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The Senior Director & Head of People – SEA, Edelman, shares how resilience, purpose, and even patience from hobbies help her navigate the toughest moments – and why leaders must remember they are always shaping culture, consciously or not.
Some careers begin with a lifelong dream. Others, like our interview Amanda Lam's, are shaped by elimination – crossing out what didn’t fit until HR emerged as the place to make a difference. What started as a role turned into a calling: an opportunity to influence culture, guide strategy, and drive meaningful change.
Today, she remains rooted in the belief that HR, when done with intention, can profoundly impact both people and business – a belief that continues to keep her grounded, especially in times of challenge and uncertainty.
Lam is currently Senior Director & Head of People – SEA at Edelman, where she collaborates closely with the leadership team and oversees all aspects of the HR strategy, championing performance management, culture, and employee engagement initiatives. Her current portfolio involves championing DE&I, change management, performance and employee engagement as well as other HR projects and initiatives that the team is looking to drive across Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.
The leader is set to speak at HRO's upcoming #CorporateWellbeingAsia on 8 October, and ahead of the event, chats with P Sabarish about how resilience, purpose, and even patience from hobbies help her navigate the toughest moments – and why leaders must remember they are always shaping culture, consciously or not.
Q What inspired you to pursue a career in HR? Was it a conscious choice or something you grew into?
I didn’t start out with a burning ambition to work in HR – in fact, I landed here by eliminating what I didn’t want to do. But as I stepped into the field, I started to see the scope and complexity of what HR could really be: not just about policies, but about shaping strategy, influencing culture, and creating meaningful change.
There were moments in my career where I questioned if I should pivot – but I found myself returning to the core belief that HR, when done right, has the power to profoundly impact both people and business. That clarity is what’s kept me here – and what continues to drive me forward.
Q How do you personally stay grounded and resilient, especially when you're the one supporting everyone else as HR?
I stay grounded by staying connected to the why behind the work. HR can be incredibly intense – people turn to you in moments of crisis, ambiguity, and change. But I’ve found that even on the hardest days, remembering the purpose behind what we do helps anchor me.
I also give myself permission to pause when needed – sometimes that looks like stepping away to reset, other times it's simply taking a moment to breathe before making a big call.
I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about always having the answers – it’s about having the presence of mind to lead with intention, even when things are uncertain.
Q Since we're talking about personal wellness, what’s something most people wouldn’t guess about you - maybe a hidden talent or hobby?
I’ve always appreciated activities that require patience and precision – like baking or stitching. They’re small but meaningful ways I switch gears and give my mind a different kind of focus. While I don’t always have the luxury of time for hobbies, I find that even short moments spent creating something tangible help me approach work challenges with more clarity and calm. It’s a reminder that slowing down can be productive too.
Q As a speaker at #CWA2025, what is the #1 message you'd want all invitees to take away from your session?
That culture isn’t a poster on the wall – it’s a system we choose to reinforce every single day. As leaders, we shape culture through what we reward, what we tolerate, and how we show up in moments that matter. Whether you’re in wellness, occupational health, rewards, performance, health & safety, or employee engagement, you’re a culture architect. The question is: are you shaping it consciously, or by default?
Corporate Wellbeing Asia is HRO's focused, premier wellbeing conference, gathering wellbeing leaders and HR decision-makers from across the region on 8 October 2025. This event is complimentary, by-invite only, and open solely to CHROs, HR leaders, health & wellness leaders, and C-suite practitioners.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to P Sabarish. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any corporate wellness solutions such as healthcare, insurance or physical fitness, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!
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