Nanyang Business School Hosts Leadership Dialogue and Launches Asset Management Network

As the financial industry continues to evolve, professional networks have become an essential platform for knowledge-sharing and career development. They enable students to gain guidance from experienced professionals, while offering alumni opportunities to expand their networks and stay connected.

Held at the Singapore office of Eastspring Investments, the event brought together alumni for an evening of dialogue and networking. It is part of the school’s ongoing efforts to engage its alumni community through industry dialogues and networking initiatives, and was particularly significant, marking the launch of the NBS Asset Management Alumni Network.

Leadership Dialogue with Chin Szu Yi
A central segment of the evening was a leadership dialogue focused on peer-to-peer engagement, where alumni shared their experiences and insights with the community. Chin Szu Yi, Head of Global Financial Institutions & Intermediaries at Eastspring Investments and Exco Member of the NTU NBS Alumni Association, exemplified this in a candid dialogue moderated by fellow alumnus Marcus Neo (B.BUS), Associate Director, Shipping & Commodities at Grey Tree Search and Exco Member of the NTU NBS Alumni Association.

Chin Szu Yi (left) shares insights from her 30-year journey in asset management, in a dialogue moderated by Marcus Neo (right).

Reflecting on her career, Szu Yi shared an unconventional journey shaped by adaptability and continuous learning. Graduating during the Asian Financial Crisis, she entered the workforce at a time of uncertainty, with no clearly defined career path. “All I wanted was to graduate, start working, and earn money to support my family,” she shared, describing her early motivations.

Over the years, she built her career across global firms, including Schroders, Deutsche Bank Asset Management, and Fidelity International, taking on roles across multiple functions. A defining part of her journey was her transition from a self-described introvert into a leader in the asset management industry, shaped by deliberate practice and a shift in perspective.

She reframed her approach to sales, seeing it not as persuasion, but as problem-solving. “Sales is all about problem solving… I always asked: " What is your problem? And if I can solve it, I will solve it for you.”

Szu Yi shared key lessons that have guided her career, emphasising the importance of building on one’s strengths and remaining open to feedback. She also highlighted the importance of internal relationships and collaboration across teams.

A key takeaway from her sharing was the importance of how one “shows up” at work. She introduced the acronym W.A.T.C.H., which stands for Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character, and Heart, as a framework for approaching both professional and personal interactions. “Turning up the right way was a very big lesson for me,” she noted, adding that mindset and attitude play a significant role in shaping outcomes and relationships.

Her sharing reflects the broader role of alumni in contributing experience and insights to the community. As Lee Shin Yng (B.ACC), Vice President of NTU NBS Alumni Association (Corporate Engagement & Careers), noted, seniors who share their journeys and lessons can help guide the next generation of graduates towards their career paths. It is this spirit of knowledge-sharing among alumni that the NBS Asset Management Alumni Network is designed to sustain.

Launching the NBS Asset Management Alumni Network
The NBS Asset Management Alumni Network brings together alumni working in or interested in asset management across public and private markets, including public markets, private credit, hedge funds, and fund distribution. It aims to foster a community where members can exchange insights, discuss investment strategies, and support one another’s professional growth, enhancing their expertise and broadening their perspectives.

Long Hao (B.ACC), Portfolio Manager at a Global Hedge Fund and Industry Lead of the NBS Asset Management Alumni Network, described its dual purpose: “For students, they are able to seek career guidance from seniors and alumni in the network. For alumni, we are able to expand our professional network, connect with like-minded professionals, and find a potential venue to identify young talent.”

She also noted a common experience among alumni: meeting peers at industry conferences, only to later discover they had attended the same school. The network aims to make these connections more visible and accessible within the alumni community. Operated via a WhatsApp community with sub-groups for public and private assets, it is designed to support ongoing peer exchange and discussion.

As Szu Yi noted, “Network and community that pulls together like-minded people is extremely important, especially in a very fast-changing sector. Things move so fast. Just being able to call someone to ask things, I think that will be very valuable.”

NBS alumni working in or interested in asset management are encouraged to join the network and be part of a growing community committed to knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and professional development.

From left: Ann Ong (Deputy Director, NBS Alumni Relations), Dr Daniel Siew (Assistant Dean, Undergraduate), Tan Soon Liang (President, NTU NBS Alumni Association), Chin Szu Yi (Exco Member, NTU NBS Alumni Association), and Long Hao (Industry Lead, NBS Asset Management Alumni Network) at the launch of the NBS Asset Management Alumni Network.

Shaping a More Connected and Collaborative Alumni Community
At its core, the evening reinforced the importance of professional networks in supporting both career development and a sense of community. The NBS Asset Management Alumni Network represents the school’s continued efforts to strengthen these connections and support its alumni community beyond the event. Click here to join the network.