Born into less but driven by more: the inspiring journey of alumnus Von Lee
Von Lee’s story is one of resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he faced growing up, he was not discouraged and instead forged a path of success through hard work and unwavering spirit.
Text: Sadia Roohi
As an NTU student in the early 1990s, Von Lee Yong Miang juggled both study and work. His part-time job not only helped cover his tuition but also supported his brother’s struggling signage business.
“I worked every month but kept one month free to focus on exams,” he recalled. The commitment wasn’t easy, but his sense of brotherhood and responsibility ran deep.
Today, the NTU-trained civil engineer is the founder of Expand Construction, the company behind the iconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay. To date, the company has completed more than S$3 billion worth of projects in both the public and private sectors.
CEE alumnus Von Lee, Expand Construction’s founder and executive chairman, built the successful company with steady effort and integrity.
To mark the 25th anniversary of his company in July 2025, Von pledged a gift of S$1.2 million to NTU to advance education, research, and student development. Over the years, he has also donated more than $1 million to support the Von Lee Yong Miang Bursary Fund and the Professor Chen Charng Ning Distinguished Lecture Series at NTU.
Brick by brick, a business takes shape
After graduating in 1995, Von worked full time at Singapore’s Housing and Development Board. But he had a bigger dream, which was to become a successful entrepreneur using the valuable civil engineering knowledge he gained in university.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make as it came during the 1998 financial crisis. Some senior colleagues advised him to be cautious about leaving a stable job. He eventually left his job to help his brother revive his business.
In 2000, he realised his ambition by establishing Expand Construction which focused on projects in the built environment sector. His first project was to upgrade older HDB estates under the Singapore Government’s programme.
By supporting this important national effort, Expand Construction helped improve the homes and lives of many Singaporeans, establishing its reputation in the industry.
Von approached each project as an opportunity to learn and grow. His belief was simple: consistent effort and integrity would eventually lead to success.
That mindset proved correct. Over time, Expand's projects grew in scale and ambition, and his company grew alongside the country’s progress.
Expand Construction was still a young company when it won the contract to build the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay.
The project was pioneering, and no one had attempted anything like it before. But Von and his team took on the challenge with the same steady rhythm that has defined their growth: brick by brick, step by step, doing the right things every day with integrity and care.
“When we saw the Supertrees completed, it felt like a dream. Even now, every time I pass by Gardens by the Bay, I still feel proud,” he said.
The company is now playing a key role in the construction of Singapore’s iconic NS Square at Marina Bay, which celebrates the nation’s rich heritage and future ambitions.
(From left) Prof Warren Chan, Dean of College of Engineering, NTU Singapore; Von Lee, Founder and Executive Chairman of Expand Construction Pte Ltd; and NTU President Prof Ho Teck Hua, at the cheque presentation ceremony during Expand Construction’s 25th anniversary dinner.
A mentor to NTU graduates
Beyond philanthropy, he opens doors for NTU graduates, hiring them and mentoring young talent to build rewarding careers in the civil engineering industry.
One of them is Ryan Lock, Senior Project Engineer at Expand Construction and a former recipient of NTU’s Von Lee Yong Miang Bursary.
 | (From right) CEE alumnus Ryan Lock and Von Lee with Minister Desmond Lee, who was then Singapore’s Minister for National Development, during the Minister’s visit to the NS Square construction site in February 2025. Photo credit: Von Lee |
To Von, success is not measured by numbers but by the impact on individual lives. “If just one of them comes back to the company or contributes meaningfully to society, that’s a success.”
He takes joy in engaging with NTU students and values building authentic connections with them.
He hopes his story will inspire others to give back. “I encourage my friends not to keep too much money for their children, as the kids have enough. Instead, we should give to society and help those in need,” he highlighted.
As Expand Construction looks ahead, Von is focused on stability, nurturing the next generation of leaders and continuing to build on a strong foundation. “With support and effort, anyone can build their own success, brick by brick,” he said.
“No young person should be held back simply because they were born into less. I’m glad to come full circle and support students who just need a little help to go further,” the alumnus shared.
