Trang is a Vice President in the Corporate Affairs and Communication (CAC) department in Singapore. She leads GIC’s thought leadership strategy, in addition to working on the firm’s new impact programmes. Her responsibilities include developing enterprise narratives for themes such as sustainability and long-term investing, serving as the editor for GIC’s thought leadership platform ThinkSpace, and managing programming for flagship events. She also oversees speaking engagements, content partnerships, and external communications for key spokespeople.
Outside of work, Trang’s passion lies in long-distance running, scuba diving, being in nature, and volunteering for social and environmental causes. In her spare time, she serves as a running guide for people with disabilities and sits on the management committee of Runninghour, an inclusive sports cooperative promoting the integration of individuals with disabilities through sports. As a former journalist, she occasionally contributes opinion pieces on wildlife conservation and disability inclusion.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
Besides the firm’s unique purpose, I was drawn to GIC by the opportunity to be the first hire focused on thought leadership and sustainability communications, aligning well with my editorial background and passion for sustainability and climate action. The chance to build GIC’s first comprehensive sustainability narrative and communications roadmap was an exciting challenge. Additionally, I was inspired by the prospect of working with some of the brightest minds in portfolio construction, macroeconomic analysis, and investment management, while strengthening our external thought leadership in these areas.
What does your typical workday look like?
I spend the bulk of my time on editorial work, from drafting and reviewing speeches to editing research papers, developing content for various channels, and creating communication plans to amplify these thought pieces. My role also involves negotiating content partnerships, designing policies, guidelines, and training materials for our spokespeople, as well as engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
Additionally, I aim to dedicate 10-15% of my week to research, attending industry events, speaking with peers and partners, and staying updated on the latest developments in the topics that are of priority to GIC.
What do you like most about working here?
I appreciate the autonomy to create and shape my own strategy, team, and job scope, along with the opportunity to take on new roles and projects. This freedom has allowed me to propose and implement many “firsts” and milestone projects for CAC/GIC, while always challenging myself to learn and grow. Above all, I am grateful for the collaborative nature of our colleagues, who work hard and are always willing to lend a helping hand.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
The countless learning and development opportunities offered to me at GIC have been invaluable, from becoming our department’s Social Impact champion to being nominated for the Management & Leadership Development Programme (MLDP).
During a 5-month secondment to the Sustainability Office, I got to undertake several meaningful projects, such as co-authoring GIC’s first World Economic Forum (WEF) Agenda blog on our climate scenarios research, facilitating a sustainable investing workshop, and judging a sustainable investing case study competition for secondary students.
Additionally, I volunteered for an “80:20” work arrangement, dedicating 20% of my time to the Impact & Partnerships team to design our new impact programmes. Being able to engage colleagues, partners, and civil society to identify and fund impactful solutions to some of the most pertinent social and environmental issues has been incredibly fulfilling.
What you should know before joining GIC
Stay open to continuous learning and embrace new challenges. Don’t hesitate to innovate and take ownership of projects. Prioritise collaboration and invest in building strong relationships with your colleagues and industry peers.