Shakilla Shahjihan

I’m Divisional Vice President, Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, at Abbott. Since I joined the NUS EMBA, I’ve received a few promotions with expanded responsibilities and geographies.

I now lead the Women Leaders of Abbott (WLA) Asia Pacific Chapter, with oversight of chapters in China, India, Japan, Singapore. I launched WLA in Singapore first, and last year I launched WLA in Vietnam, with plans underway for Australia.

I was one of the founding members and lead of AmCham Women in Singapore, that is now a Committee. As a group, we launched a few programmes to recognise women leaders and their allies in Singapore (of AmCham’s member companies). I also sit on the Board of AmCham Singapore, most notably as Honorary Secretary in the past two years.

I volunteer at Casa Raudha, a shelter for women afflicted with domestic violence. I now lead the Women Empowerment project to provide befriending and meaningful programmes for these women to help them build confidence and independence.

The NUS EMBA has helped build my skills in strategic thinking and purposeful leadership. Specifically it has helped with analysis of the environment and building long term plans to help me support our businesses strategically in key areas of importance for now and the future.

It has helped me take the long-term view on showcasing and retaining talent in this challenging environment.

It has also helped me identify a cause that I believe in and can support personally and professionally. This cause is Women Leadership, and how I have taken it from zero to one that is highly recognised in my company, and beyond.