#25. Feihong Chen and her Values, Passion, and Purpose

SG60’s theme is a refreshed spirit, and by celebrating Singapore’s journey to date, Wantedly also wants to spotlight some of 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…

We have loved featuring people who have been shaped by Singapore, and are making a difference in Singapore. The stories serves as a platform for individual reflection on what our own values are, and how we discover our passion and strive towards our purpose.

Wantedly’s mission is to create a world where work drives passion, and 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.

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

Introducing Fei

Fei is a portfolio professional with over 11 years of experience in business development, partnerships, and account management across the tech, fintech, gaming, and events industries. Her career has taken her from China to the U.S., North Africa, and now Singapore. In the past two years, she has embraced entrepreneurship, expanding her work into consulting, life coaching, team facilitation, and events emceeing-bringing her trademark energy to everything from intimate workshops to large-scale events.

As a coach, Fei supports mid-career professionals navigating change and transition, and helps individuals sharpen their stage presence and communication. She also integrates improv as a powerful tool in her workshops, helping people build confidence, connection, and creativity. Her latest passion lies in teaching and facilitation. She runs AI courses with a mission to make technology less intimidating and more practical-especially for mid- to low-literacy professionals who want to stay competitive in a changing market. A lifelong learner (and a proud expert in failing forward), Fei has explored everything from pottery to salsa dancing-joyfully dropping both after realizing they weren’t for her. Her curiosity also led her to become a certified personal trainer and yoga teacher, as she continues to explore the art of facilitation and performance.

Fei is part of Strangers_inSync, an improv team now in its fourth year, with international performances across Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Outside the spotlight, she finds grounding as a pacer with local running clubs. Long runs clear her mind, while her guiding values-consistency, gratitude, and showing up for yourself-keep her moving forward.

In her own words

I've always wanted to be a policewoman - wearing the uniform and doing the right thing for society. Justice is something I hold in high regard, which is quite typical for an Enneagram 1. I'm sure I was also influenced by my friends and family back in China, as many of them are in the police force.

1. What are your top 3 values?  Please explain. 

• Gratitude - No one achieves what they achieve entirely on their own, so I'm always grateful for the help and support I've received from family, friends, and even brief acquaintances. They've shaped me, challenged me, and elevated me in different ways.
• Consistency - Life has its ups and downs, but having consistency helps me feel grounded through any storm. It could be a small ritual, routine, hobby, friendship, or certain mindset. Being consistent also means I'm accountable and reliable - if I'm holding the ball, I won't drop it.
• Perseverance with positivity - There are always a thousand reasons to stop doing something, especially when things get harder, but we only need one reason to keep going. This isn't about being stubborn - it's about continuously striving for a better version of myself. The path, methods, or direction might change, but the upward momentum and positive energy should never waver.

2. What keeps you up at night? 

If my life were a book, I'm still searching for its central theme - and that's what keeps me up at night. I'm drawn to experimentation - facilitation, community building, coaching, hosting events - and I've learned that I'm energized when I'm part of something larger than myself. The question that nags at me is: how do I ensure that what I'm building now compounds over time? How do I create ripple effects that last beyond individual projects or moments? It's not about finding answers immediately, but about staying curious and intentional as I continue exploring where my energy and skills can matter most. 

3. What is your proudest career accomplishment to date?

Rather than one defining moment, I'm proudest of the versatility I've built. I've worked as an expedition guide, event manager at B.C. Pavilions, BD lead in North Africa, and held roles at Tencent, Google, and Airwallex before moving into coaching and facilitation. Each experience was unplanned and challenging, but I've consistently proven I can step into uncertainty and figure it out. What ties it together is my willingness to be uncomfortable, to take ownership of my growth, and to keep moving forward even when the path isn't clear. And if I stumble - which I hope I don't - at least I'll stumble forward.

4. What fills your cup?

• Physical – Staying strong and healthy fuels everything I do. Training my body gives me the stamina to go further - both literally in my runs and figuratively in life - and the strength to handle whatever comes my way.
• Cognitive – Curiosity keeps me energized. I'm always expanding my skills, networks, and perspectives - whether diving into AI, exploring new knowledge, or seeking out unfamiliar experiences. There's always something to look forward to.
• Social & Emotional – My family, friends, and communities - running crews, improv groups, fellow entrepreneurs - form my foundation. They give me resilience when things get tough and amplify joy when things go well.

5. In your current season, how do you stay focused? And what help do you think you need most for 2025?

I stay focused by embracing the season I'm in and finding ways to create value - both for myself and others. I trust that no steps are wasted: every experience is building capabilities I'll need later. Whether I'm coaching someone through a career pivot, facilitating team workshops, mentoring emerging professionals, or exploring how AI is reshaping our work, I'm actively learning and contributing. Life is like an open wilderness with many directions to explore - staying curious about where each path leads, and remaining useful along the way, keeps me grounded and moving forward.

With less than three months left in 2025, I'd say a gentle push - preferably yesterday! I move forward, but I'm also an overthinker, which means I sometimes get stuck in my head when I should be taking action. What breaks that cycle is a compelling vision or challenge that demands action - something that makes the "let's go for it" feeling undeniable. I thrive when I'm working alongside people who stretch me toward goals I can only reach on my tiptoes. That collaborative energy cuts through the overthinking and gets me moving. It's like improv: someone jumps in with "yes, and" and suddenly we're building something neither of us could have done alone.

6. As someone who has lived and worked in different countries, what makes Singapore home for you? 

Having lived away from family since college, what makes a place "home" for me is the people and community I build. In Singapore, I've been fortunate to connect with incredible people through corporate life, running crews, improv groups, women's circles, coaching and facilitation communities, and startup networks. These relationships are what make me want to stay.

Our city also offers constant discovery - new cuisines to try, volunteer opportunities to explore, experiences that expand my perspective. But what I value most is the safety and freedom it provides. I can go for a run at 5am or 11pm without thinking twice, which is rare in many cities and something I never take for granted. And of course, there's the practical joy of a two-season wardrobe: indoor and outdoor.

This nation is so young yet so established - I'm genuinely proud to call it home. If there were a "60 under 60" leaderboard for nations, Singapore would top it in terms of what it's accomplished in such a short time. I learn a lot from Singapore as a nation: its self-reliance, grit, and sense of purpose in overcoming challenges. Its resilience and innovation align with my own life philosophy - we can't expect smooth sailing, but with the right spirit, attitude, and capability, we grow stronger through the waves.

For SG60, I wish Singapore continued progress, growth, and resilience as it navigates an increasingly turbulent and uncertain world. May it keep punching above its weight.

If you wish to conneect, LinkedIn is great, or you can write to me via cafei.space@gmail.com.

Welcome to follow me on my e27 column, and for 1:1 coaching and team building, please reach out via email or visit www.cafei.space. 

P.S. Follow our improv team on IG (@strangers_insync) <3

Once again, in celebration of SG60, let us strive to be bolder and kinder to one another, for Singapore and ourselves.

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