Kate Baldock, Executive Director
Describe your role at the Chamber
As the Executive Director, I’m responsible for the operational aspects of the Chamber. This has changed quite a bit since COVID hit last year and I’ve learnt a lot of new skills while we re-position the chamber and find our new way of operating. My primary role is to make sure we are providing a community for our members and helping them grow their business, increase networks and support them in achieving their goals.
What are you most looking forward to for this year?
I’m really looking forward to a return to some face to face events. After the success of our Year in Review event in December, I’m confident we can start to hold more hybrid in-person/ virtual events over the next few months. Singapore’s approach to opening up and finding a new, safe way of operating has been exceptional and I’m optimistic that we will be able to keep going in the right direction and find more ways to bring our community together in a responsible way.
Where is your favourite place for a drink in Singapore?
One of the many great things about working with the Chamber is discovering the many bars and restaurants that are part of our network. While having two young kids means I don’t get out as much as I used to, it also means I really appreciate the times I do go out for a drink or two! We have some great chefs and restaurants as part of the Chamber especially those who we work with for our annual Business Awards Lunch like Burnt Ends, Cloudstreet and Cheek Bistro, meatsmith, Superloco and LeVel33. I really like Skai at Swissotel, such a great view over the city, great food and wine and just the right balance between somewhere special but also welcoming and friendly. I also love the poolside bar Oasis at the Grand Hyatt for something a little different. And the coffee and brunch at the LoKal is excellent, the sausage rolls and the burger are my go-to comfort foods when I’m feeling a little homesick.
Erica Marcellan, Director of Membership and Programs
Describe your role at the Chamber
I look after the relationships with our members and I’m in charge of members’ attraction and engagement. Part of my role includes designing our program of business activities, in terms of content, to feature our members expertise and make sure we deliver events and topics of interest to our business community. I really enjoy the variety of businesses I come across in this role and have great satisfaction in seeing them grow their business and showcase their success stories.
What are you most looking forward to for this year?
I miss the interaction with our members! So I look forward to more opportunities to put the community together, meeting them, feel that sense of belonging and the satisfaction we get when we organise an event and we see our members enjoying it. The virtual Business Awards event in October and the dialogue with Minister Chan we organised a few weeks ago were so well received and sought after that I can’t wait for the next one.
What is your hidden talent?
I have a master’s degree in teaching Italian as a foreign language and…I love cross-stitching!
Where would you travel right now if you could go anywhere in the world?
Last I was in Italy was May 2018 and I had my second baby since then. So although after 13 years Singapore is pretty much home for me, if the world would be different right now, I’d jump on a plane to go back and visit family members and friends to introduce my little one to them.
Sahana Jayaprakash, Office Manager
Describe your role at the Chamber
I joined the AustCham on 12th Jan as an office manager. I will be in charge of mainly accounting and admin tasks currently. I would like to learn more in future and venture into different areas within the chamber and assist Kate and Erica in any way that my skills and experience permits. Looking forward to an endless learning experience.
What are you most looking forward to for this year?
Initially, I would like to blend in with the organization and people within and outside the team and find my ground. With time, I want to focus on improving efficiency where possible and any automation that is feasible to allow myself more time to learn newer things.
Where would you travel right now if you could go anywhere in the world?
If I had a chance to travel right now, without being quarantined when I return, I would go to no other place but back home to India (Bangalore). Travel around South India, to the same places that I’m familiar with and meet my family and friends.