AstraZeneca’s Kandyce Ong on the value of good mentorship

The fourth edition of the Her World Mentorship Programme champions women who are just stepping into leadership. This year, 13 hand-picked mentees will spend six months journeying with accomplished women leaders.

Kandyce Ong has spent 16 years in healthcare with one single ambition: to help the people the system often forgets. In her current role as government affairs lead at AstraZeneca, she stands at the intersection where healthcare innovation meets public policy. Her work brings together government, clinicians and communities to improve access to medicine and build stronger healthcare systems.

“What gives me purpose is the chance to shape systems, not just outcomes. I believe equitable healthcare should be ordinary, not extraordinary,” she explains. “I care deeply about closing gender gaps in healthcare access, and challenging the stigma that prevents people from getting care.”

Her advice for younger women who want to find their way into roles like hers is to stay curious about how systems work; to understand how decisions are made and how incentives shape behaviour within a company.

Kandyce’s conviction that the world needs more female leaders was what brought her to the Her World Mentorship Programme. She has also been on the receiving end of good mentorship, and she knows exactly what that is worth.

Why do you think mentorship is important, especially for women who are new to leadership roles?

“Representation matters, not just at the top, but everywhere decisions are made,” she says. “I’ve seen how powerful mentorship can be in building confidence, opening doors, and helping talented women navigate spaces not always designed for them. If I can help make that path clearer for someone else, that feels worth doing.”

Mentors bring perspective. They often see your strengths more clearly than you can yourself in the middle of the noise. For women stepping into leadership, that can be especially valuable. At its best, mentorship shortens the distance between potential and confidence.

What’s a leadership lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?

No leader is perfect. Trying to be perfect usually creates more problems than it solves. What matters more is being clear on your values, making decisions with integrity, and showing up consistently for your team.

I’ve also learnt that communication matters. If you don’t explain what’s happening, people will fill the silence with assumptions.

What are the hallmarks of a good manager at work?

Teams often take their emotional cues from leaders. A good manager creates an environment where people feel both stretched and supported. They set high standards, communicate honestly, and make it safe for people to learn.

They should also be one of your biggest cheerleaders. To me, real leadership is growing people so well that one day, they no longer need you in the same way.

Her World Mentorship Programme 2026 is made possible with the support of official beauty partner Cle de Peau Beaute and official network partner Singtel.

ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng
STYLING Donson Chan
HAIR Aung Apichai
MAKEUP Lasalle Lee

Special thanks to SCWO and Boardagender for their help and support with the Her World Mentorship Programme 2026