August Men Of Tomorrow

In the age of independent thinking, our idea of leaders needs to evolve. Let us posit an alternative to traditional ideas of leaders: leadership is a choice, an act rather than a personality trait. We choose to do the difficult thing. We choose to bear responsibility when few would. You don't need the contrivances of power to be a leader. Instead, you can be a Community Developer at a gaming company, introducing small but vital initiatives to grow and engage with your community. You can be a DJ, moving the masses with music, making waves rather than demands. You can be a tattoo artist or the owner of a gallery, helping people discover their sense of self through art.Or you could fight for a better, kinder world for animals in Singapore.Here are the leaders of today. Here are the August Men of Tomorrow.

- SUFFIAN HAKIM , INDRAN PARAMASIVAM , KELLY LEWI

THE CREATOR

To create an online persona is one thing, but to consistently stay authentic for more than a decade is a different ballgame. For AIKEN CHIA, though, that is his pillar as a creator.

There is a notion that creatives find work from their passion, but how does one keep that flame ablaze in an industry in which change is the only constant? Ask content creator and YouTuber Aiken Chia, whose name rings familiar for those who enjoy good food and even better conversations.

Aiken started out in television with a small role in Mediacorp Channel 5’s Tanglin and as the host of Okto variety show Don’t Try This At Home, but it was on YouTube where he really made his name, first as a producer and talent on Night Owl Cinematics, and more recently, on his own YouTube channel, AIKEN CHIA.

“I have been in the entertainment industry since I was 21, and I am 35 this year. At heart, what I do is still the same: to create meaningful and impactful content, with heart and quality.” Aiken has witnessed it all: the rise of the YouTube scene in Singapore, to the sudden emergence of TikTok and how it took the world by a storm. “To evolve is to stay true to yourself. After all this time, I find greater importance in keeping my integrity. That includes my character, work ethic, and creativity.”

Despite the seemingly volatile landscape, Aiken knows who he is as a creator. Perhaps more aptly, where he stands as one. As expected from someone with a 20/20 vision, evident in the works he produces.

“I am blessed with opportunities I could have never imagined having, coming from a single-parent, lowerincome family, and I plan to make the most of it. So, instead of keeping up with trends, I always keep in mind to pour my love for this life into something that can, in turn, inspire others. My platforms may change, but my vision stays clear.”