In January 2021, at the inaugural Asian Financial Markets Forum, Ms Jacqueline Loh, Deputy Managing Director (Markets & Development), Monetary Authority of Singapore said, "Asian financial markets are well positioned to support the positive growth momentum of Asian economies in this new decade and in building of a more sustainable world."
There is no denying that this positive outlook is welcome news for many, except for one group - Asia's most vulnerable. As a result of the pandemic, the World Bank describes a growing class of "new COVID-19 poor" in both East Asia and the Pacific region.
This special feature story tells how Joy uses her purpose-driven work to create impact and positively influence Asia's economic growth.
Joy Empalmado (MTSC 2018) has never felt more purpose and meaning in her life than now. As Regional Human Resources Business Partner at International Justice Mission (IJM), she is responsible for leading and building capacity of HR leaders and professionals across Asia Pacific region, setting up strategic HR policies, processes and supporting IJM’s expansion plan in Asia Pacific.
“I personally interview every candidate who applies to work with the organisation,” says Joy. Having previously worked at World Vision for more than eight years, Joy knows all too well how important it is to find the right candidate.
A marketing graduate from De La Salle University, Philippines, Joy first started work at a Singaporean-managed Japanese manufacturing firm in 2001. “My work ethics was strongly influenced by Japanese discipline and Singaporean leadership style. I had the best of both worlds early in my career,” she recalls.
Five years after starting her career, Joy left the male-dominated industry and moved to Singapore in 2006. "I wanted to work overseas and gain regional exposure, while still being close to my family. At that time, Singapore and Hong Kong were Asia's economic powerhouses and my only options. I chose Singapore for its open immigration policies." says Joy.
While working as a corporate telemarketer for a regional training provider, Joy developed interest in the field of Human Resources. When the opportunity came, she joined a consortium as a consultant cum business development manager for a recruitment company. She has managed the entire engagement and talent acquisition process for client groups in various sectors such as FMCG, retail and service industries to identify top and specialised talents for these sectors.
"I enjoyed what I did", Joy says. It gave her a sense of accomplishment to assist companies in finding, engaging, screening, and interviewing prospective employees as well as helping candidates find the right job. However, despite all the accomplishments she had achieved, Joy knew she was not living up to her full potential.
“Even though I was doing well, I felt empty inside," she recalls.
After a period of soul searching, Joy experienced an epiphany. She left the highly competitive industry of executive search and joined World Vision International, a humanitarian organisation that helps the most vulnerable children around the world by working with families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. “Helping children is something that I’ve been very passionate about. World Vision reaches out to third world countries like the Philippines, which in a way, gives me the opportunity to help my own people and contribute back towards nation building.”
Over the course of five years as an international talent acquisition specialist at World Vision, Joy provided strategic sourcing support, developed talent pipelines, and played an integral role in building World Vision’s employer brand through the use of social media. In the last 3 years with World Vision, Joy served as Regional People & Culture Business Partner for East Asia where she supported national and HR leaders from countries like China, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar and Thailand.
In 2017, she received a full scholarship from the Ayala Foundation and graduated from SMU with a Masters of Tri-Sector Collaboration degree the following year. “The programme was part of the Foundation’s strategic expression of support to members from the Philippines civil society to hone knowledge and skills towards cross-sectoral partnership development and management”, says Joy.
She left World Vision in January 2021 to join International Justice Mission, an organization that campaigns against child sex trafficking, slavery, violence against women, and police abuse of power. “With lots of humility, I feel blessed to have been approached to explore this newly created role with IJM. The opportunity excites me because of the expansion plans they have in the Asia Pacific region, which I hope to add value to,” says Joy.
As a member of the SMU International Development & Community Action Alumni Group and an advocate for developing shared value, Joy encourages SMU alumni to dedicate their time and energy to community development,
“Economic progress goes hand-in-hand with social progress. There is no effort too small to make a difference.”
Learn more about the SMU International Development & Community Action (IDCA) Alumni Group here.
Find out more about the International Justice Mission here.