Remarkable figure in tech sector honored: Respect and admiration poured out by businesses and former associates in the wake of late Microsoft Singapore leader Lee Hui Li's passing.
Lee Hui Li, the late managing director of Microsoft Singapore, passed away on Thursday. Known for her strategic brilliance, warmth, authenticity, and unwavering belief in the potential of others and of Singapore, Ms Lee leaves behind a significant impact on the country's technology landscape.
Throughout her 27-year career, Ms Lee held various roles at tech giants such as IBM, Symantec, Dell, HP, and EY, before managing Microsoft in Singapore and Brunei from March 2022. One of her most notable achievements was launching Microsoft Research Asia-Singapore, the firm's first research lab in Southeast Asia, focused on AI research and talent.
In her role, Ms Lee was a tireless advocate for practical and forward-looking AI (artificial intelligence) education. She chaired the National University of Singapore (NUS) School of Computing's Industry Advisory Committee from July 2023, ensuring that the curriculum remained aligned with the evolving needs of the tech industry and helped prepare students for future challenges.
Beyond education, Ms Lee was passionate about creating innovation, building trust and resilience, empowering digital natives, and nurturing a culture of inclusion. She championed diversity & inclusion, allyship, and encouraging more women to build their future in the technology industry, having initiated mentorship and coaching programs for female communities.
East Coast GRC Member of Parliament Jessica Tan described Ms Lee as a dynamic leader committed to growing the impact of technology in Singapore. Tan highlighted Ms Lee's strong advocacy for the Business Analytics and Intelligent Systems (BAIS) programme at the NUS School of Computing.
Ms Lee's funeral will take place on Monday morning, and her wake is being held at the Church of St Ignatius in King's Road from Friday. Her public obituary was published, and her wake and funeral services are open to all who wish to pay their respects.
Ms Lee was deeply respected in the industry, known for her passion to make a meaningful impact on society. Her legacy in Singapore's technology sector is marked both by her corporate leadership at major firms and her proactive role in shaping future tech talent and promoting diversity, which continues to inspire many in the community.
In her LinkedIn profile, Ms Lee expressed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital economy. Her commitment to AI education, diversity, and inclusion will undoubtedly continue to shape the tech sector in Singapore for years to come.
- Ms Lee's leadership extended beyond Microsoft, as she was deeply involved in East Asia's tech industry, particularly in Singapore, where she chaired the National University of Singapore's Industry Advisory Committee for technology-focused education, aligning its curriculum with the needs of the tech industry.
- In addition to her corporate roles at tech giants such as IBM, Symantec, Dell, HP, EY, and Microsoft, Ms Lee demonstrated her passion for the tech industry by advocating for practical AI education and promoting diversity in the sector.
- As a prominent figure in Singapore's tech landscape, Ms Lee's legacy includes the launch of Microsoft Research Asia-Singapore, the firm's first research lab in Southeast Asia, focused on AI research and talent, and her efforts to empower women and digital natives by fostering mentorship and coaching programs.
