A seasoned insights director with over 15 years of experience translating complex human desires into opportunities that drive business growth. Led innovation and transformation projects for global and APAC clients, crafting customer insights-based narratives to inspire impactful change.

As co-founder of AGENCY, an independent strategic design practice, she is a trusted collaborator of CEOs, department heads, and creative leads to launch new products, design infrastructure, and MarComms strategies for organisations like Temasek, CapitaLand, Samsung, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and AB InBev.

Skilled in articulating the value of clients' offerings by integrating insights from ethnography, UX design, and communications, sparking creative ideas that foster long-term resilience. International and local awards have recognised AGENCY's work, cementing its position as an industry leader and champion of customer-centricity in the boardroom.

Educated in Singapore, the US and the UK. Trained as a journalist in London with six years at IDEO across Shanghai, San Francisco and Australia. Known for her empathetic, trans-cultural, and collaborative leadership style. Recruits and works with diverse talent, fostering a culture of optimism, open communication and creativity, while maintaining rigorous standards and embracing individual quirks.

Lishan and her business partner, Peter Overy, have over 35 years of combined experience at the forefront of the design and innovation industry. After 6 years leading renowned Silicon Valley firm IDEO’s Singapore office, Pete and Lishan founded AGENCY in 2016. As pioneers in bringing human-centred design to South East Asia, they started AGENCY to enable organisations here to have the confidence, knowledge and agency to make brave decisions about the future of their businesses. They are industry leaders who have built AGENCY as an offer specific to the business and cultural nuances of the region.