Joanne Gao: Guiding students to achieve their dreams in education

Joanne Gao, Regional Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar at
Crimson Education, is a trailblazer in the education sector.

At just 35, she has already made a profound impact by guiding thousands of students to realise their academic dreams and leading a high-performing team of 20 in Singapore while contributing to a global network of over 800 staff and 2,000 tutors.

“I wanted a more interactive role that allowed me to make a meaningful difference in people’s
lives,” she says. After two years in the corporate world, Joanne took a bold leap into
education—a decision that reshaped her career and ignited her passion for empowering others.

Nine Years in Education: A Journey of Impact

Joanne’s introduction to education was as a Student Enrolment Advisor for UK universities and
boarding schools, where she quickly gained recognition as a ‘Best Student Enrolment Advisor’
globally for her ability to guide students through the competitive admissions process. Seeking
greater personal interaction and to expand her knowledge in the education industry, she joined
Crimson Education as an Academic Advisor and quickly rose to become Country Manager for
Singapore, eventually overseeing operations across four countries.

Through her leadership, Joanne has helped over 1,000 families across Asia navigate the
complex admissions process for top universities like Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge.
She describes some of her most rewarding moments as the heartfelt calls from students sharing
news of their acceptance—a testament to the life-changing impact of her work.

Not only that, Joanne has been instrumental in scaling the Singapore team across key
divisions—marketing, sales, and strategy—growing its headcount from 5 to 20, nearly
quadrupling the team size. Under her leadership, the team expanded its capacity to support
more students—guiding approximately 200 students from Singapore in the 2023/2024
admissions cycle alone.

She has also driven the creation of valuable free resources, such as
eBooks and webinars, helping Crimson reach and support even more students. These
resources provide essential advice and insights to navigate the university admissions process,
ensuring greater access and helping level the playing field for all.

Crimson Education: Empowering the Next Generation
Founded in 2013, Crimson Education is a global leader in university admissions consulting,
dedicated to helping students gain access to top universities worldwide. Under Joanne’s
leadership, Crimson has become a trusted name in Singapore, offering tailored solutions that
combine strategy consulting—focusing on academics, extracurriculars, and personal
branding—and technical consulting for essays, applications, and interviews. This
comprehensive approach ensures that each student submits the strongest possible application
to their dream universities.

In November 2024, Joanne led her team to deliver the biggest and most successful event
hosted by Crimson’s Singapore office in celebration of Crimson Education’s 10th Anniversary,
which featured the Crimson 10 Overseas Education Expo held at Novotel Singapore on
Stevens.

The event welcomed nearly 600 attendees, including students, families, and education
experts, and featured notable speakers such as Crimson Co-founder and CEO Jamie Beaton,
Katina Moody from the US Embassy, and Kane Flaherty from the British Council.

Highlights included the launch of Crimson’s Mind Culture Pilot Programme, a mental wellness
initiative designed to help students manage the pressures of the university admissions process,
alongside the awarding of the Crimson 10 Overseas Education Scholarship, valued at $100,000
SGD. Joanne personally congratulated one of the inaugural scholarship recipients, Sheng Xin
Cheah, during the event, underscoring her commitment to empowering students both
academically and emotionally.

Leadership with Vision
Her leadership style is defined by effective communication, emotional intelligence, and a
solutions-oriented mindset. She values collaboration and adaptability, skills that have been
critical in addressing the evolving needs of students and families. Recognised for her
contributions, Joanne has been honoured with the ‘All Hands Award’ and the ‘Outstanding
Leadership’ accolade at Crimson, the latter recognising her exceptional leadership among
Country Managers globally.

Her ability to foster synergy between marketing, sales, and service has streamlined operations,
enabling these departments to collaborate seamlessly toward common goals. By developing
joint training programmes to align team capabilities and implementing regular
cross-departmental meetings, she ensured that all teams were on the same page and worked
together more efficiently.

This holistic approach has allowed her to shape every aspect of the business—from strategy and recruitment to client service and resource development. As aresult, the team works cohesively, ensuring Crimson can better support students and families.
This integrated strategy has been central to Crimson’s growth and its ability to meet the evolving
needs of its diverse clientele.

Joanne is focused on further expanding Crimson Education’s footprint. In the coming year, her
goals include strengthening brand recognition in Singapore, expanding mental wellness
programs for students, and forging partnerships with top schools. Over the next three years, she
envisions growing Crimson’s presence across Southeast Asia, pioneering personalised
education support in emerging markets, and making top-tier university admissions a reality for
even more students.

Through events like the Crimson 10 Overseas Education Expo and her unwavering commitment
to student success, Joanne continues to drive education excellence, inspiring the next
generation to dream bigger and aim higher.