Sulian Tan-Wijaya’s professional journey reflects a career shaped by courage, adaptability, and a deep understanding of people, places, and changing lifestyles. Her path into the retail and lifestyle sector was not planned in a traditional way, yet every stage of her career added a layer of experience that prepared her for the role she holds today. From law and banking to hospitality, tourism, real estate, and finally retail advisory, her story shows how diverse experiences can come together to create long-term impact. We at CIO Global are proud to name Sulian Tan-Wijaya as the Inspiring Female Leaders in Retail & Lifestyle, 2026.

She graduated with a Law degree from the University of Singapore and was called to the Bar. While many would have continued along a legal path, she chose instead to enter the banking sector. This decision took her to Indonesia, where she spent ten years building her career as a corporate banker. Living and working in a different country required her to step far outside her comfort zone. She left behind her family, friends, and familiar surroundings, learned a new language, and adapted to a very different business culture. During this period, she was part of a pioneering team that set up a full foreign bank branch in Indonesia from the ground up. The branch achieved profitability every year, and her performance led to frequent promotions, moving her from a junior role to the most senior position within the branch. These years built her resilience, discipline, and confidence in handling complex business environments.

After a decade in banking, she returned to Singapore and entered the hospitality industry as a Senior Vice President with a group that owned hotels across Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and Myanmar. This move introduced her more deeply to consumer-facing businesses, where guest experience, branding, and service quality play a central role. Hospitality gave her firsthand insight into how people interact with spaces, brands, and experiences, and this exposure would later become a key strength in her retail and lifestyle career.

Her journey continued when she joined a large real estate group in Singapore. The group owned a prime shopping mall along Orchard Road, an office tower, and two Grade A office buildings in the central business district. She was also involved in the due diligence process for acquiring a one-third share in another major mixed-use development along Orchard Road. This period sharpened her understanding of commercial real estate, asset value, and long-term development strategy. It also allowed her to work closely with retail environments at a strategic level rather than only from an operational or branding perspective.

She later joined the Singapore Tourism Board, where she spent three and a half years as Director for Tourism Shopping. In this role, she worked at the intersection of tourism, retail, and national branding. She gained a broad view of how shopping contributes to a country’s tourism appeal and how retail experiences influence a destination’s global reputation. This public sector role further expanded her perspective and strengthened her ability to think at both policy and commercial levels.

After her time with the tourism board, she returned to the private sector as General Manager of The Fullerton Heritage, an iconic waterfront development along Marina Bay. The development included two luxury hotels and retail spaces and was owned by a major Hong Kong-based developer. She was tasked with overseeing a major redevelopment that took place just before the completion of Marina Bay Sands. Managing such a landmark project required vision, coordination, and strong leadership, as the area was rapidly transforming into one of Singapore’s most important lifestyle and tourism districts.

It was during this phase of her career that she was approached to set up the Retail and Lifestyle business for Savills in Singapore. She joined the firm in 2008 and has remained there ever since, building and leading the Retail and Lifestyle division as Executive Director. Her long tenure reflects not only loyalty but also the depth of purpose she has found in her work. Savills operates as a full-spectrum real estate consultancy, covering residential, commercial, retail, and property management services. Within this environment, she has taken an entrepreneurial approach to client relationships, focusing on value-added advice and long-term partnerships rather than purely transactional outcomes.

Her decision to remain in the retail and lifestyle sector was not driven by formal training in the field but by real-world exposure and experience. What began as an accidental path gradually became a long-term commitment. Over time, she developed a strong instinct for trends, brands, and consumer behavior, supported by her earlier experiences in hospitality, tourism, and real estate. Staying in the same role for nearly two decades speaks to her ability to evolve alongside the industry while continuing to find meaning and challenge in her work.

Her leadership style is shaped by flexibility, openness, and trust. Long before flexible work arrangements became common, she believed that productivity was not about long hours at a desk but about discipline, ownership, and results. She understands that strong performers can deliver from anywhere, as long as they are committed and accountable. Over the years, she has adjusted her approach to managing different generations in the workforce. She values the independence and resourcefulness of Gen X professionals, admires the drive and resilience of millennials, and has learned to support Gen Z team members who place greater emphasis on mental well-being, boundaries, and work-life balance. Rather than resisting these differences, she has adapted her leadership style to bring out the best in each group.

Her career has not been without challenges. Being young and female in a corporate environment often worked against her, especially in her early years. During her university days, she worked part-time as a model, club DJ, and television host, experiences that shaped her confidence and public presence but also led to unfair judgments once she entered the corporate world. Some colleagues focused more on her appearance than her capabilities, and these assumptions followed her for many years. Later, as her profile grew and she became a familiar figure at high-profile events, some people dismissed her success by labeling her a socialite. Such perceptions overlooked the hard work, discipline, and results behind her achievements.

Dealing with judgment and negativity took an emotional toll, but she chose to respond by working harder and smarter. She focused on performance, results, and professionalism, allowing her work to speak for itself. Along the way, supportive bosses, clients, and colleagues played an important role in helping her stay grounded and confident. Their belief in her abilities gave her the strength to face criticism and continue moving forward.

Her ability to stay relevant in a fast-changing retail landscape comes naturally to her. Early exposure to music, fashion, and pop culture during her student years helped shape her instincts, and she has continued to stay connected to evolving lifestyle trends throughout her career. For her, keeping up with trends is not a forced effort but a natural extension of her interests. This awareness allows her to understand what resonates with consumers and how retail spaces can remain fresh and engaging.

Innovation, in her view, goes beyond technology. While digital tools and data matter, true innovation in retail and lifestyle comes from creativity, openness, and the ability to spot emerging patterns before they become mainstream. Curating new experiences, introducing fresh concepts, and rethinking how people interact with spaces are all essential to business growth in this sector.

Balancing creativity with commercial realities is one of the most complex aspects of her work. Desirable brands often bring prestige, visibility, and foot traffic but may not always offer the highest rents. At the same time, financial performance remains critical for property owners. She works at this intersection, carefully balancing brand mix, long-term value, and short-term returns. She also understands how quickly retail trends can change, making flexibility and foresight essential in every decision.

Some of her most rewarding achievements come from moments that required courage and persistence. Her early banking years in Indonesia remain a proud chapter, as they represent a time when she proved to herself that she could succeed in an unfamiliar environment. In her current role, she takes pride in placing major international brands in flagship locations along Orchard Road. One standout achievement took place during the height of the pandemic, when travel was restricted and teams worked entirely remotely. Despite these challenges, she and her colleagues successfully secured a large flagship store deal with a global sportswear brand, coordinating across countries through virtual meetings. This experience reinforced her belief that commitment and collaboration can overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

Work-life balance remains a fluid concept in her life. Her role often blends work and social interaction, with client calls happening late at night and meetings sometimes taking place over weekends. During quieter moments, she enjoys catching up on news, creating music playlists, and watching Korean dramas. Social events with close friends provide relaxation, while Sunday nights are reserved for family, offering a sense of routine and grounding amid a demanding schedule.

To women aspiring to build a career in retail and lifestyle, she emphasizes the importance of genuine interest and mental resilience. Passion alone is not enough in a demanding and competitive industry. Success requires hard work, sacrifice, and the ability to endure setbacks and criticism. With the right mindset and commitment, however, the rewards can be deeply fulfilling.

Being recognized as an inspiring female retail and lifestyle leader is an honor she accepts with gratitude and humility. She believes many women deserve similar recognition, especially those who balance professional ambitions with family responsibilities. For her, the recognition is not just a personal milestone but a reminder of the collective strength and perseverance of women across industries.

Success is not defined by perception but by consistent performance and results over time.

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