Meet the female leaders whose impressive work has put our nation on the map
This story was first published on March 27, 2018, and updated on March 4, 2021.
Additional reporting by Ho Yun Kuan.
1. Ho Ching
The wife of prime minister Lee Hsien Loong is arguably Singapore’s most influential woman—she was number 30 on World’s Most Powerful Women 2020 list by Forbes, ahead of even Queen Elizabeth II at number 46.
Despite being in the global limelight, Ho Ching is known for being the reclusive CEO of Temasek Holdings and is widely credited for expanding its horizons to Asia and beyond. In her 17-year tenure at the helm of Temasek Holdings, Ho more than tripled its portfolio, from SG$90 billion in 2004 to more than SG$300 billion as of early 2021.
Trained as an engineer, Ho began her career at the Ministry of Defence. She also worked at Singapore Technologies Group, becoming its president and CEO in 1997 before joining Temasek Holdings in 2002 and becoming CEO two years later.