Helena MA

Partner, Business Strategist
Business Strategy
Singapore
Partner, Business Strategist. Helena advises companies on cross-border expansion, joint ventures, cross-cultural communications and crisis management.

PROFILE

Partner, Business Strategist Helena set up and ran IDEA Communication Pte Ltd in Singapore from 2016 as its principal. A business strategist, she was formerly a simultaneous interpreter for central government leaders in Beijing and head of China at Oscar Jacobson AB, a Swedish menswear brand (appointed supplier to the Royal Swedish Family). For the past 15 years, Helena has consulted for expanding and blue-chip companies in oil and gas, industrial engineering, construction equipment, automotive, smart manufacturing, tech, food and beverage sectors, government agencies and legacy family businesses in China, Europe and Singapore. She’s a trusted advisor on cross-border expansion, joint ventures, cross-cultural stakeholder communications and crisis management issues. She advised China Entrepreneur Club (aggregating $761bn annual revenue from its club members, co-founded by 1st-generation Chinese entrepreneurs) on foreign affairs from 2016 till present. She graduated in Swedish and English Linguistics (BA) from Shanghai International Studies University, with a scholarship (diploma) in Philosophy at Gothenburg University, and did an advanced study program in Psychology and Nutrition Science at Stanford University. A Chinese national, Helena speaks five languages, practices meditation, pilates and ball sports regularly, and has held three solo fine art photography exhibitions in Singapore and China between 2019- 2023. She spoke about board diversity at the 2019 Women’s Forum organized by the Ministry of Culture of France and Publicis Groupe, and was awarded “40 under 40 Entrepreneurs” by Prestige Magazine in Singapore. She was entrusted by Red Cross Singapore to spearhead PPE goods supply chain management and regional distribution as part of the human relief effort during the Covid Pandemic.  Nowadays, she’s involved in causes related to children’s education and mental health.

CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Cross-border expansion, joint ventures, cross-cultural stakeholder communications, crisis management and social-impact initiatives.

EXPERIENCE

IDEA Communication principal; simultaneous interpreter for central-government leaders in Beijing; Head of China, Oscar Jacobson AB; China Entrepreneur Club foreign-affairs adviser.

EDUCATION

BA in Swedish and English Linguistics, Shanghai International Studies University; scholarship diploma in Philosophy, Gothenburg University; advanced Psychology and Nutrition Science study at Stanford University.

LANGUAGES

Five languages (not individually specified).

INVESTMENT FOCUS

Cross-border business strategy, joint ventures, stakeholder communications and sustainable/social-impact initiatives.

OUR TEAM

Ken Chew
Aster PA

Ken Chew

CEO & Partner
Ken brings over 20 years of investment management experience across diverse sectors, including REITs and fintech. He is fluent in multiple languages, seasoned in international markets and received his Bachelor and Masters from the University of Tokyo.

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Lawrence Lye
Aster PA

Lawrence Lye

Partner
Lawrence leverages over 30 years of experience in financial services to guide UHNW families toward long-term financial security. His career spans investment research, wealth management, corporate finance advisory and private market investing.

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Melvin Chan
Aster PA

Melvin CHAN

Partner
Melvin’s career spans financial services, asset management, and sustainable development. His commitment to corporate social responsibility and extensive network of industry professionals align perfectly with our goals of impactful investments.

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