Angelene Chan receives Her World Woman of the Year Award 2017 |
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CEO of DP Architects group of companies, Ms Angelene Chan, has been recognised by Her World magazine as one of Singapore’s top successful women with the Woman of the Year 2017 award.
Addressing an audience of 400, she shared that the journey, though blessed, is not without its struggles: “The biggest challenge, I find, is juggling my roles as a mother, wife, daughter, architect. This is because – I am sure like many of you here – we would like to give our best in each of our roles. And to do our best, our days can get pretty hectic and compressed.”
Her speech, grounded and heartfelt, honours the fellowship and support that a sisterhood provides: “Therefore, I would like to share this Award with all the women architects in my office – most of them fulfilling roles as mother, wives, daughters and sisters as well. This award is shared with them… for motivating inspiring and supporting each other to push our passion for architecture and to realise our individual dreams.”
A two-time President’s Award Winner – for Sunray Woodcraft Construction headquarters in 2015 and Republic Polytechnic in 2009 (designed by Fumihiko Maki of Maki & Associates of Japan and done in collaboration with DP Architects as the project architect) – and as the first female CEO of one of Singapore’s top five architecture firms, Ms Chan reputation as an architect, designer and business woman has steadily risen over the last three decades.
The judging committee picked Ms Chan as this year’s recipient for “putting Singapore design on the map.” The jury citation, read at today’s press conference by Ms Jennie Chua, chairperson of the judging committee, recognises her designs as “exceptional, unique and refreshing.” Her portfolio of works include projects such as The Dubai Mall and Noon Square in Seoul. To date, she has led DP Architects to clinch further overseas projects including Mariner’s Quarters in London and Bonnevaux in Poitiers, France.
Despite her achievements, the award nomination for Woman of the Year 2017 still came as a surprise to Ms Chan. Speaking at the press conference, she shared: “I never expected public recognition for my works. Architecture is my passion and being able to do what I love – to sculpt building landscape and mould the environment that we live in – is already a privilege in itself. So to receive this award for something that I already feel fortunate to pursue is a double blessing.”
While she is honoured and recognises its significance, Ms Chan holds that the pursuit of one’s passion and profession is not purely gender-based. Working in the male-dominated building and construction industry, she has never felt differently treated or disadvantaged because of her gender. She attributes her professional success to the mentorship and support she has received from DP’s Board of Directors, specifically Chairman Mr Francis Lee, Founder Mr Koh Seow Chuan and former Chairman Mr Chan Sui Him. She also credits her success to the teamwork, shared camaraderie and generosity of her colleagues.
The Woman of the Year award was launched by Her World in 1991 and honours women who have made outstanding contributions to society through their field of work. Receiving the award at the prestigious Her World gala dinner, Ms Chan joins the ranks of an elite group of women including Professor Chan Heng Chee, Mdm Halimah Yacob, Dr Cheong Koon Hean, Ms Jennie Chua, and Ms Sudha Nair.
