Anna Ong
MBA’09J
Filipino, Singaporean, Taiwanese
Storytelling didn’t just walk into my life – it stormed in during an improv show in 2018 and refused to leave. One story, one stage, and suddenly, my life had a plot twist.
Before that, I spent over 15 years in banking, ticking every box of corporate success: sales, strategy, and operations.
But success without joy feels like winning a race you didn’t want to run.
As an immigrant with a voice no one could place, I used to feel like I didn’t belong anywhere. Turns out, being a little “unplaceable” is what makes you unforgettable. My voice and experiences are now my superpowers, and I use them to help others find theirs.
"Equity isn’t a destination; it’s a constant work in progress."
Have there been any changes in gender dynamics which you have witnessed over the course of your career?
When I started in banking, leadership was a men’s club. The unspoken rule? Women could come in if they worked twice as hard and stayed quiet about it.
Things are better now. I see more women in leadership, and companies are finally embracing ideas like mentorship programmes and flexible work policies. Progress is real – but so are the hurdles. Pay gaps, glass ceilings, and good old unconscious bias haven’t packed their bags just yet.
The truth is, equity isn’t a destination; it’s a constant work in progress. We’re on the right track, but the real challenge is making these changes permanent, not just trendy.
Can you share a moment when you overcame a challenge related to gender expectations and how it shaped you?
Imposter syndrome isn’t subtle – it shows up loudly and uninvited. Mine hit hard when I started at INSEAD.
I convinced myself I was there to tick a diversity box, not because of my abilities. Surrounded by brilliant classmates, I thought, Who am I kidding? Then, during a feedback session, a peer told me, “You seem so confident; it makes me question my own path.” I had to stop myself from laughing. Me? Confident? I’d been faking it the whole time.
That moment flipped the script. I realised I had been looking at myself through the wrong lens. The world sees what you put out, not the doubts swirling inside. Owning my story changed everything – it turned self-doubt into self-awareness.
Can you reflect on the progress made towards gender equity and the work that still needs to be done?
We’ve made progress, but equity isn’t here yet – it’s still sending us “on my way” texts.
Yes, there are more women in leadership, and conversations about inclusion are louder than ever. But pay gaps remain stubborn, stereotypes haven’t retired, and leadership still looks suspiciously like an old boys’ club – just with better lighting.
Real change takes more than good intentions. We need fair policies, education that uproots biases, and a culture shift that redefines leadership. But most of all, we need stories. Every story told challenges stereotypes, builds empathy and shifts the needle closer to true equity. The future we want starts with the stories we share today.
More information about the programme Anna attended:
The INSEAD MBA is highly ranked and one of the world's most prestigious programmes for ambitious early to mid-career professionals. The accelerated 10-month curriculum develops successful, thoughtful leaders and entrepreneurs who create value for their organisations and their communities.
Programme benefits:
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