Helen Lim, Shell’s general manager of Transformation Excellence learns through diverse perspectives

The Her World Mentorship Programme returns with a focus on supporting women re-entering the workforce. This year’s mentors share what inspired them to take part.

Mentoring is like an open university where individuals learn from one another, drawing on their diverse experiences, skills and personalities, says Helen Lim, general manager of Transformation Excellence at Shell.

Her career in the oil industry has shaped her global world view, with experience at Shell in sales and marketing, business development, and supply chain management across countries such as Japan and the US.

Today, she is based in Singapore as a general manager, focusing on mindset, process and digital transformation. Helen shares that her mentor, Philip Forrest, a finance industry veteran who has worked in Citibank and ANZ bank in five countries, emphasised the importance of expanding her network.

“He has provided numerous opportunities for me to learn and network with other leaders, enriching my understanding of leadership and board governance,” she adds.

As such, continuous learning and adaptation are values she embraces, adding that being “purposefully curious has been the cornerstone of my career management”.

“Building a foundation of respect and trust is crucial for effective mentorship. This means valuing diverse perspectives and creating a safe space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences,” says Helen.

What inspired you to volunteer as a mentor for the Her World Mentorship Programme?

During my time in Japan, I realised the significance of advancing women’s leadership. Witnessing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in the workplace inspired me to advocate for gender equality, and support the development of female leaders.

My assignment in the US further fuelled my passion for mentorship, particularly in fostering Asian leadership. Many of those in global leadership roles were predominantly male and white, and did not reflect the diverse markets we were operating in. This underscored the need for stronger representation and support for Asian professionals

How has mentorship shaped your growth?

One of the pivotal moments in my career was meeting a global Singaporean leader at a Formula 1 event. Although we did not formally define our relationship as mentor and mentee, his guidance has been instrumental in shaping my career choices. He advised that we should focus on one or two KPIs that directly impact the bottom line.

As leaders, our priority should be on these outcomedriven KPIs. We should trust and empower our leadership teams to determine the “how” KPIs, and keep reporting to the boss simple. This has been a guiding principle for me in managing my team.

How does one make the most of a mentorship opportunity?

Seeking out individuals with different experiences and backgrounds – whether as a mentor or mentee – is my way of fostering growth and learning.

Here’s my approach:

• Embracing discomfort: Being open to differing opinions and actively listening to diverse perspectives are essential for personal and professional growth.
• Translating advice into action: Feeling inspired by a mentor or mentee is valuable, but the real impact comes from putting insights and guidance into practice. Action is the catalyst for learning and growth.
• Building inclusive networks: Engaging with diverse mentors and mentees helps build a network that offers support, collaboration and a wealth of knowledge.

PHOTOGRAPHY Angela Guo
ART DIRECTION Ray Ticsay & Adeline Eng
STYLING Donson Chan
HAIR Angel Gwee, using Davines & Marc Teng
MAKEUP Benedict Choo & Nicole Ang / Suburbs, both using Cle de Peau Beaute
COORDINATION Chelsia Tan & Syed Zulfahdli
OUTFIT Cotton blazer, cotton dress, and lace slip dress, Onitsuka Tiger. Boots, stylist’s own

Special thanks to SCWO and Boardagender for their help and support with the Her World Mentorship Programme 2025.