DBS CEO Tan Su Shan lauded as Her World Woman of the Year 2026

DBS CEO Tan Su Shan, who led the bank to achieve a record $13.1 billion pre-tax profit within her first year at the helm, has been named Her World Woman of the Year 2026. Tan is the first woman to serve as chief executive of the Singapore-headquartered company.

Kong Man Jing, better known as Biogirl MJ, who is the co-founder of environmental education platform, Just Keep Thinking, received the Her World Young Woman Achiever 2026 award. Just Keep Thinking is Singapore’s largest environmental education media brand, with more than 750,000 social media followers.

Both women were lauded at an award ceremony and gala dinner by homegrown women’s magazine Her World at Mett Singapore on October 6.

An advocate for women in the finance sector and beyond 

Since her ground-breaking appointment in March 2025, Tan, who has over 35 years of experience in banking, led DBS bank to reach $200 billion in market capitalisation in July — the first Singapore-listed company to achieve such a feat. Under Tan’s stewardship, the bank’s stock has risen by 60 per cent, signalling robust investor confidence in her leadership.

Tan is also the founding president of the Financial Women’s Association Singapore, a non-profit organisation that advocates for education, advancement and recognition of women in finance, and supports charitable causes focused on women.

Her contributions extend beyond the finance sector — Tan served as a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2012 to 2014. During her tenure, she was one of the earliest public figures to lobby for elective egg freezing, before it was legalised in 2023.

Tan says: “Going forward, I am committed to fulfilling the responsibility of creating opportunities for future generations, just as I have benefitted from and been inspired by the accomplished women who have come before me. Amid a world undergoing profound change, I believe fundamental human qualities of empathy, curiosity, creativity, resilience, and adaptability will be more essential than before.”

Valuing the human touch. Tan also shares her vision for DBS to be “an AI-enabled bank with a heart”. She adds: “My hope is for Singapore to be an AI-enabled society with a heart, and I look forward to playing my role in bringing this into fruition and forging a better future.”

Nurturing a new generation of nature lovers

Over the past five years, Kong has made environmental conservation issues more relevant and accessible to young Singaporeans through her informative short-form videos on social media, which started out as a passion project in 2019.

Today, Just Keep Thinking produces more than videos — the homegrown company has a full-time team delivering programmes, publications and partnerships for schools, corporations and families.

In March 2025, Kong collaborated with homegrown real estate and property giant City Developments Limited to transform a decommissioned MRT carriage into the CDL EcoTrain, an interactive learning space that has reached more than 100,000 visitors.

Besides making an impact at home, Kong, a former science teacher, has also represented Singapore at international platforms such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Wildlife Trade Conference and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP).

Kong says: ”To me, this recognition belongs to those who came before me and paved the way, and those who walk alongside me today — my mentors, fellow advocates, our community and my Just Keep Thinking team — and those who will come after us, especially the youth and kids who inspire me every day. I hope we can continue inspiring people to care, advocate and make a difference.”

Her World’s annual Woman of the Year and Young Woman Achiever Awards recognise and celebrate women in Singapore, who have made outstanding contributions to their professional fields and to the community. They were selected by a judging panel chaired by entrepreneur and Temasek Foundation Chairman Jennie Chua, who was Her World Woman of the Year in 1999.

This year’s event was graced by Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health & Coordinating Minister for Social Policies.

Elizabeth Lee, Editor-in-Chief of Her World, says: “Tan Su Shan and Kong Man Jing exemplify two distinct but equally powerful forms of women’s leadership: one breaking barriers at the highest levels of finance, the other making science, sustainability and climate issues accessible to a new generation. Through hard work, grit and passion, they have demonstrated that achievement is not only about reaching the top, it’s also about opening doors, inspiring others and using their influence to create meaningful impact.”