Vanessa, the founder of Gernise Global Pte Ltd, brings over twenty years of industrial expertise in engineering plastics to the classroom. While her corporate background is rooted in Southeast Asian trade, her true passion lies in education career guidance for the next generation. This led her to launch MamaShop, a Singaporean brand dedicated to upcycling and environmental literacy, proving to students that a career can be both profitable and planet-friendly.
Beyond her environmental work, Vanessa is a key figure in Singapore’s startup ecosystem as the co-founder of Mumpreneurs-Go-Places. This platform empowers mothers to scale their businesses through community and mentorship. It is this wealth of career insights—from high-level engineering to grassroots entrepreneurship—that allows her to offer students a realistic and multifaceted view of the modern workforce.
The Session at West Spring Secondary
On Wednesday, 8 April 2026, Vanessa visited West Spring Secondary School as part of the school’s ECG Career Talk programme. The session offered students a rare chance to explore career guidance outside the traditional classroom setting—hearing directly from someone who has navigated multiple industries, built businesses from the ground up, and made a lasting impact on her community.
The talk came at a pivotal time for students mapping out their post-secondary school pathways. For teenagers standing at the crossroads of further education and the wider working world, it can be difficult to see beyond examinations and grades. Hearing from a practitioner like Vanessa gave students a tangible sense of what is possible when they pursue their passions with purpose.
Key Takeaways
- The Non-Linear Path: Vanessa shared the winding road from engineering plastics to founding an eco-lifestyle brand. She spoke candidly about the challenges of pivoting industries and the importance of resilience.
- Values Over Skills: She emphasized that while skills are necessary, it is personal values that truly shape a successful and fulfilling career.
- Purpose-Driven Business: Vanessa framed sustainability not as a corporate obligation, but as a genuine lifestyle choice. She explained how MamaShop was born from a personal desire to protect the planet her children will inherit.
Refining Post-Secondary Pathways
West Spring Secondary’s ECG programme is built on the belief that young people benefit enormously from authentic stories that textbooks cannot offer. The school expressed heartfelt gratitude for Vanessa’s time, noting that students left the session better equipped to think about their future directions.
For Vanessa, volunteering is an extension of her daily mission: building connections and investing in the people who will shape tomorrow. Whether she is sourcing sustainable materials or speaking to a hall of teenagers, her belief remains the same—that small acts of generosity can create lasting community change.
Inspired to Make a Difference?
If Vanessa’s story has inspired you, or if you are a professional with a journey worth sharing, the Spirit of Enterprise (SOE) welcomes you. We are looking for volunteers passionate about honouring and inspiring the next generation of Singapore’s entrepreneurs.
Join us at soe.org.sg/volunteer/ and help shape the future today.
AUTHOR BIO
ALAN KOH
Alan Koh is the Founder and CEO of Impossible Marketing, a group of companies renowned for hyperlocal marketing strategies tailored to businesses in Singapore. His professional journey began in the banking sector, where he quickly rose through the ranks, garnering eight industry awards in just four years.
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