This International Women's Day 2024, the team at Asia Market Entry reached out to the women in our network who are leaders in their various fields, ranging from AI to wine education. Amanda Dew is Group Director of Talent Acquisition & DEI at Property Guru Group. Read on for her journey and her unique interpretation of the #IWD2024 Theme of Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.
In the spirit of International Women's Day, we celebrate the journey of Amanda Dew, Group Director of Talent Acquisition & Head of D&I at PropertyGuru, whose story is inspiration for women and organisations striving to foster gender equity and accelerate progress. Amanda's multifaceted career, passion for people, and dedication to diversity and inclusion (D&I) shine as exemplary practices in "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress."
Journey to Talent and D&I Leadership
Amanda's career began in an unexpected turn during the dot-com bubble burst, leading her from a background in computer science into the realms of business development, marketing, operations, and HR. It was here that her passion for talent acquisition was kindled. "Matching the right person to the right role at the right time and watching magic happen!" Amanda recounts. Her journey has taken her across the globe, from London to cities including Copenhagen, Zurich, Warsaw, Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and now Singapore. Through diverse cultural landscapes, she learned that "people are people," and connecting on a personal level transcends all boundaries.
Championing Gender Equity
Under the IWD theme "Invest in Women," Amanda has spearheaded initiatives at PropertyGuru that have significantly advanced women within the workplace. With pride, she shares that "65% of our workforce are female," highlighting the firm's commitment to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. Initiatives such as equitable leave policies, flexible hybrid working, and a focus on female representation in the recruitment process are testaments to PropertyGuru's dedication to putting employees first—a philosophy that Amanda believes is key to business success.
"One of the most impactful outcomes," Amanda notes, "is the representation of women in leadership roles, with 50% of the CEO’s direct reports being female." This visible commitment to gender equity serves as a powerful inspiration to all employees, especially women, fuelling their aspirations and ambitions.
Overcoming Challenges and Leveraging Opportunities
In the fast-paced and male-dominated tech industry, Amanda faces the challenge of bridging cultural and communication gaps, particularly in the APAC region. By promoting respectful curiosity and openness, she encourages her team and the wider organisation to embrace diversity of thought and innovation.
“As a leader in talent acquisition and DEI here in Asia at the moment, one of the most challenging aspects of my role is figuring out how I can help bridge cultural communication differences. I’m Chinese and in my heritage, there’s a lot of reverence to elders and it’s considered disrespectful to speak up”, Amanda shares.
“A key way that I can help is to role model respectful curiosity. I’m often among the first in a town hall or group meeting to ask a question or contribute a comment, and I encourage my team to do the same.” This approach not only tackles the immediate challenges but also fosters a culture where diversity and inclusion are ingrained in the company's DNA.
Empowering Future Generations
Looking ahead, Amanda is committed to empowering the next generation of women in tech and beyond. She emphasises the importance of overcoming the fear of embarrassment and the syndrome of imposterism. "Embarrassment is the price of entry," she advises, encouraging young professionals to find their voice and seize opportunities to contribute and grow.
Amanda Dew's journey and achievements underscore the critical importance of investing in women and fostering environments where diversity and inclusion are not just goals but foundational principles. Her leadership not only accelerates progress within PropertyGuru but also serves as an inspiring blueprint for organisations worldwide to follow.