Anna Ong

Anna Ong Anna Ong is an influencer

Unapologetic Stories, Unstoppable Leaders | I help leaders transform through storytelling | LinkedIn Top Voice | From Banker to Storyteller 🎤

Singapore, Singapore
16K followers 500+ connections

About

I'm a storyteller, coach, and entrepreneur who believes in the power of personal narratives and the connections they create. After spending over 15 years in the banking world—doing everything from sales and relationship management to strategy and operations—I realized that while I enjoyed the challenges, my true passion lay elsewhere.

So, I took a leap of faith. I moved to Buenos Aires to dive deep into tango and headed to New York to immerse myself in improv. But it was storytelling that truly captured my heart.

That's why I founded WYSH (What's Your Story, Huh?), based in Singapore and Washington, D.C. Through WYSH, I offer coaching, consulting, and corporate training that uses storytelling and improv comedy techniques to help people communicate better, work together more effectively, and spark their creativity.

As a LinkedIn Top Voice, I've had the chance to collaborate with incredible organizations like National Geographic and LinkedIn, delivering workshops and talks to help professionals unlock the power of their stories.

I'm best known as the host and creator of What's Your Story Slam (WYSS), Singapore's longest-running live storytelling show since 2019. It's been a fantastic journey seeing WYSS consistently sell out and watching our storytelling community in Asia grow. There's something magical about people coming together to share personal stories and connect on a deeper level.

I also started the Women in Business Networking Lunch and Drinks, recognising the importance of fostering connections among professionals. It's a platform where women can share experiences, support each other, and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed setting.

When I'm not doing all that, you might find me brewing kombucha—a hobby I picked up in the U.S. and have been perfecting here in Singapore's humid climate. It's a fun (and tasty) experiment in how different teas and environments affect the brew.

I'm all about connecting with people, whether through stories, dance, or shared interests. So, what's your story? I'd love to hear it—let's connect!

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Experience

  • What's Your Story Slam Graphic

    Founder

    What's Your Story Slam

    - Present 5 years 6 months

    Singapore

    What's Your Story Slam" is a curated event that brings together talented storytellers and an experienced creative director. Each participant must pitch their story idea to Anna Ong, who will help them craft a compelling and engaging narrative. The storytellers will then be able to share their story with the audience, with each performance lasting five to six minutes. With the help of Anna, each story will be transformed into a captivating and memorable tale that will leave a lasting impression…

    What's Your Story Slam" is a curated event that brings together talented storytellers and an experienced creative director. Each participant must pitch their story idea to Anna Ong, who will help them craft a compelling and engaging narrative. The storytellers will then be able to share their story with the audience, with each performance lasting five to six minutes. With the help of Anna, each story will be transformed into a captivating and memorable tale that will leave a lasting impression on the audience.

  • WYSH - What's Your Story (huh)? Graphic

    Founder

    WYSH - What's Your Story (huh)?

    - Present 6 years 4 months

    Singapore and Washington DC

    Wysh is a consultancy that uses applied theatre techniques in coaching, consulting and corporate training with teams and individuals to find and develop their stories/story strategies and create breakthroughs in communication, collaboration and agility using applied improvisation techniques.

    I coach teams and individuals in identifying their stories using various frameworks and techniques in how to frame their narrative. I consult with companies on their story strategy, creating a…

    Wysh is a consultancy that uses applied theatre techniques in coaching, consulting and corporate training with teams and individuals to find and develop their stories/story strategies and create breakthroughs in communication, collaboration and agility using applied improvisation techniques.

    I coach teams and individuals in identifying their stories using various frameworks and techniques in how to frame their narrative. I consult with companies on their story strategy, creating a culture of storytelling, developing and maintaining their story banks. I also use theatre techniques and improv games to coach individuals/teams on how to deliver their stories/presentations with confidence, agility and style.

    WYSH produces What's Your Story Slam, a live storytelling competition in Singapore. The show features everyday folks to share their 5-minute personal narratives based on the show's theme on stage to a live audience.

  • Cartier Women's Initiative Graphic

    Business Coach

    Cartier Women's Initiative

    - Present 6 years

    Singapore

    I get to work with dynamic and inspirational female entrepreneurs in the social impact space. Together we work on their business plans on how to make their business scalable and sustainable in order to make the world a better place.

  • Living "La Vida Local" (My Sabbatical)

    Latin America

    - 1 year 5 months

    This was part social experiment, part personal challenge and part passion quest.

    Social Experiment: I decided to see if I could live in a city where I didn't know anybody or speak the language. I always wanted to learn Spanish and dance, so decided to move to Medellin at the start of my journey.

    Personal Challenge : I wanted to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable so I traveled and hiked around Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. I learned Tango in Buenos Aires…

    This was part social experiment, part personal challenge and part passion quest.

    Social Experiment: I decided to see if I could live in a city where I didn't know anybody or speak the language. I always wanted to learn Spanish and dance, so decided to move to Medellin at the start of my journey.

    Personal Challenge : I wanted to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable so I traveled and hiked around Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. I learned Tango in Buenos Aires and volunteered as an English teacher in Medellin where I had to learn how to connect immediately with strangers. I then started challenging myself by getting over my fear of being up on stage by doing improv and storytelling.

    Passion Quest : Through this journey I would fly back and forth between the United States and South America where I discovered the world of improv and storytelling. It was during one of those moments on stage when I told a personal story for the first time that I realized this was what I was meant to do.

  • Standard Chartered Bank

    Standard Chartered Bank

    7 years 5 months

    • Standard Chartered Bank Graphic

      Director, Business Planning Manager, Global Rates Sales

      Standard Chartered Bank

      - 2 years 3 months

      Singapore

      I manage the business and provide support to the Global Head of Rates Sales in driving the performance of the business globally. Together, we develop the story for the Global and regional Rates Sales strategy, ranging from priority accounts, growth strategy, people strategy (organizational structure) to alignment with different parts of the Bank, i.e. Trading, Coverage, Finance, Risk and other control functions

      Basically , I had to wear a lot of hats to get things done.

    • Standard Chartered Bank Graphic

      Director, Regional Business Manager, FM Sales ASEAN

      Standard Chartered Bank

      - 5 years 6 months

      Singapore

      As Regional business manager, I support the Regional head of FM Sales in driving the performance of the financial markets business across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Australia across all corporate and institutional client segments and products. Together, we built out the overall regional Sales strategy and draft the key initiatives and themes, and with this we are able to create the ASEAN story.

    • Standard Chartered Bank Graphic

      Associate Director, Financial Markets Sales

      Standard Chartered Bank

      - 1 year 11 months

      Singapore

      My first role out of business school in Singapore, I rotated within FM Sales and the COO office. It was my first time to work in a very international environment and in a large organization. It was a very steep learning curve and definitely put my OB learnings to good use as I learned all about soft power - how to get things done using persuasion and influence.

  • INSEAD Graphic

    MBA

    INSEAD

    - 1 year

    One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences to date. I completed my MBA with an amazing and driven group of global cosmopolitans. I was fortunate to receive the Asia Enterprise Scholarship. I graduated with a focus on Finance, Entrepreneurship and Organizational Behavior.

  • Amalgamated Investment Bancorporation Graphic

    Head of Treasury and Sales

    Amalgamated Investment Bancorporation

    - 2 years 11 months

    Manila, Philippines

    As Head of Treasury and Sales, I manage the team responsible for marketing the company's products and services, mainly fixed income outlets and investment banking products such as corporate issuances and IPO's. During my term, my team was able to exceed the target budget by 30% of assets under management.

    I also set up AIB's FX brokerage desk which provided a new revenue stream for the company.

    My team is also responsible for the treasury function in the firm. We monitor the…

    As Head of Treasury and Sales, I manage the team responsible for marketing the company's products and services, mainly fixed income outlets and investment banking products such as corporate issuances and IPO's. During my term, my team was able to exceed the target budget by 30% of assets under management.

    I also set up AIB's FX brokerage desk which provided a new revenue stream for the company.

    My team is also responsible for the treasury function in the firm. We monitor the company's fixed income investments and liquidity position.

    Working in a small shop and setting up a new business within the firm, this was my first taste of being an intra-preneur.

  • FX Sales

    Banco de Oro, Universal Bank, Inc.

    - 2 years

    Manila and Cebu, Philippines

    I moved from money market sales to foreign exchange sales covering SMEs in Manila as well as business development work for accounts based in the Visayas and Mindanao region.

  • Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company Graphic

    Money Market Dealer

    Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company

    - 7 months

    Cebu, Philippines

    I set up the treasury sales desk in Cebu City which covered the Visayas and Mindanao region for the bank.

  • Equitable PCI Bank Graphic

    Money Market Dealer

    Equitable PCI Bank

    - 3 years 7 months

    Manila, Philippines

    First job straight from university, I learned about the exciting world of treasury in the banking sector. I found my place in money market sales.

Education

  • INSEAD Graphic

    INSEAD

    MBA General Management

    -

    Activities and Societies: Enegry Club, Raffles Club

  • Georgetown University Graphic

    Georgetown University

    Social Impact Storytelling

    -

  • De La Salle University Graphic

    De La Salle University

    AB-BSC Philosophy and Business Management

    -

    Activities and Societies: outdoor club, track & field team, students of philosophy in action

  • iPEC Coaching Graphic

    iPEC Coaching

    Life and leadership potentials Coaching

    -

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • PrimeTime Business and Professional Women's Association Graphic

    Events Director

    PrimeTime Business and Professional Women's Association

    - 10 months

    Economic Empowerment

    I oversee all the events - social, special interests group and Primetime's signature 2nd Thursday events.

  • INSEAD Graphic

    Role Player @ Your First Hundred Days (YFCD)

    INSEAD

    - Present 14 years

    Education

    I volunteer as a role player at INSEAD's flagship entrepreneurship course Your First Hundred Day course where MBA and EMBA participants go through the first 100 days after taking over a company.

  • Junior Achievement Singapore  Graphic

    Volunteer

    Junior Achievement Singapore

    - Present 6 years

    Education

    I teach entrepreneurship to elementary and high school students in a fun and experiential manner.

  • INSEAD Graphic

    Mentor / Judge

    INSEAD

    - Present 4 years 6 months

    Education

    Volunteer as a mentor for participants at the Summer at INSEAD Bootcamp. Alternatively also volunteered as a judge for the business plan/pitches from the teams of Summer at INSEAD Bootcamp.

Courses

  • Business Management

    -

  • Philosophy

    -

Languages

  • English

    Native or bilingual proficiency

  • Filipino

    Native or bilingual proficiency

  • Chinese

    Limited working proficiency

  • Spanish

    Elementary proficiency

  • French

    Elementary proficiency

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