Serene

 

Serene Ong Shwu-Yng is a dynamic and visionary leader whose journey spans healthcare, logistics, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. With more than 20 years of experience in business development, commercial operations, and clinical trial logistics across the US, Europe, and Asia, she has held senior leadership roles—including Vice President of Global Sales Operations and Vice President of Commercial Operations, Asia Pacific at a major healthcare-logistics firm. mentorwalks+  Linkedin

Her academic credentials are equally formidable:

• MSc (Pharmacy) from the National University of Singapore (NUS)

• Minor in Technopreneurship from Stanford University

• EMBA from INSEAD (2018)

• Founder of Phoenixus (2023) — a network built to nurture women in leadership and amplify their impact. mentorwalks+1

A mother of six and co-founder (with her husband) of a preschool business, Serene balances the rigours of high-level corporate work with the demands and rewards of family life — embodying resilience, focus, and intentional leadership. mentorwalks

Photo Analysis & Inspirational Narrative

In the images — captured at the Women With Impact Extravaganza 2025 — Serene appears poised, expressive, and fully engaged. The subtle interplay of lighting and her genuine smile suggest a leader comfortable in her own power. Her gesture with the microphone shows both warmth and authority — inviting connection yet commanding attention.

Her attire — an elegant, sheer-sleeved blouse in deep navy blue — reflects sophistication without rigidity. The soft fluency of her gestures conveys a style of leadership that is approachable and authentic rather than distant. Notice how her eyes crinkle at the corners in those candid moments of laughter — a visual testament to the energy she brings to her role as convener of women’s stories and change.

Serene’s posture and presence in the images mirror the core theme of the event — “Ignite from Within — Making Impact That Lasts.” She is not simply a speaker on stage; she appears to be a participant in the collective narrative of transformation, embodying the very message she delivers. The photograph where she appears mid-gesture, hand raised, microphone in hand, captures the essence of someone leading with both conviction and humility.

Why Her Story Matters

Serene’s path offers a powerful example for aspiring women leaders:

• Diverse experience: From pharmacy science to biotech logistics to women-leadership empowerment, she shows that careers need not be linear — and that skills translate across industries.

• Balanced life: As a mother of six and high-performing executive, she represents the possibility of flourishing in multiple domains simultaneously.

• Purpose-driven leadership: With Phoenixus, she’s crystalised her focus on empowering other women — not only through networking but through tangible, purpose-driven programmes and events.

• Authenticity in action: The images you captured reveal a leader whose authenticity shines through — someone who engages with vulnerability, invites community, and leads by example.

Her presence at the Women With Impact Extravaganza — both as host and inspiration — adds gravitas to the event. Through her vision, the gathering becomes more than an afternoon of speeches; it becomes a space of shared identity, transformation, and future-focused empowerment.

Closing Thought

Serene Ong Shwu-Yng reminds us that leadership is not just about titles or positions — it is about agency, integrity, and the courage to foster change from within. In her story, we find the blueprint of a modern leader: informed by professional excellence, grounded in personal purpose, and open to universal connection.