The Future Leaders Fellowship offers a practical, time-conscious leadership journey designed for working professionals in the design field. Delivered over three months in a bi-monthly format, the program ensures
deep learning without disrupting your daily responsibilities.
Duration
6 core sessions over 3 months
(bi-monthly format)
Total In-class Hours
30 hours
Industry Leader Insights
4 hours
Individual Coaching
2.5 hours per participant (total 50 hours for 20 participants)
Independent Learning
6 hours of guided self-study
Hands-on Project Work
Approx. 20 hours for a capstone community or industry project
The Fellowship is built around a blended learning approach that integrates practical tools, coaching, and industry exposure - equipping participants to lead with confidence and clarity.
Community / Industry Project
Tackle a real-world challenge and present your solution during the final session.
1-on-1 Coaching
Two personalised coaching sessions (after Session 2 & Session 5) to strengthen self-awareness and support your leadership growth.
Guest Speakers &
Industry Leaders
Gain fresh perspectives from recognised voices in design, innovation, and leadership.
Optional Add-Ons*
(Separate Registration Required):
*Guest sessions, studio visits, and tours are also open to other DBCS members and the public, subject to availability.
Studio Immersion (Optional)
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how top local studios (e.g. STUCK, Design Sojourn) embed leadership in their day-to-day practices.
Overseas Inspiration Tour (Optional)
Expand your horizons with a post-program visit to a leading international design ecosystem.
Schedule
-
11 Dec 2025 (Thu)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PMInformation session Slide deck
Recorded Zoom session -
9 Jan 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PMWelcome session
-
16 Jan 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 5:00 PMReframing Leadership:
Designing the Self Within Explore your leadership identity, surface hidden assumptions, and reflect on how you show up for your team. -
30 Jan 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PMNavigating Disruption:
Becoming Future-Ready Recognise how emerging forces like AI and hybrid work are transforming design. Build agility and resilience to lead in uncertainty. -
13 Feb 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PMSeeing Systems: Connecting Design with Strategic Impact Move beyond execution to see the bigger picture. Learn to map systems, uncover leverage points, and influence change through design.
-
27 Feb 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PMFraming Strategy: Translating Design into Business Value Learn to speak the language of stakeholders. Translate design outcomes into strategic impact and confidently pitch ROI.
-
13 Mar 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PMDriving Change: Shaping Influence and Action Acquire proven tools for leading change. Align stakeholders and communicate a clear vision that moves people to act.
-
27 Mar 2026 (Fri)
9:00 AM – 5:00 PMBecoming Visible: Integrating Growth, Leading Forward Bring your leadership journey full circle. Craft and share your capstone story that reflects your growth, values, and vision.
Facilitators
Hong Khai SengFounder & Director, Studio Dojo
As President of the Design Business Chamber Singapore, Chairman of the Singapore Good Design (SG Mark) Awards, and Founder of Studio Dojo, Khai Seng brings over 20 years of experience in design leadership, education, and coaching. He has led transformation initiatives, taught design at Republic Polytechnic, and contributed to the growth of Singapore’s UX community. He believes great design should drive sustained impact and cultural change, an ethos shaped by his certification as an Integral Coach with New Ventures West. A SkillsFuture Fellow and member of the DesignSingapore Council’s Design Education Advisory Committee, he champions lifelong learning and design-led progress.
Cheaw Hwei was the Head of Design for Philips in Asia and Head of Government and Public Affairs for Philips in Singapore. While he was on the Philips ASEAN Pacific management team, Cheaw Hwei oversaw the overall direction of Philips Design in the region, leading the company through a design transformation as Philips – a leader in healthcare technology – moved towards experience and solutions-based innovation. His second role brought synergy in driving both design and innovation initiatives into the work that Philips does in Singapore.Having held various creative and management roles in the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Singapore, Cheaw Hwei has led Philips Design in design management, and creative and brand design strategy. At Philips, he held top design roles as Chief Design Officer for Philips TV and Audio-Video Multimedia, and Global Product and Service Design Creative Director for Philips Consumer Lifestyle.
Beyond achieving commercial success, Cheaw Hwei has led teams to win multiple local and international design and innovation awards, including the President’s Design Award, iF, Red Dot and Singapore G-Mark. A respected industry practitioner, he has served as board member for various design platforms such as the DesignSingapore Council, Singapore Design Masterplan 2025 Committee and Committee for Future Economy for innovation and capability development, and has judged at international design competitions. He is also a frequent speaker at international design and innovation forums and was recently awarded the Public Service Medal for his contribution to design education.
Low Cheaw HweiPrincipal Consultant (Independent)
Andrew is the founder of leading business design consultancy - Lavaworks. For more than a decade (until 2017), he also managed Egg Creatives - an integrated design agency with presence in Singapore and China.
Having helmed the Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) from 2018 to 2021, he now serves as the Chamber’s Presidential Advisor. Prior to this, Andrew co-chaired in DesignS- an alliance of Design Associations in Singapore. He was also a board member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Singapore University of Technology and Design- MIT International Design Centre.
A strong advocate of the local design industry, he served as an active member in other Design-related bodies/committees such as the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), DesignSingapore Council's Industry Development Panel and the Board of Examiners for the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). It was during the time he served on the board of SFIC that Andrew co-founded SingaPlural- the anchor event for Singapore Design Week from 2012 to 2018.
Well-regarded as an influential thought leader, Andrew has been regularly invited as juror and speaker at both local and international platforms like Japan Good Design Awards, Singapore Good Design and the Global Design Talent Festival.
Andrew PangFounder, Lavaworks
Keith OhHead of Product Design, Carousell
Keith is curious about how technology shapes everyday life. With a background spanning design, psychology and engineering, he aims to create meaningful products, services and experiences. His work spans industries including defence, healthcare, finance, entertainment and public service.
Keith is currently Head of Product Design at Carousell, where he leads efforts to inspire a world where secondhand is the first choice. He also serves as Honorary Secretary of the Design Business Chamber Singapore, supporting the growth of the local design community.
Bhavna SinghalFounder & CEO, RGBx
Bhavna has worked on large scale architecture and interior design projects ranging from institutional, commercial, retail to residential projects throughout Asia and the Middle East.
She is an architecture graduate with master degrees in Business Administration and Marketing; she has in-depth experience in design consultancy, project management and luxury goods industry. Her diverse work experience and broad educational background enables her to merge architectural design with business strategies to produce holistic, client focused solutions.
With her problem solving skills, and hands-on experience, Bhavna can address the demanding needs of any project at any phase. She takes a creative and adaptable approach in a complex and continuously changing environment.