Chief of Staff | Head of People & Culture at Institutional Lending Exchange (iLex) (2020-10 – 2025-04)
Fast-growing institutional lending fintech startup for syndicated loans distribution, agency and private credit markets. Partnered with CEO and functional heads to translate strategic vision into priorities and drive change by balancing growth with operational efficiency and governance.
- Originated and closed iLex's inaugural paying client, an Australian bank, negotiating the contract and supporting user implementation to establish the company's first commercial revenue stream.
- Implemented Carta (equity management) and BambooHR, reconciling the company's cap table and streamlining HR admin, improving operational efficiency by 30%.
- Led cross-functional execution of France market expansion, coordinating operational readiness, labour compliance and seamless market entry into a new jurisdiction.
- Led strategic projects including annual RCSA reviews, BCP oversight and SOC1/SOC2 certification programs, strengthening corporate governance and operational resilience across business functions.
- Delivered 82% reduction in employee turnover (55% to 10% in two years) through strategic HR redesign, retention initiatives and market-aligned compensation frameworks.
- Partnered with the CEO to define the company's mission, vision and values, and embedded them through leadership coaching, Myers-Briggs profiling and targeted initiatives to establish a culture of psychological safety and accountability.
Senior Executive, Credit Risk Department at First Abu Dhabi Bank (2020-05 – 2020-10)
- Managed credit risk for a $2B+ portfolio across Asia and drove rapid credit analysis for 15+ corporate and project finance annual reviews within 3 months, reducing backlog by 30%.
Chief Operating Officer | Chief of Staff - Singapore Branch at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2016-10 – 2018-12)
Operated as strategic partner and sounding board to Branch CEO driving cross-functional alignment across Institutional Banking, Private Banking, Markets and Risk & Compliance.
- Led cross-functional stakeholder engagement to assess impact, develop mitigation strategies and ensure transparent communication with regulators (MAS) and executive leadership.
- Prepared board and Management Committee materials, strategy papers and executive decision briefs, ensuring clarity of objectives and accountability across leadership teams.
- Developed management information frameworks to support the Branch CEO in monitoring risk, business performance and KPIs across Singapore operations.
- Led Singapore's Financial Crimes Program uplift, driving the branch audit rating from marginal to satisfactory and contributing to a 40% reduction in audit findings.
- Established the inaugural first line of defence (1LOD) risk function in Singapore, designing and implementing risk frameworks including the branch's first RCSA, Branch Outsourcing Committee and cyber security controls - reducing data loss incidents by 80% and regulatory breaches by 30%.
- Drove productivity and continuous improvement initiatives across Singapore operations, contributing to a 2% branch-wide cost reduction for FY18.
- Co-led the design and build of a new office for the ~100-person Singapore branch, delivering on time and within budget.
Director, Head of Credit Risk - Singapore at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2014-01 – 2016-12)
- Built and led a high-performing multinational team from six countries (Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Australia), enhancing risk oversight and fostering cross-border collaboration to improve decision-making.
- Held personal credit approval delegation across the full spectrum of investment and sub-investment grade credits; including leading the credit approval process for the bank's first PPP transaction in Asia; demonstrating the judgement required to lead high-stakes decisions under pressure.
- Oversaw a $5B+ loan portfolio across diverse sectors (TMT, Real Estate, Utilities, Transport, and Natural Resources), proactively identifying emerging risks and reducing potential losses through enhanced monitoring.
- Managed problem accounts through two economic dislocations — the oil price collapse (2014–2016) and Global Financial Crisis (2008) — recording zero impairments or write-downs across a growing portfolio as Singapore team head.
- Strengthened credit policies and risk frameworks, maintaining industry-leading low NPL ratios through enhanced due diligence and proactive risk mitigation strategies.
Vice President, International Credit Risk - Singapore at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2009-01 – 2014-12)
AVP, Institutional Banking Risk Management - London at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2006-01 – 2009-12)
Senior Associate, Institutional Banking Risk Management - Sydney at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2004-01 – 2006-12)
Chief Operating Officer at Soulscape Experience (2019-06 – 2020-03)
- Led operations for Singapore's inaugural international yoga and wellness festival — managing vendor and sponsor relationships, negotiating partnership proposals, overseeing budgets and timelines, and leading volunteers. Event cancelled due to COVID-19.
Volunteer Coach at Grit to Great (2026-01 – 2026-07)
Empowering underserved youth in Singapore
