Icons of Change International Awards 2025 Dr. Wong Lai Yong Board Member (Independent Non-Executive Director) at the Nitto Denko Corporation, Japan Board Member at the Mitsui E&S Co., Ltd. Adjunct Associate Professor at the Shizenkan University（大学院大学至善館） SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals Catalyst for Human-Centered Sustainability and Cross-Cultural Leadership --- In recognition of an extraordinary body of work that bridges cultures, connects systems, and inspires a more reflective and sustainable paradigm of leadership, the Icons of Change Awards 2025 proudly honors Dr. Wong Lai Yong for her exemplary contributions to advancing human-centered governance, cross-cultural transformation, and inclusive sustainability. As a distinguished board director, educator, and catalyst for conscious leadership, Dr. Wong Lai Yong has spent over two decades weaving together the threads of Asian philosophical depth and global sustainability imperatives. Her approach transcends frameworks and compliance checklists. Instead, she has become a voice of calm clarity and visionary conviction in boardrooms, academic institutions, and civil society spaces across Asia and beyond. Dr. Wong’s appointment as the first foreigner and first woman to serve on the boards of two century-old Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed companies—Nitto Denko Corporation and Mitsui E&S Co., Ltd.—is more than a personal milestone. It is a powerful statement on the value of inclusion, intercultural fluency, and the emergence of new global governance models. In these roles, she contributes to key board committees on remuneration, nomination, audit, and strategic oversight, championing long-term value creation that places people, planet, and purpose at the center. As Founder and Principal of First Penguin Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Wong has curated a platform for sustainable leadership consulting that touches corporations, communities, and campuses alike. Her firm provides bespoke sustainability materiality assessments and strategic insight for some of Japan’s largest multinational corporations, including Ajinomoto, TDK, Mitsubishi Electric, and others—engaging in both English and Japanese, and helping to shape the next generation of sustainability reporting, integrated thinking, and stakeholder accountability. But beyond technical advisory, what sets Dr. Wong apart is the quality of presence she brings into each room—a gentle provocation that invites reflection, depth, and interconnectedness. Whether mentoring emerging leaders in Malaysia, guiding corporate dialogues in Japan, or delivering university-level masterclasses at Shizenkan University, she elevates the conversation from what do we do to who are we becoming. Her tenure on the board of the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) showcased her commitment to gender equity, social inclusiveness, and participatory governance.
00:00Hello, I'm Lai Yong and I'm deeply grateful to be recognised as an icon of Change 2025.
00:09My heartfelt thanks go to all the people, experiences and even nature itself that have shaped the person I am today.
00:18I'm a board director, facilitator and catalyst for human-centred sustainability.
00:25My journey bridges Eastern and Western approaches to leadership and organisational transformation.
00:33Assimilation, with deep roots in Asia and a global perspective, I bring presence and insights to spaces where diverse voices are shaping the future.
00:46I currently serve as an independent director on two century-old Tokyo Stock Exchange listed companies.
00:55It has been a privilege to be the first woman and first foreigner appointed to their boards.
01:02Along the way, I've come to deeply value the importance of navigating across cultures and also contributing to governance practices that welcome diversity and embrace forward-looking perspectives.
01:18At the heart of my journey is a very simple yet very profound belief that sustainability is not just a system that we install.
01:28It's a state we live in.
01:32So guided by my dharma is the path, my inner voice that shines and inspired by the spirit of the first penguin.
01:41I hold a deep commitment to courageous exploration and continuous learning.
01:47In sustainability leadership and human capital, I've had the honour of creating reflective spaces where leaders pause, they reflect and reconnect with what truly matters.
02:00That is their inner state and their people.
02:03I believe that when leaders centre themselves in their inner state, meaningful and also lasting solutions will just naturally flow.
02:14It's about co-creating spaces where organisations just move beyond their compliance and live their values and purpose every day.
02:23So human capital, wellbeing and our relationship with nature are at the heart of this.
02:31Because when people thrive and feel connected to the natural world, recognising how our actions really impact the natural world,
02:40then organisations, societies and nature can all flourish together.
02:46Drawing from my grounding in the oneness movement, I embrace a leadership philosophy that transcends boundaries of gender, of culture and of nationality,
02:58and honours the interconnectedness and interdependence of all.
03:03So moving forward, I remain committed to nurturing conversations and collaborations across Asia and beyond that align human potential with sustainability aspirations.
03:16Thank you to the organiser for bringing this meaningful award to life.
03:22And a special thanks to Mr. Justine Ho for his very thoughtful coordination.
03:28May we all continue to co-create the future where sustainability is not something that we strive for.
