What began as a career in diplomacy eventually led Faith Gan, now director at Singapore's Energy Connections Office, to an unexpected frontier: shaping Singapore's regional energy ambitions.

Her journey into Singapore’s energy sector draws directly on her background in international relations. Before joining EMA, Faith spent eight years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including a three-year posting at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland. There, she navigated multilateral issues across global organisations.

It was also in Geneva that Faith and her husband welcomed their first child, an experience that deepened her appreciation for balancing professional responsibilities with family life.

“Having a very supportive husband made a big difference. He stepped in as a full-time parent during the time we were in Geneva,” she recalled. “It was about working smart — knowing that while this is my career, it’s also for my family and for the next generation.”

After returning to Singapore, Faith joined the Energy Market Authority’s (EMA) International Relations Department in 2010, where she helped to shape strategies to strengthen Singapore’s energy ties with other nations and international bodies.

“Part of this work included promoting Singapore's energy interest in regional fora such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Group of Twenty (G20),” she shared.

In 2021, she took on a new challenge – being part of a team tasked with exploring the import of low-carbon electricity into Singapore. Drawing on her diplomatic experience, Faith and her team worked closely with foreign governments to advance collaboration of cross-border low-carbon energy projects.

“We wanted our partners to see that beyond generating export revenue, these projects could also accelerate renewable energy development in their own countries and support their net-zero targets,” she explained.

In her current role at the Energy Connections Office, Faith works at the intersection of domestic and international priorities. This involves engaging a wide range of stakeholders — from departments within EMA, relevant government agencies, and consumers to foreign government agencies.

“I have to assure our internal stakeholders that importing low-carbon energy will not compromise grid stability. At the same time, I need to help consumers understand why investing in low-carbon electricity is worthwhile, while working with source countries to align policies and project timelines,” she said.

To navigate these complexities, Faith draws on a collaborative approach refined over years of diplomatic engagement.

“We often face similar challenges and share common goals – decarbonisation and energy security. The key is finding solutions that create mutual benefit,” she said.

Faith’s leadership style has been shaped by both her professional journey and personal experiences.

Reflecting on her time in Geneva, she recalled how trust and flexibility made a difference.

“I was fortunate to have a very supportive boss and colleagues. As long as I delivered my work on time, I had the flexibility I needed to take care of my family. This was long before remote work or video calls were common, so that trust meant everything.”

Today, she extends that same trust to her own team.

“If you ask my team, they will say I give them space to work independently. I have a talented group of bright, young professionals, and I want them to have every opportunity to shine. Of course, I guide them on potential blind spots, but I always encourage them to speak up and share their perspectives,” she added.

Over the course of her career in EMA, Faith has witnessed meaningful changes in gender representation within the energy sector.

When she first joined, the sector was heavily male dominated. At some ASEAN meetings, perhaps only one in 10 representatives was a woman.

“Over the years, I have seen real progress. Today, many of my colleagues are women, and more women are stepping into leadership roles across the sector. What’s exciting is the fresh perspectives they bring. But ultimately, whether men or women, we are all working towards the same goals,” she shared.

When asked what advice she would offer to colleagues starting out at EMA, Faith emphasises curiosity and openness.

“Come in curious, and be open to different ideas,” she said. “You may think you have the right answer, but it’s important to step back and understand where others are coming from. That’s how you learn, grow, and build solutions together.”

She also has a message for young women considering a career in the energy sector: “Don’t be afraid to step into spaces that may feel male-dominated. Bring your perspective, speak up, and trust that your contributions matter — because they truly do.”