Kimberly Chua is a passionate yoga teacher and joined Phaidon International in 2020, originally with Selby Jennings, our Financial Services brand. When the opportunity arose to lead the Larson Maddox team in Singapore in 2022, Kimberly jumped at the chance. Since then, she has been passionate about driving forward better diversity in the Regulatory & Legal landscape.
What are you proudest of in your career?
“The proudest moment for me has been building a team and stepping into a leadership position while still being among the top three consultants in Singapore last year. Having strong female leadership in the business I think empowered me to step up to the challenge and make it possible.”
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day, especially in the workplace?
“It’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day because it marks a call to action in raising awareness. It celebrates how far we’ve come in terms of gender equality, but also acknowledges that there are still disparities that exist today.
“So, in general, celebrating International Women’s Day sparks a conversation in the workplace which is imperative to making substantial change.”
How do you encourage gender diversity internally in your brand?
“By always prioritizing inclusive hiring. With job postings, I check the language that I use. And when interviewing and making hiring decision, I insist on having multiple, diverse interviewers (both men and women) so we can eliminate the unconscious bias we might have internally.
“I also make sure my team have opportunities and career progression, regardless of gender. That’s how female leaders here have previously paved the way and given me this great opportunity and journey.”
How do you encourage gender diversity in your sector?
“I’m focusing on Regulatory & Legal in Financial Services, which is known to be quite a male dominated area. However, throughout my experience, I have had the privilege to meet a lot of senior female leaders, general counsels, and chief compliance officers within the sector, who are continuously pushing the boundaries and showing younger women that it’s possible to hold senior positions in these big firms.
“Therefore, while it is still an on-going process in the Regulatory & Legal sector, I think the industry has come a long way. Of course, we still have a long way to go.
“As a talent partner for my clients, I focus on educating and advising them on hiring processes that encourage diversity through gender-neutral job descriptions for example. I always help my clients evaluate their current internal teams and suggest how it can be further diversified, and see if there are candidates that would fit and benefit them.
"Ultimately, the aim is to shed more light on the importance of diversity, creating and pushing forward that conversation, which is fundamental for any real change."
What advice would you give your younger self?
“I’d tell my younger self: ‘You are enough. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, go for that opportunity, chase that big goal and take some risks.'
"Growing up, I’ve been a perfectionist, to the point that I have a lot of fear which led to a lot of inaction. I think a lot of women have gone through this. I think women, just like men, can be equally confident, competent, and capable of achieving success - but first, we must begin believing in ourselves!"
For more interviews with the inspiring women at Phaidon International, take a lookat how other women in the business celebrate International Women's Day.