Calm in the Storm: How Jacelyn Ng Redefines Executive Partnership from Singapore to the World

In the heart of Singapore’s fast-paced business world, Jacelyn Ng has built her reputation as a “chaos tamer” and trusted partner to global leaders. As an Executive Assistant and newly appointed World Administrators Alliance Ambassador for Asia, Jacelyn represents the quiet strength and strategic clarity shaping the future of the EA profession. In this interview, she reflects on leadership, adaptability, and the power of calm; the kind that keeps people, purpose, and progress moving together.

Jacelyn Ng | Executive Assistant | Singapore | LinkedIn

Known as a “chaos tamer”, Jacelyn is an Executive Assistant who helps leaders and teams stay focused in fast-moving environments. She believes the EA role goes far beyond tasks, extending into trust-building, clarity, and meaningful impact behind the scenes. Passionate about elevating the voice of administrative professionals, she contributes actively to global EA networks and shares insights on the strategic role assistants play in leadership and business. Grateful to be part of these communities, Jacelyn values learning, sharing, and connection, and believes the true strength of the profession lies in trust, clarity, and support.

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Elizabeth Sutkowska: Jacelyn, you’ve built your career in Singapore, a place known for its precision, pace, and forward-thinking business culture. How has growing up and working in Singapore shaped your mindset as an Executive Assistant and your approach to leadership support?

Jacelyn Ng: Growing up in Singapore, I was taught the value of hard work and humility, to put my head down, do the work well, and let the results speak for themselves. It’s a mindset many of us in Asia grow up with, and it builds a strong foundation of discipline and quiet strength. That discipline shapes how I operate as an EA: being thorough, dependable, and always striving for excellence behind the scenes.

Over time, though, I learned that while letting your work speak is important, it’s equally important to give your work a voice. Advocacy doesn’t mean self-promotion, it’s about helping others see the value you bring and creating visibility for your leader and your team. Quiet impact is still impact, and it deserves to be recognized.

Singapore’s multicultural environment also influenced how I approach leadership support. Growing up around different languages, cultures, and perspectives taught me to be adaptable, to listen first, and to find harmony in differences. That’s helped me support leaders from different places with respect, understanding, and care.

Elizabeth: You often describe yourself as a “chaos tamer by nature, calm creator by skill.” In today’s world of constant change, what does “creating calm” really look like in practice, and why do you think this skill is becoming more valuable in modern organizations?

Jacelyn: Haha yes! For me, creating calm means being that steady voice when things get messy. In every busy workplace, there’s always some form of chaos, for example: last-minute flight changes, sudden meeting requests, urgent emails, or shifting priorities. In our world, you can’t stop the chaos, but you can decide how you respond to it.

Creating calm means keeping a clear head when things start to fall apart. You focus on what needs to be done right now and move. When everyone’s rushing, you stay steady and get things moving again.

Flexibility plays a big part too. Sometimes, things don’t go the way you planned and that’s fine. You pivot fast, update the right people, and keep things running without showing the panic behind the scenes.

This skill has become even more important today. Everything moves at lightning speed, and information, schedules, and expectations can shift in minutes. Having someone who can bring calm, not just manage tasks, helps leaders think clearly and make better choices.

For me, being a “chaos tamer by nature, calm creator by skill” is about keeping things steady and people supported. It’s being the calm in someone else’s storm so the work, the people, and the purpose can move forward together.

Elizabeth: You’ve supported leaders in global investment firms, where the pace is fast and expectations are high. What has that experience taught you about partnership, trust, and influence, especially when operating behind the scenes?

Jacelyn: I’ve learned that to build real partnership and trust, you can’t just see yourself as a support staff; you have to think like a business partner. You’re not only helping to manage the schedule or logistics; you’re thinking about priorities, timing, and how decisions affect the bigger picture.

In my career, I’ve been lucky to work with leaders who see me as a true partner, not just an assistant. They value my judgment, my ability to anticipate what’s needed, and how I help them focus on what matters most by clearing the noise and keeping things moving in the background. That kind of partnership doesn’t happen overnight, it’s earned through consistency, awareness, and trust.

Influence doesn’t come from a title; it comes from how you show up every day. When you stay calm, think ahead, and keep things moving even when it gets messy, people start trusting your judgment. For me, influence happens quietly. It’s in the small things, like catching details others miss, preparing your leader before a meeting, or helping the team stay aligned when priorities shift. You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room; you just need to help the right things get done.

Working behind the scenes has taught me that partnership is really about alignment, knowing when to step in, when to step back, and when to let your leader lead. That balance builds trust, and that’s where real influence begins.

Elizabeth: As the new World Administrators Alliance Ambassador for Asia, you’re helping connect Executive Assistants across diverse cultures. What unique perspectives or strengths do you believe the Asian EA community brings to the global stage, and how can cultural understanding elevate our profession?

Jacelyn: That’s a big question and I wouldn’t want to speak for every country in Asia, because each one has its own culture and way of working. But I can share what I’ve observed from Singapore and from connecting with other EAs across the region.

What stands out most is adaptability. In Asia, we often work across time zones, hierarchies, and cultures, sometimes all in one day. That teaches you to read the room quickly, communicate with respect, and adjust your style depending on who you’re dealing with.

Another strength is our grounded attitude toward work. Many Asian EAs were taught to stay humble, listen first, and focus on doing the job well. That quiet consistency may not always be loud, but it’s what keeps things running smoothly.

Cultural understanding plays a big part too. When you work with people from different places, you learn how to adapt, how to read situations, manage tone, and find common ground. The Asian EA community brings that skill naturally, helping things flow better across borders and teams.

Elizabeth: Many people see the Executive Assistant profession as one of quiet strength, often invisible but essential. When you think about your own journey, what keeps you inspired to keep showing up, growing, and helping others in the community rise with you?

Jacelyn: Hahaha! I always say, not all heroes wear capes… Some carry calendars and coffee instead. For me, what keeps me going is knowing that this role matters, even if it’s often unseen. The admin and EA industry is still misunderstood by many and people think we only do scheduling or admin work. That’s why I keep showing up and sharing what this job really is about: thinking ahead, managing energy, solving problems, and making things work behind the scenes.

Over time, I’ve had people DM me saying my posts or words encouraged them, especially those who once felt stuck or unseen in their roles. Some even told me they started seeing new possibilities for their EA career after reading my stories. And that means a lot.

That’s what keeps me inspired; knowing that by showing up, learning, and sharing, I can help others see the value in what we do. If one person feels a bit more proud, more confident, or more hopeful about their work after hearing from me, then that’s enough reason to keep going.

Thank you!

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