Professional Experience
Project Management | Climate change and sustainability | Public Policy
With over 8 years of professional experience in international and local work environments, I thrive in dynamic, interdisciplinary environments and enjoy delivering outcomes of the highest quality. Addressing the global issue of climate change and its anthropogenic causes is my passion, and I have had the honour of being involved in numerous projects in the climate and sustainability spheres, both the academic and corporate context.
I am experienced in planning, implementing and stewarding projects in an academic corporate and on-the-ground (operations) setting. I aspire to make an even greater impact on climate action and environmental stewardship in an interdisciplinary way, and am currently delving into public policy with the hope of making a significant difference in climate policy.
Project Officer
Earth Observatory of Singapore,
Nanyang Technological University
November 2020 to Present
Singapore
I am currently a project coordinator of the SouthEast Asia Sea-Level (SEA2) Program, a Ministry of Education (MOE) Tier-3 funded (>$15mil) sea-level research programme, engaging five unique principal investigators and their teams in interdisciplinary sea-level research at the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), a Research Centre of Excellence hosted on the campus of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.​
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It has also been meaningful to hold space for a collaborative and rigorous project, and building better synergy among the teams for more seamless teamwork. Through numerous seminars, conferences and networking events, I've also had the chance to learn much from the work of the scientists of EOS.
Key Achievements
Independently produced 16 professional newsletters for the SEA2 community
Delivered 7 quarterly meetings that fostered collaborations, with 3 that were held in hybrid format
Supported as an organiser in 2 international sea-level conferences EOS co-hosted in Singapore (WCRP Sea Level 2022 and PALSEA 2022 Annual Meeting)
Created and administered an early-career researcher fund for both conferences
Oversaw the organising and successful execution of 4 conference events:
A British High Commission reception (jointly sponsored by EOS)
A special site visit to EOS
The PALSEA Conference Dinner
The PALSEA field trip series to Pulau Ubin, the Southern Islands and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves
​Assisted in the in-house production of EOS’s Changing Ocean Asia documentary with logistics and planning
Activities Executive
COMO Hotels and Resort,
Head Office
April 2018 to June 2020
Singapore
In this stint, I ​supported on-property operations teams with their activities needs across the 14 properties under the portfolio of COMO Hotels and Resorts in 9 countries. The projects ran the gamut from literature research to project management, with a good mixture of ad-hoc and big projects. My time with the Maldivian properties gave me insight on how to effectively help the properties (see my previous role).
​Most notably, I helped identify new destination-based luxury experiences to offer guests, which were often nature-based due to the unique locations of the properties. I would sometimes be deployed to other properties as a task force member, helping with area reconnaissance for a new offering, supporting the team when they have insufficient manpower or providing my skills as a guide. I also collaborated often with the Sustainability and Marketing departments to improve on existing offerings, as well as implement new business initiatives. In the process, I had the chance to learn so much about the best practices and processes of corporate sustainability and marketing.
Like many world-class hospitality brands, the organisation had a motto of not just serving guests well, but also each other. To this day, I carry this meaningful ethos with me, and it has become a core part of my working style.
Key Achievements
Spearheaded a new resort experience based on a nature-discovery app, iNaturalist, by engaging multiple stakeholders and conducting a pilot trial with 3,000 international staff across 14 properties.
Developed a comprehensive guest-facing iNaturalist experience, with supporting resources and staff training materials, for properties in Bali and Bhutan
Crafted data gathering and reporting structures of the hotel group’s conservation-based initiatives to help drive the company towards its sustainability goals, co-authoring and compiling the results into four annual Sustainability Reports
Served as a task force on COMO Parrot Cay for 3 months, helping to improve on existing activities offerings, develop new nature tours, and provide manpower support for the Activities team and Play by COMO team.
Resident Marine Biologist
COMO Cocoa Island
​August 2016 to March 2018
Maldives
​I ran the coral propagation programme for guests at the resort and monitored corals' growth in-situ, as well as educated guests about corals and climate change through regular presented talks and conversations with them. I also organised short programmes for occasions like World Oceans Day and Earth Day for both guests and staff, and organised reef and beach clean-ups to raise awareness about the environment.
At times, my work also involved managing the reef and keeping it safe for both marine life and guests. For example, I had relocated venomous lionfish that had sought shelter at the guest villas several times, and removed predatory crown-of-thorns sea stars and Drupella sp. snails that were feeding on the corals at the house reef. Attached to the dive centre, I also had the opportunity to refine my diving skills and become familiar with dive centre operations.
Living in such an international environment in another country had given me much opportunity for personal growth as well - in my independence, I had the chance to cultivate a strong foundation of mindful work ethics and grasped the dynamics of working in a culturally diverse environment. My ability and confidence to communicate with a wide array of audiences had also been well-developed. The lessons and skills I have gained during this stint has certainly been unforgettable, providing me invaluable insights about the operational demands and constraints of on-the-ground environmental work.
Key Achievements
Propagated and cared for over 3,000 in-situ coral fragments on 150 coral frames via scuba diving
Successfully trialled new coral propagation method with 30% lower mortality rate using rope suspensions
Stepped up to support Dive Manager with daily sales reports in the absence of an Assistant Dive Manager
Trained and supervised 2 marine biologist interns
Internships
Internships have been an invaluable bridge between classroom knowledge and real-world context earlier in my professional journey. These opportunities have not only equipped me with hands-on experiences, valuable skills and insights, but also given me grounds to practise and extensively hone my interpersonal and collaborative skills, allowing me to effectively navigate workplace dynamics as well as develop versatility in my work approach later in my full-time career.
Internship at NParks
Nparks, Conservation Division,
Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR)
May to July 2015
Singapore
I assisted with the fifth-year review of the effectiveness of the Eco-link@BKE initiative with Nparks, facilitating in forest fieldwork, bird ringing surveys, camera-trap deployment, data collection and data processing. This hands-on internship greatly expanded my knowledge on the different methodologies in forest ecology.
Marine Biologist Intern
COMO Maalifushi
January to June 2016
Maldives
I assisted with coral propagation program, familiarising myself with local marine biodiversity, and gained so much perspective to what was previously taught in my marine biology and ecology classes. I was later converted to full-time staff at COMO Cocoa Island (sister property) upon internship completion.