Singapore, 17 October 2025 – On 10 October, the Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU in Singapore), in collaboration with Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI), hosted a panel discussion titled “Boardroom Perspective: Leading Across Generations in the Future Workplace”. Held as part of the university’s Future Leaders Learning Series, the event brought together students, alumni, and industry professionals to explore strategies for leading and engaging teams across different generations in today’s evolving workplace.

With Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z now collaborating in the same environment, organisations face both challenges and opportunities in balancing diverse expectations, communication styles and work values. The dialogue highlighted JCU in Singapore’s commitment to preparing future-ready leaders who can bridge generational divides and foster inclusion, innovation, and belonging.

“This panel of experts from private and non-profit sectors, as well as the academic community, reflects JCU in Singapore’s mission to connect academic insight with real-world practice. By bringing together industry leaders and academics, we hope to create a platform where theory meets practice, helping shape the next generation of leaders who can navigate an increasingly diverse and dynamic workforce,” explained Associate Professor Wang Pengji, Acting Academic Head of the Business School at JCU in Singapore.

The discussion featured a distinguished panel recognised for their extensive leadership experience and industry expertise in the human resources sector. Ms Low Peck Kem, President at Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI), offered a strategic and thought-leadership perspective shaped by her role in the organisation. Drawing on her involvement in various national committees and advisory roles, she shared a macro-level view of how policy, education, and industry collaboration can drive future-ready leadership and prepare organisations to thrive in a multi-generational workforce.

Ms Annie Lim, Council Member at SHRI, brought along a global corporate perspective shaped by her leadership experience in human resources across multinational organisations, including her current role as Head of Human Resources at Lonza Biologics.

Moderated by Dr Kim-Lim Tan, Senior Lecturer in Business at JCU Singapore, the session drew over 100 participants and sparked lively exchanges on how leaders can turn generational diversity into organisational strength.

“This session highlighted that generational diversity is not a challenge to be managed, but a strength to be harnessed. I hope participants left with a deeper appreciation of the power of a growth mindset, the courage to imagine an inclusive workforce that taps on the strengths the various generations bring, and lead with empathy, authenticity, kindness, and adaptability to bring teams across age groups and drive better outcomes for organisations,” said Ms Low.

“The panel’s discussion truly reflected what’s happening in workplaces today – leaders are navigating teams with diverse expectations, experiences, and values. Leadership today is less about hierarchy and more about empathy, adaptability, and creating an environment where every generation feels heard, respected and valued,” added Ms Lim.

Among the attendees, Ms Yinn Ewe, Chief Human Resources Officer at Hitachi Asia, observed that technology and longevity are transforming the nature of work.

“In the interplay of longer lives, evolving workforce demographics, and rapid advances in AI, organisations face both a challenge and an opportunity. The panel was a timely reminder that we must redesign work and learning, so every generation stays relevant, connected, and purposeful. Generational diversity isn’t a gap to manage, but a strength to amplify,” she said.

The event demonstrated JCU in Singapore’s commitment to connecting academia and industry, equipping students and professionals with the skills and mindset to lead in an age where human connection is as critical as technological competence.

Contacts

Media: Ms Pinky Sibal pinky.sibal@jcu.edu.au / Ms Hoe Shu Rin shurin.hoe@jcu.edu.au