In a world teeming with endless possibilities and untapped potential, the allure of entrepreneurship is a beacon of inspiration that compels individuals to forge their own paths. Jenny Tan, the President of the ISACA Singapore Chapter and a SheLeadsTech (SLT) Champion, is someone who possesses unlimited motivation. Her unwavering drive to make a difference sets her apart as a true catalyst for change. Driven by a deep-rooted passion for innovation and empowerment, Jenny embodies the spirit of motivation that propels her forward in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

With a motto of “Walk the talk – take pride in your work – be considerate,” Jenny embodies the values and principles that empower her to navigate through challenges, surpass boundaries, and redefine the limits of success. Her strategic thinking, relationship management, influencing skills, and exceptional execution have not only catapulted her own achievements but have also inspired a generation of aspiring entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

Motivation courses through Jenny’s veins as she continues to push the boundaries of her expertise in areas such as internal audit, IT audit and advisory, business resilience, and risk management. However, her true passion lies in fueling the flames of ambition within others. As a SheLeadsTech Champion, Jenny is on a mission to foster gender diversity and inclusivity in technology leadership roles. Through mentorship, professional development, and leadership training, she empowers aspiring women to harness their potential and shatter the glass ceilings that once confined them.

Jenny Tan’s story is a testament to the transformative power of motivation. It is a reminder that with unwavering dedication, resilience in the face of adversity, and an unyielding belief in one’s abilities, we can carve a path that not only fulfills our own dreams but also paves the way for a more inclusive and progressive future.

Triumph Against the Odds

Jenny Tan’s journey began over two decades ago when she graduated with a UK Computing degree, specializing in artificial intelligence. Back then, AI was a relatively unknown field, and job opportunities in related areas were scarce. Undeterred, Jenny delved into software engineering, using her skills to automate manual workflows and streamline logical processes. As one of the few women in her course and workplace, she faced the challenge of being a minority in a male-dominated industry.

Driven by her desire to create value and have a meaningful impact, Jenny made a pivotal decision to transition from representing the IT department to taking on business-related roles. She embarked on a path that included enterprise project management, group finance and management information systems, performance management, and risk assurance. Throughout her various career roles, Jenny consistently applied her IT skills and knowledge, establishing herself as an expert who seamlessly straddled the realms of business and technology.

Jenny’s journey of continuous learning led her to attend a post-graduate academic course in information security, where she met someone who would change the course of her volunteer career. This person recommended Jenny as an office-bearer volunteer for the ISACA Singapore Chapter Board. Recognizing the opportunity to give back and make a difference, Jenny joined the association and began her journey as a board member and executive committee (EXCO) member. Her consistent dedication and passion for value creation earned her the highest recognition—the role of the first woman President of the ISACA Singapore Chapter in its 40-year history.

It was during her tenure as President that Jenny, fueled by her own experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry, felt compelled to establish the SheLeadsTech (SLT) Programme in Singapore. This diversity and inclusion initiative, spearheaded by ISACA, aimed to introduce more women into the technology space. Under Jenny’s leadership, the SLT Programme flourished, giving rise to three impactful initiatives:

(i) SLT Mentorship Programme: Jenny recognized the power of mentorship in nurturing and guiding aspiring women in the technology field. Through the SLT Mentorship Programme, experienced professionals in the industry served as mentors, providing valuable guidance and support to Institute of Higher Learning students, ISACA young professional members, and participants in the SLT Conversion Programme. Tailored to the specific needs of each group, the mentorship relationships spanned from a six-month duration for young professionals to three sessions over three months for students.

(ii) SLT Conversion Programme: Jenny understood the barriers faced by non-tech GRC professionals and homemakers who sought to reset or switch their careers into the male-dominant technology space. To address this, she introduced the SLT Conversion Programme. This comprehensive initiative offered tech GRC content training to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills. After the training, participants embarked on a three-month internship program with corporate partners, gaining practical experience and paving the way for potential job placements. The intimate cohort size ensured quality engagement and effective training delivery, with each cohort consisting of 12 candidates.

(iii) SLT Ambassador Programme: Recognizing the importance of community engagement and support, Jenny established the SLT Ambassador Programme. This volunteer platform welcomed anyone who believed in the cause of SheLeadsTech. Ambassadors dedicated their time and effort to drive initiatives that encouraged more women to pursue careers in the technology and GRC space. By leveraging their networks and passion, SLT Ambassadors played a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for change, and fostering a supportive community.

Throughout her volunteer career, Jenny’s professional work profile played an integral role in her success. As a risk professional, she held leadership positions where she applied her dual competencies in business and IT. Her expertise as the Practice Lead Partner cum Chief Information Officer for a Big 4 firm and the Risk and Quality Partner for a risk assurance business unit allowed her to build a strong foundation in risk management, audit, and advisory. Currently, she leads a global audit function in a real estate investment management company, spearheading audit transformation initiatives while embracing digital technology to streamline processes and drive efficiency.

Jenny’s inception story is a testament to her unwavering determination, resilience, and passion for empowering women in technology. Through her leadership, the SLT Programme continues to make significant strides, transforming lives and reshaping the landscape of the industry, one aspiring female technologist at a time.

Rapid Adaptations in COVID-19 Era

Throughout the challenges induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenny Tan responded with creativity and adaptability in both her professional and volunteer work. Recognizing the importance of personal touch even in a virtual environment, she dedicated more time to connect with others through virtual platforms and implemented thoughtful gestures such as distributing physical greeting cards and masks, which she personally designed.

In her professional role, Jenny fully embraced digitalization, taking advantage of the heightened need for it during the pandemic. She conducted numerous virtual trainings to ensure her team stayed updated with the required knowledge, including soft skills training that simulated the challenges of remote work. Adjusting her expectations on deliverables, Jenny prioritized what was most important to the team and stakeholders without losing sight of their audit mission.

Within the chapter, Jenny launched virtual activities to engage members and maintain a strong chapter presence. Despite the constraints of the pandemic, the chapter successfully accumulated more hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) during this period, demonstrating Jenny’s commitment to supporting professional development even in challenging times.

Empowering Sources

Jenny Tan draws inspiration from the esteemed founding father and ex-Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. She greatly admires his perseverance and exceptional foresight, which she finds highly commendable. What resonates with her the most is Mr. Lee’s unwavering commitment to a unified country, regardless of the decisions he made. He consistently prioritized the betterment of the nation as a whole, taking responsibility and accountability for his actions.

Using Mr. Lee Kuan Yew as her life guidebook, Jenny applies a similar approach in her personal and professional life, as well as in her current leadership role. She embraces the “One-Firm” approach, ensuring that decisions and actions are made from the perspective of the greater good. Individual biases and agendas have no place in this leadership style. Whether as a leader or contributor, Jenny upholds the principle of aligning her deliverables with the best interests of the organization or chapter she serves.

This philosophy becomes particularly crucial when leading the chapter’s board of directors, who are volunteers elected to steer the chapter’s direction. As these directors are senior professionals with extensive management experience in other firms, gaining their confidence and respect is paramount. Jenny believes that the “One-Firm” approach makes perfect sense in this context, reminding everyone of their shared purpose as volunteers: to ensure the chapter thrives and its members benefit from the learning and networking opportunities provided.

Inspired by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership and his devotion to the greater good, Jenny Tan embodies his principles in her own life, guiding her actions and decisions as she strives to make a positive impact within her community.

Wisdom Nuggets

Jenny Tan advises the next generation of ambitious and budding entrepreneurs to cultivate patience and persistence. She emphasizes the importance of giving things time to accumulate and gaining valuable experience along the way. By being consistent in both their plans and actions, aspiring business people can earn trust and respect more quickly, ultimately helping them achieve their goals. In a world dominated by social media and superficiality, Jenny believes that staying patient and remaining steadfast in one’s behavior is the key to success.