Linkedin APAC MD Feon Ang on the importance of challenging the status quo

Feon Ang’s leadership journey at Linkedin has been marked by a strong commitment to empowering women. Her passion for gender equality and her ability to inspire others have led her to play a pivotal role in various initiatives aimed at supporting the professional development of women.

“I think I am more of a vocal but kind leader. I also believe that a good leader is a good follower. I understand what our global initiatives are, and can figure out how to make it right for our region,” she shares.

Recognising the challenges faced by young women in the workplace, Feon established the Empowerin mentorship programme to provide guidance, support and opportunities for professional development. Over the years, this initiative has helped nearly 200 female leaders expand their networks and advance their careers. In 2022, the programme expanded globally, reaching teams in North America and the UK.

Never taking “no” for an answer

From a young age, Feon was known for her inquisitive nature. A simple “no” would ignite a spark of curiosity within her, driving her to seek answers and uncover the reasons behind the restrictions placed upon her.

Growing up in a kampung in Yio Chu Kang, she encountered numerous instances where girls were discouraged from participating in certain activities, like climbing trees and playing by the stream.

Rather than accepting these limitations without question, she challenged them, demanding to know why she was being denied the same opportunities as boys her age.

“I’d be curious to know why it is a ‘no’. I just need to know why, so I can accept the answer. But if the reason given is because a girl should behave in a certain way, I find that hard to accept,” she shares.

Growing up, Feon experienced first-hand the challenges faced by those striving to make ends meet in a resource-limited environment. Witnessing her parents’ tireless efforts to provide for their four children, she developed a strong sense of responsibility, and a desire to contribute to her family’s well-being.

“I saw my parents working incredibly hard every day. Mum worked as a chambermaid, while Dad was a clerk,” Feon recalls. “It instilled in me a sense of duty and a desire to help alleviate their burdens. I wanted to grow up quickly and start earning money.”

Despite her humble beginnings, Feon pursued education with unwavering determination. While her parents may not have fully understood the intricacies of her studies, they encouraged her to persevere. “My parents always said, ‘If you can’t go to a local university, you will have to go to work.’ They simply wanted me to pass [my exams] each year and secure a good job. So I had no choice but to study. I did just well enough to get through the next round, and I worked smart,” she shares.

In 1994, Feon obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business from Nanyang Technological University Singapore. She then embarked on a career in the tech industry, where she quickly established herself.

“I wouldn’t say that I was the best student, academically, but I’ve always been a curious one.

I love the challenge of learning new things and picking up different skills – from generative AI to singing. In my experience, acquiring skills has helped me become more confident and well-rounded as an individual, and more creative and effective as a professional.

“My goal is to carry this spirit as a lifelong student – it’s amazing what can happen when we allow ourselves to be open to new ideas and experiences,” she adds.

The importance of speaking up

Feon’s first role in a company that provided business data and analytics insights marked the start of her journey into innovative disruption. This was the start of the ’90s, a pivotal decade as technology advancement was widespread, and personal computers became more powerful and user-friendly.

“I joined a publishing company soon after, and was there for three years when the personal computer became a big thing. And I thought, ‘Oh, I really want to get into this industry.’ That’s when I made the switch to Ingram Micro (an American information technology company), then Gartner (an American technological research and consulting firm), where I stayed for 13 years,” she says.

Throughout her career, Feon has faced challenges, including gender biases in male-dominated industries. In the early days of tech, women pioneers made substantial contributions, but there were hardly leadership programmes for women.

Feon felt intimidated initially, but eventually learned to capitalise on her strengths to offer unique perspectives.

“Each of us has a distinct perspective, and it’s vital to share our thoughts. As time went on, I grew more comfortable advocating for myself, understanding that this was crucial not only for my own growth, but also for supporting other women, especially younger colleagues,” she says.

She then sought out like-minded individuals and allies within her networks whom she could trust.

“I firmly believe that cultivating strong relationships, investing in your network, and having supportive allies are not just important – they’re essential. Significant conversations often occur in our absence, making it imperative to have a trusted ally who can advocate for your perspective,” she says.

Feon also stresses the importance of remaining resilient, and using her own experiences to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion. “It’s important to remember that your voice matters,” she advises. “Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your perspective.”

As a mother of three children who are now transitioning into adulthood, Feon reflects on her own mother as a positive role model: “I never appreciated how hard it is to be a mother until I became one myself, because I never understood how great a mother’s love is.

“My mum had to work to take care of the kids growing up in a kampung, and it was really hard, because you’ve got all your grandparents, cousins and extended family members that come with family politics. So I feel like my role model is probably my hard-working mum, who had to balance between work and family.”

Career-wise, Feon made a decision to look for a mentor whose values and interests align with hers. It was at Gartner that she first met ST Engineering’s president Tan Lee Chew.

As one of the representatives who was handling the account at that time, Feon recalls that the business leader left a deep impression – it was Lee Chew who significantly influenced Feon’s thought process and future interactions.

She recalls: “Lee Chew was working at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and leading the South-east Asia region at that time. As a leader, she was always very collected and calm, yet she has that feminine energy without behaving like a man. She’s very comfortable in her own skin, and you can tell that she has her [own] point of view. She was always kind to me.”

Defining her personal brand

One of the defining moments in Feon’s career came when she joined Linkedin in 2013, where she was eager to contribute to the company’s newly established programme for women leaders. The management’s commitment to empowering women and listening to their perspectives resonated deeply with Feon.

The programme, known as Women in Leadership, was designed to embrace diversity, inclusion and belonging. Feon was nominated by Linkedin’s COO, Dan Shapero, to be mentored by her chief business officer (CBO) Mike Gamson, and she felt that this movement created a lot of opportunities for women to be heard at the table.

When asked why she was chosen to lead the programme, Feon says: “I’ve always been passionate about empowering women both within and beyond my role at Linkedin – and I think that made an impression on the people I work with.

“As I benefited so much from it, along the way, I created ‘Empowerin’, a mentorship programme that provides guidance, support and opportunities for women seeking professional development.”

Feon adds: “A lot of young women at that time came up to me and shared that they often felt like they didn’t dare to speak up. They might have a view, but they were unsure, questioning themselves: Am I too young? Or am I too junior? The problems were very similar.”

She encouraged them to reflect on those moments of uncertainty and ask, “What can I take from this experience?” By reframing self-doubt as an opportunity to grow, Feon hopes that more women can challenge the narratives that make us feel inadequate, and focus on developing our strengths instead.

“Building confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but it begins by stepping out of our comfort zone, facing challenges head on, and being intentional about understanding and working through those moments of uncertainty.

“My advice is also to seek out role models who can act as mentors – women who share their own journeys and achievements help provide tangible examples of success and perseverance. Similarly, a supportive network is key, whether it’s family, friends or colleagues. They can provide encouragement and constructive feedback, and help us grow,” Feon stresses.

In addition to her professional commitments, Feon is passionate about giving back to the younger generation, and frequently delivers talks to university students. She recently shared a session with students at Singapore Management University (SMU) for the launch of its Global Summer Programme (GSP).

This year, SMU introduced a Digital Intelligence track aimed at equipping students for an AI-driven future of work – a timely addition and relevant topic in today’s fast-evolving landscape. Leveraging Linkedin’s wealth of data and insights, Feon shared an overview of the current labour market, the growing impact of AI, and the skills that are increasingly in demand.

Feon recalls the uncertainty she felt upon graduating: “I can only imagine the similar feelings experienced by recent graduates. Many grapple with questions about their next steps and seek definitive answers. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, I can offer some guidance and clarity.”

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Feon is a woman of diverse interests and passions. She enjoys reading, exploring new cultures, and staying active. Her love for sports, particularly basketball, has been a lifelong source of joy and camaraderie.

She also participates in cold plunges – the practice of submerging your body in cold water, often at temperatures below 10 deg C, for a short period of time – with her children once or twice a week as a way of bonding with them. “It makes me happy, and involves a shift of your mindset to make you stronger,” she reveals.

When asked what her vision for women’s development in the workforce is, Feon shares that Linkedin will be partnering with like-minded organisations like Mums@Work, United Women Singapore and SG Her Empowerment to organise informative, insightful sessions that will equip women from all walks of life with the knowledge and resources to be productive and successful.

“My vision is to create more opportunities for women to thrive by fostering an environment where they feel empowered, supported, and equipped to succeed at every stage of their careers. This November, we will be partnering with IMDA to conduct a Linkedin profile optimisation workshop for women returning to the tech industry, or looking to land a role in the tech sector.

“More broadly, we are already seeing professionals coming to our platform to connect, share knowledge, and learn from one another – and women can tap into this network to build a strong, supportive community.”

Leveraging LinkedIn for personal and professional growth

In today’s digital age, Linkedin has become an essential platform for networking, career advancement, and personal branding. For many professionals, it’s not just about having a presence on the platform, but also about effectively using it to achieve their goals.

One important aspect of a successful Linkedin profile is a strong personal brand. Feon recommends crafting a compelling summary that accurately reflects your skills, experience and career aspirations. You can also use a professional headshot to help make a positive first impression. “Having a photo is important, because I think that there’s a level of connection to being seen. When you don’t have a photo, I think people can’t relate to who you are,” she says.

To stay ahead of the curve, Feon says that creating videos is the way to go: “We’ve seen a major pick-up as the consumption of videos has increased on the platform. It’s actually quite interesting, as the trend of people watching videos is gaining a lot of traction. So I think that’s definitely an area that people should look into.”

PHOTOGRAPHY ATHIRAH ANNISSA
ART DIRECTION ADELINE ENG
HAIR & MAKEUP BENEDICT CHOO, USING SHU UEMURA