Leadership in Singapore has long been defined by performance, discipline, and results. Across sectors and professions, women are building influence not through a single prescribed path, but through adaptability, courage, and an enduring commitment to growth. One such exemplary woman is Sulian Tan-Wijaya, Executive Director (Retail & Lifestyle) at Savills Singapore, whose career spans banking, hospitality, real estate, public service, and global property consultancy.
From Law Graduate to Multi Sector Leader
Sulian graduated with a Law degree from the National University of Singapore. After being called to the Bar, the inspired leader chose a career in banking and began her professional journey as a corporate banker with an international bank in Indonesia. Starting out as a Relationship Manager, she learned the Indonesian language, culture, and business practices. Being part of the team that helped establish a full banking branch exposed her to all aspects of banking, and she was promoted almost every year, steadily rising through the ranks.
A decade later, Sulian returned to Singapore and spent a period in the hospitality sector before joining a real estate group that owned a shopping mall and office tower on Orchard Road, as well as two Grade A office buildings in the Central Business District. In addition to running an Orchard Road property and a CBD office building as General Manager, she was part of the due diligence team for the group’s acquisition of a one-third stake in another prime Orchard Road shopping mall with an office tower. The versatile leader subsequently joined the Singapore Tourism Board, where she oversaw the Tourism Shopping Division. During her tenure, tourism shopping accounted for approximately 50% of Singapore’s total tourism receipts.
After three and a half years in the public sector, Sulian felt a strong pull back to the private sector, which better suited her free-spirited nature and entrepreneurial mindset. She was headhunted by Hong Kong property developer Sinoland to serve as General Manager of the Fullerton Heritage development along Marina Bay. At the time, Marina Bay Sands was still under construction, but Sulian already envisioned a world-class waterfront precinct framed by modern skyscrapers and conserved heritage buildings. She embraced the challenge. Today, Marina Bay stands as Singapore’s most iconic and visited destination, celebrated for its architecture, waterfront lifestyle, cultural attractions, and urban vibrancy.
While at Sinoland, Sulian was approached by the UK-listed property consultancy Savills to establish its Retail & Lifestyle business in Singapore. Transitioning from leading a prestigious integrated development to building a new business from scratch was formidable. Starting with nothing more than a desk and a laptop, she built the business one deal and one project at a time. That was 18 years ago, and she remains with Savills today.
Resilience as the Gateway to Leadership
After graduation, Sulian was excited about starting a career in banking and gave little thought to becoming a leader. Living away from the comfort of home in a foreign country with a vastly different culture, she felt she had much to learn and unlearn. In hindsight, the inspired leader believes it was her resilience, tenacity, and hunger for success that helped her earn leadership opportunities.
Along the way, she faced her fair share of setbacks and challenges. There were occasional detractors who were skeptical or even malicious. Each time she felt like giving up, she turned to her faith for comfort and guidance. Every setback she overcame made her stronger and more resilient.
Confronting Bias and Proving Capability
Sulian admits that being a woman felt like a significant disadvantage in her younger years. As a university undergraduate, the versatile leader was fortunate to work part-time as a model, club DJ, and television host. However, when she entered the corporate world, she encountered many detractors who judged her primarily by her appearance, a bias that persisted for years.
As she grew older, some colleagues whispered that her success came only from being a “socialite,” implying that her presence at high-society and high-profile events, rather than her abilities, explained her progress. Yet such a label does not guarantee success; in many cases, it can even become a liability.
To overcome these challenges, Sulian learned to work harder and smarter. The support of bosses and clients who believed in her capabilities also played a crucial role in giving her opportunities to grow and advance her career.
Defining Success in a High-Stakes Retail Role
Success, in Sulian’s view, has a universal meaning, whether one is a homemaker, a career professional, or an entrepreneur. In her current role, success depends on several critical capabilities.
- Resilience in the face of cut-throat competition
- Strong negotiation skills as a middleman brokering deals
- Ability to spot opportunities and convert them into deals
- Tenacity and patience to see through a deal which may take months or even years to conclude
- Ability to understand and adapt to the fast-changing trends in retail
- An entrepreneurial mindset to stay profitable even during bad years (The Covid pandemic was a very dark period for retail but she managed to find ways to stay profitable)
Building a Business from Nothing
The achievement Sulian is most proud of is successfully setting up and growing Savills Singapore’s Retail and Lifestyle business from a zero base and remaining profitable every year, even throughout the pandemic. During the height of Covid, when most people were working from home, she and a UK colleague concluded an 18,000-square-foot lease for an Adidas Brand Center in the heart of Orchard Road. Working remotely from different cities, they proved to themselves that successful negotiations are possible even when all parties are not physically together.
Shaping Singapore as a Vibrant Destination
Sulian works on a wide range of exciting new concepts across retail, F&B, entertainment, fitness, and wellness. Her ambition is to introduce as many new brands to Singapore as possible, helping ensure the city remains a vibrant and dynamic destination to live and play.
Drawing Strength from Faith, Family, and Music
Sulian is not one to back down when faced with challenges or with people who try to disrupt her peace. Still, the inspired leader would not be truthful if she claimed such moments never hurt or shook her confidence. During difficult times, she turns to God, her family, and long-time friends for support and strength. As a musician, she also leans on music itself—listening to her Spotify playlists or discovering new songs that inspire her and help calm her mind when life feels overwhelming.
A New Era for Women Leaders
Sulian doesn’t believe society judges women today the way it did when she was younger. The versatile leader sees modern women confidently flaunting their beauty and personal style without being labeled as “beauty with no brains” or dismissed as “bimbos.” She points to the many beautiful and successful women who thrive in the public eye while also being devoted mothers and leaders of major business empires. To her, this cultural shift is exciting and deeply empowering for future generations of women leaders.
A Mother as Role Model
Sulian is most inspired by her mother, a pioneering career woman and one of the few female university graduates of her time. Despite a demanding profession, her mother actively nurtured Sulian and her sister’s talents in music and sports. With her support, Sulian earned spots on her school and college swim and squash teams. A natural networker, her mother also exposed Sulian early to social and professional environments, building her confidence and interpersonal skills.