Temasek salutes Moms’ Everyday Accomplishments
In celebration of Mother’s Day this year, we are pleased to unveil portraits of three of our Temasek colleagues with the most important woman in their lives.
As Pamela and Samantha, Linda and Ryan, as well as Soo Huang and Jing Jing opened up their lives to us, we were struck by the special, irrevocable bond these three mother-child duos shared. Each had their own heartfelt stories to tell – from the physical challenges of endlessly chasing after little grandchildren, to a mother sacrificing her own career so that a son can aspire towards his. None were particularly glamourous, yet all were genuinely inspiring.
As Jing Jing summed it up in a beautiful tribute to her mom: “She allowed me to find my own way, never critiquing the choices I took, and was always interested to listen to what I had to say, no matter how good or bad it was. She is my model for living life, everyday.”
We at Temasek would also like to acknowledge the daily, often thankless work that moms do. To all mothers out there, we salute you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Samantha Chng, Strategic & Public Affairs Group
Samantha Chng isn’t embarrassed to admit she enjoys hanging out with mom Pamela, 56. They shop for the latest togs together (“We are each other’s fashion advisors”, quips the 27-year-old), enjoy the same television programmes (cooking shows!) and have no qualms huddling in bed together to chat about relationships and life. “We both also enjoy Korean and Japanese food, but we’ll have those only when her dad is out of town. He prefers Chinese,” Pamela, a business support executive in the oil and gas industry, adds jokingly.
Samantha, who runs major events for Temasek, attributes their warm, open relationship to Mom being her constant bedrock of support. Says the second of three children and only daughter: “She just listens to my rants and affirms whatever decisions I make. No matter how bad a situation is, she makes me believe that somehow, things will turn out fine.”
Ryan Scheneiter, USA Office
College golfer Ryan Scheneiter once haboured serious ambition of playing professionally on the PGA tour. Mom Linda, herself an avid recreational golfer, doubled up as his travel buddy. "We would spend summers literally on the road together. She gave up a lot of her personal time to support me,” Ryan said.
When the 27-year-old American finally hung up his golf clubs to pursue a corporate finance career before landing a job with Temasek in New York City, Mom never once baulked at his decision. "We have given Ryan roots and wings to find his own way. As long as there are opportunities to enhance his learning and life experiences wherever he ventures, I'm all for it," said the recent retiree.
Instead of golf tips, she today regularly dispenses baking treats such as muffins and brownies - much to the joy of his colleagues. Said Ryan, who is currently in Singapore for a work attachment: “Unfortunately, too far to ship them to Singapore for all to share!"
Yong Jing Jing, Investment Group
As a young mother, Madam Lim Soo Huang used to beam with pride watching daughter Jing Jing tuck into her favourite dish of steamed egg with minced pork.
Today, cooking the dish has become a proud family tradition relished by her latest ‘fans’ RayKai, 5 and RayJie, 2 – who she is ‘full-time grandma’ to.
Tending to the whims of two young children can be exhausting, but she is thoroughly committed to the job. “Whatever we do, we are serious and detailed,” Madam Lim says plainly. Jing Jing, who manages Temasek’s investment policies and processes, counts herself blessed to have Mom’s full support while she is at work. “My mum is one of the most self-disciplined, responsible individuals I know. She is my role model for living life”.