Meet Dr. Grace, who is no stranger to transformation. From winning Mrs. Singapore World to leading high-stakes boardroom strategies across international markets, she exemplifies a rare blend of elegance, intellect, and resilience. With over 25 years of experience spanning aviation, hospitality, engineering, and emerging technologies, Grace has made it her mission to lead with empathy while driving innovation across sectors.

Now serving as the President of PrimeTime Business and Professional Women’s Association, Dr. Chew continues to champion women’s leadership, inclusivity, and impact. She also returns to her first love—art—with her solo exhibition Transformation, where she channels her life’s journey into evocative mixed media works.

Winning the title of Mrs. Singapore World 2008/2009 was a remarkable milestone. How did the experience influence your confidence, outlook, and the way you present yourself in your corporate and artistic journey?

Winning Mrs. Singapore World was not just about the title or the crown—it was a turning point in my career. It became a catalyst that brought me onto the world stage, allowing me to participate in international pageants like Mrs. World in Vietnam, among others.

Beyond simply owning the spotlight with grace, it gave me immense confidence—not just to stand on a stage but also to hold my ground in boardrooms and at the corporate level.

Pageantry sharpens poise and presence, but having been trained during my days as a stewardess with Singapore Airlines, I was no stranger to that. More importantly, it deepened my empathy. Throughout the pageant journey, I met women from all walks of life with powerful stories—some came from tough backgrounds or had overcome cancer.

Their resilience inspired me and broadened my outlook. It made me a more inclusive leader and artist. Today, whether I’m performing or speaking to a crowd, this journey has equipped me with the courage and connection to engage with audiences meaningfully.

With over 25 years of international experience, what do you consider the most defining moment in your career that shaped the leader you are today?

Across 25 years, I’ve worked in diverse industries—from Singapore Airlines to hospitality, automotive, engineering, urban air mobility, and power generation.

I’ve led teams in Europe, the US, and China. One defining chapter was navigating organisational restructuring while holding regional leadership roles. During such transitions, you often face cultural clashes, morale issues, and uncertainty.

That’s when I realised that technical skills or even academic qualifications like an Executive MBA or PhD aren’t enough. What truly matters is empathy, clarity, and trust. A good leader must make tough decisions—sometimes including retrenchments—but always with compassion.

True leadership isn’t about control; it’s about connection, communication, and guiding teams through shared values. That experience shaped my leadership style deeply.

As President of PrimeTime Business and Professional Women’s Association, how do you see women’s leadership evolving in Asia?

PrimeTime is an association that empowers expatriate women in Singapore, and I’ve been part of it on and off for over a decade. This year, I was honoured to be elected President.

Across Asia and globally, we’re witnessing a profound transformation in women’s leadership. Three key shifts are noticeable. First, women are increasingly rising in politics, business, and social causes. For instance, I recently attended the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) conference, which focused on gender diversity and the importance of women speaking up against discrimination.

Second, leadership is becoming more purpose-driven—beyond just positions or titles. Third, there’s a noticeable rise of women in STEM and tech-driven entrepreneurship. On platforms like LinkedIn, many female leaders are now top voices.

Singapore, too, is working to increase women’s representation on boards, though we still have progress to make. I am a member of the Singapore Institute of Directors and see this first-hand. So yes, the rise of Asian women leaders is not only promising but already in motion.

Speaking about business, how do you balance long-term strategic vision with the need for quick results in today’s fast-paced environment?

As someone with a background in strategic planning, I’ve always believed in long-term thinking—traditionally 3- to 5-year plans. But in today’s rapidly evolving environment, even a one-year plan feels long.

Agility is essential. Organisations must still have a clear purpose and defined outcomes, but strategies must now be adaptable. Companies are moving toward centres of excellence and agile execution. Personally, I believe in reflection and recalibration.

At a recent Singapore Institute of Directors conference, Ho Ching mentioned that achieving long-term outcomes may require enduring short-term losses. That stuck with me. Long-term sustainability requires sacrifice, focus, and the willingness to pivot when necessary.

The butterfly, a symbol I love, represents this theme well: emerging from a cocoon, evolving, and flourishing. This mirrors my own journey—from a difficult adolescence marked by financial struggles and working part-time while studying, to rediscovering and reinventing myself through art.

Your life story includes losing your art portfolio twice. How did those experiences shape your perspective on resilience and creativity?

Losing my art portfolio twice was devastating. Each piece represented hours of hard work and financial investment, especially since I didn’t come from a background that could support expensive art education.

But those losses built my resilience. Ten years ago, when I returned to painting, I started rebuilding from memory. I let go of perfectionism and focused on enjoying the process. That shift allowed me to regain confidence and create more authentically.

The experience shaped my character—not just as an artist but as a person and professional. Life, like art, has many setbacks, but it’s about persevering and transforming those setbacks into growth.

Transformation is the theme of your upcoming solo exhibition. Can you share more about this exhibition and what the term “transformation” means to you?

My inaugural solo art exhibition, Transformation, will be held from 24–26 October at The Arts House. The butterfly, a symbol I love, represents this theme well: emerging from a cocoon, evolving, and flourishing.

This mirrors my own journey—from a difficult adolescence marked by financial struggles and working part-time while studying, to rediscovering and reinventing myself through art. Despite losing most of my earlier works, my mother salvaged one piece I created at 12, and a few from my fine arts days survived.

This exhibition showcases works across oil, Chinese painting, and mixed media, inspired by my travels to Nepal, Japan, China, and more. It’s about emotional transformation, personal reinvention, and how each stage of life shapes the next. It’s a deeply personal and evolving narrative.

What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now?

In 10 years, I hope to have more freedom to create—with purpose. I envision blending visual art, storytelling, and emerging technologies like AI to explore transformation at a deeper level.

I’d like to curate experiences that merge creativity and innovation in both the arts and corporate worlds. Personally, I hope to live closer to nature—maybe in Malaysia where I’m from—and slow down the pace while still staying connected to global conversations. I hope to keep learning, evolving, and embracing whatever new form the world—and technology—takes.

If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?

I’d love the power to pause time. Not to escape it, but to stretch certain moments, revisit meaningful experiences, and recover what’s been lost. I wish I could retrieve the artworks that hold so many memories.

Pausing time would allow for reflection, reconnection, and creative insight. It’s the ultimate gift—being present enough to appreciate what once was, and perhaps rewrite it in our hearts.

Connect with Dr. Grace: GraceChewCollection, Facebook and Instagram.

Exhibition Details
Title: Transformation
Date & Time:
Friday, 24 Oct and Saturday, 25 Oct (10:00am – 9:00pm),
Sunday, 26 Oct 2025 (10:00am – 5:00pm)
Venue:
The Arts House 
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
Charity:
Twenty percent of all earnings will be donated to Hope Centre.