Digitalisation
Innovation Programme:

Womenpreneur

Programme Overview

23 April 2025 - 29 April 2025

Register now

In collaboration with UOB Business Banking Singapore, Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur (D.I.P:W) is designed with forward looking initiatives to build a community and empower women entrepreneurs through mentorship, business transformation and growth with digital innovation.

The programme is tailored to female entrepreneurs, business owners and managerial positions who own or manage small to medium businesses.

Programme Schedule

10:00am - 10:10am

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Opening Address by UOB FinLab

10:10am - 10:30am

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Keynote: Enabling the future workforce is every business leader's business

Explore how business leaders can adapt to the evolving workforce through digitalisation, innovation, and talent development, highlighting strategies to build agile, future-ready teams and foster resilience in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Ian Wong 600 x 600
Ian Wong Head of Group International Management, UOB

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10:30am - 11:30am

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Empowered Entrepreneurship: Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience as Female Business Leaders

This discussion will delve into the entrepreneurial journeys of female leaders, focusing on the managerial challenges they faced while building and scaling their businesses. The panelists will share insights on leveraging external resources such as skills training, mentorship, community support, and financial institutions like UOB to navigate these challenges. The session will also be addressing the delicate balance of managing multiple roles in their personal and professional lives.

Moderated By:

eelen lim
Eelen Lim
Strategic Partnership Director, UOB

Panelist:

joan chang
Joan Chang Director of Macly Group,
Founder of Ove,
Co-Founder of Lloyd's Inn,
Co-Founder of Good Addition,

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valerie aw
Valerie Aw Founder,
Aestival Elements

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sharon li
Sharon Li Co-Founder,
CHOYS

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CD profile pic
Chandrima Das CEO & Co-Founder,
Teleskop

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11:30am - 12:00pm

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

From challenges to opportunities: Insights, support, and solutions to drive
business growth

In this session, we will share key insights into the current business environment and future expectations among your industry peers, so you can address potential challenges and plan for future opportunities. Learn how you position your business for growth by tapping into various government support initiatives, banking solutions, and digital business management solutions offered through UOB.
Benedict Tay 400 x 400 1
Benedict Tay Senior Vice President, Head of Customer Engagement, Development and Ecosystem Partnership,
UOB Business Banking, Singapore

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12:00pm - 01:00pm

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Lunch and Networking

01:30pm - 04:30pm

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Elevate Pitch - Unlock Your Potential by Dalia Chan, Co- Founder of Speech Titans

Master effective elevator pitching skills through this interactive workshop, focusing on crafting and delivering impactful pitches, improving stage presence, refining vocal projection, engaging audiences, and handling Q&A sessions confidently. The workshop will include both group and individual activities, culminating in participants showcasing their pitches at the end.
dalia chan
Dalia Chan Co-Founder and Lead Trainer,
Speech Titans

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12:30pm - 01:30pm

LinkedIn APAC HQ

Registration and Networking

02:00pm - 02:10pm

LinkedIn APAC HQ

Welcome address by UOB and LinkedIn

kelvin lee
Kelvin Lee Head of Social Media, Group Strategic Communications and Brand,
UOB

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02:10pm - 03:00pm

LinkedIn APAC HQ

Leading with Authenticity: The Power of Women Entrepreneurs in Shaping Their Business Identity

Many women entrepreneurs saw the significance of leveraging social networks to build influence via their personal and company profiles, and the authenticity in storytelling and engagement can create a strong, relatable and trustworthy online presence. Hear from female leaders how their experiences as an influential woman entrepreneur has shaped their brand identity, and how the use of the LinkedIn platform in particular to connect with their audience has helped foster business growth and attract talent for their business.

Moderated By:

Dawn Leong
Dawn Leong Investment Content Specialist, Chief Investment Office,
UOB Private Bank

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LinkedIn Panelist:

violet lim
Violet Lim Co-Founder & CEO,
Lunch Actually Group

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goh shu yi 2
Shu Yi Goh Founder & Lead Trainer,
The Strengths Co.

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monica bhatia
Monica Bhatia (Kapur) Global External Partnership, Co-Lead,
Women@LinkedIn Singapore

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03:00pm - 03:30pm

LinkedIn Office

Rock Your Profile on LinkedIn

A great LinkedIn profile is essential for entrepreneurs. A well-crafted profile can help entrepreneurs expand their professional network, promote their personal brand and enhance the credibility of their business.
Robin o Connell
Robin O Connell
Senior Content Solutions Consultant
LinkedIn

03:30pm - 04:30pm

LinkedIn Office

Power of Lifelong Learning in Entrepreneurship with LinkedIn

As part of UOB’s ongoing commitment to support aspiring female entrepreneurs, this segment will highlight the importance of continuous learning in driving business growth and personal development.
Sydney
Sydney Giang Large Enterprise Account Director,
LinkedIn

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10:00am - 05:00pm

NUSS @ Suntec City Guild House

Suntec City Mall Tower 5 3 Temasek Boulevard #02- 401/402 Singapore 038983

Business Model Canvas Workshop

This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the Business Mode Canvas framework, a strategic tool for refining buisness models. Entrepreneurs will learn how to map value propositions, identify customer segments, define revenue streams, and optimise business operations. Through interactive exercises and real-world case studies, participants will develop actionable strategies to enhance their business sustainability and scalability.
Felix Tan UOB FinLab
Felix Tan Business Advisor,

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10:00am - 12:00pm

Guoco Midtown Meeting Room 2+3

The Art of Social Media Content and Influencer Marketing

Explore the power of social media marketing and infuencer collaborations in driving brand awareness and engagement. Particiapnts will gain inisghts into platform-specific content and strategies (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.), influcnecer marketing best practices, and case studies of successful brand-influencer partnerships. Participants will leave with actionable knowledge on how to leevrage digital platforms to build vrand creibility and grow their business.
evangeline leong
Evangeline Leong Founder & CEO,
Kobe

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12:00pm - 12:45pm

Guoco Midtown Meeting Room 2+3

Amplifying Brand Impact Fireside Chat with Clare Chan, Co-Founder of Her Velvet Vase

In this fireside chat, Evangeline Leong, CEO of Kobe and Clare Chan, co-founder of Her Velvet Vase, will discuss on how social media content trends and influencer marketing are transforming the way businesses reach their target audience. They explore how tapping into popular trends and leveraging influencers can not only expand a brand’s reach but also help businesses build a stronger brand identity, drive engagement, and foster deeper connections with their customers. Discover actionable insights on using digital platforms to grow your business and stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.
evangeline leong
Evangeline Leong Founder & CEO,
Kobe

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Clare Chan 400x400 1 e1742792307733
Clare Chan
Co-Founder,
Her Velvet Vase

01:00pm - 02:00pm

Guoco Midtown Meeting Room 2+3

Lunch and Networking

02:00pm - 03:30pm

Guoco Midtown Meeting Room 2+3

Strategies for Success in Digital Marketing, E-Commerce & GenAI to Scale
Your Business

Explore how AI-driven content creation and social commerce enhances audience engagemnet while leveraging data-driven insights to improve customer personalisation and retention. Participants will gain insights into integrating AI for smarter decision-making and sustainable business growth. Through real-world case studies and best practices, this discussion equips entrepreneurs and marketers with the tools to stay ahead of digital trends and maximise AI-driven strategies in e-commerce and marketing.
Julie Wang BCG speaker
Julie Wang Global Principal Trainer, Digital Marketing & eCommerce
Boston Consulting Group

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03:30pm - 04:30pm

Guoco Midtown Meeting Room 2+3

AI Tech Showcase

Introducing AI-driven solutions and their applications in finance, marketing, and customer service. Participants will gain hands-on experience with AI tools by Guidesify, exploring how SMEs can adopt AI to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive business growth.
claire leighton
Clare Leighton Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer,
File.AI

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James Chee 400x400 1
James Chee Co-Founder,
Guidesify

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02:00am - 02:15pm

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Closing Remarks: Connecting Entrepreneurs To Growth

Hear from Paul Kan, Country Head, Business Banking Singapore, as he shares his leadership experiences and perspectives on building teams and businesses across the region, and what SMEs need for growth. Paul will also share how UOB, the One Bank For ASEAN, actively supports entrepreneurs to turn ambitions into growth.
paulkan 400x400 1
Paul Kan Country Head,
UOB Business Banking, Singapore

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02:15pm - 05:00pm

Guoco Midtown MICE Room 1

Mentors Meet and Greet

Past Programmes

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DIP: Womenpreneur 2024

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Ian Wong

Head of Group International Management, UOB

Key Skills

  • Executive coaching and management
  • Deal negotiation, venture management
  • Foreign direct investment advisory
  • Interpersonal skills development 
  • Chief master coach and mentor
  • Regional expansion advisory

 

Originally geared towards medical studies, Ian took on a totally different path in university and eventually embarked on a career in banking, leading countries and enabling deals across Asia, Europe and US. After leadership stints, including an overseas posting, with global banks like Bank of America Merrill Lynch and HSBC, Ian is now Managing Director and Group Head, International Management at United Overseas Bank.

In this role, he is responsible for the international banking entities, venture management and foreign direct investment advisory divisions. A certified chief master coach, Ian strives to bring out the best in people and advocates for organisations to foster strong coaching and mentoring cultures so as to thrive sustainably and purposefully.

He writes about personal inspirations, experiences and learnings which colleagues and connections may find helpful as they navigate their career and life journeys, especially in today’s “business as UNusual” environment.

Joan Chang

Director of Macly Group, Founder of Ove, Co-Founder of Lloyd’s Inn & Good Addition

Joan is the co-founder of lifestyle hospitality brand Lloyd’s Inn and 10 years of experience in property development. Under her brand, The Ove Collection, she has a portfolio of hospitality projects & property developments. She is also the co-founder of clothing label Good Addition, and F&B brand SoupCup.

Valerie Aw

Founder of Aestival Elements

What started as a career break from banking turned into an exciting journey of discovery for Valerie Aw. During this time, she explored new interests, honed fresh skills, and even pursued a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management. In 2017, she founded Aestival Elements, a brand built on her love for meaningful products, community, sustainability, and good design. Now, as a co-founder of Mumpreneurs Go Places, she’s passionate about creating a space where mumpreneurs can grow their businesses, find personal fulfillment, and juggle family life with confidence.

Sharon Li

Co-Founder of CHOYS

Sharon Li is the Co-founder and CEO of an insurtech startup called CHOYS – a gamified workplace wellbeing platform that provides insurance,rewards and recognition,and engagement for organisations and their employees. 

Prior to CHOYS, Sharon worked in Financial Service in London for more than 10 years and was leading the Innovation Team in Barclays Chief Technology Office where she worked closely with Fintechs, Startups, Universities and Government to incubate innovative solutions. She was named Tech Women 100 and Women in Fintech Powerlist in 2021. Sharon graduated from Warwick Business School with Bsc Accounting and Finance and is also a qualified Chartered Global Management Accountant. 

Chandrima Das

CEO & Co-Founder of Teleskop

The multi- generational tool is built to help individuals and families catalogue their assets, track their wealth and share their most important documents for legacy purposes. Teleskop users have peace of mind knowing their most important information is secure, accessible, and shareable with those who need it, at any point in time.

Prior to her entrepreneurial journey, Chandrima managed investments and built technology in various leadership roles, including CEO of ING Investment Management in Singapore and Managing Director & Head of Managed Investments at Bank of Singapore (OCBC Group) and Group Head of Managed investments in Standard Chartered bank.. She also held key positions at Prudential in the UK and and has worked across various jurisdictions in Asia.

Benedict Tay

Senior Vice President, Head of Customer Engagement, Development and Ecosystem Partnership, UOB Business Banking, Singapore

Benedict has an extensive experience in the Banking and Finance industry, having worked as product manager across retail and corporate business banking sectors. 

Presently, he leads the Partnership and Ecosystem portfolio, managing strategic and operational activities to establish an ecosystem of cross-industry alliances and partnerships aimed at catalysing customers’ business growth and transformation. 

Benedict’s journey continued as he went on be the to Head of UOB BizSmart, where he directed efforts towards future-proofing business operations and driving efficiency through digital transformation for SMEs.

Dalia Chan

Co-founder and lead trainer of Speech Titans

Dalia Chan, the co-founder of Speech Titans, is dedicated to empowering individuals with confidence and communication skills. She has hosted a range of high-profile events, from citizenship ceremonies to public speaking workshops with CRIB Society, showcasing her versatility and passion for public speaking. Under her leadership, Speech Titans earned the prestigious SME 500 award in 2024, marking it as a standout in the field of communication and personal development.

She has been a judge for various competitions, including the Tech ASEAN Grand Prix competitions 2024. Additionally, she has collaborated with corporate clients from various industries, including finance and law, delivering tailored training to enhance their communication skills. She has also led impactful training sessions with the PAP Women’s Wing, equipping women with the confidence and skills to excel in leadership and public speaking.

Driven by her passion for creating meaningful change, she is deeply committed to empowering women to amplify their voices and make a lasting impact in their respective fields.

Kelvin Lee

Head of Social Media, Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB

Kelvin is Executive Director and Group Head of Social Media at UOB. He is responsible for the strategic and creative direction of UOB’s social media ecosystem of channels, content and campaigns – including the exploration of potential new areas of social-first innovations and capabilities such as growing our employee advocacy efforts to enable more authentic voices within business communities.

Previously, he was the APAC Marketing Leader at EY Financial Services and Head of Social at several enterprises, such as Thomson Reuters and London Stock Exchange Group, whilst he was based in London for a decade plus. In the earlier part of his career, he also gained significant experience leading and driving customer experiences in the telecommunications, FMCG, logistics and even in music and lifestyle sectors, and even founded and ran two small but profitable “start-ups” after university.

Dawn Leong

Investment Content Specialist, Chief Investment Office, UOB Private Bank

Dawn is an Investment Content Specialist at the Chief Investment Office of UOB Private Bank. She specializes in sharing macroeconomic and asset allocation insights in a compelling storytelling way across different content formats and distribution channels, to create engaging, data-driven narratives that help clients navigate the ever-evolving investment landscape. Prior to UOB Private Bank, Dawn spent over a decade in financial markets across roles in institutional equity sales, fintech business development, as well as asset management digital transformation.

Violet Lim

CEO and Co-Founder, Lunch Actually Group

Violet Lim is the heart and soul of Lunch Actually –
a dating and matchmaking company that she co-founded with her then fiancé, now-husband Jamie Lee back in 2004. Her inspiration came from observing her colleagues who did not have time to date, due to their busy lives around work.

Today, Lunch Actually is Asia’s biggest lunch dating company with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Lunch Actually’s
philosophy is to help singles find love by being, meeting and choosing the right one. Leveraging on both technology and the human touch, Lunch Actually has successfully arranged more than 140,000 dates and brought together more than 4,000 successful and married couples.

Violet is the first Asian to be certified by the Matchmaking Institute in New York City, and today, she is an acknowledged expert in her field. She has appeared in over 4,500 media coverages such as FOX, Forbes, CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, CNA and CNBC Asia. Violet is a resident dating expert on Class 95 FM, Singapore’s most listened to English radio station. She was also the dating guru on TV channel TLC dating show Travel for Love. Violet is a sought after speaker. She has spoken at TEDxNTU in Singapore, PR Asia conference, Asian Women in Leadership Summit, Global Dating Insights Summit in New York and more.

Violet is active in Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Singapore where she previously served as Chapter President. She is also a Winner at Women Entrepreneur Award 2017 in Singapore for demonstrating outstanding entrepreneurial qualities.

Violet sits on the board of Matchmaking Institute and is the Principal Trainer of Matchmaking Institute of Southeast Asia where she trains matchmakers and aspiring matchmakers from all around the world. She is also the Past President of the Rotary Club of Suntec City.

Violet has a master’s degree in Personnel Management from the London School of Economics and a law degree from the University of Manchester.

Violet is passionate about nurturing relationships, mentoring youth and aspiring entrepreneurs and parenting her two teenagers Corum and Cara. Having been blessed with a fulfilling marriage and enriching family life, Violet’s life goal is to create 1 million happy marriages.

Goh Shu Yi

Founder and Lead Trainer of The Strengths Co.

To thrive in the future of work with AI, means embracing what makes you unique -harnessing your strengths to forge your own path with confidence.

She specialises in working with mid-career professionals to unlock inner confidence and clarity, transforming their innate talents and strengths into fulfilling careers.

Her career coaching helps clients move from feeling stuck to taking confident steps forward, navigating career transitions with renewed focus and purpose. With over 16 years in technology consulting and pre-sales, she possesses deep expertise in applying strengths to real-world complex work scenarios and managing the dynamics of diverse teams.

Shu Yi believes in the power of aligning personal strengths and values with professional goals to achieve a sustainable productive work/life rhythm for effective leadership. As a recognized thought leader and LinkedIn Top Voice, Shu Yi actively contributes to global discussions on leadership and personal development in various platforms and media features.

A working mother of three, she brings empathy and authenticity to her coaching, helping clients achieve both professional success and personal fulfillment.

Her mission is to inspire individuals to harness their unique strengths and use them to create meaningful impact in their careers and communities.

Monica Bhatia (Kapur)

Global External Partnership, Co-Lead, Women@LinkedIn Singapore

Monica is a seasoned marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience in the APAC region, specializing in brand development, creative marketing, media strategy, and platform innovation. She currently heads the Enterprise Solutions Group at LinkedIn for Southeast Asia and Korea, managing a diverse portfolio of enterprise-tier marketing solutions and fostering key partnerships.

Previously, Monica was the Managing Director at Essence Singapore (WPP), where she led client-centric innovation in data, analytics, and technology, achieving significant growth despite the challenges of Covid-19. Her multicultural marketing experience spans countries like India, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Monica is also a passionate advocate for women in leadership, co-leading the Women@LinkedIn Employee Resource Group (ERG) for the Asia-Pacific region. She actively promotes diversity and inclusion, speaks at industry conferences, and judges prestigious awards. Recognized in Campaign Asia’s Women to Watch 2016, Monica’s skills include digital transformation, revenue growth, and client relationship management.

Sydney Giang

Large Enterprise Account Director, LinkedIn

Sydney Giang holds a role as a Large Enterprise Account Director that focuses on driving customer value at LinkedIn. She is passionate about digital transformation, reframing learning, and advocating for mental health. Sydney actively participates in mentoring programs, collaborating with organizations like the Halogen Foundation to support job seekers in overcoming barriers and advancing their careers.

In her role at LinkedIn, Sydney leverages a diverse skill set that includes expertise in digital transformation strategies, customer relationship management, and mentorship. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident through her active engagement in industry discussions and reflections on topics such as the lessons learned in 2024 and the impact of digital disruption on various industries.

Prior to her tenure at LinkedIn, Sydney accumulated experience in roles that emphasized customer engagement and value creation, although specific details about her past positions are not provided in the available information. Her dedication to mentoring and community involvement highlights her commitment to fostering professional growth and supporting others in their career journeys.

Felix Tan

Business Advisor

With almost 30 years of business and entrepreneurial experience, Felix is The FinLab’s “Mentor-in-Residence” after having helmed it from November 2015 to July 2020 as its Managing Director.

He is also an Independent Director on 2 listed companies – Y Ventures Group in Singapore, and Eggriculture Foods Ltd in Hong Kong.

Evangeline Leong

Founder and CEO of Kobe Agency

Evangeline is the Founder & CEO of Kobe Global Technologies. Founded in 2016, Kobe has quickly established itself as a leading influencer marketing agency by specialising in creative ideation and results-driven campaigns with its proprietary influencer data and patented management system. With access to over 14 million creators globally, Kobe effectively matches brands with influencers to engage target audiences. The agency’s excellence is underscored by its 8 consecutive Gold Awards for Influencer Agency of the Year since 2020.

Julie Wang

BCG, Global Principal Trainer, Omnichannel Sales and Marketing

Julie is a Global Principal Trainer at the Boston Consulting Group. She leads the trainer team to upskill companies and PMETs with digital and business skills. Prior to joining BCG, Julie has been an industry practitioner for the last 18 years in e-commerce, digital marketing, brand management, training, advertising & business development across tech and FMCG industries.

Clare Leighton

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of File.AI

Clare Leighton is the Co-founder and COO of File.AI, where she leads transformative AI initiatives that bridge cutting-edge technology with enterprise needs across APAC and beyond. She began her career on the UberEats launch team, gaining valuable experience in operational strategy and rapid market expansion.

Clare was later recruited to launch the Australian expansion of a Singapore-based technology startup, where she met Christian Schneider, now Co-founder of FileAI. At File.AI, Clare combines her expertise in scaling AI solutions, particularly in regulated industries, with a keen focus on go-to-market execution. She is a recognized thought leader on integrating AI into financial workflows, driving AI-driven transformation, and maximizing ROI through strategic enterprise collaborations.

James Chee

Co-founder of Guidesify

James Chee is the Co-founder of Guidesify, a digital solutions agency based in Singapore, specialising in eCommerce, digital marketing, AI, web development, social media marketing, and photography solutions.

Paul Kan

Country Head, Business Banking Singapore, UOB

Key Skills

  • SME banking expertise
  • Financial and credit analysis
  • Business strategy and development advisory
  • Portfolio and risk management
  • Regional expansion advisory

 

Paul is the Country Head for Business Banking Singapore in UOB, with over 20 years’ banking experience in leading banks across markets such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Prior to this, he has held positions such as the Group Product Head leading SME-focused product strategies across ASEAN, and Country Head for Business Banking Indonesia at UOB, leading the small business segment in the regional market. His experience has allowed him to build deep knowledge in strategising, developing and commercialising products and solutions, and in developing expert teams.

Paul is a regular speaker at business forums, sharing his insights with SMEs and start-ups. He believes in empowering his team to pilot ground-up ideas and in bringing people together to maximise opportunities.

Paul holds a Master of Business Administration and an Honors Degree in Engineering.