ROBB REPORT SINGAPORE THOUGHT LEADERS

IT’S THAT TIME of the year when Robb Report Singapore’s Thought Leaders community reveals the addition of new members – 30 to be exact. This community was launched in 2019, unveiling 27 founding members, and has since grown to a group of 86. While the number has risen on a yearly basis, our vision has remained consistent. Our Thought Leaders are still risk-takers in their respective industry who look beyond the horizon, tackling issues and engaging in topics that others may evade. These trailblazers aren’t afraid to voice an unpopular opinion or ask an uncomfortable question for the betterment of the world in which we live. They have an eye for the extraordinary and this leads to dynamic conversations worth having, which more often than not result in unexpected, meaningful outcomes. Here are the 30 members who are joining our Thought Leaders community this year.

Special thanks to Space Furniture Asia Hub

Benjamin Kim

46, aviation professional

IF BENJAMIN KIM could become a superhero, he would choose to be Superman because – he asks rhetorically – “have you seen Superman?”.

But Kim doesn’t have to dream. He’s already Superman, or at least as close to being one as humanly possible. As an aviation professional, he is part of a team of unsung heroes who carry the weight of national security on their shoulders. Like Superman, they take to the skies to ensure the safety of those back on Earth.

It’s a mission Kim has taken on with pride for the past 26 years. He’s a receiver of the Sword of Honour, which is only given to the top cadets, and also a holder of the F-16 and F-15 top pilot awards. “I want to ensure Singapore’s rule of law and way of life is preserved. I have lived in many places and I wholeheartedly support the way things are done here,” he says. “The question, ‘we are so safe, why do we need to spend so much on defence?’ is something I would like to change. It’s a misconception. We are so safe because we spend so much on defence.”

The need for defence may be necessary, but it isn’t a fact Kim takes joy in. “I would like to end all wars and physical conflicts because no one wins in a war. You only get death and destruction. But humans have been fighting since before recorded history so I have little faith in this,” he confesses.

Despite his accomplishments, Kim is modest about the impact he has made, saying: “I don’t believe I have any meaningful legacy.” It’s a statement that many Singaporeans would probably disagree with as they sleep safely and soundly in their beds at night.

Katerina Giannouka

42, president (Asia Pacific) of Radisson Hotel Group

KATERINA GIANNOUKA LIKES to build things. She grew up on Lego and make-believe travel agencies and is now Asia Pacific president of one of today’s largest hotel groups. A true believer of “anything is possible”, she’d tell you to always follow your gut, even if it means choosing something uncomfortably scary, and the universe will take care of everything else.

Was there a career setback you faced that later turned out to be an advantage?

Katerina Giannouka (KG): It was a rainy Monday morning in Brussels in early 2012 as I entered my boss’s office with a sealed envelope in hand. A significant downsizing had favoured me immensely, and I was about to be offered a double promotion with significantly expanded responsibilities. Alas, that envelope contained my resignation. I had chosen to walk away from what everyone saw as the opportunity of a lifetime to support my then significant other in his own pursuit of an unmissable career opportunity in Hong Kong. What seemed like a huge setback turned out to be my first, decisive step into the business world of Asia, leading to my current role, lifelong friendships and most importantly, my partner-in-crime, Timo.

What do you fear the most?

KG: Feeling abandoned and worthless. This may sound dark, but I have come to recognise these fears as the driving force in the achievements and choices surrounding my career, lifestyle and relationships. The trick is to gain awareness of our fears so they become useful feedback loops to reach our dreams.

What advice would you give someone who’s deemed successful?

KG: I usually find that listening is much more impactful than giving advice, but if asked, I would suggest they take a moment to notice that no one ever made it back to yesterday and if tomorrow never comes, all we have is now, now and now. Let’s be present.

Chia Yee Hui

30, founding CEO of Idea Ink

For Chia Yee Hui, great design goes beyond form and medium. And this is what makes an excellent storyteller; when he or she understands that designing a story is truly an intentional process, from crafting narratives and shaping meaning to creating group memories. Chia exemplifies this with Idea Ink, a graphic recording and visual facilitation company which she helms as founding CEO. A good story, told at the right time, can thoroughly shake us at our core and unite us with a deeper purpose – and Idea Ink was built to explore this belief.

Who/what has shaped who you are and why?

Chia Yee Hui (CYH): I am inspired by creative polymaths of the past – be it the artist-scholar-merchant of European Renaissance, or scholarpoet-politicians in ancient China. I think the 18th century’s Industrial Revolution has introduced a segmented education model, which fractures how we see our roles in the context of society. And being