Lisa leads the Product & Platform Management and Business Management teams within the COO’s Office. Based in Singapore, she works closely with stakeholders across front-mid-back functions in GIC to drive strategic change and improve operational efficiency.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and a good cup of matcha.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
GIC is known to be a giant in the industry and an astute investor. I was excited at the prospect of joining a firm that had such tremendous reach, scale, and access. The breadth and depth of GIC’s investments also meant that there would be opportunities for me to grow and challenge myself. Finally, I really liked the people that I met as part of the interview process, and I was thrilled to work with and learn from them.
What does your typical workday look like?
My typical day starts with a hot cup of tea, catching up on emails and news overnight. I also spend some time reviewing my list of follow-up items to ensure that I am on top of what is urgent or due by the end of the day. Then it is usually off to meetings and discussions with my team and stakeholders.
Lunches are usually spent catching up with my colleagues. It helps that our Singapore office is located near many amazing restaurants. If I do not have lunch plans for the day, I like to hit the gym for a quick workout. My afternoons are spent in more meetings, and I end the workday by reviewing my inbox and writing up my list of follow-up items for the next day. On Fridays, I set aside time for reading and deep work.
What do you like most about working here?
Coming into GIC, the one thing that really struck me was that GICians truly have their hearts in the right places. The sense of purpose—to do what is right—is extraordinarily strong. In an organisation like GIC, it is less about shareholder prices and profit, but about doing what is right for the people of Singapore. This seeps into everything that we do—how we make decisions, think about risk, and the overall work ethic of GIC.
I have also seen diversity and inclusion playing out in GIC. GIC provides a working environment that meets people where they are in their lives, while still allowing them to contribute fully. We can take time off for family reasons, leave the office earlier to pick up our children from school, or bring our parents to the doctor in the morning before coming into the office. GIC is a place that has heart and treats its people with compassion.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
We are given a yearly budget to spend on personal development, and we are actively encouraged to utilise it. I am also thankful for how willing GICians are in sharing information and knowledge. My colleagues are among the most intelligent people I have ever met, and I find myself constantly being challenged and learning from them. Debates are always rigorous, intellectual, and well-reasoned. No matter how busy they are, they have always taken the time to answer my questions.
What you should know before joining GIC
Read up on our mission and what GIC does—it must resonate and be personally meaningful to you. Do your due diligence to learn about GIC and its culture by speaking to as many people as you can to get a clear picture of GIC. There is no perfect workplace, but work becomes so much more enjoyable when you find alignment on the things that matter.