“Mentorship is key — when women champion one another, real progress happens.”

For The Peak Singapore’s International Women’s Day 2025 feature, “How They See It” highlights women leaders who are shaping industries with vision and purpose. Wong Sze Keed, chief executive officer of AIA Singapore — and the first woman to hold this role — is dedicated to ensuring that people live healthier, longer, and better lives. She shares how financial security is foundational to a more inclusive world, why breaking barriers isn’t just about reaching the top but ensuring others can follow, and how real progress in gender equality requires not just ambition, but action.

“Leadership has always been about action for me — about making decisions that matter, shaping cultures that uplift, and ensuring that the spaces I enter are more inclusive than when I found them. In the early days of my career, I saw how often women felt the need to justify their presence, to prove they deserved a seat at the table. Now, the focus has shifted. It’s not about validation; it’s about impact.

I lead AIA Singapore with one clear purpose: Helping people live healthier, longer, and better lives. It’s a responsibility that shapes every decision I make. Financial security is about giving people the confidence to move through life without the weight of uncertainty. When people know they have a safety net for themselves and their loved ones, they can focus on their futures, contribute meaningfully to society, and take care of the people who matter most.

For women, this freedom is especially crucial. Our roles continue to evolve — at home, in the workplace, and beyond — and financial security should be an enabler, not a barrier. Insurance isn’t just about mitigating risks; it’s about unlocking possibilities. When women are empowered to take charge of their financial well-being, they gain the freedom to pursue opportunities, take bold steps, and build the lives they envision without hesitation.

At AIA, I’m proud to say that inclusion is a practice. We’ve worked hard to ensure women are represented at every level of leadership, fostering a culture where talent is nurtured, not sidelined. It’s a commitment I take seriously because I know how much representation matters. When women see leaders who look like them, it reshapes what they believe is possible.

Still, the road here hasn’t been without challenges. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that trust is fragile. As a leader, you make decisions that don’t always sit well with everyone. Doubt creeps in — not just from others but from within. People question motives, misunderstand intentions, and sometimes, trust erodes.

Rebuilding it takes more than words; it requires action, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to integrity. Transparency, empathy, and accountability — these are the cornerstones of leadership that lasts. Trust isn’t granted; it’s earned, moment by moment, choice by choice.

Over time, I’ve also learned the power of asking for help. Early in my career, I believed I had to carry everything on my own — that seeking support was a sign of weakness. It took years to realise the opposite is true. Strength isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about recognising when to lean on others. It’s about creating a culture where seeking guidance is seen as a sign of growth, not inadequacy.

That shift in mindset is what drives my leadership today at AIA Singapore. I don’t just focus on breaking barriers; I work to ensure they don’t exist for the next generation. Mentorship is key — when women champion one another, real progress happens. At AIA, I launched the EXCO mentorship programme to develop successors for critical leadership roles, and today, six out of our thirteen C-level executives are women. This isn’t a coincidence or an accident — it’s the result of deliberate, sustained action.

Flexibility is another essential piece of the puzzle. Women juggle multiple responsibilities, often balancing careers with caregiving and personal aspirations. We need workplace structures that acknowledge this reality without penalising those who step away or work differently. Flexibility isn’t a concession; it’s a strategic advantage that enables both individuals and businesses to thrive.

When people are given the freedom to work in ways that suit them, productivity, engagement, and innovation flourish.

Of course, systemic change doesn’t happen overnight. Progress takes time, and one of the biggest obstacles to gender parity is the pace at which change occurs. I’ve had to learn patience, to balance my natural drive for efficiency with the reality that meaningful transformation requires alignment, dialogue, and collective effort. Real change, then, is about sustaining momentum and bringing others along on the journey.

But when I look at the world today, I’m filled with hope. Women are no longer waiting for permission to lead. They are stepping up, launching businesses, driving change, and redefining success on their own terms. More importantly, they are doing so with a newfound confidence — one that embraces ambition without apology.

I also see a growing recognition that diversity goes beyond optics — it’s a business imperative. Companies with diverse leadership perform better, innovate faster, and build stronger teams. The numbers are undeniable, but beyond the data, it’s about culture. A workplace that values different perspectives isn’t just more inclusive — it’s more dynamic, resilient, and forward-thinking.

As the first woman to hold the role of CEO at AIA Singapore, I know I won’t be the last. My journey has reinforced one truth: Success is limitless when we dare to believe in our own potential. If I could offer one piece of advice to women navigating their careers, it would be this — pursue your dreams relentlessly.

Challenges will come, but stay the course. Trust in your abilities. Know that you are capable, worthy, and strong enough to overcome whatever stands in your way.”