The leaders who truly make a difference are those who can adapt to change, overcome challenges, and continue moving forward even during difficult times. Sulian Tan-Wijaya is one such leader. As Executive Director at Savills Singapore, Advisor to Nanocrystal Composites Inc. in the United States, and Advisor to the Singapore-Hangzhou Business Association, she has built a career that reflects resilience, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to growth. Her journey has taken her across industries, countries, and economic cycles, shaping her into one of the most respected voices in business strategy and real estate today.
Recognized as one of the “Top Global Real Estate & Business Strategy Leaders Driving International Growth in 2026,” Sulian’s success story was not built overnight. It was shaped through years of hard work, personal sacrifice, and the willingness to step into unfamiliar situations. Throughout her career, she has experienced both professional triumphs and personal setbacks. Rather than allowing obstacles to define her future, she used every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become stronger. Her story is a reminder that success is rarely a straight path and that true leadership often develops during life’s most difficult moments.
Learning Independence at an Early Age
The qualities that define Sulian today can be traced back to her childhood in Singapore. Growing up in a household where both parents had demanding careers, she and her sister learned to become independent from a young age. They often had to manage responsibilities on their own, solve problems without constant guidance, and develop confidence in making decisions. Looking back, Sulian believes these early experiences played a major role in shaping her leadership style. They taught her self-reliance, accountability, and the importance of taking ownership of her actions.
Sports also became an important part of her development. As a competitive swimmer and squash player representing her school and junior college, she learned lessons that extended far beyond winning competitions. Sports taught her discipline, teamwork, commitment, and the value of pushing beyond personal limits. These experiences helped build the mental strength that would later support her throughout a demanding international career. Even today, many of the leadership principles she follows can be linked back to the lessons she learned as a young athlete.
An Unconventional Start to Success
While studying law at the National University of Singapore, Sulian chose a path that was far from conventional. Instead of focusing only on academics, she explored a variety of opportunities that exposed her to different industries and experiences. During her university years, she worked as a model, performed as a club DJ, hosted television programs, and played keyboards for a rock band. Balancing these activities alongside legal studies was challenging, but it gave her a unique understanding of people, communication, and business at an early stage in her life.
These experiences helped her build confidence and taught her how to connect with different audiences. They also exposed her to the realities of professional life much earlier than many of her peers. Through these roles, she learned how to manage pressure, adapt quickly, and perform in highly competitive environments. More importantly, they showed her the value of being open to opportunities that exist outside traditional career paths. This willingness to embrace new experiences would later become one of the defining characteristics of her professional journey.
Taking a Bold Step into a New Country
One of the most defining decisions of Sulian’s career came when she was only twenty-five years old. At a time when many young professionals would have chosen stability and familiarity, she decided to leave behind her family, friends, and a successful banking career in Singapore to pursue an opportunity in Indonesia with an international bank. It was a move that required courage, confidence, and a willingness to start from scratch in a completely new environment.
Relocating to Indonesia was not simply a professional change; it was a personal transformation. Sulian had to adapt to a different culture, learn Bahasa Indonesia, and build a new network while establishing her credibility in a highly competitive business environment. The transition was challenging because she was no longer surrounded by the support system she had always known. Every day required learning, adjustment, and persistence. However, rather than seeing these obstacles as barriers, she viewed them as opportunities to grow and expand her perspective.
Working in Indonesia exposed Sulian to situations that tested both her professional skills and emotional resilience. As a young woman dealing with senior executives and influential business leaders, she often found herself facing jealousy, assumptions, and skepticism. Some people underestimated her capabilities, while others questioned whether her success was truly earned. Instead of allowing these perceptions to discourage her, she remained focused on delivering results. Her determination to prove herself through performance rather than words became one of the driving forces behind her success.
Lessons Learned During Crisis
Few professionals have experienced major economic and social crises as closely as Sulian did during her years in Indonesia. She witnessed the impact of the Asian Financial Crisis and lived through the 1998 Indonesian riots, events that created uncertainty across businesses, communities, and entire industries. These were not situations that could be learned from a textbook or management course. They were real-life experiences that demanded courage, quick thinking, and strong leadership.
Living and working during such difficult periods gave Sulian a unique understanding of how leaders must respond when circumstances become unpredictable. She learned that leadership is not only about making decisions when everything is going well. True leadership becomes most important during moments of uncertainty when people are looking for direction, confidence, and stability. The challenges she faced during those years strengthened her ability to remain calm under pressure and reinforced her belief that resilience is one of the most valuable qualities any leader can possess.
Despite the difficult environment, Sulian continued to perform at a high level and steadily advanced in her career. Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence, she earned multiple promotions and achieved senior positions at a remarkably young age. Her success was not the result of luck but of perseverance, adaptability, and the ability to remain focused on long-term goals even when short-term circumstances were challenging.
Starting Over and Finding Strength
After spending a decade in Indonesia, Sulian eventually returned to Singapore. While many people might assume that returning home would bring comfort and stability, the reality was far more complex. Rebuilding a life after ten years away required significant adjustment. Professional networks had changed, friendships had evolved, and she had to establish herself again within a new business environment.
The transition proved to be one of the most difficult periods of her life. Alongside the normal challenges of rebuilding a career, she encountered workplace politics and corporate bullying that took a serious toll on her well-being. The pressure became so intense that she experienced panic attacks and was hospitalized. It was a period filled with uncertainty, frustration, and emotional exhaustion.
However, it was also during this challenging chapter that Sulian discovered a deeper source of strength. Her faith became an important part of her journey and provided comfort during moments when everything seemed uncertain. Rather than giving up or allowing difficult experiences to define her future, she chose to keep moving forward. Looking back today, she believes those difficult years taught her some of the most important lessons of her life. They showed her that resilience is built through adversity and that personal growth often comes from overcoming challenges that initially seem impossible.
Defining Success Beyond Professional Titles
Over the years, Sulian’s understanding of success has remained remarkably grounded. While she values achievement and professional growth, she does not believe success should be measured only by income, status, or career progression. For her, success is deeply connected to the quality of relationships and the ability to live with authenticity and purpose.
She believes that being a caring daughter, a loving mother, and a loyal friend is just as important as professional accomplishments. In a world where many people are focused on external achievements, Sulian continues to place great value on kindness, integrity, and genuine human connection. She believes that financial success can create opportunities, but true Fulfillment comes from living according to one’s values and making a positive impact on others.
This balanced perspective has helped her navigate both success and adversity without losing sight of what truly matters. It has also shaped the way she leads, encouraging her to focus not only on business results but also on the people behind those results.
Values That Never Change
Throughout her career, Sulian has witnessed enormous changes across the global business landscape. She has experienced economic downturns, public health crises, technological revolutions, and major shifts in the way companies operate. From the Asian Financial Crisis and SARS to COVID-19 and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, she has seen firsthand how quickly the world can change.
Despite these constant disruptions, the values that guide her have remained unchanged. Independence, resilience, integrity, humility, and a commitment to continuous learning have served as the foundation of her personal and professional life. These principles have helped her navigate uncertainty and make decisions that align with her long-term vision.
For Sulian, humility is especially important. She believes that no matter how much experience a person gains, there is always something new to learn. This mindset has allowed her to remain open to fresh ideas, changing technologies, and different perspectives throughout her career. It has also helped her stay relevant in industries that continue to evolve at an increasingly rapid pace.
Leading Through Different Generations
One of the unique aspects of Sulian’s leadership journey is her experience working with and managing people across several generations. Early in her career, she found herself leading Baby Boomers who were older and often more experienced than she was. As the workforce evolved, she worked closely with Generation X, Millennials, and now Generation Z. Each generation brought different expectations, communication styles, motivations, and ways of approaching work.
Over the years, Sulian learned that effective leadership is not about treating everyone the same. Instead, it is about understanding people as individuals and adapting leadership styles to bring out the best in them. She believes that every generation has valuable strengths and perspectives to offer. While experience and wisdom are important, younger generations often bring fresh ideas, new technologies, and innovative ways of thinking. This balanced approach has helped her remain an effective leader in a constantly changing workplace.
Today, she actively learns from younger professionals, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. Rather than seeing herself as someone who has all the answers, she views leadership as a continuous learning journey. This willingness to learn from others, regardless of age or position, reflects the humility that has remained a key part of her leadership philosophy throughout her career.
Making an Impact in Real Estate
As Executive Director at Savills Singapore, Sulian operates in one of the world’s most competitive and fast-moving industries. Real estate has changed dramatically over the past decade, influenced by economic uncertainty, changing consumer expectations, technology, and global events. Success in today’s market requires much more than understanding properties and transactions. It requires strategic thinking, market knowledge, relationship-building skills, and the ability to anticipate future trends.
Sulian understands that clients today are more informed than ever before. They have access to information, market data, and investment insights at their fingertips. As a result, real estate professionals must provide deeper value and stronger strategic guidance. Simply facilitating transactions is no longer enough. Clients are looking for trusted advisors who can help them navigate complex decisions and changing market conditions.
Her approach focuses on understanding the bigger picture. She believes that successful real estate strategies must consider economic trends, business growth opportunities, technological changes, and long-term market developments. This broader perspective has allowed her to build strong relationships and contribute meaningfully to the success of both clients and organizations.
Building International Business Connections
Another exciting chapter in Sulian’s journey is her role as an Advisor to the Singapore-Hangzhou Business Association. This opportunity allows her to contribute to the development of stronger business ties between Singapore and one of China’s most innovative cities. For Sulian, the role represents more than a professional appointment. It represents an opportunity to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and international growth.
Hangzhou has become known globally for its leadership in technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and entrepreneurship. It is home to companies that are shaping the future of business and creating solutions that impact industries worldwide. Being involved with initiatives that connect Singapore and Hangzhou allows Sulian to engage with emerging technologies and new business opportunities while supporting meaningful partnerships between organizations from different regions.
She believes that the future of business will increasingly depend on international collaboration. Companies that build strong global networks, embrace innovation, and share knowledge across borders will be better positioned to succeed in an increasingly connected world. Through her advisory role, she hopes to contribute to creating opportunities that benefit businesses, industries, and future generations of leaders.
The Growing Influence of Artificial Intelligence
Like many business leaders today, Sulian recognizes that artificial intelligence is changing the way people work, communicate, and make decisions. She believes that AI is not simply another technological trend but one of the most significant transformations businesses have experienced in decades. From automation and data analysis to customer engagement and operational efficiency, AI is already influencing nearly every industry.
At the same time, she understands that technological advancement brings both opportunities and challenges. While AI can improve productivity and reduce repetitive work, it also requires professionals to adapt and continuously develop new skills. Sulian believes that future success will depend on a person’s ability to embrace change rather than resist it.
She often speaks about the importance of mindset in an era of disruption. Technical skills remain important, but qualities such as creativity, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking are becoming increasingly valuable. These human strengths cannot easily be replaced by technology and will continue to play an important role in leadership and decision-making.
Finding Balance Beyond Business
Despite her professional responsibilities and involvement in multiple organizations, Sulian understands the importance of maintaining balance in life. Like many successful leaders, she faces the challenge of managing professional ambitions while protecting her personal well-being. However, she believes that enjoying what you do makes that balance easier to achieve.
Outside of work, she values moments of quiet reflection and personal enjoyment. Music remains one of her passions, and she enjoys discovering new artists and building playlists on Spotify. She is also a fan of Korean dramas, which provide an opportunity to relax and recharge after busy workdays. These simple activities allow her to step away from professional responsibilities and focus on personal well-being.
Family and close friendships also remain central to her life. Weekends are often spent with loved ones, creating memories and maintaining relationships that have supported her throughout her journey. While business continues to play an important role in her life, she understands that lasting happiness comes from meaningful connections and experiences beyond the workplace.
The Influence of a Remarkable Mother
When asked about the person who has had the greatest influence on her life, Sulian’s answer is immediate. Her mother has been her strongest source of inspiration, guidance, and support. From an early age, her mother encouraged independence while also providing the confidence needed to pursue ambitious goals.
What makes this influence particularly meaningful is the trust and freedom her mother gave her. Whether she was participating in competitive sports, studying law, working as a model, performing as a DJ, or exploring opportunities in television, her mother consistently supported her decisions and encouraged her to pursue her interests. This support helped Sulian develop the confidence to take risks and explore opportunities that many people might have avoided.
Beyond professional encouragement, her mother also taught her lessons that continue to guide her today. Humility, resilience, kindness, and the importance of hard work were values demonstrated through actions rather than words. These lessons became part of Sulian’s character and continue to influence the way she approaches both leadership and life.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Unlike many accomplished professionals who spend time reflecting on their legacy, Sulian remains focused on what comes next. She views life as an ongoing journey of learning, growth, and discovery. New opportunities continue to emerge, and she approaches each one with the same curiosity and determination that have defined her career from the beginning.
Whether through real estate, international business collaboration, advisory roles, or future projects, she remains excited about contributing to meaningful initiatives that create value for others. She believes that every new challenge offers an opportunity to learn something new, expand perspectives, and make a positive impact.
For Sulian, the future is not something to fear but something to embrace. In a world that continues to change at an extraordinary pace, she remains committed to adapting, learning, and growing alongside it.
A Story of Resilience, Purpose, and Growth
The story of Sulian Tan-Wijaya is ultimately a story about resilience. It is about a woman who embraced independence from an early age, pursued opportunities beyond traditional expectations, built a successful international career, overcame personal and professional challenges, and continued moving forward despite adversity. Every chapter of her journey reflects determination, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning.
As one of the Top Global Real Estate & Business Strategy Leaders Driving International Growth in 2026, Sulian continues to inspire others through her leadership, authenticity, and commitment to growth. Her journey demonstrates that success is not defined by titles or achievements alone. It is defined by the ability to rise after setbacks, remain true to your values, and continue building a meaningful life regardless of the challenges along the way.
Perhaps the message that best summarizes her story is also one of the simplest. As Sulian often reminds people, “Nobody owes you a living.” Success requires effort, resilience, and personal responsibility. Her life stands as proof that when those qualities are combined with purpose and determination, extraordinary opportunities can follow.
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