“Success is ultimately measured by usefulness. Have I served others well? Have I made a positive difference? Have I used the opportunities and experiences entrusted to me responsibly?” – Robin Lee
Before joining the social sector, Robin Lee spent more than three decades in senior leadership roles across Asia with multinational corporations, including the Li & Fung Group, where he held regional responsibilities across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand. “Those years gave me the opportunity to lead diverse teams and drive transformation across industries,” he says.
Today, he applies that experience to building partnerships and stewarding resources to support those facing food insecurity. “At this stage of my life, I view leadership less as a position and more as an opportunity to serve.”
His calling to serve began long before he joined Food from the Heart. Throughout his corporate career, he was involved in volunteer and community leadership roles, serving grassroots organisations and school advisory boards. “Those experiences gave me a deeper appreciation of the challenges families in our community face,” he adds.
He always believed leadership should extend beyond the workplace, so leading Food from the Heart felt like the next chapter of a journey already begun. “I do not see a clear line between my corporate career and my social sector work,” he says. “Both have been guided by the same belief: leadership is a responsibility to serve others.”
What insights have you gained into what makes a leader truly effective?
Titles and achievements may open doors, but they are temporary. What matters is whether we have used our influence to serve others and leave things better than we found them. The leaders who made the greatest impact were rarely the loudest in the room; they listened and stayed focused on the mission rather than personal recognition. In the social sector, this matters even more. The work is not about the organisation, but the people we serve. Humility is not just a virtue; it is a necessity.
What keeps you motivated?
The people we serve keep me going. When you understand that behind every food distribution programme is a real family, senior, or child, it becomes difficult to give up. My faith also grounds me quietly, reminding me that service is about doing what is right, even when no one is watching. I am also inspired by the volunteers and donors who continue to give their time and energy to help others.
What personal practice has been most important in keeping you grounded and evolving as a leader?
Reflection. I have made it a habit to pause regularly and ask myself simple questions: Why am I doing this? Who does it serve? Reflecting helps me stay grounded, including time in prayer and scripture. Some of the most enduring leadership lessons are timeless principles about humility and serving others.
What gives you hope about the future of the social sector?
What excites me most is the growing recognition that social challenges cannot be solved by any one organisation alone. The future lies in stronger collaboration between charities, businesses, agencies, and individuals united by a shared purpose, and in technology that helps organisations serve more effectively and reach people more sustainably.
What’s something you’re still trying to improve?
Managing people and personalities with greater wisdom. Early in my career, I believed logic and good intentions would naturally lead people to the right decisions. Over time, I have learnt leadership is more nuanced. One area I continue to work on is navigating ego, in others and myself. Many organisational challenges are human, not technical, requiring patience, empathy, and self-awareness.
What do you do when you need a fresh perspective?
I speak to people outside my usual circle: younger colleagues, volunteers, donors, or beneficiaries. A fresh perspective often comes when I stop assuming I already know the answer.
How do you unwind and recharge outside work?
I enjoy nature: mountain biking and jogging. Being alone on a trail puts things into perspective, reminding me how small we are and how much of life is beyond our control.
Photography by Eugene Lee of Enfinite / Hair & Makeup by Sveta Klyn of Suburbs Studio
