Intro
Abby Ling is a marketing leader and community builder who currently heads the Singapore branch of a fast-growing international agency. With a career that spans global brands like Meta, Ogilvy, and McCann, Abby has navigated career pivots, parenthood, and leadership while staying deeply connected to her community through her volunteer work with TEDxSingapore and the People’s Association.
In this episode, we talk about how Abby built her career after moving from Beijing to Singapore, what she’s learned about networking, and how she defines work-life integration as a working mother. She shares candid lessons about career breaks, leadership, and why she believes success comes from knowing what season of life you’re in.
Story Highlights
- Moving from Beijing to Singapore and rebuilding her career
- How volunteering with TEDxSingapore shaped her network and perspective
- Navigating long job searches and learning to stay patient
- Her approach to leadership, hiring, and mentoring young marketers
- Why she sees “work-life balance” as “integration,” not perfection
Quote
“There isn’t any work-life balance. I never call it balance because you cannot get everything you want. I think it’s integration. You have to choose a lifestyle, and then convince people what you’re doing is important to you and how they can support you.”
About Abby Ling
Abby Ling is an experienced marketing professional and agency leader with over 15 years of experience across international brands and markets. She currently leads the Singapore branch of a regional marketing agency, overseeing teams and campaigns across Asia. Beyond her professional work, Abby is an active volunteer with TEDxSingapore and the People’s Association, contributing to events that bridge creativity, storytelling, and community.
Why This Conversation Matters
Abby’s story is about ambition grounded in purpose. Her honesty about motherhood, leadership, and burnout offers a realistic look at what it means to pursue growth while staying human. She reminds us that career success doesn’t have to mean constant hustle — it can also mean clarity, boundaries, and meaningful relationships.
Turning Points
Abby’s first major transition came when she moved to Singapore and spent almost a year searching for the right job. Later, after having her daughter, she took a 14-month career break to prioritize family — a decision that gave her perspective on what she truly wanted from work. Returning to marketing, she focused on roles that aligned with her values: collaboration, mentorship, and impact. Today, she continues to lead by example, advocating for women in leadership and redefining what a sustainable career looks like.
Key Lessons
- Work-life balance is a myth. Integration and planning create sustainability.
- Community builds opportunity. Giving your time often brings more back than expected.
- Be intentional with choices. The wrong role can slow long-term growth.
- Support matters. Success at work starts with help at home.
- Representation inspires. Visibility helps the next generation believe they can too.
If You Enjoyed This Episode
You might also like:
- Vivian Lim on Building Communities and Continuous Growth — about leadership and belonging.
- Jingjin Liu on Leadership, Womanhood, and Redefining Power — navigating identity and ambition.