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RECIPIENTS OF SKILLSFUTURE FELLOWSHIPS 2025

Annie Chong
Global IT Director & Head of IT
Illumina Inc.


Annie is a purpose-driven leader committed to skills mastery, lifelong learning and empowering others. With a foundation in Computer Science, she has led IT and digital transformation across the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. A certified coach and people manager, she develops high-performance teams and champions women in technology, has founded the Association for Change Management Professionals Singapore Chapter to advance change management, and established mentorship programmes to support professional growth. An industry thought leader, Annie contributes to various advisory councils and professional boards. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Organisational Leadership, where she seeks to inspire others to embrace continuous learning.

Carmen Wee
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Carmen Wee & Associates

Awarded in Partnership with Institute for Human Resource Professionals

Carmen is committed to continuous learning and transforming the Human Resources (HR) sector. With over 25 years of international business experience, Carmen has continuously advanced her expertise with industry-relevant qualifications, achieving the Master Professional status by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals in 2017. Leveraging her business and technical domain knowledge in human capital management, Carmen serves as Chair of a Remuneration Committee and sits on multiple boards across sectors. Passionate about developing others, Carmen has mentored several HR Directors on a pro-bono basis and conducts Leadership Masterclasses attended by over 150 senior HR leaders, deepening capabilities across the industry.

Chan Ming Yu, Lawrence
Group Chief Executive Officer
NETS


Lawrence is committed to developing talent and advancing innovation in financial technology (FinTech). With close to 30 years of experience in the payments and financial sector, Lawrence is passionate about giving back to the sector. In his role as Group CEO of NETS, he mentors individuals through the organisation's talent management programme, having benefited from mentorship himself. Contributing to industry advancement, Lawrence actively participates in industry forums and serves on the Payments Subcommittee at the Singapore FinTech Association, facilitating learnings and addressing industry challenges. An advocate for continuous learning, Lawrence is exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence for practical applications in FinTech.

Eddie Chau
Co-Founder & Chairman
V-Key Pte Ltd

Awarded in Partnership with Singapore Computer Society

Eddie is dedicated to advancing Singapore's cybersecurity excellence and nurturing the next generation of technology professionals. He continually deepens his expertise in cybersecurity, digital trust and digital identity solutions, demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning. Passionate about innovation, Eddie led the development of V-OS, the world's first virtual secure element and made significant contributions to mobile security for financial institutions, governments, and enterprises. He advocates for lifelong learning in cybersecurity and financial technology, champions technology talent grooming initiatives and mentors aspiring technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to ensure they are equipped with future-ready skills for the evolving digital landscape.

Er Chow Kiat
Founder & Managing Director
Drum Tutor SG Pte Ltd


Chow Kiat is committed to empowering others through music education. A self-taught drummer turned music entrepreneur, his passion for continuous growth has led him to perform globally while teaching the next generation of music talent through his school, Drum Tutor. Chow Kiat actively sponsors employee training and mentors new hires, particularly mid-career individuals, by investing in their professional growth and providing overseas development opportunities. Dedicated to empowering the next generation of music educators and performers, Chow Kiat aspires to pursue postgraduate studies to refine his teaching methods and uplift music education standards in Singapore.

Gan Yi Ming
Senior Principal Physiotherapist, Assistant Director (Manpower)
Allied Health Services
Tan Tock Seng Hospital


Yi Ming's career as a physiotherapist began in 1994. A strong believer in evidence-based practices, she consistently developed her expertise through experiential learning and postgraduate studies. Committed to lifelong learning, Yi Ming balances leadership and clinical excellence through further training in oncology rehabilitation and lymphoedema therapy. An advocate for future allied health practitioners, Yi Ming serves as co-chair on Ministry of Health's Physiotherapy Panel, advising on training and development needs of the profession. At her workplace, she champions the upskilling of therapy assistants, pioneers workplace-based training programmes to develop deeply skilled physiotherapists and serves as co-programme director of the physiotherapy residency programme.

Dr Jonathan Chang
Chief Executive Officer
Khetan Foundation


Dr Chang is deeply committed to expanding access to education, drawing from his own experience as a beneficiary of financial aid. Passionate about creating pathways for underprivileged youth, he champions scholarship initiatives for low-income medical students from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He also supports grassroots programmes that help residents pursue higher education and assist adult learners with out-of-pocket fees for SkillsFuture-approved courses. Actively nurturing talent, Dr Chang serves as a certified NUS Lean LaunchPad instructor, coaching individuals to develop critical business skills, and as a raiSE Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, mentoring social entrepreneurs and young leaders on career and venture development.

Khairilanwar Baharudin
APAC HR Leader
Gemini Digital Payments Singapore


Khairilanwar is a triple-certified Human Resource (HR) professional with over 15 years of experience, ensuring his HR practices align with national and international standards. Passionate about empowering the community, Khairilanwar organises ground-up initiatives emphasising lifelong learning and skills development for youths and HR professionals, to ensure inclusive and diverse leadership. He holds board and committee appointments in non-profit organisations and facilitates learning sessions as Lead for the MENDAKI Professional Networks for Human Resources. An advocate for continuous learning, Khairilanwar plans to pursue his postgraduate studies in Law while enhancing his professional certification with the Institute for Human Resource Professionals to deepen his expertise.

Kong Kok Kiang (K.K Kong)
Executive Chef, Sentosa Golf Club
President, Singapore Chefs' Association


Kok Kiang's journey exemplifies perseverance to succeed. After failing his N-levels, he took odd jobs to support his education at SHATEC, where he received the opportunity to train in Singapore's best hotels. Today, Kok Kiang is an Executive Chef with 32 years of experience, President of Singapore Chefs' Association, and Vice-Continental Director for World Association of Cooks Societies Asia. Committed to mentorship, he encourages young chefs across the region to develop their skills. Leading by example, Kok Kiang attained an undergraduate degree in Business Studies with Entrepreneurship this year. He aims to combine his expertise to develop sustainable culinary education programmes.

Dr Kwong Yuk Wah
Vice-President (Digital Transformation) & Chief Digital Officer
Singapore Institute of Technology

Awarded in Partnership with Singapore Computer Society

Dr Kwong is committed to empowering others through digital transformation and advancing ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI), having accomplished one of the world's first AI Ethics Body of Knowledge and certification programme with Singapore Computer Society. An advocate for lifelong learning, Dr Kwong conducts training on AI Ethics and Governance for adult learners and introduced the AI Ethics Literacy Programme for youths across polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. Dr Kwong is dedicated to advancing the industry through board positions and collaboration with government bodies to navigate the evolving AI landscape, earning multiple recognitions including Singapore's 100 Women in Tech.

Lim Thiam Siew
Vice-President (Engineering Management)
SBS Transit Rail Pte Ltd

Awarded in Partnership with The Institution of Engineers, Singapore

Thiam Siew started his career in 1992 with an Industrial Technician Certificate. Driven to advance, he pursued industry-recognised qualifications and attained his postgraduate degree in 2008. Today, he is a Vice-President at SBS Transit and a Trainer at the Land Transport Authority Academy. As a member of The Institution of Engineers, Singapore's Technical Committee for Railway Systems, he actively contributes to developing national railway standards. Passionate about mentorship, Thiam Siew guides young and mid-career engineers through two National Trades Union Congress' programmes. Thiam Siew plans to strengthen his coaching capabilities with the International Coaching Federation.

Melissa Simin Goh-Karssen
Senior Lecturer
Singapore University of Social Sciences


Melissa began her journey as an Early Childhood Educator in 2003, progressively deepening her skills to lead pedagogists, shape curriculum development and mentor centre leaders and teachers in their professional growth. Today, Melissa is a Senior Lecturer equipping students with research-informed pedagogical practices. Dedicated to uplifting the sector, Melissa serves as an Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Fellow and contributes to national projects, including Ministry of Education's Preschool Branch's review of the Preschool Framework and ECDA's inquiry-based action plan on Quality Interactions. Melissa is currently pursuing a PhD with University of Canterbury to advance leadership, pedagogy and policy impact.

Tan Hock Soon Adrias
Senior Legal Counsel
Samwoh Corporation Pte. Ltd.


Adrias has persevered through steadfast commitment to lifelong learning, and professional growth despite facing mobility challenges as an adult. Beginning with a diploma, Adrias pursued undergraduate degrees in building economics, quantity surveying and law, as well as a postgraduate degree in construction law and dispute resolution, with arbitration and coaching certifications. Passionate about knowledge sharing, Adrias taught undergraduate students in construction contract law and conducts professional development training sessions for his colleagues. Dedicated to shaping the next generation, Adrias has served as a mentor under various mentorship programmes with the National University of Singapore, uplifting students through industry exposure and career development.

Tan Kwang Cheak
Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Cancer Society


Kwang Cheak firmly believes in lifelong learning and mentorship. With decades of experience across the public and private sectors, he channels his expertise into uplifting the non-profit sector. As Chief Executive Officer at Singapore Cancer Society, Kwang Cheak is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders. He has personally coached four individuals under the Volunteer Career Advisor scheme by Workforce Singapore. Kwang Cheak is a certified Human Resource Master Professional by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, and is currently pursuing a coaching certification programme to elevate his mentorship capabilities. He will undertake a non-profit executive programme to further his leadership expertise.

Tan Teck Lee
Professional Engineer
Singapore Institute of Power and Gas


Teck Lee began his career as a technician with an Industrial Technical Certificate in 1985. Motivated by curiosity about power systems engineering, Teck Lee pursued industry-recognised qualifications and an undergraduate degree. He served as a mentor with the Institute of Technical Education Sparks and Jumpstart Mentoring Programmes and played a pivotal role in launching the Institution of Engineering and Technology Singapore Lifeskills Workshop, equipping students and young engineers with critical skills for career development. Committed to lifelong learning, Teck Lee plans to pursue his postgraduate studies to refine his training methodologies to create impactful and adaptive learning experiences for young engineers.

Thandavarayan Balaji
Senior Technical Officer
SBS Transit Ltd


Balaji is committed to continuous learning. Joining SBS Transit in 2008 as a Technical Officer, he actively pursued upskilling to keep pace with evolving bus technologies, earning the opportunity to learn directly from Volvo's workshop in Sweden. Balaji has attained a Volvo Master Technical Certification and is a certified Chartered Technologist, having received multiple awards for his technical expertise and dedication and recognition for service excellence. As an on-the-job trainer, he imparts valuable knowledge to junior technicians in electric bus technologies and digital diagnostic tools. Balaji aims to deepen his digital, leadership, and artificial intelligence capabilities to drive future innovation.

                               
07 Nov 2025