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.
LYN R. LEE
Former Global Chief DE&I Officer, Shell; Author, Advocate, Board Member
Lyn R. Lee has spent her life navigating and rewriting the rules. As the first Asian woman appointed as Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Shell, she was a powerful outlier in a Western-skewed conversation. Her voice, shaped by lived experience and grounded in empathy, helped drive global policy, reshape workplace culture, and build a more inclusive corporate world.
“I had to punch above my weight,” she shares. “There were times when my views weren’t mainstream, but I had to be courageous enough to speak up, especially because they came from an Asian perspective.” That courage extended to sharing her own mental health journey, creating safe spaces for others, and advocating policies that considered not just representation, but belonging.
(Related: Shaping the Singapore of tomorrow with 1-Group's Joseph Ong)
Today, after retiring from Shell in 2024, Lee continues to lead change in the civic space: Writing, speaking, and mentoring with purpose. Her debut book, Tiny Rice Grains, to be released this month, draws from decades of corporate experience. “Small inclusive actions done with courage, care, and curiosity can spark lasting change,” she reveals. It’s a philosophy that threads through her life, whether building Bhutan travel exchanges or advocating caregiving policies that reflect real-world needs.
Her concept of social sustainability ties inclusivity to long-term national resilience. From accessible infrastructure for an ageing population to rethinking corporate caregiving leave, she believes progress lies in integrating school, community, and corporate ecosystems. “That’s what motivates me – working across sectors to build something meaningful, one small action at a time.”
For Lee, Singapore’s 60-year journey mirrors her own: A story of resilience, resourcefulness, and rising beyond limitations. She continues to bring her quiet strength to the forefront as a board member at the Singapore Association for Mental Health, Chairperson at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies, and as a speaker across global platforms. “I want to be remembered as a human-centric changemaker. Someone who brought an Asian perspective to global conversations and built bridges that made a real difference.”
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