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Yip, who is Head of Organisational Development and Culture at Proton, believes capability building must help teams address real business priorities while shaping the mindsets and behaviours behind lasting change.
When learning is tied to a challenge that matters, it moves beyond the classroom and becomes a practical driver of business progress. That is the principle guiding Alicia Yip (pictured above), Head of Organisational Development and Culture at PROTON, in her approach to building capabilities across a large and diverse workforce.
With more than 23 years of experience in HR, Yip has developed a career around bridging business strategy and human capital management. At PROTON, she works to build alignment across the organisation, helping ensure that people, culture, and capability priorities support the company’s growth, performance, and transformation ambitions.
For her, development has the greatest value when it equips teams to solve the challenges in front of them, whether that means improving customer experience, accelerating transformation, or delivering better results. It is an approach rooted in practical delivery, supported by data and benchmarking, and designed to earn the trust of stakeholders in complex environments.
Leading up to her session at Learning & Development Asia 2026 – Malaysia, Yip sits down with Emily Chong-Gupta to share the business-first lesson that has shaped her work, the unexpected skill she brings to organisational challenges, and why capability building is ultimately culture building.
Q Which L&D principle has most influenced how you help others or yourself learn best?
People learn fastest when learning is tied to a challenge that matters. I've found that capability building becomes meaningful when it helps teams solve real business issues, whether it's improving customer experience, accelerating transformation, or driving better results.
Q Who has been a mentor or coach to you personally, and what is a timeless lesson they taught you?
Jeffrey Vincent has been an influential mentor to me. One lesson that has stayed with me is:
"Start with the business outcome, then design the people solution."
At PROTON, this has helped me focus on building capabilities that directly support business growth, performance, and transformation.
Q What is an unexpected or interesting skill you have picked up that colleagues may not know about?
I enjoy spotting patterns across seemingly unrelated situations and connecting the dots. Whether it's a culture challenge, operational issue, or leadership dilemma, I find energy in uncovering insights that others may not immediately see.
Q In fewer than 10 words, what is your number one motto for helping people and teams grow?
Challenge thinking. Create impact. Unleash potential.
Q A quick preview of your session at Learning & Development Asia: What is the one key takeaway you hope attendees will gain?
Capability building is ultimately culture building. I want attendees to see how developing the right mindsets and behaviours can create lasting organisational change beyond any training programme.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Emily Chong-Gupta. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any talent solutions and products that you'd like to showcase, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!
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