Interview  •  Portraits

Member Spotlight | Better Futures: Shaping Strategy, Strengthening Leadership, Sustaining Change

Marine Veillon, Co-Founder of Better Futures, shares insights on leadership, change, sustainability and the value of FCCS.

What is the history behind Better Futures? 

Better Futures was born in 2024 as the continuation of our work at Humans Matter Asia. Co-founded by Inigo Bilbao, Joyce Wong and me, we wanted to carry forward the human-centric transformation work we had been leading—supporting organisations to adapt in ways that are sustainable, meaningful and empowering. We saw there was still so much to be done to help leaders, teams, and organisations prepare for a “future of work” that truly benefits both people and business, in a sustainable environment. 

What are some of the key differences you’ve observed in helping organisations navigate change across cultures and regions? 

We often meet two recurring tensions: respect for hierarchy vs. initiative-taking and preserving harmony/ “face” vs. speaking openly. In more hierarchical contexts, progress benefits from careful pre-alignment, visible senior sponsorship, and feedback channels that protect trust and avoid loss of face. In more direct cultures, faster cycles and explicit feedback help. We adapt facilitation, decision paths, and pacing accordingly—while keeping a steady spine: a clear strategic line, shared rules of the game, clear roles, and measurable outcomes.

In your view, what are the most critical skills leaders need today to thrive in an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment? 

Certain soft skills are as critical as strategic acumen: 

• Questioning the status quo: seeking diverse perspectives, and (re)learning quickly.  
• Fostering collaboration: mobilising and empowering others around shared goals, creating psychological safety, encouraging experimentation, etc. 
• Self-awareness, composure under pressure, and the courage to act. 

What are Better Futures’ plans? 

We will continue growing our work in leadership development, strategic alignment, collaboration, and sustainability—helping executive committees, managers, and talents translate strategy into action and adapt over time. 

As a member of the FCCS, what opportunities have you found most valuable? 

FCCS offers a dynamic network, thoughtful sector events, and opportunities to exchange ideas with peers. These interactions often spark collaborations that extend beyond Singapore and across Asia!