most powerful women leaders by Forbes, solidifying her status as an inspiration for the next generation of women in tech.

Wang Laichun’s journey to the top is a story of tenacity and vision. Born into a farming family, she left school after middle education to work and support her family. After a decade as an assembly line worker at Foxconn, she set her sights on greater independence and new opportunities.

In 2004, she co-founded Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. with her brother, Wang Laisheng. The company, specialising in electronic components, quickly gained a reputation for quality and innovation. By forging strong relationships with leading corporations such as Apple, Huawei, and Microsoft, Luxshare became a major supplier for some of the world’s biggest tech firms. Today, it ranks among the industry’s top manufacturers, generating tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue.

Renowned for her assertive yet refined leadership style, Wang prioritises innovation, quality, and corporate culture. She champions employee empowerment and customer focus, ensuring Luxshare remains at the forefront of the industry. In 2021, she was named one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes, a testament to her remarkable influence in global technology.

A visionary in e-commerce and fintech, Lucy Peng has played a pivotal role in shaping China’s digital economy amongst women leaders. After earning a degree in Business Administration from Zhejiang University of Industry and Commerce, she spent five years lecturing at Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics before co-founding Alibaba in 1999 alongside Jack Ma and his colleagues. Tasked with establishing and leading the Human Resources department, she laid the groundwork for the group’s corporate culture.

From 2010 to 2013, Peng served as CEO of Alipay, overseeing its expansion to 800 million users. In 2014, she founded Ant Financial, further strengthening Alibaba’s dominance in fintech. As Executive Chairwoman of Lazada Group, she has also driven the company’s growth across Southeast Asia.

Recognised by Forbes as one of the world’s most powerful women, Peng remains a key figure in the industry through investment and advisory roles. Though she has stepped back from direct leadership, her influence endures as she continues to shape the future of fintech and e-commerce in Asia. She is also a committed philanthropist, supporting initiatives focused on education and women’s empowerment.

Nguyen Quynh Tram has taken the helm at Microsoft Vietnam with a clear mission: to accelerate digital transformation across industries and contribute to Vietnam’s ambition of becoming a high-income economy by 2045. She is also focused on equipping businesses with cloud technology, strengthening post-pandemic resilience, and fostering innovation within Vietnam’s startup ecosystem.

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Holding an MBA from École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (ESSEC Business School) and a degree from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tram has over two decades of experience in both Asian and European markets. Her career spans leadership roles at some of the world’s top technology, telecommunications, and media companies. Before joining Microsoft, she served as Country Manager for Google in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and held senior positions at FOX Networks Group, Vietnamobile, VSTV, PayPal, and Orange.

In 2024, Forbes Vietnam recognised Tram as one of the top 10 next-generation female leaders. As a featured speaker at the Forbes Vietnam Women’s Conference, she shared insights on the role of women in technology and business, inspiring the next generation of female leaders.

Dr Si Hui Tan is at the forefront of quantum computing, pioneering advancements in this transformative field. With more than 18 years of experience, she currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Horizon Quantum Computing, a Singapore-based quantum software development startup.

Holding a BSc in Physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and a PhD in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr Si Hui Tan has built an exceptional career at the intersection of quantum mechanics and computing. Before joining Horizon Quantum Computing, she was a Visiting Professor at the Niels Bohr International Academy at the University of Copenhagen, a PhD candidate at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, and a Scientist at the A*STAR Data Storage Institute.

With a deep passion for quantum information science, Tan has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in developing innovative protocols that harness quantum mechanical properties. Her research has been published in leading physics journals and presented at prestigious conferences. In recognition of her work, she was named to the SG 100 Women in Technology list in 2021 and now serves on the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Science at Nanyang Technological University.

A prominent figure in Southeast Asia’s technology sector, Catherine Lian is renowned for helping businesses maximise the potential of cutting-edge digital solutions. With over two decades of experience, she currently serves as General Manager and Technology Leader for IBM ASEAN, overseeing strategic and operational decisions across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Prior to joining IBM, Lian had a distinguished career at Dell Technologies, where she held key leadership roles across Southeast and South Asia. She is widely recognised for driving digital transformation, particularly through hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence solutions. In 2021, she was appointed as a Commissioner at PIKOM (the National Technology Association of Malaysia), where she has since taken on several influential roles, including Chair of Women in Technology, Chair of Tech Fest, and Vice Chair of IR 4.0 SIG.

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Lian is committed to increasing female representation in the technology industry, particularly in leadership roles. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including the Channel Asia Women in IT Award, a place among Prestige Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Malaysia, recognition as one of the top five most influential women in technology by Tech Wire Asia in 2023, and the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) Women in Technology Award.

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