CEO-Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam
Member Since 2022
Singapore-born Michele Wee has taken a straight line toward her executive success. Prior to being appointed as CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam in February 2021, Michele was Head of Financial Markets for Singapore, Brunei and Australia for Standard Chartered Singapore. Her main responsibility was to align market governance and regulatory relationships with the Financial Markets Global Strategy and Country Strategy.
Michele is already leaving a mark at Standard Chartered with her bold leadership style and her drive to break down outmoded hierarchical structures. Her ambition is to foster organisational change that leads to a more sustainable, responsible and future-facing financial markets business. She aspires for Standard Chartered Bank – with its 120-year legacy – to be a “super-connector,” ensuring that the bank is an excellent place to work while serving clients in the best possible way.
The strength of the bank’s future, she says, relies on showing the market how the bank can be different, and that “we always have innovative products.”
Her career in the Financial Services Sector spans 27 years. Prior to joining Standard Chartered eleven years ago, she was with Deutsche Bank, Singapore from 2003 to 2011 as Director, Head of eCommerce Sales, Asia. She worked at Bloomberg LP, Singapore from 2001 to 2003 and Astley and Pearce Singapore from 1993 to 2001. When she first joined Standard Charted in 2011, she was charged with implementing and managing the bank’s e-commerce strategy across a broad spectrum of FICC products.
Fostering her own independence from a very young age, Michele’s leadership style includes creating an environment where people feel at ease to pursue their own success. She has a strong focus on listening to – and coaching – younger generations. She says that as a senior leader, it is vital to have the courage to change and to ask for feedback and input.
As an advocate for Diversity and Inclusion, Michele wants to spearhead strategic solutions to complex business problems, as well as a hands-on approach to managing her teams and executing complex projects across multiple business functions. Both Michele and the bank have made strong commitments to meeting gender targets within the organisation.
On a personal level, she is authentic, honest and courageous in her approach. She is passionate about growing and harnessing talent across her institutions. She says, “When people feel that they can be successful and that they can be different, then they’re more likely to take chances.” Progress, she believes, always happens when people step outside their comfort zone.
In her spare time, Michele loves reading, spending time with her children and playing tennis.
