From Power To Purpose

All women of success and influence in their own right, Wee Wei Ling, Tan Su Shan and Junie Foo tell Annabel Tan how they have chosen to use their power to impact the lives of others

- Annabel Tan

WEE WEI LING
Executive Director (Asset, Lifestyle and Sustainability Partnerships), Pan Pacific Hotels Group

There is a certain poise and confidence Wee Wei Ling exudes that can only come from years of experience. The 68-year-old began her career in hospitality about 35 years ago and has been going at full throttle ever since. As the eldest daughter of billionaire banker Wee Cho Yaw, now chairman emeritus of United Overseas Bank, she first had to convince her more traditional, protective father to let her work. “He told me I didn’t need to work and that I have kids to look after,” she recalls. “But I’m different. I said, ‘No, I’ve studied and I’m educated, so I have to contribute to society.’”

Her love for cooking led her to start off in the hotel kitchen, after which she moved on to every other hotel department from housekeeping to management before eventually holding her current position at Pan Pacific Hotels Group. Her career trajectory is just one example of a core principle Wee lives by: Always start with the fundamentals because there are no shortcuts in life.

Having that vast, hands-on understanding of the various arms of hospitality also helped her to conceptualise and launch the successful Si Chuan Dou Hua and St. Gregory Spa brands – both of which she still oversees after more than 20 years. Even when it comes to her many hobbies and interests, Wee believes in first learning the basics.

NO MOUNTAIN TOO HIGH

An admirable advocate for active ageing, her seemingly boundless energy puts most young people to shame. Wee has been taking ballroom dancing lessons for over 20 years now, and is currently studying for three ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) exams: Singing Grade 7, Music Theory Grade 6 and Piano Grade 1.