Who Stephanie Chua
From Young & Rubicam and Wunderman Asia
To Teva Pharmaceutical (Asia)
As the new director of human resources for Teva Pharmaceutical (Asia), Stephanie Chua will be responsible for all HR issues and processes in the region. They include managerial coaching programmes, maximising and aligning with the strategic business plan process, creating HR capabilities at all operational levels, developing HR operation plans, providing advice regarding organisational structures and creating learning and development programmes. As this is a newly created role, Chua’s first priority is working on the integration of acquisitions in the region and managing issues in China. She says, “The task in China is a challenging one as we have factories in China with unions.” However, she feels it is an opportunity for her to partner business leaders to create values and implement initiatives across the region that would facilitate achieving the organisation’s business goals.
Who Veronica Cheong
From Singapore Management University (SMU)
To LG Singapore
Veronica Cheong was recently appointed LG Singapore’s new HR manager. Joining the consumer electronics company on 18 February, Cheong will oversee the full spectrum of HR functions. Prior to her stint at SMU, Cheong has had 12 years of experience of working for companies such as Lucent Technologies, Chartered Semiconductors and Times publishing. Cheong now oversees LG’s full spectrum of HR functions. She was attracted to working for LG because of the potential for growth in both the business and the brand and adds that while SMU was a structured and stable organisation, LG is a more dynamic organisation. Cheong’s first project for the company would be to transform the business.
Who Natalie Lee
From Infineon Asia Pacific
To Vestas Technology R&D
d Natalie Lee, director of people and culture for Vestas Technology R&D, says the industry she is currently working in was a strong attraction factor when she joined the start-up. Lee believes it has “a noble cause of saving the earth” and she wanted to “share and use her vast experience to setup the company”. Besides overseeing the entire HR department including office admin, Lee is responsible for hiring and retaining talent and more importantly, moulding and shaping employees to the culture of the company. She is proud to have successfully accomplished a diverse mix of 16 nationalities amongst 100 technical staff. Lee says her current HR challenge is knowing “how to continue to motivate, develop competency centres and retain both experienced and young passionate talent that we have recruited and built up within a short period time”.
Who Karen Koa
From AXA Life Insurance Singapore
To AXA Life Insurance Singapore
Karen Koa has been promoted from her manager position to become AXA Life Insurance’s new head of human resource. Koa replaces her predecessor Shirley Lee who has left for ipac wealth management Asia, a company under the AXA Group. In her new position, Koa will build a stronger leadership team to drive the organisation forward, engage the employees with organisation’s goals for 2009 as well as train and develop staff to increase their capacity and competency. In addition to her experience in HR, Koa has gained experience in Distribution and Programme Management Office in her 13 years with the company. Her promotion has been described by AXA’s CEO, Gilbert Pak, as a move that will help the company “spearhead first-in-the-market initiatives that advance the interests of our customers, shareholders and employees”.
