Jannie Chan facts for kids

Jannie Chan Siew Lee (曾秀丽), also known by her married name, Jannie Tay, is a successful entrepreneur from Singapore. She is known for being the first woman to lead the Singapore Retailers Association and the ASEAN Business Forum.

About Jannie Chan

Her Early Life and Education

Jannie Chan studied at Monash University. She earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in physiology in 1968. Later, she received a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in pharmacology in 1971. After her studies, she taught both subjects at the National University of Singapore.

Building Businesses

In 1979, Jannie Chan started a luxury watch company called The Hour Glass Limited. She co-founded it with her husband, Henry Tay. By 2015, this company had grown to include 41 stores in many different countries. She held important roles there, including executive vice-president.

She also created Save Our Planet Investments in 2005. This company helps the environment. In 2007, she started the non-profit Save Our Planet Foundation. This foundation works to plant more trees to help with climate change. Her most recent company, Scientific Tradition Pte Ltd, creates products from mushrooms. These products are based on traditional Chinese medicine.

A Leader in Business and Community

Jannie Chan has shared her knowledge in books. She contributed to the 2006 book, Six Billion Minds: Managing Outsourcing in the Global Knowledge Economy. She has achieved many "firsts" for women in leadership. She was the first female president of the Singapore Retailers Association. She also became the first female president of the ASEAN Business Forum.

She was the first woman to be an executive board member of the Commonwealth Business Council. She also founded the Commonwealth Business Women Leaders' Network. Jannie Chan has served on important councils for the United Nations Office for Project Services and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. She is also a strong supporter of women's rights. She helped organize the first Women Inspire exposition in Singapore in 2002. She was also the president of the Singapore chapter of WOW (Women for Other Women).

Family Life

Jannie Chan comes from a Hakka Chinese family. Her father and grandfather were "sinsehs," which means they practiced traditional medicine. She has six siblings, and four of them became doctors. Jannie Chan has three children: Audrey, Michael, and Sabrina. Her son, Michael, now helps manage The Hour Glass company.

Awards and Recognition

Jannie Chan has received many awards for her work and contributions:

• 1989: Special Volunteer Award, Community Chest of Singapore
• 1996: Louis Feraud Les Honours award (Business category)
• 1999: Honorary doctorate, Oxford Brookes University
• 1997: Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World award, Paris
• 2003: Darjah Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang, which gives her the title Dato'
• 2003: Distinguished Alumni Award, Monash University
• 2009: APEA Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award, Enterprise Asia
• 2011: Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. This award was given at the Singapore Experience Awards.

Important Roles She Held

Jannie Chan has held many significant leadership positions:

• 1990: President, Women for Other Women Association (WOW)
• 1997–1998: Director, International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation
• 1997–1999: Board Member, Women's Leadership Initiative Board, John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
• 1998: President, ASEAN Business Forum
• Jul 1999–Jul 2016: President, Singapore Retailers Association
• 2002: President, Women’s Business Connection
• 2002: Chairperson, Commonwealth Business Women Leaders network
• 2003: Founding member and Chairman, Retail Academy of Singapore
• 2004: Chairman, Retail Industry Skills and Training Council
• 2004: Member, United Nations ESCAP Business Advisory Council
• 2011: Chairman, Asia-Pacific Retailers Association