Meet Grace Clapham, a mentor for the Her World Mentorship Programme 2024

Being a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) can often mean being the lone female voice in meetings, or the unintentional target of unconscious biases. For the second year of our Her World Mentorship Programme, we want to empower young women by providing them the tools, guidance, and support needed to break down these barriers and overcome limiting beliefs.

Nine exceptional mentors – each with a wealth of experience and expertise – tell us why they are passionate about giving back and share the wisdom they’ve gleaned throughout their careers. 

As a third culture kid who was raised all over Asia, Grace Clapham understands the need for community and support. As such, her career has been focused on building networks.

“​​I’m driven by the power of collaboration, bringing people together to create something remarkable, bridge cultures, connect and co-create. Authenticity, impact and empowerment are the cornerstones of my endeavours,” she says.

The former director for community, partnerships, product and programmes at Meta has sunk her teeth in several endeavours, cementing her reputation as a community builder and serial entrepreneur. Her latest project is Designing Communities, which is dedicated to helping businesses build communities.

Some of her notable companies also include The Change School, a career development platform founded in 2014, as well as Untam3d, a collective of women in the Web3 space

“Our aim and intention in creating Untam3d in 2022 was to accelerate the growth of Web3 in the APAC region, while uplifting women, [their] voices and their representation within the space,” says Grace. “We saw an opportunity to reshape and steer the narrative about impact in and around Web3, as well as emerging technologies. This will underpin how we view and navigate the Web3 landscape together in terms of sustainability, ethics, governance and mental health.”

What are the challenges faced by women in STEM?

There are many, but two that come to mind are unsupportive work environments, and a lack of mentorship and role models. Women are still the minority in the world of STEM, and with women having to manage both family and work, [our] working environments are still not created with the right structure or support systems. With far fewer women in STEM fields, it can be difficult for young women to see themselves in these careers. Finding mentors and sponsors is also a challenge.

What other skills or qualities do you believe are essential for them to succeed?

I believe the two most important additional skills are emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence. Having a strong emotional quotient allows one to navigate complex and social dynamics, build strong relationships, manage conflict, lead and inspire others – especially in an environment like STEM, where the workplace can be extremely competitive.

We live in a globalised world. Being able to navigate and work across cultures will continue to be an integral skill set to have – especially as one may consider working in global organisations. Having cultural intelligence will allow you to build trust and communicate complex technical information effectively across cultures.

What would you say to those who are considering a career in STEM?

Do it if you feel it’s right for you. Don’t do it just because someone else tells you to do it, be it STEM or any other field. Explore, experiment and find your fit. Remember, the right path ignites your passion, not someone else’s expectations. With grit and an open mind, any obstacle can become a stepping stone.

PHOTOGRAPHY Veronica Tay

OFFICIAL BEAUTY PARTNER Cle de Peau Beaute

ART DIRECTION Ray Ticsay & Adeline Eng

STYLING Neo Lirong, assisted by Sabrina Kong

HAIR & MAKEUP Benedict Choo, Aung Apichai and Clayton Goo, all using Cle de Peau Beaute

LOCATION Mandala Club