Meet property’s Woman of the Future 2020: Rhonda Wong

At RICS, we champion diversity and inclusion in the built environment. There are many inspirational women in the profession all around the world and Rhonda Wong, CEO and Co-founder of Ohmyhome, is one lady not to be missed. At Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia 2020, Rhonda took home the coveted award under the Property, Infrastructure and Construction category, which RICS is proud to sponsor. She tells us what this means to her and what she believes in.

Read Rhonda's story and how she drives Ohmyhome to become Singapore’s first one-stop property solution. 

What advice would you give to other female professionals moving up the career ladder?

Whether you’re a man or a woman, the challenges of starting your own business are largely the same. Have a strong vision of what you want to accomplish so that every effort and sacrifice you make will be meaningful. The journey ahead will have its moments where it’s tough but if you’re in for the right reasons, you’ll keep working at it regardless of the challenges. Once it comes to fruition and you see the fruits of your labour, that sense of satisfaction is indescribable.

What do you plan to do now you've won?

I am very honoured to be recognised alongside all the inspirational and visionary women at the Women of The Future awards. It definitely inspires me to carry on shaping the Proptech industry to create a better future for all, especially with respect to the most important asset in their lives - their homes and property investments.

Moving forward, we will continue our journey towards making Ohmyhome a global player in taking care of everyone’s housing journey starting with the buy, sell and rent of homes to every step after including the renovation and maintenance of their homes. Today, Ohmyhome is an agent of change and innovation, but our methods and speed of transacting will be the norm in the future.

I would be most proud, when Ohmyhome is not only just the choice of housing transaction for the world, but when it can move the way homes are built, priced and made available to all social classes. We would like to contribute to housing the less fortunate, investing for the middle class, preserving for the wealthy, and making homes safer for the young and the aging. We are committed to reinvent the transaction landscape by levelling up the service quality, efficiency and integrity in the entire real estate industry.

The WOF network is extremely powerful, not just because of the incredible list of notable names, but because when you put a group of passionate people together who can put profits aside to create businesses larger than themselves, everything becomes possible. I would love to have the opportunity to connect with the WOF network and work together to achieve any common goals that we share.

What learnings would you share with your younger self?

Confidence, intelligence and the love for humanity is the most lasting form of beauty. Believe in yourself and harness that energy of youth to work for the greater good. Dare to dream big even when others may not believe in it. You can do it, you just don’t know it yet.

Where do you feel the built environment is in terms of diversity and inclusion?

Diversity and inclusion are critical elements in the built environment sector in order to continuously innovate. The industry has certainly made considerable progress over the years and it is essential for companies to continue pushing for inclusive practices and harmonious workplaces. This allows employees from different backgrounds to work cohesively together as a team and have the freedom to express themselves without the fear of being discriminated against. This will eventually translate into great work that will then allow us to build a future world that is thoughtful, one that is welcomed by everyone.

At Ohmyhome, we champion diversity and have built an inclusive workplace culture. Being against discrimination isn’t just a hashtag but something we have to cultivate, practise and lead by example. From day one, we have always been very fair in our hiring process and grooming of key members to leadership positions based on merits. When we remove stigmas, it allows a company to enjoy the cognitive diversity of their members, enabling the most brilliant ideas to be shared. Everyone should be allowed to express themselves fully as a person, in the case of women - a professional, a mum, a wife, a friend, a daughter.

What do you think is the answer for encouraging more women to succeed?

We are born with so many talents, use them. Never doubt yourself. You’re strong, smart and beautiful – whatever you set your mind on, you can do it! As Amelia Earhart says, “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Surround yourself with a positive support system who encourages you to achieve your dreams.

I believe that a lot of women are stronger and more capable than they think they are and what we can do, is to provide them with the right guidance and encouragement.