The power of resilience: How these 8 creatives and business leaders are redefining success in 2025

Ryuji Horii
Chief operating officer, Goodrich Global Singapore

As chief operating officer of Goodrich Global Singapore, Ryuji Horii plays a pivotal role in scaling the company and enhancing its market presence in Singapore. His leadership is defined by a strategic mindset and a collaborative approach, ensuring that the company remains responsive to local market dynamics while maintaining its global standards. 

Horii attributes his resilience to three key factors: eating well to maintain mental and physical strength, exercising regularly to manage stress and foster discipline, and maintaining positivity. A long-distance runner and electric guitar enthusiast, he believes that resilience extends beyond professional challenges into personal well-being. One of his biggest challenges was transitioning from Japan to Singapore. Through clear communication with employees and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, Horii seems to have successfully navigated these challenges, and his philosophy of being open to new experiences—whether in business strategy or life—continues to drive his leadership at Goodrich Global Singapore.

Isabelle Miaja
Creative director, Miaja Design Group

With a portfolio that includes award-winning city hotels and resorts, Isabelle Miaja is a creative force in the world of interior design and architecture. Her journey in design began in the United States, but moving to Asia, particularly Singapore, was a pivotal moment in her career. It challenged her to develop a distinctive style that seamlessly blends Eastern and Western influences. And thus, Miaja Design Group was born.

Resilience has been a cornerstone of Miaja’s success throughout her career. She attributes her ability to overcome challenges to her confidence in her abilities, capacity to remain calm under pressure, and maintaining a long-term vision. These qualities were particularly crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic, which Miaja describes as the company’s biggest challenge to date. Drawing on her experiences from previous crises like Sars and market crashes, she was able to navigate the uncertainty with determination and foresight. Besides her love for art and design, she also has a deep appreciation for the power of accessories to boost confidence and pride. “I feel that a beautiful piece of jewellery gives every woman an extra lift,” she shares. This personal connection to all things beautiful—tangible and intangible—continues to influence Miaja’s work, contributing to the unique and meaningful spaces she creates for her clients.

Evelina Hu
Design director, The Plush Interior Design Consultants, and property consultant, Huttons Asia

With an education background spanning Taiwan and the US, Evelina Hu brings a unique perspective to her work, specialising in creating classical interiors. The seasoned design professional has cultivated a reputation for balancing aesthetic qualities with functionality in her designs. Hu’s approach to resilience is multifaceted, focusing on maintaining clear priorities, practicing meditation for clarity and stress management, and cultivating an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.

In addition to her role at The Plush, Evelina also serves as a property consultant at Huttons Asia, one of Singapore’s largest private real estate agencies. This dual expertise in interior design and real estate consultancy allows Hu to offer comprehensive insights to her clients, with an approach to design—much like her personal style—characterised by spontaneity and flexibility. “I’m spontaneous, and I don’t stick to a fixed fashion style; my outfits depend on my mood,” Hu shares. Similarly, the jewellery she wears reflects her approach to life: “Unique, flexible, and inspired by how I feel in the moment.”

Simon Lim
Founder, Pacific Club Singapore

Simon Lim is no stranger to the finer things in life. He is the visionary behind Pacific Club Singapore, a prestigious social club that is designed to be a vibrant social hub where like-minded individuals can come together and appreciate fine experiences ranging from whiskies to art and culture. Prior to founding the Pacific Club, Lim had a successful stint in the hospitality industry. However, his biggest challenge came at the age of 40 when he made a bold career shift from hospitality to banking during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.

He attributes his resilience to maintaining an open mindset and adopting a strategic approach even to day-to-day issues. “I will always be grateful to my colleagues who kept me on, supported and had faith in me, to get past all of it,” he recalls. “I built a new career from there and never looked back.” Today, as founder of Pacific Club Singapore, Lim continues to embody these principles of resilience, fostering a community that values exploration, exchange, and the finer things in life.

Gina Lau
Founder and creative director, The Hair Shop

Gina Lau, founder and creative of The Hair Shop, has been a trailblazer in Singapore’s beauty industry for over 37 years. Her dedication to quality and innovation has made The Hair Shop a trusted name in the industry, blending elegance with practicality to meet the diverse needs of her clientele.

Lau’s philosophy centres on resilience and purpose, which she attributes to these key principles: earning trust, focusing on others’ needs, and staying true to her values. She believes that trust is the foundation of joy in work, while prioritising client satisfaction ensures long-term success. Gina’s ‘can-do’ attitude has been her guiding force in overcoming challenges, such as navigating difficult circumstances or starting from scratch. Her mantra—“work hard, be honest, help others, create joy”—has not only shaped her professional journey but also inspired her team and clients alike. 

Sunita Gill
Founder and CEO, Singapore Luxury Homes

When it comes to navigating the competitive world of luxury real estate, Sunita Gill stands out for her ability to adapt to the ever-evolving market. As founder and chief executive officer of Singapore Luxury Homes, a premier proptech company specialising in luxury property sales and investments, Gill has established herself as one of Singapore’s most prominent luxury real estate consultants. Together with her husband and co-founder Kaizar Karkaria, she has built an impressive track record of helping hundreds of buyers find their dream homes. 

But it doesn’t come down to pure luck; Gill attributes her success to three key factors: a strong mindset, a support system, and perseverance. “Even when the journey gets challenging, I stay committed to my goals. These help me push through obstacles and stay focused on the bigger picture,” she says. One of the biggest challenges Gill has faced in her career is selling expensive properties at a young age. To overcome this challenge, she has focused on building credibility through deep knowledge of the market, exceptional service, and a strong work ethic—proving that age is no barrier when it comes to delivering results and understanding her clients’ needs.

Chad Egan
Director, Geonet Properties & Finance Group

Founded in Bali nearly 11 years ago, Geonet Properties & Finance Group has evolved into a real estate and property investment agency, becoming a crucial connection between prospective investors and property developers in Australia, Thailand, and Bali. And at its helm is founder Chad Egan, whose focus on innovation has been a key driver in the company’s success.

For Egan, resilience is a multifaceted concept that forms the foundation of his leadership and business approach. He believes that resilience stems from three key factors: surrounding himself with exceptional people who bring diverse skills and perspectives, maintaining adaptability in the face of shifting markets, and exercising strategic foresight to anticipate challenges rather than merely reacting to them. “These principles create a strong foundation for resilience in both leadership and business,” he notes.

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