#22. Valerie Lee and her Values, Passion, and Purpose

Values are your non-negotiable foundation, passion is about what excites and motivates you, and purpose is your deeper reason for existence.
- Harvard Business Review

Whether you are a founder or creator, a leader or a gig worker, a consultant or a teacher, discovering and aligning your values, passion, and purpose will give you the best chance at having a fulfilling career, and more importantly, a meaningful life. On top of that, organisations can achieve their mission, and society and beyond will benefit in the long run. Wantedly’s mission is to create a world where work drives passion, and this is why we want to inspire reflections on what our own values are, and how we discover our passion and strive towards our purpose.

This year, Singapore celebrates our 60th birthday, and to honour this momentous occasion, we have embarked on a year-long content series featuring 60 stories on people who have become who they are today because of Singapore, and who are making a difference in Singapore.

Introducing Valerie

Valerie Lee is the Member of Parliament for the Changi division of Pasir Ris–Changi GRC, having begun her term following the 2025 General Elections. A seasoned business leader, she serves as Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability for a line of business at Sembcorp Industries, bringing over 15 years of expertise in energy, sustainability, communications, marketing and strategic planning. Before being elected, she had 8 years of community work experience with the grassroots and CDC. She is deeply committed to championing causes close to her heart—empowering youths, advancing opportunities for women, and driving sustainability efforts. As a working mother of a young daughter, she hopes to draw on her personal experience to advocate passionately for the "sandwich generation", emphasising the need for caregiving support and workplace flexibility for parents and caregivers.

In her own words

Though a mountain climb or a long multi-day hike sounds like torture to many, it is actually an activity that I enjoy. I have gone on more than 8 summit climbs around the world and to me, it is the journey that matters, and not the end destination.

1. What are your top 3 values?

Integrity – For me, integrity is about having the courage to speak up and do what’s right, even when it’s not the easiest path. Especially in the role of an MP, it is even more important to voice concerns that truly reflect the needs of the people I represent, even if those conversations are challenging. As a mum, I’m also conscious that my actions set an example for my child—showing them that standing by your principles matters, even under pressure.

Compassion – I always try to put myself in others’ shoes, whether it’s a constituent facing a tough situation, my partners at work, or someone in my personal circle. Being a mum has deepened this perspective—when you nurture a child, you learn to listen beyond words, to notice the unspoken needs. That’s a skill I am now still continuously sharpening, helping me build trust and craft solutions that are genuinely people-o in whatever I do.

Accountability – I take ownership of my actions and the impact they have. In my role as an MP, that means ensuring decisions are made with the long-term well-being of my community in mind, not just the short-term gain. As a mother, accountability also means thinking about the kind of society my children will grow up in—and that sense of accountability drives me to work even harder for meaningful, sustainable change.

2. What keeps you up at night?

What keeps me up at night is knowing there are still concerns from my constituents that remain unresolved, and thinking about the needs of my family, and how I can balance both roles meaningfully. Sometimes it’s a resident who’s waiting for a solution to a housing or financial issue, sometimes it’s my child, husband, and aging parents who need my time and presence, and I’m asking myself—how can I do better?

Over time, I’ve learned that meaningful change—whether for the community or my family—comes from collaboration and trust. In my constituency, that means engaging with community leaders, volunteers, agencies, and neighbours to develop sustainable solutions together. At home, it means examining every season and working closely with my spouse, extended family, and our support network to ensure my children are supported, my parents are cared for, and we still find quality time together even on the busiest days. In both spaces, it’s about harnessing the strength of those around me so we can turn challenges into real progress and lasting connection.

3. What fills your cup?

What fills my cup is seeing the impact of my efforts in three important parts of my life—my constituents, my family, and my work.

With my constituents, it’s about being able to give them an answer—sometimes not exactly the one they initially asked for, but one that helps them understand how we can best support them within our means. That clarity, and knowing they feel heard and respected, is deeply fulfilling for me.

With my family, it’s creating an environment where they feel supported, healthy, and safe—whether that’s my children, my spouse, or my aging parents. Their well-being gives me the emotional fuel I need to keep going.

And at work, fulfilment comes from building up my team—caring about their learning and growth, helping them become better than they were last year, and making sure their progress is aligned with the company’s mission.

Seeing people and communities grow stronger over time is what truly recharges me.

4. In your current season, prioritising and juggling different commitments can be overwhelming. How do you cope?

In this current season, balancing my commitments can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’ve learned that effective time management and being fully present are key. I’ll admit I’m still a work in progress when it comes to being present—there are moments when my mind is already on the next meeting, next event, next school pick-up, I have to rush to—but I’m conscious of it, and continuosly working to improve.

One thing I’ve stopped doing is guilt-tripping myself over how each hour spent in one area might be taking away from another. Instead, I remind myself that these roles are interconnected. The time I spend on my constituents’ needs and parliamentary matters is ultimately about building a safer, stronger Singapore for my young daughter’s future. And the time I spend with my family, and at work, gives me first-hand insight into the everyday experiences and challenges Singaporeans face, which in turn will shape how I speak up for them in Parliament.

By reframing my commitments as complementary rather than competing, I’m able to cope better, focus more clearly, and find meaning in each part of my day.

5. When it comes to serving the community, what does success look like for you?

For me, success in serving the community isn’t just about quick wins—it’s about creating lasting impact that genuinely improves people’s lives. Sometimes that means giving constituents the exact solution they hoped for, and other times it’s helping them understand the best way we can support them within our means, even if it’s not the answer they first expected. Success is when they still walk away feeling heard, respected, and supported.

Because at the heart of it, every positive change we make for our residents today helps shape the kind of Singapore I want my young daughter and her generation to grow up in—one that is safer, kinder, and more resilient, where people know they have a voice, and that voice matters.

6. Please leave us your well wishes for SG60.

Happy SG60!

The years ahead may test us in new ways, but if we keep looking out for one another and working hand in hand, we can build a Singapore where our children feel safe, valued, and proud to call home.

Finally, please leave us with your advice for working parents.

As we mark SG60, let us remember that being a working parent is about balance, not perfection—caring for our families alongside contributing to our work, and knowing that both are part of building a stronger Singapore for the next generation.

I would love to stay in touch! Here's how you can connect with me.

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SG60’s theme is a refreshed spirit, and by celebrating Singapore’s journey to date, Wantedly is glad to spotlight those who have contributed to the past, and will be shaping the next chapter of the Singapore story. And as a nation, we reflect on our shared values of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness, which allowed us to prosper.