ReWrite The Rules

If someone told you they dropped out of kindergarten, went on to sit on global boards, and now runs half marathons in Greenland… would you believe it? In this episode of Rewrite the Rules, I speak with Su-Yen Wong, global board director, former Chair of the Singapore Institute of Directors, and a leader who has quietly rewritten every rule around leadership and careers. We unpack her journey into corporate governance, what really makes an effective board director, and why portfolio careers are becoming the next chapter for senior leaders. Su-Yen shares how curiosity and courage have shaped her leadership path… and why success doesn’t have to follow a single title or linear climb. If board roles, leadership reinvention, career pivots, or women in leadership resonate with you, this conversation will challenge how you think about the long game! IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Why Board Careers Aren’t Accidental(01:10) How a Real Board Journey Actually Begins(02:19) The Two Traits Every Board Director Is Tested On(05:31) What It Took to Become SID’s First Woman Chair(08:55) Where to Start If You Want a Board Seat(10:33) Why Portfolio Careers Are Replacing Linear Success(13:59) The Hidden Upside (and Risk) of Portfolio Careers(14:42) Why Most Portfolio Careers Stall After Six Months(16:47) Is a Portfolio Career Too Early—or Just Right?(18:20) Do Women Have an Edge in Portfolio Careers?(20:36) Why She Ran a Half Marathon in Greenland(21:47) What Art, Leadership, and Legacy Have in Common(23:11) The One Rule She Chose to Break—and Why Su-Yen Wong | Board Member, Speaker and EducatorSu-Yen Wong is passionate about helping audiences around the world navigate the intersection of technology, strategy and people. As a professional speaker, she challenges audiences to think differently about the future of work, reinvention, diversity, and governance.  Su-Yen serves on the Boards of several public, private, and not-for-profit organisations in Australia, Asia, and the United States, across a range of industries including telecommunications, media, professional services, agriculture, real estate, education, and FinTech / HRTech. She is Chairman of a listed company and of the Singapore Institute of Directors.  She is also an adjunct professor of global leadership and a highly-rated guest lecturer who has spoken at universities across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Ritu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic. https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/ https://www.ritumehrish.com/