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Manufacturing today is defined by speed, automation, AI and constant change. Yet in the experience of Sanela Lundqvist, Vice President of Human Resources at metal cutting tools and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant, the most decisive factor for performance remains the same: people. Tools, systems and strategies all matter but, as she explains, it’s the right leadership behaviors that unlock their full potential.  When starting her career, Sanela was always convinced she would work in sales. When working at a brewery company, she loved the customer interaction, the energy and the results-driven environment. But a major shift came in the form of Scandinavian Airlines, where Sanela was given the opportunity to lead an operations team at just 26 years old. “I was a new mother at that time too, and both experiences really shaped my view on leadership and the potential of people,” Sanela explains. “If organisations only judge people by experience, many will never get their chance. But giving someone a chance also means giving them the support to succeed – not setting them up for failure.” Twelve years at Volvo Group followed, but it was an almost chance encounter that led Sanela to Sandvik Coromant. “I was actually reading the biography of Percy Barnevik, former Sandvik Chairman of the Board but also an influential figure at ABB, AstraZeneca and Skanska. In his book, he speaks highly of the company and the impact ‘his dear Sandvik’ had on the rest of his career. It was really inspiring,” says Sanela. “Then, when an opportunity came up at Sandvik Coromant, I knew I had to apply. I then read up on our President Helen Blomqvist and her approach to leading with a learning culture. That’s when I knew Sandvik Coromant was the workplace for my future.” Turning the triangle The competition […]

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 […]