Winners in Our Midst: Steering the Course – Rachel Wong’s Forty Years of Fortitude
In the third instalment of our ‘Winners in our Midst’ series, we are thrilled to introduce you to a true powerhouse in the AustCham Singapore community, Rachel Wong, Founder and Managing Director of Marunda Private Limited. In an industry where men have long dominated the landscape, Rachel has not only carved out a space for herself but has built a legacy of resilience, reliability, and excellence that spans four decades.
For 40 years, Marunda has been a pillar of integrated engineering services for the land and maritime sectors, serving both defence and commercial clients across the Indo-Pacific. But the journey to becoming a trusted partner for organisations like the US Navy was anything but smooth sailing.
A Leap of Belief
In the early days of Marunda, she was a woman in a tough industry with “no safety net.” However, she had an unerring belief that if she worked harder and smarter, and built the right relationships, she could carve out a space for something different.
That belief was put to the ultimate test when she took full control of the business, only to find it millions of dollars in debt. “I remember sitting there looking at the books and asking myself, ‘Can I really pull through?’” Rachel recalls. It was a moment that might have broken many but, for Rachel, it became a lesson in resilience and living under pressure. She tightened operations, rebuilt from the ground up, and slowly, steadily, turned the tide.
A Business Transformed
The game-changing moment came when Marunda began working with the US Navy. In Rachel’s words, this pivotal move “raised our standards, deepened our capabilities and forced us to grow up fast as a company.” Seeing her team entrusted with high-stakes, high-complexity jobs on an international level remains one of her greatest “pinch me” moments – a testament to the fact that Marunda had truly earned its place.
Words of Wisdom
So, what is the secret to her enduring success? Over a cup of tea, Rachel would extol the virtues of learning to be steady. In a turbulent world, she believes that staying calm, focused, and consistently showing up makes all the difference. It’s not about chasing shortcuts; it’s about building something that lasts.
Reflecting on her journey, Rachel wishes someone had told her that leadership is less about having all the answers and more about knowing the right questions and, crucially, to whom to pose them. It’s a lesson she learned the hard way, but one that has shaped her into the insightful and collaborative leader she is today.
Get in Touch
Rachel would be delighted to connect with fellow AustCham Singapore members, especially those building businesses, wrestling with challenges or seeking strategic clarity. And, of course, if it’s technical expertise, or a reliable operational partner you are looking for, Rachel would love to chat about how Marunda’s specialised capabilities can address your needs.
You can contact Rachel at rachelwong168@marunda.sg or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Feature in ‘Winners in our Midst’
Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur within the AustCham Singapore community with a story to tell? We’d love to hear from you! Please register your interest in being featured in our series by contacting members@austcham.org.sg.