Up the ranks: Rachael Fitzpatrick steps into the role of Deputy Director, People & Culture at WWF-SG

"Looking after the people who are looking after the planet!" is the key mission for this strategic HR leader as she takes on the mantle at the wildlife conversation icon.

Strategic HR leader, Rachael Fitzpatrick (pictured above), has stepped into a new role, as she joins WWF-Singapore, as Deputy Director, People & Culture. In this role, based in Singapore, she looks to build a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and excited about what can be achieved together.

Reporting to CEO, Sutat Chew, who joined WWF-Singapore in June 2026, the leadership team has been bolstered amidst the iconic wildlife conservation authority marking its 20th anniversary in the nation. 

Fitzpatrick has been based in Singapore for close to 20 years, where she has been taking up regional HR roles. Her past tenures include the Global Head of People role at Parcel Perform, and Senior Culture & Talent Director at Qlik. In her most recent engagement, she was with Maxeon Solar Techonologies as Global HR Business Partner, covering finance, IT, legal, in addition to HR. 

She is also an Accredited Director and has gained experience in high-tech, shipping, and insurance industries.

To mark her new role, Fitzpatrick shared her outlook exclusively with Aditi Sharma Kalra. Read on for the interview: 

Q What has been your most cherished memory from your past HR experiences?

This is really a collection of memories, but they are cherished because I am proud of the culture that the leadership team built. We had a habit of ‘redecorating’ the offices. One executive was provided with glitter stars, one had his office painted pink (and he sat with that colour for 18 months), one had butterflies and I had a photo wall of all of our jokes and pranks. We doubled revenue for the region over three years and I believe it was because we fostered a culture of fun as well as work.

Q Joining a conservation icon is exciting! What is top of your list in terms of your priorities for the next couple of months/year?

Looking after the people who are looking after the planet! WWF-Singapore marks its 20th anniversary this year. Behind those two decades of conservation work are people who have given their time, energy and expertise to a cause they believe in. That dedication is something we should never take for granted.

I want to ensure we strike the right balance between passion and purpose, and the recognition and support our people deserve. Passion should never be taken for granted. For me, the priority is making sure the commitment our people bring to WWF-Singapore is matched by how we invest in their growth, recognise their contributions and support their wellbeing.

As WWF-Singapore looks to its next chapter, I want to help build a workplace where people feel valued, supported and excited about what we can achieve together.

Q What are you most looking forward to in this new assignment?

Being part of something bigger than all of us. It's exciting to join an organisation that stands by what it believes in, isn't afraid to take on difficult challenges and works together to make a difference for people and nature.

I am looking forward to learning more about the science behind conservation and exploring how we can harness innovation and technology to better support our people, strengthen the organisation and enable WWF-Singapore to deliver lasting impact.

Q What are some of the talent challenges Singapore is facing that you would love to be able to find a solution to?

When you listen to all sides of the conversation, there appears to be a disconnect. Some insist there is a scarcity of talent and yet, when you talk to others, they have great amounts of experience and would love to have the opportunity to prove their worth. I would like to find a solution to that gap.

If we can become better at recognising transferable skills and giving people the opportunity to grow into new environments, I think we'll unlock a much broader pool of talent for Singapore's workforce.

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Lead image / Provided