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AS FEATURED AT SG HERITAGEFEST 2026  ·  NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD AUTHOR TALK

Executive Seminar

Decoding Singapore

How Singapore survives, succeeds, and sustains Its advantage

A full-day programme for leaders who make the decisions that outlast a quarter — drawn from the founding of modern Singapore and its governance principles since.

Ong Boon Hwee

Former CEO, Stewardship Asia Centre (est. by Temasek). Ex-Temasek MD.

Gerald Chew

Author, Lawyer, Speaker

FEE

S$788 / pax

Duration

9am–5pm

FORMAT

Cohort runs by enquiry — date confirmed on booking

VENUE

Central Singapore (confirmed on booking)

CEOs  ·  Founders  ·  Board Directors  ·  Senior Executives  ·  Policy & Strategy Leaders

FULL DAY PROGRAMME OUTLINE

Six sessions, one full day

Lunch & refreshments included.

01

Strategic Vision and Timing

How Singapore was founded — and what founding decisions reveal about acting under uncertainty.

03

Enduring Advantage and Legacy

The values that built Singapore, and how they compound over decades rather than quarters.

05

Key Lessons and Enduring Principles

Synthesis — translating governance-scale thinking into organisational decisions.

02

Influence, Trust and Governance

Building legitimacy: the mechanics of trust that let institutions outlast their founders.

04

Singapore's Journey Since 1965

From survival to excellence: long-term sustainability as a leadership discipline.

06

Dialogue, Discussion & Q&A

Open floor with both speakers, applied to participants' own leadership contexts.

Key Takeaways

​Participants will gain insights into:

Recognising strategic timing and opportunity

Acting decisively with incomplete information

Building legitimacy through influence and trust

Designing systems that create enduring advantage

Recognising strategic timing and opportunity

Applying Singapore’s long-term governance principles to modern leadership

Programme Speakers

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Gerald Chew

Author, lawyer, and speaker

On how Raffles used timing, diplomacy and free trade to build a settlement the Dutch couldn't out-manoeuvre.

Gerald Chew is an esteemed author, lawyer, and speaker whose writing career since 2010 has explored the profound role of intuition and inspiration in shaping mental, physical, and financial well-being. His work bridges personal development, leadership, and intellectual inquiry, drawing from both professional practice and historical analysis. He is the author of Soul, Mind, and Body: Decoded – An Intuitive Guide to Well-Being, Health, and Wealth, a widely read book examining how intuition and inspiration can be consciously applied to enhance quality of life, decision-making, and personal influence. The book, available on Amazon, forms the foundation of his talks, seminars, and programs. Gerald’s work centres on themes such as intuition for healthier living, values-based decision-making, inspired motivation, energized living, and translating intuition into purposeful action and influence. Through these, he advocates a more conscious, creative, and values-aligned approach to leadership and life. His latest book, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles: His Life in Singapore (1819–1823), expands his focus into historical and strategic analysis. It examines how Raffles leveraged timing, diplomacy, Malay dynastic succession, and free trade to establish Singapore as a British settlement, pre-empt Dutch claims, and transform it into a thriving commercial hub—insights that continue to resonate with Singapore’s emphasis on trade and openness today. A sought-after speaker at seminars, corporate retreats, and regional forums, Gerald has shared insights on business, law, creativity, and leadership across universities and professional platforms. His signature theme, “Using Intuition and Inspiration for Creativity and Leadership,” connects contemporary wellness thinking with strategic and historical perspectives. Currently, Gerald practices as a professional lawyer, integrating analytical rigour with intuition and human insight in his roles as adviser, influencer, and leader.

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Ong Boon Hwee

Former CEO, Stewardship Asia Centre

Twenty years spent moving between the military, the civil service, Temasek and the boardroom — on what makes governance actually hold.

Ong Boon Hwee is the former CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre (SAC), a Singapore-based thought leadership centre focused on advancing stewardship, leadership and sound governance across Asia. In that effort, he worked with leaders from international companies, family businesses, investors, asset-managers, government and civil society on ethical decision-making and long-term value creation. In his varied professional career, Ong has extensive experience in both the civil service and the commercial sector. Prior to establishing SAC, he managed his own consultancy firm focusing on leadership development and organisational capacity-building. He has been the COO of Singapore Power. He was a Managing Director in Temasek Holdings while being concurrently the CEO of Temasek Management Services. In his younger days, he served in the military service, leaving the SAF as a Brigadier-General at 45 years old. Over the years, Ong has served on the boards of companies across diverse sectors, including technology, security, telecommunications and a sovereign wealth fund. He was also board director and advisor to non-profit organisations, including research agencies, foundations, universities, and youth institutions. Ong is the co-author of two books, Entrusted: Stewardship for Responsible Wealth Creation and Inspiring Stewardship. Ong has been a strong advocate for values-based leadership and long-term value creation. His work reflects a commitment to responsible governance, ethical decision making, and developing leaders mindful of their broader impact. Drawing from both public and private sector experience, he continues to contribute to regional and global conversations on leadership, stewardship, and sustainable growth.

Reserve your seat

S$788

/pax

Full day seminar

'Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles' Book by Gerald Chew

Lunch and two teabreaks

Paying Individually

Via PayNow (UEN 202517868Z). Seat confirmed on payment.

Paying via your company

Formal tax invoice available on request — ask when you enquire.

Sending a group

Group rates available for 4+ pax from the same organisation.

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Begin Your Leadership Journey

Secure your place in this executive programme designed for leaders shaping long-term impact.

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