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From lessons in resilience to the quiet power of empathy, and everything in between, 16 leaders tell us about their career-defining experiences. Don't miss their special shoutouts to their teams too!
- This feature is a collaborative effort by Umairah Nasir, Priya Sunil, Sarah Gideon & Tracy Chan.
HR may not always be in the spotlight, but its impact is felt in every corner of the workplace. Behind every policy, every tough conversation, and every moment of support, there is an HR professional showing up for their people and for the business.
For this International HR Day, celebrated on 20 May, Human Resources Online honours the individuals who make this work possible. We asked HR leaders across the region three simple but heartfelt questions:
- Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
- What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
- If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
The responses we received were honest, reflective, and deeply human. They serve as a reminder that at the heart of every workplace are the people who care for its people.
To every HR leader and team, we at HRO would like to thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and the unseen work you do each day to build better, kinder, and more inclusive workplaces. Today, we celebrate you!
Eric Lim, VP Learning & Development, ComfortDelGro
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
I started my HR career mainly in the L&D space in Marina Bay Sands. The moment that truly touched me was when one of the participants met me along the team member corridor, and was really excited to share that he used what he learnt in my training class and it worked like a miracle. These are the type of moments when you realised you made an impact.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
I think many has the misconception that HR is just a support function. That cannot be further from the truth. If you treat your HR as a partner, you will realise the business impact the function has on business outcome is huge. You understand the market better, you hire better staff, you build a legacy in your team and overall you will be a much better business leader.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
I always go by the belief of 'systems drive behaviours, behaviours drive results'. So, I can sometimes be tough on the team to think at the high level, at the systems level.
I am very grateful to have teams of people who are as driven as me, and I enjoy working with you guys!!
Kit Lim, Global Head of Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Swire Shipping
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
I once led a campaign to create safe spaces for open conversations on mental health. A colleague once told me it gave them the courage to seek help and was grateful that we were creating the space for openness and vulnerability. That moment reminded me about how this work is about creating a culture where people feel seen, heard and supported.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
It’s not all about the forms and policies. HR professionals are the humans behind the humans. They are also the cheerleaders, the problem-solvers and sometimes therapists during a coffee session. HR is also your strategic partner, shaping culture, guiding leaders and aligning people with purpose. We don’t just support the business – we help drive it forward!
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
Team, you are absolute rockstars! You juggle chaos, change and curveballs with a smile. Your impact runs deeper than most will ever see. Keep being the magic-makers!
Erinna Khoo, Senior Staff Programme Manager, Global Benefits & Wellbeing, Seagate
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
Years ago, I introduced a prolonged illness policy for an employee with a serious condition. Years later, his wife found me on Facebook—he had passed but wanted her to say he was grateful as the policy eased their financial burden. That moment reaffirmed the quiet impact of HR.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
In HR, every policy is crafted with care—to maximise positive impact and minimise harm. While we don’t always share every consideration, people are always at the heart of our decisions. The human impact matters deeply, even if it’s not always visible or explicitly communicated.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
To my amazing HR friends—thank you for making people the heart of everything we do.
I’m proud to be part of a profession that shares best practices, supports one another, and partners with the business to care for employees.
Together, we create meaningful impact and make workplaces better every day.
Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer, Central Retail Corporation
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
One of the most profound moments in my journey was, over 20 years ago, when my six-year-old daughter asked me why I had to constantly leave her for overseas business trips. At that time, I was the Regional HR Director for Asia. She told me that she felt like her heart was torn apart each time I left. She knew that career was important for me and tried her best to support but it was really hard for her. Her words saddened me deeply and completely broke my heart. I seriously cried throughout my flight for the next overseas business trip. Without any regret, I immediately decided to change the course of my career – a step back to a Country HR Leadership role.
It was a significant wake-up call that reminded me to reshape how I lead and live — as a mother, as a woman, and as an HR leader. That experience helped me better understand that in order to achieve your mission and live up to your dreams, whether in life or work, it does not mean that you must keep moving forward but step back when necessary. The most important thing for a leader is to take your people with you – every one of them, and don’t leave anyone behind.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR job is not for everyone. It is, in fact, one of the most difficult jobs in the organisation. It requires a deep understanding of people, business, organisation, and culture — all at once. It comes with constant pressure which most of the time is paramount. HR is a key driver and sits in front seats for strategic transformations. Balancing business priorities with human needs, driving performance while nurturing talents, managing stakeholders’ expectations while coaching them to lead with empathy – all at once – are far from simple and easy. It’s a profession that demands resilience, passion, and determination to create a better environment for people in the organisation to excel, flourish and become their best.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
To my incredible HR team — thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Every day, you face new challenges with grace, grit, and heart. In an organisation as diverse and complex as ours, your ability to stay united, focused, and purpose-driven is truly inspiring. You are not just supporting the business — you are transforming it.
Our transformative journey has not been easy, but your strength and spirit have brought us to where we are today. I see you, I appreciate you, and I am proud to stand beside you. It’s truly an honour for me to be your CPO.
Ahmad Addlan Nabil, Head of People Operations, People Division, POS Malaysia
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
Negotiating the Collective Agreement with seven unions was challenging, yet profoundly touching. We put aside ranks and titles, spoke with honesty, and listened with heart. Over months of negotiations, we built not just an agreement, but trust, unity, and friendship, truly living our values of working together as #OneTeam.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR is about people. While we can’t fix every problem, we care deeply and work hard to create a positive, supportive workplace. It’s not rocket science, but it takes heart, empathy, and constant communication to build trust and truly make a difference.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
Thank you, team, for your sacrifice, dedication, and relentless hard work. I’m incredibly proud of how far you’ve come and all we’ve achieved together.
Let’s keep the momentum going, support one another, and continue striving for greatness. Always aim high, dream big. The best is yet to come!
Siew Fei Yoon, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hartalega
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
My first HR role supported direct labour—often the most vulnerable. I visited long-term ill employees in poor living conditions, guided families through claims, and gave them hope. Word spread that HR was here to help. That deep sense of impact convinced me to build my career in HR.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
For any organisation to succeed sustainably, it must believe in the power of HR—because people build the business. HR today isn’t just administrative. It’s strategic, innovative, data-driven, and deeply human. Modern HR shapes culture, drives performance, and ensures the organization thrives through its people.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
To my Hartanian HR team—thank you for showing up with GRIT and living our SHIELD values every day.
You’ve turned challenges into milestones and made our mission of touching lives real. I’m proud to walk this journey with you. Let’s keep building better, together.
Rayyan Irwan, Human Capital Division, Bank Muamalat
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
One moment that truly touched me was seeing the impact of our First Time Managers programme. Watching those newly promoted managers grow into confident leaders, knowing it directly contributed to reducing our attrition rates, reminded me of the power of investing in people. It reinforced my belief that strong leadership can genuinely transform an organisation.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
To my amazing HR team; thank you for your relentless drive, from mastering policies to championing employee growth. Together, we’ve redefined excellence and created meaningful change.
Your passion and dedication inspire me every day. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and building a stronger future for our people.
Sanjoy Shaw, Regional HR Head, APAC, F&B, Givaudan
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
This was about a project that I was leading under Corporate CSR in India, where we adopted one village with HIV/AIDS people, and we slowly built a robust support programme on their health, nutrition, education, and skill development. It taught me humility and a sense of business’ responsibility for the community.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR is all about making business humane, successful, and sustainable. It helps to nurture talents, leaders, and a larger community for a better planet for all of us to live. HR makes the organization future ready and supports the organization to navigate any challenges while driving employees towards success and larger purpose.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
We have the best HR team in Asia. They bring so many rich experiences, expertise, fun and passion to the workplace every day.
Their commitment and unwavering support are infectious, and they add tremendous value to our continued business success. Bravo to our HR team and keep it up!!!
Grace Feng, Head of Talent Acquisition, China & Business Partner, Edelman
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
The most profound moments are when former colleagues reflect, "Joining this company transformed my professional trajectory – thank you for seeing my potential." Witnessing talent thrive where they’re valued reaffirms HR’s role as a career catalyst.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR is the strategic architect of resilience. Beyond processes, we drive cultural agility during upheavals, elevate employee experience as a growth lever, and re-engineer organisations for sustainable competitiveness. Our metric? How quickly teams pivot without losing their soul.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
In this age of AI and uncertainty, your resilience is our compass. Keep challenging norms ("stay hungry"), embrace calculated risks ("stay foolish"), and remember – every policy you craft today shapes workplaces of tomorrow.
You’re not just HR professionals; you’re the cornerstone of progress.
Diana Romatua Marbun, Head of People & Culture, Asetku
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
One moment that truly touched and changed me in my HR career was when I had to support an employee going through an incredibly difficult personal crisis. Most people didn’t know what was happening behind the scenes, only that his performance was dropping. But instead of jumping to conclusions, I chose to truly listen. What I learnt changed everything. I was able to offer support, not just as HR professionals, but as humans. Months later, that employee came back stronger, more loyal, and even said, 'You saved not just my job, but a part of me I thought I'd lost.’
That moment reminded me that HR is never just about policies or KPIs. It’s about people, their stories, their struggles, their resilience. And when we lead with empathy, we don't just build better workplaces, we build better humans. That’s why I do what I do.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR isn't just about people, it’s about the right people doing the right things at the right time, with a sense of purpose. That's what drives sustainable growth.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
To my incredible HR team: You are the quiet force behind every success story in this company. While others see the results, I see the heart, thought, and hustle you put in every day.
Thank you for always working with integrity, and for putting people at the heart of everything we do. What we’re building here is special and it’s because of you. I’m incredibly proud to walk this journey with such a heart-driven team. Let’s keep raising the bar — together.
James W. Sasongko, Chief of People and Organisation Transformation, Samator Group
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
I wouldn't say it is one particular moment, but more of several moments, where I found myself in a situation where my talented team members were underestimated over their actual achievements, and I realised how I felt when I was in the same situation in my early days. That realisation gives me some sort of goosebumps, the feeling that urges me to do better in bringing up these hidden pearls to the place they deserve.
Q2) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
That I am proud of them so much, as always, albeit I keep pushing them to be stronger and take up more challenges in facing this increasingly complicated world.
While expressing how proud I am of them is not my best skill, seeing their progress and achievements makes me fully fascinated by them.
Shobha D’Sa, Human Resources Director, Amgen Singapore Manufacturing
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR today is a strategic force driving business transformation. We shape talent strategies, lead change, and build inclusive cultures that fuel performance. No longer just about policies, HR aligns people with purpose and business goals, helping organisations stay agile, resilient, and ready to thrive in a constantly evolving world.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
I’m incredibly thankful for a HR team that consistently balances business focus with genuine care for people.
Their dedication, especially during the pandemic, showed leadership in action. Thoughtful, resilient, and dependable, they consistently deliver no matter the challenge. I’m proud to work alongside them and grateful for all they do.
Joanne Kim, GE Aerospace APAC HR Business Partner
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
Witnessing the transformative effect of hiring the right talent, where they not only thrive but also flourish at GE Aerospace beyond their initial expectations, has been deeply rewarding. It reinforced the profound influence of HR – not just for the success of the business, but also the lives and careers of employees.
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR plays a pivotal role in driving business growth. Beyond recruitment and policies, we unlock new opportunities for individuals to excel, innovate, and achieve their maximum potential – opportunities embedded in initiatives at GE Aerospace, such as apprenticeships and collaborations with key partners to train and develop talent and future leaders.
Q3) If you could give a shout-out to your HR team today, what would you say?
Your dedication, insight, and commitment to empower our workforce is truly inspiring. Thank you for building a culture of respect for people and continuous improvement.
You are a strategic partner to the business leaders and the backbone of our success, and together, we are making a difference in the future of flight.
Kelvin Yu, Controller (Human Resources, Information Technology and Administration), Yan Oi Tong
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
HR is often seen as administrative, but it plays a vital strategic role in fostering a supportive work environment. By advocating for employees and providing meaningful welfare, we enhance satisfaction. As change agents, we drive innovation and adapt to challenges, creating happier employees and contributing to long-term organisational success.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to my HR team for their unwavering dedication and support. Their commitment to "putting ourselves in others' shoes" fosters a culture of empathy.
Together, we’re not just addressing current challenges; we’re also thinking ahead to shape a brighter future for our organisation.
Ute Driyono Tanusapuitra Head of Human Capital BFI Finance
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
A truly impactful moment was seeing employees, especially from underprivileged backgrounds, whom we invested in through training and development, rise to become leaders in the organization. Witnessing their growth and knowing HR facilitated that opportunity was incredibly rewarding. It highlighted the transformative power of investing in people and unlocking their potential, it is one of HR superpowers!
Q2) What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
It's a role with significant impact, shaping the employee experience and driving organizational success, which makes it a deeply rewarding career. The World Economic Forum 2025 report underscores that HR is not just an administrative function but a strategic partner crucial for navigating the evolving world of work.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
I want to send a huge shout-out to my Team! Your dedication to our people, your hard work behind the scenes, and your commitment to creating an engaging and productive workplace truly make a difference every single day.
You are the heart of our organisation, and I am incredibly grateful for your expertise, your passion, and your unwavering commitment. Keep up the fantastic work! You are all rock stars!
Patricia Yeung, Human Resources Director, Urban Renewal Authority
Q1) Can you share a moment in your HR career that truly touched or changed you?
My greatest fulfillment comes from unlocking hidden potential. I guided a mid-career administrator to discover untapped competence abilities through stretch and new assignments. Witnessing his transform into a new role who inspires others reinforces why coaching and developing human capability is HR's profound contribution.
Q2 What is one thing you want people to understand about the HR profession?
The most illuminating aspect of HR is its position at the intersection of business strategy and human potential. I have found my contributions come from translating organizational objectives into people agenda that both businesses and humans flourish together.
Q3) If you could give a shout out to your HR team today, what would you say?
To my brilliant HR colleagues: Your innovative spirit continues to elevate our profession to new heights! You have masterfully transformed challenges into opportunities for meaningful workplace evolution.
Continue inspiring as you create workplaces where both people and businesses thrive brilliantly.
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