The Singaporean will spearhead a 'tactical' HR strategy
Global marketing agency VMLY&R has appointed Bernadette Chan as Regional HR Director, Asia.
In her new role, Chan will lead the agency’s Asia Pacific HR team, and be responsible for the network’s overarching HR strategy, providing tactical HR support for its business operations and capital initiatives across the region.
She brings with her more than 20 years’ experience and will work closely with the organisation’s country heads as well as Co-CEOs.
Prior to joining VMLY&R, Chan was Head of Group Human Capital with Times Publishing Group for close to five years. In this role, she was responsible for the leadership and execution of the group’s business goals.
She worked closely with the CEO, senior leadership team and board of directors to build, reinforce, and engage organisational capabilities as a critical business lever.
Chan also held leadership roles across top media firms: She was corporate HR Vice President at MediaCorp for eight years, and corporate HR manager for ESPN Star Sports for just under three years.
HRD caught up with Chan to get insights on her new role.
“VMLY&R has positioned itself as an unstoppable force in the marketplace, redefining the agency model by enhancing its capabilities, in line with its commitment to meeting and exceeding client demands,” Chan said.
“A little less than a year since the merger and the agency has already carved out a unique identity, which is backed up by strong culture and values.
“The HR community in VMLY&R is made up of passionate professionals who thrive on inspiring human connections that matter. It’s not just about what we do, it’s also about how we do it.
“We believe a culture of connectedness begins with a culture of feedback. It all starts from the inside out – putting everything we are into everything we do.
“Their positive and fresh approach is inspiring, and I very much look forward to helping them to operationalise this approach so that VMLY&R leadership, teams, and their clients reap the well-deserved rewards.”
