Girl Boss

Singapore’s power women open up to author Loretta Chen about pushing boundaries and breaking glass ceilings, while maintaining a demanding career and a fulfilling home.

- Loretta Chen

THE TOPIC AT HAND: “WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP in the 21st century” and the panel read like the who’s who of power women in Singapore— entrepreneur Tjin Lee, Paralympian Theresa Goh, opposition leader Sylvia Lim, former wildlife company chief Fanny Lai, farmpreneur Ivy Singh-Lim, and grocer Nichol Ng. How did anyone manage to bring these exceptional women together in one room? Well, Loretta Chen did just that at the launch of her latest book, Madonnas and Mavericks: Power Women in Singapore in November this year.

In her book, the author spoke to 17 women across diverse fields such as business, politics, sports and the arts, who have contributed to Singapore’s growth and redefined what it means to be a woman today. Also featured are Singapore’s first female president Halimah Yacob, diplomat Chan Heng Chee, business head honchos Odile Benjamin, Cynthia Chua, Jennie Chua and Olivia Lum, ophthalmologist Geh Min, pastry chef Janice Wong, veteran actresses Janice Koh and Xiang Yun, as well as violinist Siow Lee Chin.