Sulian Tan-Wijaya, Executive Director at Savills Singapore, has built her career on the belief that strong leadership begins with the courage to keep evolving. Across a professional journey spanning corporate banking, hospitality, tourism, retail real estate and private wealth, she has repeatedly stepped beyond familiar territory, embracing new industries and responsibilities with curiosity, discipline and determination. Each chapter has expanded her commercial perspective while deepening her understanding of people, organisations and the complexities of leadership.

From Corporate Banking to Real Estate and Private Wealth

Sulian’s professional journey began with a Bachelor of Law degree from the National University of Singapore, followed by nearly 10 years as a corporate banker in Indonesia. After returning to Singapore, she moved through hospitality and the Singapore Tourism Board, where she looked after the tourism shopping division.

Her first encounter with real estate came through a group that owned a prime Orchard Road shopping mall and office building, as well as two CBD office towers. The group later acquired 30 percent of a prestigious, prime high-end shopping mall and office complex in Orchard Road. Before joining Savills, the resilient leader served as General Manager of The Fullerton Heritage, an iconic precinct comprising two luxury hotels, One Fullerton and Customs House along Marina Bay, facing Marina Bay Sands, a tourist landmark of Singapore.

It was during that period that Savills offered her the opportunity to establish and head its new Retail real estate department. More recently, she was offered the opportunity to join their  newly created Private Wealth department, specializing in off-market real estate opportunities across key markets  targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. She said yes without giving it too much thought.

Turning Networks and Experience into New Opportunities

While managing Savills’ retail agency and consulting business in Singapore, Sulian was relatively removed from the capital markets and investment side of the real estate brokerage business. Her company, however, believed she had a sizable circle of friends and associates who fitted the profile of its Private Wealth clients. They were well-travelled, sophisticated and very astute in real estate investments.

For her, entering unfamiliar territory was already familiar territory. Jumping into new roles without prior experience was something she had been doing since her teens. The Private Wealth space also gave her an opportunity to leverage the goodwill and networks she had built over the years.

Resilience Forged Through Adversity

Her leadership style was shaped significantly by the experiences Sulian encountered as a young woman. Early in her career, she  felt she had to work harder than the men around her to prove that she was not simply “another pretty young thing.” Along the way, she encountered kind and supportive bosses whose recognition came through promotions and raises.

After returning to Singapore, however, Sulian experienced a difficult period with a couple of malicious bosses who bullied her and tried to break her. One of them caused her to suffer daily panic attacks. Refusing to buckle, Sulian fought back, was vindicated and ultimately left the job only after being head-hunted for a much more prestigious opportunity.

The experience left her with a strong sensitivity toward workplace bullying. Being bullied at work is something she would never wish upon anyone, and if a victim of company politics came to her for advice, she would readily show that person how to fight back, step by step.

Her nearly 10 years in Indonesia also proved life-changing. Some jealous women tried to cast black magic spells on her, leading her to consult a medium who, in her words, miraculously led her back to God. While clubbing, Sulian  brought friends to hospital twice after they overdosed on drugs. At work, she often flew domestic flights throughout the country, sometimes feeling as though the planes could malfunction at any moment. She also had powerful mafia friends who pulled her to safety during the deadly Indonesian riots in Jakarta.

The Indonesia riots and Asian Financial Crisis, which brought Indonesian conglomerates to their knees, created a surreal environment around her. Yet throughout these crises, the resilient leader observed that Indonesians remained positive and cheerful. They would still invite her to the KTV and tell her corny jokes.  Their resilience through multiple crises became a huge inspiration to her and continues to shape how she approaches problems and challenges.

Leadership as a Balance Between Kindness and Performance

Sulian’s leadership style has evolved over the years because different generations of workers have very different working styles. She observes that even Millennials and Gen Z are completely different. Leadership, therefore, becomes a balancing act between being a kind and considerate boss and still ensuring that the team continues to perform. These days, she prefers working as part of a cross-department team, an approach for which Savills provides many opportunities.

Trust Comes Before the Deal

For Sulian, trust and credibility are two of the most valuable attributes for any professional, particularly those in client-facing roles. Earning the respect and trust of clients takes years. Singapore’s small size also makes reputation especially important. In her view, it does not pay to take shortcuts or push deals simply to achieve KPIs.

She would never try to push deals to people she meets for the first time because that approach does not land well unless there is genuinely an interesting opportunity  for them. The resilient leader also approaches deals as objectively as she can, even when doing so could mean losing the deal.

When she feels a client is being a little unfair during negotiations, she would tell them so. Recognizing  that it is a delicate thing to do, she  believes most good clients are receptive when the feedback comes from a good place.

Adaptability Is Becoming a Defining Leadership Skill

Sulian believes today’s rapidly changing world requires leaders to be highly resilient, adaptable, and willing to keep learning. With AI, robotics, and a more multipolar global landscape reshaping businesses , she sees adaptability as non-negotiable. To her,  exceptional leadership is not defined by elite education alone, noting that qualities once viewed as unconventional, including neurodivergence, can become powerful strengths.

A Diverse Asian Market Requires Different Perspectives

According to Sulian, Asia’s luxury real estate and private wealth markets are highly diverse, with each city evolving at its own pace. While China’s broader property market remains sluggish, luxury retail continues to expand strategically, whereas Singapore’s limited retail space constrains new luxury store openings. At the same time, Singapore’s luxury residential market continues to see record prices, driven by the influx of new ultra-high-net-worth PRs  and citizens. Its political stability, strong legal and business environment, strategic location, financial-hub status, and high standards of safety, education, and healthcare continue to attract wealth and investment, while its stable property market supports portfolio diversification.

The Greatest Achievement Is the Willingness to Learn

Looking back on her career, Sulian finds fulfillment in her readiness to learn new skills and take on new jobs without prior experience, learning in the job itself.

Throughout her working life, she has never been afraid to jump into unfamiliar business fields and learn on the job without mentors. That willingness to begin again in unfamiliar territory has been a recurring feature of her professional journey.

When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave within real estate and wealth management, she admits that she has not thought about it because she has been quite busy trying to get things done.

Finding Balance Beyond the Boardroom

Sulian believes that a fulfilling life requires more than professional success or financial achievement. Music, entertainment, and personal downtime help her maintain balance and protect her wellbeing. From playing keyboards in a rock band and working as a DJ to singing with acoustic and jazz bands, music has remained a meaningful outlet. She also finds comfort in watching K-Dramas, allowing herself to laugh and cry with the characters. For Sulian, making time to enjoy life is essential to staying grounded and avoiding burnout.

The Principles She Wants Future Leaders to Carry Forward

For aspiring leaders, Sulian believes the same principles apply regardless of the field they choose. The world does not owe anyone a living. People should not be taken for granted, and kindness should remain fundamental.

She identifies several qualities as particularly important for the next generation of executives: the ability to think outside the box, resilience, humility and a commitment to continuous learning. Thinking outside the box is not new, but has become even more important. Resilience matters because the world will not be as forgiving as one’s parents. Humility endears leaders to clients, while continuous learning remains essential because the world changes every day.

A Wider Door for Women Leaders

Sulian believes being a career woman today is somewhat  easier than it was decades ago. She sees less discrimination and stereotyping and hopes to see more women leaders shining professionally and in business.