“Where are the women?” Dell’s Soo Mei May on the senior leadership gap we don’t talk about enough

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.

Soo Mei May’s enthusiasm for her work is contagious. She is clearly passionate about numbers, AI strategy and organisational transformation, but her career has been marked by continuous reinvention.

“I actually started out in the shipping industry, and I was on a management fast track, so they put me in a lot of roles around the world to learn everything I needed to know to be Chief Financial Officer (CFO),” she explains.

But during her final role in Japan, she had a change of heart.

“I thought that because I love numbers, I would love finance, but after going through all the roles, it felt like maybe there could be something more,” she shares.

This period of reflection led her to a role at Cisco Japan, marking her first step into the fast-paced world of technology.

“It was quite a culture shock,” she says with a laugh. “Because in the world of shipping, nothing changes. But in the tech world, the strategy, the mission, the vision—everything can change in a snap.”

Rather than recoil from the constant change, Mei May embraced it. “I really enjoyed the madness!” she says with a laugh.

Working in tech gave her the opportunity to delve more deeply into the numbers she loved so much. She later completed a course in data science and quickly discovered a passion for that field as well.

Today, as chief AI, global solution specialist at Dell, Mei May is a highly respected and sought-after thought leader. She credits much of her success to the support she received in both shipping and technology—industries traditionally dominated by men.

“I think I’ve been quite lucky in that I’ve always been surrounded by men, but I’ve never felt unsupported,” she reflects. She recalls how male colleagues would intentionally invite her to contribute during meetings, ensuring she had the opportunity to speak.

“These are good allies. They don’t come out to say, ‘I’m going to be your ally’—they just do it.”

Still, she is acutely aware that many women do not have the same experience.

“As women get to early or mid-managerial posts, they burn out—not from work, but from everything else,” she says.

“A lot of them choose to step back—not because they’re bad leaders or lack the capabilities, but because so much is asked of them that they can’t do it all.”

She is also concerned about the lack of women in senior leadership positions, pointing out that many leave the workforce prematurely.

“You expect to see men working into their 50s and 60s—it’s very common. But where are the women?” she asks.

“I think it’s important to mentor the next generation of women leaders and help them realise that there is support. And if they need role models, they’re there.”

Never one to rest on her laurels, Mei May is already thinking about the next steps in her own career, with an eye on potential board positions.

“I feel that I still have a lot to give, even if I step back from my corporate role,” she says. “So finding a way to contribute my expertise to society would be a nice transition.”

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

There is no blanket approach to leadership. We have to remember that every situation is different, every team has different needs, and every person has different dreams and ambitions. These are all things that we need to take into account.

What are the hallmarks of a good manager at work?

Someone who listens first and speaks later.

How should someone show up at work if they want to be seen as leadership material?

Have a clear vision and a direction that your team can follow. It doesn’t matter whether you have an official leadership title—once you can do this, people will naturally follow you.

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 Zhou Aiyi
MAKEUP Lasalle Lee

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