Singapore is full of inspiring female business leaders who are boldly making their mark in traditionally male-dominated fields. Whether they’re breaking new ground in health, finance, architecture, hospitality or tech, these women CEOs are proving that leadership comes in many forms. Here’s a look at five incredible women who are championing change.
1. Anna Haotanto, Founder & CEO of Zora Health
Anna Haotanto has long been an advocate for financial independence, but her latest venture, Zora Health, focuses on something just as important — fertility, reproductive and family health.
After navigating her own experiences with egg-freezing and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), she saw the need for better education, financing, and support in this space.
Her work is helping women make informed choices about their fertility, giving them the confidence to take control of their futures.
Closing the fertility gap
Anna’s mission is deeply personal. In an interview with Femtech World, she shared, “It’s not about proving myself, but solving something I care deeply about.” After enduring multiple health challenges — including five surgeries in a single year — she began searching for answers. “I thought I was suffering from perimenopause and started learning more about the symptoms,” she recalled. The more she researched, the more she realised how few trusted resources existed.
Recognising this gap, she decided to take action. With fertility being an underserved yet fast-growing industry — 44% of fertility treatments happen in Asia alone — she saw an opportunity to make a real impact.
Breaking barriers in women’s health care
Launching a femtech startup came with challenges, no doubt. “One of the biggest challenges for femtech is that female healthcare is poorly understood,” she noted. “Most of the research money historically goes to male afflictions.” She also highlighted the issue of medical gaslighting, where women’s symptoms are frequently dismissed. “When my friends see doctors, they share their discomfort but are not understood. It’s not that doctors don’t want to solve the problem — it’s that they don’t understand it.”
Zora Health is tackling these gaps head-on. The company has partnered with over 80 clinics across 16 countries, offering personalised support and resources to women navigating fertility treatments. They also work with businesses to create fertility-friendly workplaces, helping companies attract and retain top talent.
For Anna, Zora Health is more than just a business. It’s a movement to unlock possibilities for women’s healthcare in Asia. “We’re building the solutions we wished existed,” she said. “To provide women with choices so they can live their lives without limitations.”
Read Also: 6 Ways to Advance Your Career as a Woman
2. Tan Su Shan, incoming Deputy CEO of DBS
Tan Su Shan has built a successful career in banking, proving that women can thrive in a male-dominated industry. She has led key divisions at DBS, the largest bank in Southeast Asia, and played a major role in its growth.
Her leadership has earned her recognition, including Forbes’ Top 25 Emergent Asian Woman Business Leader, The Digital Banker’s Retail Banker of the Year, and a Lifetime Achievement award at the WealthBriefingAsia Awards.
An inclusive and inspiring leader
Beyond her corporate success, Su Shan is known for fostering inclusive leadership. She believes in building strong teams by bringing together individuals with different strengths and perspectives. She is also a firm advocate of reverse mentoring, where she learns from younger colleagues to bridge generational gaps in leadership.
As a champion for women in finance, she founded the Financial Women’s Association (FWA) of Singapore more than two decades ago. The organisation provides training, mentorship, and career support to women in the financial sector, ensuring they have the resources to grow and succeed.
Remaining resilient in the face of challenges
Su Shan’s journey has not been without obstacles. Early in her career, she faced a major setback while working in Hong Kong at 26. She lost both her job and her home when her company folded. Rather than letting the experience define her, she turned to meditation and a mindset shift, reminding herself that life goes on. “I realised I had my health, my family and friends, actually life’s still okay,” she shared in an interview.
Her experience reinforced the importance of confidence during tough times and staying humble in success — a lesson she carries into her leadership.
3. Claire Chiang, Senior Vice-President of Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd
Claire Chiang has been a driving force in Singapore’s hospitality scene while championing social progress. She made history in 1995 as one of the first two women admitted to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, breaking nearly a century of tradition.
She was also a nominated member of parliament, where she championed family-related issues and examined factors contributing to the disintegration of families, further solidifying her role as a changemaker.
Defying expectations
Claire’s story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to change. Growing up in a modest two-bedroom public housing unit, she learnt early on the value of hard work, generosity, and education.
Embracing diversity and inclusivity
She is perhaps best known for co-founding the Banyan Group with her husband, Ho Kwon Ping, transforming it into a global hospitality powerhouse. But beyond the business, she has remained steadfast in her mission to foster inclusivity and social impact.
Her passion for education and empowerment continues through the Step-Up International Laguna Kindergarten (SILK) in Phuket. The school, which launched in 2023, focuses on cross-cultural sensitivity and holistic learning — values she believes are critical in an increasingly divided world. “[Children] are so innocent. Seeing them play together is delightful,” she reflects in an interview with a+ Singapore.
As a leader, Claire believes that true empowerment lies in embracing diversity. In her work with the Banyan Group, she promotes the “5Ps” — people, pluralism, prosperity, peace, and possibilities. She emphasises the importance of letting individuals flourish, believing that collectivity and diversity are the real drivers of success.
4. Ayesha Khanna, Co-founder and CEO of Addo AI
Dr Ayesha Khanna is more than a leader in artificial intelligence — she’s a changemaker using technology to uplift businesses and people. As CEO of Addo, she helps Fortune 500 companies unlock growth through AI, guiding them with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation.
Dr Ayesha also brings a wealth of experience, from a decade on Wall Street advising on analytics and data strategy to shaping the future of technology through global board roles with Johnson Controls, NEOM Tonomus, and L’Oréal’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed — she’s been named a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, featured in Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), and listed among Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024).
Pushing boundaries
Getting to the top wasn’t easy — tech is still a male-dominated industry, and Ayesha has had to prove herself time and again. But she’s never let that hold her back. “I believe that the true purpose of AI is to amplify human potential,” she says in her interview with Tatler.
Opening doors through education
Ayesha founded 21C Girls, a charity that offered free coding and AI classes to thousands of girls in Singapore. After leading it for 10 years, she shifted her focus to Amplify, an education company that provides scholarships for mid-career women looking to move into tech.
Advice for women in tech
Ayesha’s biggest advice? Never stop learning. Technology moves fast, and staying ahead means always being curious. She also believes in the power of mentorship and collaboration, encouraging women to seek out supportive communities that lift them up.
Through her work in AI and education, Ayesha is paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future — one where women are not just participants, but leaders.
5. Angelene Chan, Executive Chairman of DP Architects
Angelene Chan has spent her career not just designing buildings, but reshaping the industry itself. As the first woman to be named Architect Designer of the Year at the President’s Design Award, she’s proof that talent and vision know no gender.
As the Executive Chairman of DP Architects, Angelene has played a key role in some of the most iconic developments, from the Dubai Mall and the transformation of Wisma Atria to the delightful mixed-use development, Paya Lebar Quarter, and the award-winning Sunray Construction Headquarters. But beyond the blueprints, she’s passionate about creating spaces that bring people together and improve the way we experience the world around us.
Balancing career and motherhood
Architecture has long been a male-dominated industry, but Angelene never let that hold her back. In an interview with Tatler, she spoke about the pressure many women place on themselves — the constant balancing act of career, family, and personal expectations.
“Women are often too hard on ourselves. We feel the need to take on everything, yet we feel guilty when we drop a ball or two. We are our worst critics. I think it is time we stopped going against ourselves.”
Navigating challenges with clarity
For Angelene, this struggle was especially evident in her journey as both an architect and a mother. She described both roles as “24/7 undertakings”, each demanding full dedication. But instead of seeing them as competing forces, the mother of two found ways to embrace both. She’s proven that leadership isn’t about choosing one over the other, it’s about navigating challenges with resilience and clarity.
Her leadership at DP Architects reflects this philosophy. She steered the company towards new heights, focusing on specialisation in architecture-related disciplines, harnessing technology for better design, and expanding DP’s global presence — all while nurturing leadership and fostering a work culture that values diversity and innovation.
A new era of female leadership
These inspiring female business leaders reshape industries, advocate for women’s health, and pioneer innovation, pushing boundaries and setting new standards.
Their stories serve as a reminder that leadership takes many forms, and every step forward helps pave the way for future generations.
