Vogue Leaders celebrates its inaugural class of trailblazing women

Vogue Singapore

24-05-2025

It began with a question: What does leadership look like today? At Vogue Singapore, we believe the answer is as multifaceted as the women who inspire us—resilient, creative and dedicated to something bigger than themselves. In order to celebrate these very figures, we unveil Vogue Leaders: a new editorial initiative that honours female thought leadership in all its forms.
The inaugural edition of Vogue Leaders shines a spotlight on 10 remarkable women from Singapore shaping their respective industries with vision and courage. From scientists to storytellers, these extraordinary women are reclaiming the narrative of what it means to lead—and using their platforms to drive change for good. The event was held at private members' club, 1880 Singapore, and the space was decked out with florals from Amyt Fleur. Sam Xr
Launched in March via an open call for nominations, the initiative drew responses from across the nation. Each submission was reviewed alongside internal nominations and industry recommendations through a rigorous editorial process.
'Our goal with Vogue Leaders was to honour a spectrum of women who have contributed to the richness and diversity of Singapore's social fabric,' says Natasha Damodaran, Publisher of Vogue Singapore. 'Each honouree brings a unique perspective and purpose to the table. Through this initiative, we hope to broaden the narrative of leadership—one that embraces difference, drives dialogue and inspires future generations.' The evening began with speeches from Vogue Singapore publisher and publisher-at-large, Natasha Damodaran and Bettina von Schlippe. Sam Xr
The final list reveals a class of inspiring figures who are not only trailblazers in their own fields, but have consistently been laying the groundwork for others to rise. To honour their achievements, we hosted an intimate dinner at private members' club, 1880 Singapore, on 16 May, bringing together honourees and our wider circle of women changemakers and visionaries. A three-course dinner spotlighting seasonal ingredients was served at 1880. Sam Xr
1880 set the tone for the evening with its quiet elegance and luxurious charm. Known for fostering connections that shape the region's cultural future, the venue was the perfect host for the moment. The evening felt like a delicate ode to spring: ethereal botanical arrangements crafted by floral design studio Amyt Fleur decked out the space, while a sumptuous three-course dinner spotlighting seasonal ingredients was served by 1880's stellar culinary tean. Vogue Leader honourees took to the stage to share their messages of empowerment. Sam Xr
During the dinner, the honourees in attendance each took to the stage to give rousing speeches. While each speaker brought distinct messages of empowerment to the forefront, what they shared in common was the palpable heart behind their words.
Space Faculty CEO Lynette Tan, who has spent decades shaping Singapore's industry, began with her mission to demystify space—and a belief in its potential as a platform for education, empowerment and transformation. Karen Tan, the founder of The Projector, then took the spotlight to tell us about her unconventional journey to transforming one of Singapore's oldest theatres into a beloved and enduring indie space. Space Faculty CEO Lynette Tan shares her mission to demystify space. Sam Xr Karen Tan, founder of The Projector, on the value of thoughtful urbanisation. Sam Xr Poet Pooja Nansi delivered a stirring ode to empathetic leadership. Sam Xr
Publisher and educator Usha Chandradas shared riveting anecdotes from her stint in parliament, where she had just ended her term as an NMP advocating for the arts industry in Singapore. As the head of advocacy and research at Aware, Singapore's most prominent gender equality organisation, Sugidha Nithiananthan spoke of the power of voice and visibility, beginning with a powerful tribute to her own mother and ending with an invigorating call to action for women all over Singapore. Publisher, educator and former NMP Usha Chandradas has spent the last 18 months leading arts advocacy in parliament. Sam Xr As the head of advocacy and research at Aware, Sugidha Nithiananthan spoke of the power of voice and visibility. Sam Xr
As one of our nation's most trailblazing literary voices, poet and former Singapore Writers Festival director Pooja Nansi reflected on the nuances of being in leadership as a Brown woman. In her stirring ode to empathetic leadership, she spoke not of accolades, but of community, care and the quiet resilience that often goes unrecognised in traditional power structures.
At its core, Vogue Leaders is about more than recognition. It is about rewriting the architecture of leadership itself. By inviting women to lead not in spite of who they are, but because of it, we celebrate a new vocabulary of influence—one that is measured not only by titles or triumphs, but by cultural impact and the generosity to uplift others. Conversations flowed freely from table to table as guests exchanged stories, sparked ideas and revelled in a collective sense of purpose and possibility. Sam Xr
The night came to an end in high spirits as conversations flowed freely from table to table. Honourees, guests and Vogue editors exchanged stories, sparked ideas and revelled in a collective sense of purpose and possibility.
To send our guests off in grand fashion, gift bags were thoughtfully assembled, including a 60-minute facial from Helena Rubinstein to restore; Vogue Singapore's 'Sonder' May issue to inspire; and, exclusively for the honourees, a year-long membership at 1880, alongside S$200 vouchers from Love, Bonito and a framed Vogue Leaders portrait—tokens of celebration that extend far beyond the night.
Learn more about Vogue Leaders.