Growth Journeys at Airwallex: Real Stories. Real Growth. Real Impact
Let’s start at the beginning. You mention having a ‘builder’s mindset.’ What does that mean to you?
In university, I ran a small business while studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, which taught me how to hustle, stay close to customers, and think creatively. Later, management consulting gave me the structure to solve complex problems and scale ideas, but I realised I wanted to be building, not just advising.
That’s what drew me to Airwallex in 2022. Airwallex is a place where I could help build something from the ground up in a fast-moving, global environment.
And outside of work, most of my time goes to my wife and two young girls. I take great joy in that; it’s another kind of building, one rooted in family, growth, and shared moments that keep me grounded.
You moved from management consulting to a commercial leader here. How has your role evolved?
When I first joined, Singapore’s SME & Growth commercial team was a small group of less than 10. I came in as the first regional Strategy & Operations hire, with a clear mandate: to help take the business from 0 to 1. Since then, the team has multiplied a few fold, and our business has scaled more than 50x.
I had always aspired to take on a commercial role, and in 2023 I got my first opportunity to lead our inbound sales team of two. As the business evolved, new needs emerged: I expanded my scope to lead the account management team, and subsequently built up our customer success team.
My roles have evolved alongside Airwallex’s growth, but the one thing that has remained constant is my drive to learn, adapt, and throw myself into whatever the business needs next.
How has someone at Airwallex championed your development?
Arnold, the General Manager of APAC, has played a huge role in my career. He first gave me a shot at the Strategy & Operations role, even though I had no prior startup or fintech experience. Over the years, the Airwallex leadership team has given me opportunities, counsel, advice, and most importantly, the space for me to try, pivot, and learn.
Airwallex is extremely fast paced, demanding, and ambitious. A leader like Arnold who gives his team confidence, guidance, and support is extremely crucial to create the right environment to succeed.
Can you recall a specific moment when you had to step out of your comfort zone?
One defining moment was when I stepped into leading a sales team for the first time. I had no formal background in sales—neither as a rep nor as a manager—so it was well outside my comfort zone.
I leaned on what I knew best: structured thinking, problem-solving, and listening. I also worked to deepen my understanding of what great sales really means, learning how to uncover customer pain points, sell solutions that truly fit their needs, build trust, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
That experience taught me a lot about influence, empathy, and leadership beyond frameworks. Gaining the team’s trust and growing the business together gave me the confidence to take on broader commercial roles later on, and reinforced my belief that stepping into the unknown is where the most growth happens.
What mindset helps you rise to a challenge?
What has helped me rise to challenges over the years is a strong sense of ownership and determination. Early in my consulting days, I worked with a senior consultant who flew in from Poland for one of our toughest projects. When someone warned him how difficult it would be, he simply smiled and said, “That’s why I’m here. I didn’t fly to Singapore to do something easy.” That line stuck with me.
Since then, I’ve tried to carry that same mindset of leaning into the hard problems rather than avoiding them. Whenever I’m faced with something new or uncertain, I remind myself that I’m here for the challenge. That perspective helps me stay grounded, keep learning, and work with my team to constantly reinvent ourselves to deliver what the business needs.
What’s your advice for someone looking to grow their career at Airwallex?
Stay resilient and never settle. Doing great work isn’t easy—there will always be ups and downs—but set high standards for yourself, and keep raising the bar. And just as importantly, surround yourself with people who want to do the same.
At a company that’s scaling as fast as Airwallex, not every career path is pre-defined. You have to be clear about what you want, flexible in how you get there, and be ready to lean in, sometimes even over-commit. And when the right opportunity comes along, you will be best placed to take it. If you are proactive about your growth, this place will meet you more than halfway.
Describe your journey at Airwallex in one sentence.
If I could turn back the clock, I would still choose to do this over and over again. 🙂
Ready to grow from newcomer to expert with real global impact? Join Airwallex and explore open roles at airwallex.com/careers.
