Born in Singapore on 3 June, Singapore’s self-government day, it’s hardly surprising that Leong Yoke Leng chose deliberately to study in the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) and was a Lee Kuan Yew Fellow in Harvard Kennedy School.
After leaving her role as a division head in public healthcare, Yoke Leng is now a speaker, trainer, mentor, coach, writer, and consultant who has carved out a distinctive space in Singapore’s leadership development landscape.
A Vice President at both the Lions Club of Singapore Raffles City and the JTC Alumni, she would step up to be President of both in July 2025, a testament to her leadership capabilities.
In this SG60 Showcase feature, Yoke Leng shares her journey from academic rigour to taking action as a leader and building communities. She deftly navigates her role as a thought leader to drive influence and impact.
From training senior officials and business leaders from other nations to championing mental health through digital innovation, her work is impactful and recognized both locally and internationally. Read on for a compelling conversation about policy, purpose, and preparing Singapore for its next chapter.
Highlights
From Public Policy to Community Building
Q: You’ve had a rich career engaging with both academic and civic communities. Can you share a specific initiative you’ve led that contributed to Singapore’s development?
A: One initiative I’m particularly proud of is the inaugural Young Lionhearts Competition (powered by National Youth Council), which I organized as the VP of Lions Club of Singapore Raffles City. It’s youths for youths in the promotion of mental well-being through the development of apps, games, and websites.
The competition was a huge success and has sparked conversations to get youths to be more engaged and to do more for mental health. There are plans to expand the Young Lionhearts to Institutes of Technical Education and Polytechnics beyond secondary schools and junior colleges. This aligns with the focus on mental health by Lions Club District 309 (Singapore). I received a gold award on Lions’ Oscar Nite for the Young Lionhearts project.
Going forward, there are plans for other youth-focused projects such as mentoring programmes and business competitions with other clubs and communities, activities to promote mental well-being and women’s empowerment.
Q: What led you to pivot into such community and youth-focused work?
A: I left my job as a division head in human resources and manpower planning in 2022 and had a break of more than 8 months. I thought it would be a waste of my experience and training at Harvard and LKYSPP to retire.
A series of events (or synchronicity as some may call it) led me to volunteer, and since I have always been a leader, I thought I would provide guidance to youths in making something of themselves and giving back to their own. Policies and guidelines cannot exist in a vacuum. They have to be practical and relevant.
Hence, innovation, sustainability, and inclusion are key to driving impact. I believe youths are our future, and we should empower them so that they progress together with Singapore. Everybody moves forward; no one is left behind.
Q: What unique perspective do you bring to the leadership development and public speaking landscape in Singapore?
A: As an LKY Fellow, I’ve been privileged to engage with the best brains and top officials at work (when I was in the public service), in school at LKYSPP and Harvard, and as emcee during the school trip to Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Didi Chuxing, and Hanergy.
Now, as a trainer and speaker, I work with officials, professionals, teachers, and students from Africa, China, and Korea. I help them understand Singapore’s public policies and how we implement them. I bring academic insights to the table but always keep them relatable.
Sometimes, I use simulation games on macroeconomics. Other times, I lead public lectures or discussions on leadership and management.
My goal is to translate Singapore’s success story into applicable lessons for others, be they movers or shakers in other countries, but especially the young or aspiring leaders in Singapore.
Teaching with Purpose, Training with Vision
Q: How many professionals have you trained or influenced so far, and who are your key partners?
A: I’ve trained thousands of government officials, C-suites, healthcare and education professionals, and students, both in Singapore and overseas, and spoken on a big stage as well as in smaller and cosy settings.
I mentored teams from top junior colleges and secondary schools, including Raffles Institution, St Joseph’s Institution, Hwa Chong Institution, Victoria Junior College, and Temasek Junior College. I also spoke at Jurong Pioneer Junior College during a school assembly.
Previously, I’ve trained for MDIS, RSAF, JTC Alum, and Lions Befrienders. Looking ahead, I’ll collaborate with Aseeder, a Harvard Crimson associate.
Q: What sets you apart from other trainers or speakers in your field?
A: I focus on deep, often complex topics like macroeconomics, risk management, sustainability, and public policy. One needs to be a subject matter expert to be able to speak or train in these areas.
I’m a practitioner and not a mere armchair researcher, regurgitating or merely articulating what I barely know. Given that these are heavy topics and not easily understood, I make my lessons or speeches relatable, with a carefully curated mix of theory and real-world application. In fact, I enjoy making the audience excited about topics that often seem dry—a skill that few truly possess.
Q: How do you stay ahead in your field and remain relevant?
A: I read widely and research continuously, with access to resources like Harvard Business Review. It’s about being intellectually curious and never being stagnant. Every new training session I conduct or speech I deliver is an opportunity to refine my methods, challenge my assumptions, and give even more value to participants.
Signature Programs That Inspire Change
Q: What are your signature speaking and training programmes, and how do they support Singapore’s development goals?
A: I run programmes that help locals and overseas leaders build leadership skills, understand policies, and drive sustainability.
“From HDB to Harvard” is not just a motivational talk; it’s about leadership, managing oneself and goals, and leading others naturally. After all, more than 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats, so the playing field is quite level.
The full-day workshop that follows inspires attendees to reach the “Harvard” of their choice. It could be becoming No. 1 in a sport or game—whether in school, nationally, or even internationally.
I speak from experience. I was named a Top 5 Emerging Influencer at Digital Confex in April. In May, I received the TIAF International Women’s Leadership Gloria Award. By June, I earned the Gold Award at Lions’ Oscar Nite. All in 2025. With more nominations and awards to be expected in the second half of the year.
The “Singapore Success Story” workshop explores the nation’s rise, focusing on CPF, HDB, EDB, and JTC policies. To meet their needs, I customised it for overseas government and C-suite leaders seeking targeted policy insights. Case studies, discussions, presentations, and practical applications are standard in these workshops.
“The Effective Changemaker” equips emerging leaders to plan and strategize impactful changes aligned with personal, national, and sustainable development goals. Specifically, these goals include developing leadership capabilities, strengthening social cohesion, and ultimately building a future-ready workforce.
Final Thoughts: Purpose in Practice
Leong Yoke Leng exemplifies the synergy between policy knowledge, application, and community leadership. Her work not only uplifts Singapore’s youths but also deepens international understanding of the nation’s governance successes.
As Singapore eyes the next 60 years, leaders like Yoke Leng ensure that the country not only keeps pace with change but also, more importantly, drives effective transformation on its own terms.
Highlights
This article is part of the SG60 Showcase series—highlighting voices and visionaries building Singapore’s future. Stay tuned for more.
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
