Last year, Vogue Singapore posed a timely question: What does leadership look like today?
The answers arrived in the form of a select number of exceptional female pioneers whose vision, innovation and influence are shaping industries, advancing society and creating lasting impact in Singapore and beyond. From this came Vogue Leaders, an editorial initiative launched in March 2025 to celebrate female leadership in all its forms, spotlighting women who are redefining success, challenging conventions and inspiring meaningful change. This year, the conversation continues.
Returning for its second iteration, Vogue Leaders once again honours a remarkable cohort of 10 trailblazing women who are transcending traditional boundaries. United in purpose yet diverse in their pursuits, these changemakers are driving success across various fields such as business, technology, philanthropy, storytelling, sports and more.
The journey began with an open call for nominations in March. Through a rigorous selection process led by Vogue Singapore’s editorial team, these public submissions were considered together with internal nominations and industry recommendations. Each honouree was evaluated against a set of criteria including leadership, innovation, cultural influence, social impact and meaningful contributions to their field.
Unveiled in May in collaboration with Max Mara, the final list reflects a diverse group of extraordinary personalities who champion these shared values, all a living example of the Italian brand’s ethos of empowering individual expression and confidence. Using their talents and influence to spark progress, these distinctive innovators drive change for good, paving the way for others in the process. Among this year’s honourees are world-class athletes, accomplished storytellers, visionary entrepreneurs and dedicated humanitarians. A fitting council to champion Max Mara’s vision for remarkable women, indeed.
To celebrate their achievements, Vogue Singapore hosted an intimate dinner at Sushisamba on 4 June, bringing together the honourees—whose bespoke beauty looks were sculpted by Viva—alongside a wider community of fellow female changemakers and visionaries. Perched atop Capital Tower, the upscale fusion restaurant set the ambience with an elegant playfulness, emulated by its opulent, vibrant interior. With lush botanical arrangements crafted by Gentle Hour adorning the space, Sushisamba’s signature ethos of fun-dining resonated throughout, providing the perfect atmosphere for a night of reflection and recognition.
Central to the occasion was the exclusive fashion partner, Max Mara. As the Italian fashion house marks its 75th anniversary this year, its enduring focus on remarkable women felt particularly aligned with the spirit of Vogue Leaders—each honouree embodied individuality, confidence and style, complemented by an impeccable wardrobe courtesy of Max Mara. Always intentional, never reactive; freedom on their own terms, unrushed by a world defined by speed. In short, Max Mara’s quintessence of timeless quality, embodied by women on the forefront of style and culture. Remarkable, through and through.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the cityscape glimmered against the violet sky, attendees drank in spectacular panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking both city and sea. Guests were then treated to a delectable three-course spread, expertly prepared by Sushisamba’s culinary team, that showcased the restaurant’s distinctive blend of culinary influences from Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cultures.
As conversations and laughter flowed freely, so too did the celebratory toasts. Champagne and wine for the evening was provided by Penfolds, a house whose uncompromising commitment to quality and pioneering spirit has defined its legacy for nearly two centuries. Much like the honourees, Penfolds‘s vision for the future remains anchored in excellence and craftsmanship, embodied in the evening’s wines. Beyond the Champagne Cuvée Brut served throughout dinner, guests also enjoyed their Bin 311 Chardonnay 2024 and Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2023.
Throughout the evening, moments of celebration were punctuated by poignant reflections from several of the honourees. Though their stories differed, there was one common thread: the belief that true leadership lies not in awards and titles, but in empowering others and creating change beyond ourselves.
Olympian and fencer Amita Berthier reflected on the nuances of what it truly means to be strong. While strength is often perceived on a surface level basis, revolving around accolades like rankings and results, she believes there’s more than one way to embody it: “Strength can look like grace. It can look like vulnerability, chosen deliberately.”
Google Asia Pacific vice-president (Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier) Sapna Chadha then took the spotlight to tell us about how she views technology as a bridge for human potential. Embracing her Vogue Leaders title of ‘Tech Humanist’, she emphasised that her motivation comes not from building products. Rather, it stems from creating pathways that allow anyone to thrive from anywhere. “The tech is all the algorithms and code,” she said. “But when you have an impact on society, that’s what’s really meaningful.”
For Dr Chen Shiling, meaningful impact began with recognising an unmet need. When she first volunteered with social service agency Minds at 17, she came face-to-face with the medical inequalities of adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs), whose needs were not being met by the broader healthcare system. Later, while training to be a neurologist, the disparity in access to quality healthcare for underrepresented groups became untenable, spurring the young doctor to take action. This led to Chen founding Happee Hearts Movement, a non-profit organisation dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of adults with IDs and their caregivers. Her journey as a medical advocate has only flourished since then.
Together, their stories underscored the values at the heart of Vogue Leaders: leading with intention and uplifting others through action. As the celebration unfolded, attendees traded stories and sparked new connections, drawing energy from an evening steeped in empowerment.
To round off the night, Vogue bade farewell to guests with a thoughtfully curated gift bag comprising Vogue Singapore’s ‘Embody’ June issue and products from DR’s Secret, extending the spirit of the evening far beyond the final toast.
Learn more about Vogue Leaders here.
