Jiang Lei’s Gold Medal Mindset: Steady, Curious, Composed

Jiang Lei never set out to win awards. For her, the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal reflects not recognition but the journey that shaped her.

“I never began this journey with awards in mind. I simply tried to do my best along the way,” she shares. “This recognition reminds me of the people who’ve helped me grow, including supportive professors, generous friends, patient teammates, and my family.”

While juggling a double degree in Computer Science and Business, Jiang Lei embraced unfamiliar fields as opportunities for self-discovery even when they did not align with her natural strengths.

One particularly vivid memory stands out: an exam week filled with back-to-back papers. “It was both physically and mentally exhausting,” she recalls. “At some point, just making it to the exam hall on time felt like a win.” Moments like that taught her the importance of planning, self-compassion, and focusing on what truly matters.

Throughout her studies, Jiang Lei found value in combining structured problem-solving from computing with the strategic thinking she gained from business. This blend naturally shaped her interest in commodity trading, a field where she sees both business strategy and technical systems thinking coming together.

“It sits at the intersection of economics, geopolitics, and human behaviour,” she says. “I do not know exactly where this journey will lead, but I am certain that the perspective it cultivates will stay with me far beyond this chapter.”

With each new step, Jiang Lei remains guided by a mindset of learning, adaptability, and a steady determination to understand the systems that shape the world around her. These are qualities she hopes will not only carry her forward but also allow her to contribute to the people and communities around her.