Clarisse Gan (BBA Class of 2021), national champion and global runner up of 2021 EY Corporate Finance Woman of the Year
The road to victory
Final year finance student Clarisse Gan decided to top her NUS Business School tenure off by participating in the annual “Ernst & Young (EY) Corporate Finance Woman of the Year” competition. The programme aims to inspire the next generation of exceptional female talent to pursue a career in strategy and transactions. Clarisse registered on her own and was randomly grouped with other participants to work on a case. Each contestant was assessed on their critical-thinking ability and creativity in solving complex problems, through a mixture of individual and group challenges. Her outstanding performance won her the top spot in the local competition amongst 12 local peers, propelling her to the international round where she competed with 21 other global finalists. Her performance continued to impress, earning her the runner-up position.
“Her presenting style was exceptional. She is engaging and asked good questions. She is thoughtful and appreciate the views of others while being passionate about a more equitable workplace.” - Global finals judging panel
Virtual prize announcement
A transformative experience
The competition has been eye-opening and enriching for Clarisse, providing her an opportunity to meet and collaborate with like-minded peers who share a passion for corporate finance. Excelling in this competition has been of special significance to Clarisse who aspires to make an impact in a traditionally male-dominated space.
The experience, which allowed Clarisse access to the wisdom and journeys of top EY female leaders over networking and sharing sessions, was also deeply inspiring for her. Through these sessions she received practical tips on how to seize opportunities and make her opinions heard, was encouraged to lead by example, and be guided by a sense of purpose. At a peer-to-peer level, Clarisse valued being able to exchange leadership experiences and learnings with fellow like-minded finalists from all around the world.
Clarisse with the 21 other national champions
One of Clarisse’s greatest takeaways is learning to be a better leader. During the global finals, she was grouped with three other finalists from different countries, backgrounds, and work cultures. With such a dynamic and diverse group, they had to strike a fine balance between their different opinions and ways of working to complete the task efficiently. Clarisse took the initiative to propose four criteria to guide the team’s decision-making process. This was well-received by her group mates, and they completed the task in a structured and efficient manger while ensuring everyone’s opinions were considered.
“My group was very creative with a lot of ideas, and it was important for everyone to be heard.” - Clarisse Gan
The NUS Business School edge
Clarisse attributes her success in part to the NUS Business School finance modules which imparted critical and holistic-thinking skills. She is also glad she took a second specialisation in management and organisation, where she learned the importance of people management, leadership, and how it is key to achieving success.
Finding her call in finance
The competition has cemented Clarisse’s interest in corporate finance and she is resolute in pursuing a career in this field. She aspires to someday establish herself as an industry leader in and inspire future generations of women after her to do the same.
Clarisse’s runner up prize is accompanied by a 12-month mentorship experience with a senior EY female senior partner. So although her competition journey has come to an end, a grand new adventure awaits. Through this coveted experience, Clarisse hopes to gain an appreciation of the unique challenges female leaders face, and how to overcome them. She purposes to observe this senior partner closely, learn how to manage a team remotely, achieve work-life balance as a female business leader, and hopefully gain a lifetime mentor.
In retrospect
Clarisse’s winning streak did not end there. Less than a week after the EY competition, Clarisse teamed up with fellow BBA peers to bag the top prize in the 2021 Rotterdam School of Management STAR Case Competition!
Her success was not wrought overnight. Even as she graduates in a blaze of glory, Clarisse recounts the less visible yet pivotal points in her academic journey. One was discovering her passion for finance when reading the foundational finance module, which set the course for her career trajectory. Another was getting accustomed to being randomly grouped for projects. Through working with group mates of varying personalities and backgrounds, Clarisse learned to be a better team player by being adaptable, open-minded and collaborative. Finally, constant encouragement from instructors to boldly speak up and share ideas in class steadily grew her confidence.
Clarisse (second from left) with her project group mates
Having blossomed into a self-assured, capable future-ready business leader, Clarisse offers these words of sound advice to her juniors:
“Think and reflect about what unique personality and passions. If you are ambitious, creative and a keen learner who is naturally curious about what makes enterprises tick, you could go far in business! Also, approach seniors for advice and inputs! They have a wealth of wisdom that they are very willing to share.”
