Sherie Ng of Singlife Philippines has broken the glass ceiling in the world of insurance. Now, she wants to equip Filipinos with the power to take hold of their finances through attainable and worry-free policies that ultimately lead to prosperity.

&ldquo;I chose to enter the insurance industry because I believe in its profound potential to transform lives,&rdquo; says Sherie Ng, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Singlife Philippines. &ldquo;Having experienced the impact of financial insecurity firsthand, I understand the critical importance of financial protection and literacy. The insurance industry offers a unique opportunity to provide people with the security and peace of mind they need to pursue their dreams and aspirations.&rdquo; Financial support is crucial in any endeavor, and Singlife makes acquiring one&rsquo;s aspirations a reality through practical and feasible financial support.
But to start, what is Singlife? Singlife Philippines is a revolutionary mobile-first life insurance company with strong links to Singapore, Southeast Asia's digital technology hub. Singlife promises to support Filipinos when they most need the financial aid: whether for emergencies, loss of income, high medical bills, or to grow funds for future goals like education or retirement. They secured their license to operate from the Philippine Insurance Commission in 2020 and has since partnered with GCash to roll out their products in the most attainable and easy-to-use manner. But in 2023, they also launched the Singlife Plan and Protect App, a one-stop hub for all their policies and services.
With awards such as the Best Insurance Provider for Digital CX in the Philippines, Best InsurTech for Digital CX, Best Digital CX - Account Opening and Customer Onboarding (Insurance), and Highly Acclaimed for Best Digital Life Insurance from The Digital Banker this 2024, Singlife is just beginning to transform lives with their unique and relatable approach to insurance. &ldquo;This is incredibly fulfilling. We went above and beyond to design a customer journey that's simple, enjoyable, and self-sufficient. This endorsement confirms that our investment was truly worthwhile,&rdquo; Ng tells L&rsquo;Officiel.

Having been the country leader of Google Cloud Singapore/Malaysia, where she led AI/GenAI, Cyber Security and sustainability initiatives, and General Manager at Microsoft APAC in the Public Sector, Sherie Ng knows what it truly means to be a disruptor in an industry that has yet to really change the status quo when it comes to product development, consumer relations, and overall industry equity.
In this exclusive interview with L&rsquo;Officiel, we speak to Ng in depth about her plans for Singlife, and what it truly means to be a female leader.
<h4 class="p1">Hi Sherie! We&rsquo;d like to first touch base with you regarding Singlife. How did the company start and what&rsquo;s your personal vision and mission for it?</h4>
Singlife's journey ignited from a conversation among friends, fueled by a shared vision of tackling financial inclusion and protection in the Philippines. With a youthful population and dismal financial security, the call for change was loud in this emerging economy of over 110 million people where insurance coverage barely touched 2%.
As a tech aficionado boasting three decades of blazing a trail in digital transformation, my instincts naturally drew me towards a digital-first strategy. I envisioned disrupting and revolutionizing the insurance landscape, making it not just affordable and accessible but omnipresent&mdash;anytime, anywhere, at speed and scale.
Hailing from the financial nerve center of Singapore, I intimately grasped the pivotal role financial planning plays in societal upliftment. The drive is personal; our mission at Singlife Philippines is to contribute to the narrative of the Philippines' growth story, empowering its people with newfound financial freedom and security.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h4 class="p1">What do you hope to achieve with Singlife&rsquo;s affordable and attainable products for Filipinos?</h4>
It is saddening to know that many Filipinos are just one emergency or medical emergency away from plunging themselves and the family into financial distress.&nbsp; Our all digital approach&mdash;ABCD (AI-driven, block-chain enabled, cloud native and data-driven proposition),&nbsp; has created a very cost-effective and efficient engine that makes meaningful financial protection easily accessible and affordable for Filipinos.&nbsp;
I want Singlife Philippines to play a pivotal role in helping Filipinos in their journey to financial freedom. The Philippines is currently undergoing significant economic transformations and societal progress, and with this, Filipinos will have bigger demand for financial products that will help them protect and grow their wealth. My optimism for the nation is&nbsp;driven by several key factors. Firstly, there's the burgeoning consumer class, which is driving demand across various sectors. Secondly, there's been a surge in digital adoption. The popularity of platforms like GCash and Maya provides access to financial products and services to more Filipinos. Thirdly, there's a positive outlook for foreign investment and strong local investment, bolstered by the country's attractive business environment. These elements are not only reshaping the economic landscape but also positioning the Philippines for robust growth.
<h4 class="p1">What are Singlife&rsquo;s current and future partnerships and how will these help the lives of everyday Filipinos?</h4>
In recent years we have been focused on forging strategic partnerships to extend our reach and grow our distribution.&nbsp; We are grateful to partner with industry giants like GCash, Globe Telecom, KonsultaMD, Doctor Anywhere, Uno Digital Bank and Unionbank among others in this mission. These partnerships have enabled us to reach more Filipinos to help provide financial education and give them easy access to life insurance products.&nbsp;
Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to pushing boundaries and integrating life insurance seamlessly into every Filipino's financial journey. Together, we are building a brighter financial future for the Philippines.
<h4 class="p1">How does it feel to be a woman leader in a predominantly male-driven industry?</h4>
I feel a sense of tremendous privilege and an overwhelming sense of purpose as a female leader in Asia.&nbsp;
According to the 17th edition of the World Economic Forum&rsquo;s Global Gender Gap Index, which benchmarks gender parity across 146 countries, it will take 131 years to get to full gender parity.&nbsp; When the global agenda gets crowded, gender equality is one of the first items to fall off&mdash;It is treated as a distraction from the world&rsquo;s most pressing problems, even though the data clearly shows it&rsquo;s a central part of the solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It's inspiring to break barriers and pave the way for more women to rise in leadership roles.&nbsp; However, I will be honest and admit that it is not easy - it involves overcoming biases and stereotypes, and it often feels isolating. I want to be a voice that helps lift-up women in society and brings awareness to the topic of gender diversity up to the boardroom. The mission to gender parity is still a long road ahead and I am committed to foster an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.

"I want to ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to achieve financial stability and prosperity." - Sherie Ng

<h4 class="p1">What&rsquo;s your advice to women who also want to be leaders in their respective fields?</h4>
This is the era not just for the rise of machines but the rise of women in leadership. My three words are Possible, Purposeful, and Mission-Minded.
Possible
The evolution of industry has been a long and fascinating journey. Industry 1.0 is an era marked by the introduction of mechanization using water and steam. Industry 2.0 saw mass production made possible with electricity. Industry 3.0 brought about wide-scale automation using computers and electronics. Industry 4.0 saw the proliferation of the &ldquo;phygital&rdquo; world with the widespread adoption of digital technologies. Now, in the 5.0 era, we need to fully harness the collaboration between humans and machines, combining human creativity with the critical thinking of advanced technologies like AI and robotics. Hence, to me, this ride on the natural abilities of women&mdash;their creativity coupled with empathy and cognitive ability for multitasking&mdash;places women in a naturally advantageous position.&nbsp;
Purposeful
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">I encourage women to be purposeful in their pursuits: &ldquo;Think Big, Start Small, Move with Agility.&rdquo;&nbsp; <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">There is a saying, "In the multitude of wise counsel, your plan will succeed" which I like, and so you should seek out a mentor in your career journey. Next, you should c<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">ontinuously hone your competency and expand your capabilities. Do this by s<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">eeking out projects that provide learning opportunities and always embrace a growth mindset while blooming where you are planted. Lastly, h<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">ave a mindset of always doing more than is required; go above and beyond.
<ul></ul>
Be Mission-Minded
As you move up the societal and career ladder, know that you also carry with you an important mission to lift other women up while being their role model, blazing new trails and paving the way for many more to come after you! Everyone is important in this equation. Don&rsquo;t underestimate how your personal journey and story can be an inspirational force. As I said earlier, our work for gender equality is still a long road ahead, and we all can play our part.

Meet the Empowering Woman Breaking Boundaries When It Comes to Insurance

Recommended posts for you

Hommes

Byeon Woo-seok Joins Cartier as Brand Ambassador

Hommes

TWS Announced as Celine's New Brand Ambassadors

Culture

Your Ultimate Guide to Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: Galleries, Exhibitions, and Events

Hommes

Callum Turner Joins Louis Vuitton's Ambassador Circle

Culture

2NE1's Welcome Back Concert Is Everything Blackjacks Wanted and More

Culture

Louis Poulsen Celebrates 150 Years of Design Excellence

Culture

The Gusto Holistic Summit: A New Chapter for Wellness in Manila

Fashion

Fly Girls: Fashion Editorial