Vivian Chua, SIM-RMIT alumna, SIM Board Member and Head of Services and Solutions for Greater Asia, HP
9 July 2024
A SIM-RMIT degree changed her life
As we entered HP Inc’s expansive grounds at Depot Road, the scale of the offices becomes immediately evident, making us feel small in this vast space. We were due to meet Ms. Vivian Chua, SIM Board Member and Head of Services and Solutions for Greater Asia at HP, who has staff in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Japan and Korea under her charge.
Ushered into HP’s Customer Welcome Centre, we were greeted by a comprehensive range of HP’s inventions, a testament to their impressive accomplishments. The SIM Trailblazer who would soon walk through the doors has spent a jaw-dropping 25 years with the multinational company. A sense of nervousness prevailed, but she soon breezed in with a big smile on her face, greeting everyone warmly and ensuring we had refreshments before we got down to chatting.
Despite her position in the company (and the fact that we were speaking to a Board Member), Vivian did not exude any air of superiority. This could be due to her humble beginnings; growing up in a one-room rental flat as the second of five children, financial constraints meant she had to start working with only a diploma, despite qualifying for junior college.
“I had to enter the workforce early due to tight finances,” Vivian recalled. However, her ambition was evident from the beginning, as she quickly made a name for herself in IT sales.
In 1998, HP sought to recruit her, but Vivian did not possess a degree. Determined to advance her career, she enrolled in a two-year part-time marketing degree course at the SIM-Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in 1999.
“Those two years pushed me to my limits,” she reflects. “Balancing a demanding work schedule with studies was tough, but it was also incredibly rewarding.” She shared that her classmates were all working adults like her, looking to maximise their potential. “It was inspiring; I graduated realising there was so much more I could do. It fuelled my desire to keep learning and growing.”
Armed with this mindset and a new degree, Vivian’s career trajectory soared. She would go on to hone her skills and broaden her knowledge in different areas within HP, such as Business Development, Product Management, Channel Marketing. Her last role before assuming her current one was Managing Director for Singapore, and Cluster Head for Singapore and Malaysia. Impressive for a girl who grew up in a one-room rental flat. Did we mention she is also our Board Member?
Paying It Forward by Empowering Others
A quick browse through Vivian’s LinkedIn profile turned up a phrase that struck us: “I strongly believe in empowerment as a means to progress – both personally and professionally.” With this as her personal motto, it is little wonder that she actively encourages her staff and mentees to pursue new opportunities and adopt a learning attitude.
“I often tell them, ‘Hey, you have been in this role for too long. Go explore another.’ Elevating and exposing people to new roles and experiences is crucial for growth,” she emphasised.
“I am where I am through education," she asserts. "I aim to give back and create the same positive impact through my knowledge and involvement.” Vivian then shares that apart from serving on the SIM Board, she also contributes as a council member to the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Vice Chairman for the SME Centre by Enterprise Singapore at SMF. She also supported the HP-NTU Powers mentorship programme for female STEM Students.
We left with another golden quote from Vivian: “not everybody comes equally equipped, but everybody comes with a different background and perspective, and you can harness that in the work you do together.” This sentiment captures the essence of her leadership philosophy.
Vivian’s journey embodies the spirit of resilience, responsibility, and lifelong learning that SIM has championed for 60 years. Her leadership and dedication to fostering a culture of growth and empowerment deeply inspire us. And as staff, we are fortunate to have someone like her serve on our Board.
At the time of this interview, Vivian was the Head of Services and Solutions for Greater Asia at HP. She has since moved on from HP and will be undertaking a new role from December 2024.