What does it mean to build a nation today? In the Singapore of 2025, which is wealthier, more connected, yet grappling with deeper questions of equity, identity, and sustainability, it no longer rests solely in institutions or infrastructure. Increasingly, it’s in the hands of individuals: Founders, reformers, creators, and quiet disruptors who are laying the groundwork for a future shaped by progress and purpose. In this month's special, we spotlight a new generation of leaders reimagining what success looks like – from the boardroom to the art world, from hospitality to home services. Some are preserving legacy through reinvention; others are rewriting rules with fresh conviction. But all share a deep belief in Singapore’s promise and a determination to make their mark not just for today, but for generations to come.
NING CHONG
Founder, Family Office For Art (FOFA)
As co-founder of The Culture Story – a private gallery she launched with her father Chong Huai Seng in 2017 – and founder of the Family Office for Art (FOFA) in 2022, Ning Chong has carved a niche in Singapore’s cultural landscape.
Whether seasoned art collectors or enthusiasts with burgeoning collections, Chong helps clients manage and protect their art collections, offering the expertise and stewardship needed to transform personal holdings into lasting legacies.
This year, as Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence, Chong is marking the milestone with Artist’s Proof: Singapore at 60. This landmark exhibition at Artspace @ Helutrans features over 90 works by the country’s leading modern and contemporary artists.
Among the highlights: Portraits of founding fathers such as Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee. For Chong, their legacies of grit and resolve are a powerful reminder of Singapore’s collective spirit of perseverance. While the nation currently enjoys the fruits of their labour as a wealthy, developed society, Chong offers a reminder: “Let’s not forget to lift others up, share resources, and give back to our community.”
Chong’s career trajectory has always been defined by boldness. In 2018, she invited legendary New York street artist Futura for his first solo exhibition in Singapore. It was an unprecedented move that challenged conventional perceptions of fine art. The show drew over 2,000 visitors over 10 days and sold out completely. That daring spirit lives on in Artist’s Proof, a project that has taken over two years of emotional and logistical investment.
(Related: Shaping the Singapore of tomorrow with Lyn R. Lee)
Looking ahead, Chong is inspired by the global rise of Singaporean artists like Ming Wong, Dawn Ng, and Chow and Lin, and by the ambitious curatorial work of institutions such as National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum. Her hope? To cultivate a future generation of collectors who appreciate art with the same passion and integrity that drives her work.
“I take tremendous pride in what I do,” she says, “and look forward to new challenges and opportunities so that I can learn and improve each time. Whenever I interact with my young kids, teaching them good values and principles, I'm reminded to walk the talk and set a good example for them.”
Back