Some people lead with power. Others with prestige. Dr Tan? She leads by doing.

You may not know everything she’s done but here’s what you should know:
None of it came easy.
Dr Tan built this from the ground up. Not with flash, but with persistence — and a quiet defiance that many women leaders carry with them.

I’ve had the chance to work alongside her for the past few years. Watching how she moves. Listening to how she thinks.

And what I’ve learned is this: she didn’t just set up ILC. She gave it direction.
She made it matter. Not just a training company, but something with heart, something that stands for service, growth, and showing up even when it’s hard.

But she didn’t stop there. That same instinct — to see what’s missing and quietly fill the gap — led to the birth of ACES.

While ILC builds leaders, ACES shows up for those who might be forgotten.
It began with one simple idea: If someone needs help, someone should show up.
– An elderly person living alone? The ACES hotline answers.
– A lightbulb gone out, or meds that need picking up? They’ll send someone.
– Need a companion to the clinic? Someone will walk beside you.

It’s not a CSR project. It’s not about branding. It’s just care — in action.

Of course, she’s not all softness, no doubt. I’ve seen her push hard for what she believes in. Step into a boardroom with her and you’ll see someone who’s sharp, firm, and unafraid to speak up when something doesn’t sit right. There’s definitely a bit of spice in how she leads and that’s part of what makes her who she is.

No legacy is without flaws. No leader is without contradiction. But what she’s built and the people she’s lifted along the way, is undeniable.

The lesson she’s taught me is indelible:
Show up. Lead with clarity. Build with purpose.

So thank you, Dr Tan, for 30 years of building something truly impactful.
You founded ACES on care. You’ve shown me, and so many others, what it means to serve with courage, lead with heart, and protect what truly matters.

This is for you. And for everything you’ve taught us, by just doing what you do.

– Hana Sofiah