Hi, I’m Leigh! I have built a track record with over 20 years as an impact-focused global Communications and Public Affairs leader with a passion for building influential brands that influence the world.
This passion began early in college when I discovered the classical study of rhetoric. Since then, the study of how effective communications (whether a word, picture, idea or action) can persuade an audience (whether individuals, groups or even nations) towards a particular response continues to fascinate me to this day. It’s been my lifelong pursuit to study what I call, “the art and science of Influence” (in all its fair and foul forms!).
I am currently the Asia-Pacific Director of Communications at Stripe. As part of the regional leadership team, I am building and leading the Stripe communications function to shape the company’s narrative and reputation across Asia Pacific. My responsibilities include corporate, product, B2B, internal and policy communications across multiple countries and market maturity.
I joined Stripe from Netflix, where I led the team of communicators who drove Netflix’s corporate, product, and policy communications efforts, as well as issues management across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Our team promoted and protected the company’s brand and reputation, drove product usage, navigated regulatory challenges, and mitigated the impact of issues and crises affecting the company.
Prior to that, I led the team of country communications leaders to build the brand for both Uber and Uber Eats when the apps were still unfamiliar. We drove campaigns across multiple platforms – traditional and digital, earned and owned – to build brand love; be seen as a trusted partner to governments; romance our product truths; uphold trust and safety through managing crises and countering misinformation.
Before Uber, I was a leader in the Corporate Affairs team at Shell. I led issues management function across 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region and served as the Country Media Relations and Issues Management Lead for Malaysia. I was accountable for corporate brand management, media strategy, as well as crisis communications and issues management. I engaged multiple stakeholders to develop a strategic, integrated brand narrative and coordinated brand reputation impact in a highly-matrixed organization. I was also responsible for developing spokespersons and served as an official company spokesperson.
I joined Shell from Microsoft, where I was Head of Communications in Malaysia. I led corporate and marketing communications (media relations, social media outreach, digital channels, marketing campaigns, events, executive communications); corporate brand storytelling (as company spokesperson, developing other company spokespersons); crisis management.
Prior to this, I thrived in several roles at EON Bank Group and its subsequent merger with Hong Leong Bank Group, I successfully led the teams responsible for the entire remit of marketing and corporate communications for external and internal audiences. This included branding, (brand strategy and compliance, branch retail merchandising, and in-house creative development); public relations (executive profiling, and issues and crisis management); marketing communications, consumer and market research; executive and internal communications; and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). As a team leader, I also hired and developed the team from the ground up.
During this time, I had front row seats for one of the longest-drawn and rather dramatic bank mergers in Corporate Malaysia, spending 18 months managing issues and communications throughout the unsolicited takeover offer. During the integration process that followed, I led branding and communications to ensure clarity and confidence to both internal and external stakeholders.
Before my foray into the banking and financial industry, I was a communication strategist for a private think-tank/consultancy to the Malaysian Government, particularly the Prime Minister’s Office. I have also served as a freelance business communications consultant to both communication agencies and companies across various sectors such as communication, education, lifestyle, manufacturing, property, services, technology and non-profits.
I graduated from the USA, completing an MA in Corporate Communications and a double BA in Speech Communications and Philosophy. I also attended Oxford University, UK as part of an Honors Exchange Program. I have also completed an Executive Education course conducted by Harvard Business School during my time at Uber.
On the personal front, I am an avid supporter and volunteer to The Boys Brigade, a worldwide youth development organization, as well as a self-confessed geek.
Thanks for dropping by and getting to know me better. I hope you enjoy your stay here. Please drop a comment or contact me, so we can chat. I’d love to hear from you!