#08. Elle Cheng and her Values, Passion, and Purpose

Values are your non-negotiable foundation, passion is about what excites and motivates you, and purpose is your deeper reason for existence. - Harvard Business Review

Welcome to our SG60 stories about people who have been shaped by Singapore, and are making a difference in Singapore. This series aims to be a platform for individual reflection on what our own values are, and how we discover our passion and strive towards our purpose.

SG60’s theme is a refreshed spirit, and by celebrating Singapore’s journey to date, Wantedly is proud to spotlight some of those who have contributed to the past, and will be shaping the next chapter of the Singapore story.

Wantedly’s mission is to create a world where work drives passion, and whether you are a founder or creator, a leader or a gig worker, a consultant or a teacher, discovering and aligning your values, passion, and purpose will give you the best chance at having a fulfilling career, and more importantly, a meaningful life. With that in place, organisations can achieve their mission, and society and beyond will benefit in the long run. And as a nation, when we reflect on our shared values of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness, we can build upon what drove our prosperity…

Introducing Elle

Elle Cheng is a global marketer turned Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader, and the ONLY Mama Rising Matrescence Coach and Psychotherapist in Singapore and Malaysia. She supports Asian women navigating fertility, motherhood, and the weight of societal and familial expectations in Asia. Elle strives to empower Asian women to rise above these expectations and live authentically. By normalizing conversations around vulnerability, mental health, and infertility, she advocate for inclusive workplaces and create safe spaces that empower working parents through 1:1 psychotherapy sessions, group coaching, workshops and keynote delivery.

1. What are your top 3 values?

My top three values are kindness, authenticity and resilience. These have evolved after learning from the mistakes I made.

In my 20s I was very much focused on overachieving, “playing the game” where this society values productivity and results. I could describe my values as giving and courageous then. This meant I pushed myself constantly, hardly saying no to people please and proving to others my worth. 

By 30, I was the youngest global marketing manager in a $1 Billion manufacturing company.  But burnout and a mental health crisis shifted my priorities. I was empty and burnout, and through reading, courses and coaching, I realised multiple studies have proven that people with a supportive network and quality relationships are less likely to be depressed and anxious. 

I founded Relating Authentic World which focuses on skill building for authentic connections and We Are Hear, a ground up supporting others through listening without judgement. Through my years of community building and working with people from all walks of life, I learned that self compassion (kindness) is the first step to acknowledging self, setting boundaries and saying no is crucial in honoring self (from giving to authenticity). Last but not least, as I went through setbacks in my fertility journey, it was less about pushing through and more about adapting with grace and strength (from courage to resilience).

Elle's pregnancy announcement photo on social media after rounds of fertility treatment

2. What keeps you up at night?

The backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts keeps me up at night, especially knowing it will still take an estimated 134 years to close the gender gap, reported by the United Nations in 2024. As a mother raising a young daughter, I feel an immense responsibility to not only role model my values of authenticity, kindness, resilience, so she can thrive in the future, but I am driven to address the systemic gaps now that prevent working parents from being their best selves both at work and at home. I believe that when mothers are better supported, it heals generational trauma and creates a ripple effect of positive change to the younger generation, who can improve the future towards a more equitable one.

3. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Quite literally, my daughter waking at 7am gets me out of bed each morning. Figuratively, she is also the reason I rise every day. My mission feels sacred—the hope that I can make an impact in someone’s life through a training program, an improved policy, or a workshop or speaking session that sparks a mindset shift and inspires action. My vision of an equitable and empathetic world drives me, and knowing that I’m working to create a better future for my daughter and others like her keeps me motivated.

4. What fills your cup?

Quality connection with myself and others fills my cup. 

As a busy working mother of a toddler, I prioritise connecting with myself first, regularly checking in to see which parts of me feel disconnected. This could be through short meditation exercise or through writing. I find joy in a good book, I ensure I read before bedtime. 

I make time to have a connection with my family. I create rituals - such as evening walks outdoors most evenings with my daughter, Saturday date nights with my husband, and annual trips with my parents and siblings to ensure quality bonding time. 

As we get easily distracted and overwhelmed by social media these days, these moments of disconnect to connect—reminds me that to fill my cup requires being present. 

Elle with volunteers turned friends from her ground up initiative We Are Hear

5. In your current season, matrescense-awareness is a key focus for you. What will it take for that to be realised?

Matrescence is the motherhood version of “adolescence”, where the term was coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in the mid-'70s.  First, we need to normalize conversations about this profound shift of a woman’s transition towards motherhood. Research has shown fascinating, permanent biological changes to her brain and body. There are changes emotionally, physically, hormonally and spiritually. So when the mother is expected to bounce back and realised she could not, this awareness helps her realise it is not her fault, and she is not alone in this journey! 

Secondly, we need to bring back the supportive village where the saying goes, “a village raises a child”. Fathers also need to understand matrescence to better support mothers and take on their share of the mental load. Medical providers, employers, and colleagues play a critical role in recognizing signs of postnatal depression and providing meaningful support. 

Beyond individuals, we need a society that values unpaid caregiving work and workplaces that prioritize the well-being of caregivers. Parent-centric workplaces must acknowledge that many employees juggle struggles and responsibilities outside of work. Beyond maternity leave, organizations need to encourage taking of paternity leave, and implement programs that genuinely address the needs of caregivers such as flexible work arrangements, returnship program to support returning moms, family care leave that could be used for caring for elderly parents etc.

It takes the government, employer, society, education system to work cohesively and collectively, so we can create a world that truly supports mothers in their challenging and transformative journey.

6. Please leave us your hope/advice for DEI.

DEI is evolving. More than ever, focusing solely on demographic characteristics can feel divisive. My hope is that organizations move beyond performative efforts and accelerate meaningful action—embedding DEI into the very fabric of their culture and business strategy. 

• It is about systemic change, ensuring equity in hiring, promotion, leadership and pay. 
• It is about psychological safety, where employees feel valued and supported, especially marginalised groups.

My hope is that DEI doesn’t just survive the backlash but emerges stronger and more deeply integrated into how businesses operate. Because when done right, innovation, well-being, and success follow—for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.

Join me in advocating for inclusivity, matrescence, and mental wellbeing. I can help you or your organization through 1:1 psychotherapy, group coaching/workshop, and keynote delivery.
Let's chat - cottongrassco@gmail.com!

Once again, in celebration of SG60, let us strive to be bolder and kinder to one another, for Singapore and ourselves.

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