Serena lives on the sunny island of Singapore, popularly known as the Red Dot, together with her husband, Edwin. She runs her own financial consulting business. Her dedication to empowering others is not limited to the professional realm. In 2011, she co-founded a social women’s group, Wonderful Wholesome Women that celebrates the strength and camaraderie of women from all walks of life. Dedicated to holistic well-being, Serena has also been the driving force behind the "Let’s Keto Lunch" social group since 2018, fostering a community united by the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. She’s also serving in her church's ministry that cares for adults with autism and Down syndrome, and hopes to make a positive impact on lives often overlooked.
Apart from work and serving in church, you might catch Serena out with her favourite Teh-C Kosong (Sugar-free Nanyang-styled tea with evaporated milk) beverage, reading a book on Kindle, or having meaningful connections with friends.
Serena and Edwin are movie buffs and gallery explorers who also enjoying socialising with friends every now and then. They’ve been married since 2014.
My Salvation Experience
I was in my mid-twenties when I was head-hunted to join a multinational company. I’ve been working for a number of years in small and medium enterprises, so being invited to interview for a position was like a dream almost coming true.
My first interview with that company had a panel of three interviewers. Definitely the most intimidating one I’ve had. My second interview was just with one person, but that one man had an intimidating presence all on his own!
But I liked the job scope and I really wanted it. So for the first time in my life, I remembered sitting by my bed as I started to pray. To God. I didn’t know if there were other gods, but I was sure there would be only one God above everything or everyone else who’s the Creator of the universe. So I prayed to this God. I earnestly asked for God to grant me this job.
Then a few weeks later, one of the interviewers, who would be my immediate superior called to offer me the job. I was ecstatic. I soon realised we haven’t even been discussing about my remuneration all this time. So I had to at least conclude on my package. When my soon-to-be superior told me a figure that was double of my current package, I went into a daze. I couldn’t believe my fortune. But more importantly, I knew deep down that God was the one who gave me this.
A few months into my new job, it dawned on me that I could be a little in over my head. Although I’ve had a few years of working experience, I wasn’t prepared for the kind of power play the employees of a multinational company were into. Amidst the university degrees, designer clothing and diplomatic dispositions, nothing was what it seems. The colleagues I thought I could trust, wouldn’t hesitate to throw me under the bus if it made them look better with the managers.
In retrospect, I was like a lamb being sent into a lion’s den. The lion being that very intimidating man who last interviewed me. Let’s call him Brandon, shall we? Brandon’s the senior manager of all the middle managers in his division. No one dared to give any opinion of their own until he spoke, and their opinions better be aligned to his.
I felt so much self-condemnation and shame during the first few months into this company that I was deeply troubled. One day, I asked my then boyfriend if we could go to church that coming Sunday.
When the congregation started singing the song “When I Look Into Your Holiness” and went into the chorus…
I worship You
I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You
I felt God embracing and comforting me. Like I could feel Him physically. I started sobbing uncontrollably, so much so that my body was shaking. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I finally knew then, without a doubt that God is real.