Meet Alice Lopin 👋
With 25 years of leadership experience in Retail and Tech (ex-Apple), Alice is the founder of The Art of Leadership Studio, a Leadership Development Practice & HR Advisory dedicated to developing leaders and leadership teams to reach their fullest potential and cultivate exceptional work cultures in their organisations. Relentlessly curious, creative, and deeply human, Alice partners with organisations to embed sustainable leadership practices into every work.
Insights from Alice Lopin
1) On Culture: What’s one thing you or your team does regularly to build a strong, positive workplace culture?
At The Art of Leadership Studio, we offer our people absolute autonomy —not just in how they work, but where and why. Every few months, we intentionally revisit their aspirations: where in the world they choose to live, what kind of work ignites their passion, and how they want to shape their time, with no limits on time off. Each person designs a life they truly aspire to, and we shape their role, and our business, around what they care most about. This way, work becomes a vehicle for purpose, sustained growth and joy.
2) On Impact: What’s one HR initiative you led or supported that made a clear impact on your team or company? What changed because of it?
As Leadership Consultants, one of the most impactful initiatives we've led is designing and embedding tailored HR Leadership Academies within companies. Too often, HR teams are the last to receive deep development—yet they are the very architects of culture and talent. These learning academies reverse that narrative, and equip HR leaders with the skills, confidence, and strategic foresight to make impact on the organisation’s talent and culture.
The impact is immediate and far-reaching: HR evolves from a support function to a catalyst for growth, innovation, and purpose. As HR leads with strategic acumen and a real focus on people, companies gain the power to attract, grow, and retain the best talent. These academies don’t just build skills —they create sustainable, people-first HR functions that add value to the business, sustainably.
3) On the Future: What’s one key skill or mindset you think every HR professional in Singapore will need in the next 5 years - and why?
In the next five years, HR professionals in Singapore will need to dramatically shift from a process-centric mindset to a people-centric mindset. While organisations have historically prioritised efficiency, logic and top-down leadership, the future will demand a much deeper understanding of human engagement and emotional intelligence. HR leaders will need to focus on creating profound, sustainable connections with employees, and cultivating environments where people feel deeply valued, heard, and empowered. The ability to foster meaningful relationships, drive intrinsic motivation, and create a culture of trust will be crucial. In a world where talent is the ultimate differentiator, HR professionals must move beyond transactional processes and become champions of human connection, driving engagement that propels both individual and company-wide success. This shift will not only attract top talent but also retain and inspire teams to reach their fullest potential.
4) What’s one HR initiative or practice you believe more companies should adopt to build stronger teams or workplaces - and why?
One powerful practice more companies could explore is investing meaningfully in leadership development. Too often, we assume that when we hire or promote a manager, this person is skilled in all aspects of leadership. But leadership is not instinct—it’s an art. When companies create space for their leaders to grow—through thoughtfully designed programs or development journeys—they unlock stronger teams, deeper engagement, and more sustainable performance. It’s not just about teaching skills; it’s about shaping leaders who elevate the experience of work for everyone around them.
5) What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career in HR or people leadership?
The moment people are placed in your care—as an HR or people leader—your mindset must shift from “me” to “they.” Leadership begins when your focus moves beyond your own success to the experience, wellbeing, and growth of others. Keep asking yourself: Are my people truly thriving? When you lead with that question and a genuine concern for others, your decisions become wiser, your impact deeper, and your work much more meaningful.
6) What’s one workplace trend you’re excited about - and one you’re cautious of?
We’re seeing more companies investing intentionally in Culture. For the last hundred years, the workplace contract was transactional: I pay, you work. It was shallow and uninspiring, which led to strong disengagement of the workforce. Today, forward-thinking leaders are recognising that Culture is a strategic advantage, and are thinking creatively about growing companies that achieve more than profit. They’re creating ecosystems that have more purpose, that nurture their internal talent, and prioritise long term impact over short term gain. There’s a new world of work ahead—more human, more purposeful, and full of possibility, and these are places where high performers will want to invest their talent and develop lasting careers.
Connect with Alice Lopin.
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As Singapore marks 60 years of progress, SG60: 60 People Leaders Shaping Workplaces honours the people leaders building cultures where people thrive.
Each spotlight captures authentic experiences and actionable wisdom from HR professionals making a difference in Singapore’s evolving world of work.