Meet Laila White: From Kampung Roots to Conscious Leadership, Women’s Empowerment, and Wellness Advocacy

Meet Laila. She does not lead from titles but from lived experience. From growing up in a kampung to building businesses across wellness, fitness, children’s development, and women’s leadership, her journey reflects grit, discipline, and an unwavering belief in community over ego. Her leadership is not loud, but it is deeply rooted in responsibility and presence.

At 59, she embodies vitality not just in physique but in purpose. Whether empowering women to stop shrinking themselves or building platforms centred on ethical growth, Laila operates with clarity and conviction. For her, success is not about applause. It is about impact, alignment, and showing up consistently, for herself, for her community, and for the next generation.

You describe yourself as a true blue Singaporean with kampung roots. How did those early community values shape the leader you are today?

I was born and raised in Singapore, in a kampung at Paya Lebar Lorong Mat Ali. The kampung taught me one important lesson: nobody succeeds alone. Growing up, we shared food, respected our elders, and looked out for each other’s children.

I learned strength from my family members. None of them called themselves leaders. They simply did what needed to be done, with quiet resilience, loyalty, and grace under pressure.

I am not conceited enough to claim that I am a leader. I am someone who understands responsibility. When I see women struggling, I feel it. When a business partner is left behind, I notice it. Influence is not about position; it is about presence.

In the kampung, community came before ego and contribution came before credit. Character was what mattered most. That is the Singapore I grew up in, and that is the standard I try to live by.

You have built multiple companies across various industries. How do you decide which ideas to pursue?

Everything I do begins with knowing my ‘why’ and setting clear intentions. I do not follow trends; I find alignment. Every company I build solves something I believe in.

Wellness is about power through health. My indoor playground was created to guide children in learning how to play together, which we adults call teamwork. Women’s leadership came from seeing too many capable women shrink themselves.

Nothing I do exists in silos. What I build for one group impacts others because we are connected. If a business does not serve people or align with my values, I do not pursue or scale it. If it does not create meaningful impact, I do not build it. It is that simple for me.

GalUP focuses on women’s leadership, ethical commerce, and conscious growth. What inspired you to build this platform?

I was tired of seeing women shrink themselves instead of transforming. I created GalUP to remind women who they are and who they can become. It is not about panels or appearances; it is about rediscovering identity and taking ownership. I want to remove excuses and provide tools that help women navigate life with confidence.

Fear, like happiness, is an emotion. Often it arises because something is new. Once you face it, it no longer controls you.

Women already manage homes, emotions, relationships, and responsibilities. That requires emotional intelligence. Yet once we step outside, we sometimes lose confidence. I want women to give themselves a chance to excel. There is no such thing as failure, only lessons that open new doors.

True leadership is about integrity. It is about doing what you believe in ethically and being honest with yourself. Even when I make mistakes, I must face them and improve.

You were featured internationally for your physique and vitality. What mindset matters more than any workout routine?

Consistency builds discipline. My mantra is simple: get up, dress up, show up. I am 59 this year, and your body reflects your standards, not your excuses. I do not train to look good; I train because I refuse to decline as I age. Training is meditation for me. It forces presence. One wrong move and you risk injury.

It has given me confidence I never imagined I would have. I can walk into any gym in the world knowing exactly what I am doing. This body has served me well, and maintaining it is like maintaining a machine. Age is energy. When people say, “You look good for your age,” I think, why not just say I look good? We must make time for ourselves because we only have one body.

You have received multiple leadership awards regionally and globally. What does true leadership mean to you?

I do not see leadership awards as a big deal. True leadership is about integrity. It is about doing what you believe in ethically and being honest with yourself. Even when I make mistakes, I must face them and improve. Success is personal. It means achieving a standard that I am proud of.

If I do not give my best, I try again. Behind closed doors, leadership means being able to rest knowing you did not intentionally hurt anyone and that you helped when it mattered most.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I do not relate strongly to the word legacy. Legends are figures like Lee Kuan Yew, Yusof Ishak, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. I simply want to be remembered for one message: get up, dress up, show up. There is magic in showing up. We only have one life, and we deserve to live it fully.

I do not want to be remembered for titles. Recognition is nice, but purpose matters more. I want women to say that I reminded them of who they were and who they could become. I want to see women stand taller, negotiate better and feel comfortable in their own skin. Build with courage. That is enough for me.

What is your vision for Singapore in the next five years?

Singapore is efficient and fast growing. I hope we become more conscious, with ethical leadership and businesses that prioritise sustainability over profit alone. I hope for greater respect across generations and for mental wellness and resilience to be taught with the same importance as mathematics.

We are small and agile. I hope the next chapter for Singapore focuses not just on money, but on doing the right thing for one another. We are connected, and we are one.

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

I do not believe in superpowers because I believe we already have power within us. For me, clarity is the real power. The ability to see oneself clearly eliminates insecurity and comparison.

When you understand yourself fully, no one can manipulate you, not even your own inner doubts. My mission is to become the best version of myself, and I hope others adopt the same vision.

Connect with Laila: GalUP and Instagram.