BAZAAR Power List 2025: 5 Female Entrepreneurs Championing Local Brands On The Global Stage

Mili and Maya Kale, Guoyi Gan, Dr Ng Gim Choo and Hanyi Lee are part of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s Power List 2025, which seeks to honour the women who have turned Singaporean brands into global powerhouses. For the full list of women, click here.

Singapore has put itself on the map on many occasions, be it for our education system or world-renowned attractions like Jewel Changi Airport’s rain vortex and Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove, to name a few.

Increasingly, more local brands are joining the ranks in becoming globally celebrated, turning homegrown businesses into giants with locations and influence beyond our borders. Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s Power List this year shines the spotlight on eight local women doing just that—and more. Whether it’s designing supplements catering to the needs of Asian women or spearheading holistic learning for children before such a mode of schooling was the norm, these power players prove that when you lead with heart and the intention of serving a community to make a meaningful change, you draw a global audience that resonates with your mission.

Below, see what Mili and Maya Kale, Guoyi Gan, Dr Ng Gim Choo and Hanyi Lee have to say about what power means to them and what it means to bring a Singaporean brand international.

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Mili and Maya Kale

The wellness industry has been buzzing with additions as of late—think: grounding mats and mocktails to help you sleep better—but to Mili and Maya Kale, sisters and founders of Moom Health, health is anything but a trend. The brand is built on formulating effective yet natural remedies designed for the contemporary Asian woman—something that addressed the duo’s frustration with one-size-fits-all solutions to health concerns and their philosophy that modern wellness is listening to your body and doing what actually works for you. Evidently, this was a strategy that resonated with its fans. Moom Health has not only seen immense success in Singapore but in Hong Kong as well, in line with the founders’ intentions to make the brand a go-to for women’s health in Asia.

When do you feel your most powerful?

When we’re building something from scratch and it clicks. That moment when a product sells out or we get a review that’s really impactful, or we feel a shift in ourselves from something we’ve created, that’s it. That’s when we feel like, wow, we’re really doing this, and doing it right!

What is your proudest achievement to date? Why?

Building Moom Health together as sisters and co-founders. We took something that felt so personal, wanting better care for ourselves, and turned it into a brand that’s helping thousands of women. That still blows our minds.

What makes a good leader?

Someone who leads with heart and isn’t afraid to be real. Good leaders listen, they adapt, and they create space for others to thrive. Also, someone who knows when to ask for help and doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.

What does it mean to build a Singaporean brand on a regional level?

It means taking our local roots and making them shine across borders. There’s so much creativity, culture, and innovation here. We’re proud to show that a brand born in Singapore can have real impact across Asia and beyond.

Looking ahead, what do you believe will be the biggest opportunities and challenges for female leaders in the future?

The biggest opportunity is redefining what leadership looks like. Making space for empathy, collaboration, and authenticity. The biggest challenge is still having to break old molds and systems that weren’t built with us in mind, in every sense.

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Guoyi Gan

The Jigger & Pony Group, responsible for perennially buzzy spots around town such as Jigger & Pony bar and Caffe Fernet, has become a heavyweight in the local food scene. Jigger & Pony bar clinched third place at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and fifth place at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024. Behind the group’s success stands co-founder and managing director of Jigger & Pony Group Guoyi Gan, who had all the trappings to make it happen. Her enthusiasm for hospitality and the food and beverage industry, along with her willingness to listen to her team, drive her to nurture those around her who share the same passion. Even as the group makes moves to expand beyond Singapore’s borders by way of launching bars such as Cosmo Pony at Grand Hyatt Jakarta, encouraging young professionals to pursue their dreams in the sector remains a priority for Gan.

What was the motivation for you to start your business?

I really enjoyed my time with Singapore Airlines and I wanted to remain in the people business. Being with Singapore Airlines helped build my understanding of hospitality, especially learning to deliver hospitality across cultures. Starting Jigger & Pony created a platform for me to build a space where both my team and customers alike can find comfort, forge friendships and share happiness, which is our company’s mission. We created this mission before we created Jigger & Pony.

When you first started Jigger & Pony, did you ever envision that it would receive consistent international recognition?

We always remind ourselves to “enjoy the process”. Everyone’s journey is different but we must always first love what we do. We hoped that people will join us in loving what we do and we are glad they did. The international recognition is humbling but it’s also a source of motivation to remind ourselves that we are not done yet, to keep striving for that 1 percent improvement a day to give back to everyone who has supported us along the way.

How do you ensure the buzz around Jigger & Pony persists?

Technology has shaped the way we receive content and share information but it’s often delayed or fragmented. I strongly believe in building a strong following of positive promoters and gaining support through word-of-mouth recommendations. This continues to be a very important avenue for guest retention and building a new customer base.

What’s your vision for the future of F&B in Singapore?

When we first started in 2012, I used to meet candidates and when I asked them why they wanted to be in hospitality, their response was: “Because I am not good at studying.”

I am really proud to say in 2025, our industry is full of passionate professionals who chose our industry and have elevated our F&B scene by pursuing skills, knowledge and excellence. My hope for the future is for new, young professionals in our industry to not only be able to cultivate their passion for F&B, but also be given a platform to showcase their creativity and personalities in a space where finances are not a large burden. Hopefully, this allows them to contribute to a unique and vibrant Singapore F&B scene driven by passion.

What’s a misconception about female entrepreneurs that you’d like to clear up?

Probably that as female entrepreneurs, we do it alone and that nobody is willing to listen. I do strongly believe that as female entrepreneurs, we bring an additional sense of empathy to any organisation and we should channel this strength to build empathetic and strong organisations. Confidently and openly expressing ourselves and willingly showing our vulnerability shows others the entrepreneurial journey will always be faced with challenges, but they can be overcome.

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Dr Ng Gim Choo

For founder and chairwoman of EtonHouse International Education Group Dr Ng Gim Choo, the real meaning of power was not immediately apparent. She began by climbing the corporate ladder as an accountant set on getting recognition, but after following her husband to the UK and observing its early childhood education system, her vision of power evolved into having ability to create meaningful impact, serving others and helping them grow.

Creating EtonHouse—a school with a curriculum shaped around holistic education—in 1995 was the culmination of this realisation. Today, EtonHouse is a world-renowned and award-winning institution, but Dr Ng maintains that her biggest achievement is seeing the children who have grown up in EtonHouse become kind and confident adults who are contributing to their communities.

What was the motivation for you to start your business?

My motivation came from a deeply personal experience as a mother. When my daughter was young, she didn’t enjoy going to school because she was reprimanded by her teacher for colouring roses purple, simply because she liked morning glories. She was also scolded for not being able to write a difficult Chinese character. It was disheartening to see her lose confidence at such a young age.

When we moved to the UK, everything changed. She enjoyed going to school so much that she even asked to go on weekends. Curious to understand why, I signed up as a parent volunteer. What I observed left a lasting impression. Children were treated with respect, and learning was encouraged through play and exploration. It was a completely different approach to education. Learning was joyful, not stressful.

That experience planted a dream in me to create a school in Singapore where children would feel respected and where learning would be meaningful and joyful. This was a bold idea in the 1990s, when rote learning was still the norm. When we returned to Singapore, the opportunity arose when the government opened old school sites for tender. With encouragement from my brother, I took the leap and founded EtonHouse in 1995.

What makes a good leader?

A good leader leads with heart. To me, leadership is not about having all the answers, but about listening deeply, staying open to learning, and creating an environment where others feel safe to grow, innovate, and thrive.

Much of my leadership philosophy was shaped by my grandmother. Although she had little formal education, she was wise, determined, and deeply compassionate. She ran our family’s sesame oil business with both strength and warmth. She treated every worker like family, ensuring they were well-fed, cared for, and respected. We ate the same meals, and she made sure someone from the family attended every staff celebration or bereavement. For her, leadership was not about exercising authority. It was about taking responsibility and standing beside people.

Her generosity, and her belief in empowering others rather than fearing competition, left a lasting impression on me. She showed me that kindness is not a sign of weakness. It is a source of strength. These lessons continue to guide me today.

When you first started your company, did you ever envision that it would become a global player?

No, not at all. In fact, I lost a million dollars in the first year of operation. But thanks to my husband’s encouragement and his reminder to focus on quality, I found the confidence to keep going. I believed deeply in what I was doing, and we stayed true to our philosophy. From the very beginning, we placed children at the centre of all our decisions. Children come first, teachers second, and shareholder returns last. I have always believed that if you invest in quality, the returns will eventually follow.

When your intentions are sincere and your work is guided by purpose, opportunities will come. Over time, we attracted passionate educators and committed partners who believed in our vision. That is how EtonHouse grew into hat it is today.

What does it mean to build a Singaporean brand on a global level?

As one of the few 100 percent Singapore-owned international education groups, we are immensely proud to be flying the Singapore flag high on the global stage.

Building a Singaporean brand globally means leveraging our unique competitive positioning—we are more international than many Asian companies, yet we understand Asian culture better than most Western ones. We truly have the best of both worlds: global in our outlook, but deeply connected to local communities in the way we deliver our services. We bring this to life by working closely with local partners and communities, ensuring our schools are both globally inspired and locally grounded.

When you carry the Singapore brand internationally, you inherit our nation’s hard-earned reputation for credibility, transparency, and reliability. The “From Singapore” label has become a mark of quality and world-class service. This strong international standing gives our brands a head start in building trust, but with that comes the responsibility to consistently deliver excellence that exceeds expectations.

What is your vision for the future of education on a global scale?

My vision is to fundamentally change how we define success in education. Success should not be measured solely by exam results, but by how well we prepare children to lead meaningful lives in an ever-changing world. Education must equip them not just for specific careers, but for a lifetime of learning, adaptability, and purpose.

With AI and technology advancing rapidly, we are preparing children for a future we cannot fully predict. This makes it even more urgent to move beyond rigid, exam-focused systems. We can no longer rely on teaching children to memorise facts or follow fixed curricula when the skills they will need may not yet exist. Instead, we must focus on developing the whole child—nurturing their ability to think critically, adapt with confidence, act with empathy, and solve problems creatively.

My hope is that every child, regardless of background, has access to high-quality education that is equitable, meaningful, and inclusive. Every child should be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams and be celebrated for their strengths—even if they do not follow conventional paths.

Looking ahead, what do you believe will be the biggest opportunities and challenges for female leaders in the future?

The biggest opportunity lies in how leadership is evolving. There is growing appreciation for collaborative, empathetic and inclusive leadership. These are qualities that many women naturally bring. In education and beyond, skills such as emotional intelligence and holistic thinking are now recognised as core competencies, not just soft skills.

Technology is also creating new possibilities. Digital platforms support remote leadership and flexible work arrangements, easing the pressure of traditional face-time expectations. This allows women, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, to lead effectively on their own terms. Technology is also helping to level the playing field by increasing access to networks, capital, and visibility.

Work-life balance is an ongoing challenge. Women continue to carry the bulk of caregiving responsibilities while being expected to meet demanding professional standards, so much so that more women are choosing not to have children. I was fortunate to have strong family support, with my mother-in-law caring for my children when I was working. I’m aware that not every woman is as lucky as me to get support from mothers-in-law and access to domestic helpers. The good news is that the Singapore government is investing heavily in childcare services so women are able to continue to work while their children are young.

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Hanyi Lee

Hanyi Lee has never been interested in playing by the rules—because she’s too busy rewriting them. As the founder and creative partner of Anak, a multidisciplinary brand practice, Lee has built a reputation for crafting deeply resonant brand worlds that don’t just look good, but feel distinctively rooted in purpose and place. From reimagining the Peranakan Museum to leading the identity overhaul of Mandai Wildlife Group, her work shapes how we see ourselves and how the world sees us.

What makes her approach singular is how she fuses strategy and imagination, always with a global lens. Whether she’s repositioning household names like Love, Bonito or developing Singapore’s first unified national brand identity, Lee chases truth through creativity. Her teams work across design, copywriting, tech and spatial experiences, creating narratives that outlast the moment. At the heart of it all is one question: what kind of future do we want to build, and how can design get us there?

What does power mean to you today?

When you learn to fly. When you have the freedom to define an imagined future for people beyond yourself.

When do you feel your most powerful?

The moment right before you take a risk. You’ve considered everything logically, but you’re choosing to act on gut. That combination of clarity and surrender is everything.

What does it mean to help build Singaporean brands with global reach?

Because we’re so small, Singaporeans are wired to think outwardly. That worldview, combined with our ability to balance strategy and creativity, makes us uniquely suited to create brands that can thrive globally.

What have you learned about making work that travels beyond Singapore?

It’s not about trends or generalisation, it’s about drilling into the brand’s essence. When you bring a clear, specific point of view to life across every touchpoint, it becomes something that resonates anywhere.

Even though the saying goes that “there’s nothing new under the sun”, Anak’s ambition has always been an attempt to search for newness. I’m proud of the body of work the whole team has managed to create over the last few years. We hope it doesn’t feel derivative of a Western approach, or an appropriation of a trend, and across the years, we’ve begun to see that there is a clear positioning for Singaporean design when placed on a global stage.

What’s your approach to leadership?

I ask my team to share one random, personal goal each year, and then I try to help make it happen. When you get to help achieve a collective dream where everyone has a stake, and we move together, that’s what motivates me. To me, a good leader is if one day you become invisible, everyone in your team still feels like their own goals are achieved.

Photography: Wee Khim
Styling: Gracia Phang
Makeup: Rina Sim using Dior Beauty
Hair for Hanyi: Jenny Lee using Organethic
Hair for Maya, Mili, Guoyi and Gim Choo: Grego using Keune Haircosmetics
Photographer’s assistant: Ivan Teo
Stylist’s assistant: Laila Mishazira