Seven University Students were selected to be CEO for a day in Singapore

Singapore, February 9, 2018 - Odgers Berndtson, a leading global executive search firm, has identified 7 Singapore students with outstanding leadership potential to spend a day shadowing some of the top executives in Asia. As a stepping-stone to their professional life, students will have the opportunity to ask, learn and understand the complexities of leading a top MNC. In turn, the participating CEOs will gain valuable insights into what drives the next generation of leaders. Exclusive to Odgers Berndtson globally for the last eleven years, this program was launched in Singapore's top universities, namely National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University and Nanyang Technological University. Seven finalists were selected in January 2018.

“We’re delighted now to bring this to Singapore and work with Regional Heads from top companies to address some of the very real challenges around the future of leadership,” said Andie Rees, Managing Partner of Odgers Berndtson Southeast Asia.

A rigorous selection process designed to gauge each student’s leadership potential began last September with the review of applications from the three universities. Students were initially screened based on their academic record, resume and a short essay about leadership. 15 semi-finalists were selected last November to advance to the second phase of selection, which included an online Leadership Assessment from Hogan and a video interview by Odgers Berndtson consultants. This was followed by a face-to-face panel interview with Odgers Berndston partners and consultants in December.

The seven finalists shared some outstanding characteristics and skill sets, including strong academic placement, leadership on campus and within their community; experience working or studying globally; and winning awards and fellowships. Finalists will spend a full day shadowing a top executive in Asia, learning about their background, career path and leadership approach. They will also contribute insights to these leaders about what makes their generation pick.

2017-2018 Participating CEOs and finalists include: 

ALEXIS LEE

National University of Singapore

Program: 4th year Bachelor of Business Administration Degree

Matched with: Hari Krishnan, CEO at PropertyGuru Group

 

EMILY ENG

National University of Singapore

Program: 3rd year Double Degree in Communications & New Media and Business Administration

Matched with: Elisabeth Staudinger, President Asia Pacific at Siemens Healthineers

 

GAO-FEI YU

National University of Singapore

Program: 3rd year in Philosophy

Matched with: Richard Bailey, President APJ at HP Inc.

MIN TAY

Nanyang Technological University

Program: 4th Year in Banking & Finance

Matched with: Claus Zieler, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial Operations at Bayer Pharmaceuticals Division Asia / Pacific

 

VIPARA RASPHONE

Singapore Management University

Program: 4th Year in Economics and Finance

Matched with: Adam Reynolds, CEO Asia Pacific at Saxo Group

 

WENQI NG

Singapore Management University

Program: 4th year Marketing, Strategic Management

Matched with: Vladimir Makatsaria, Company Group Chairman at Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, Asia Pacific

 

AVEN YI JUE TONG

National University of Singapore

Program: 3rd-year Economics

Matched with: Angela Kelly, CEO at Lloyd’s Asia

 

About Odgers Berndtson

For over 50 years, Odgers Berndtson has helped some of the world’s biggest and best organisations find the senior talent to drive their agendas.

We deliver executive search, assessment and development to businesses and organisations varying in size, structure and maturity. We do that across over 50 sectors, whether commercial, public or not-for-profit and draw on the experience of more than 250 Partners and their teams in 29 countries.