- Title: CEO
- Organisation: AIA Singapore
- Office headquarters: Singapore
- Company operations: Asia Pacific
- Industry: Insurance
- Employees: 1,001-5,000
Coming in as CEO at the height of the pandemic, Wong Sze Keed immediately built on the holistic wellness of her people. The difficult period simply deepened her recognition that, “if they are well taken care of, they can better take care of customers and the wider community in Singapore,” she told Prestige in 2022.
Her leadership was instrumental in launching mental health support programmes for employees of AIA Singapore, and she goes out of her way to mentor even staff who do not report directly to her. ‘Dialogue with Keed’ sessions and ‘Keed’s Notes’ are other ways she maintains an open channel of communication throughout the company.
This people-first approach was solidified early in her career, when she managed her first death claim as a life insurance sales agent. From then on, she recognised that her path was not merely a job, but a way to serve the community – including the people on her team. Today, many describe her as a true servant-leader who aims to empower others with the values of personal purpose, discipline, and excellence. It’s no wonder then that AIA Singapore has been consistently named among the best employers in Singapore over the past few years by companies including LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Gallup.
Wong urges fellow women to pursue their ambitions regardless of social norms; at the same time, she reminds them not to be too hard on themselves. True to her principles, she’s as intentional about taking care of herself as she is about caring for her people. As a certified fitness enthusiast, she aims to be at her best so that she, in turn, can give others her best.
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