Elections 2025: Previously viewing PAP as 'parentalistic', she now campaigns as a candidate under their political umbrella
Article Rewrite:
A Remarkable Journey: Elysa Chen's Transformation
Meet Elysa Chen, a vibrant candidate running for the General Election with the People's Action Party (PAP), who's no stranger to the storms life throws her way. It was during her teenage years, when she received the heart-wrenching news of her father's passing, that she found herself catapulted into adulthood at a breakneck pace.
"Life doesn't stop for heartache," she reflects, her voice filled with understanding.
Her apartment, lit up on a weekday evening, serves as a stark reminder of the present. A candidate for the Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC), she prepares to navigate the political waters, undeterred by the potential hurdles that await her.
"You must face trials head-on," she emphasizes, "to be there for your team, to ensure the work gets done, and the wheels keep turning."
The challenges of her youth molded her resilience, pushing her to take on multiple roles – from a tutor, hotel phone operator, sales operator, to a banquet server – after losing her family's sole breadwinner.
Fast forward to the present, Elysa Chen is now the director of CampusImpact, a charity dedicated to cultivating character in young people as they traverse from childhood to adulthood. The organization supports over 200 children in need.
The day we spoke was just before Nomination Day. Despite wrapping up a half-day at her charity job, recording a podcast, preparing for an early wake-up call to submit her nomination papers, and our interview, Ms. Chen exudes an invigorating energy. Her spirit is infectious as she talks about the children in her care, who come from challenging backgrounds.
During our interview, she was not afraid to crack a joke or two, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she showed us her son's toys and artwork. The warmth in her voice doubled as she welcomed her mother and a party volunteer through her front door.
At first glance, her effervescent personality might seem typical of a candidate eager to win votes. However, in the short time I've gotten to know her, Elysa Chen appears to be someone deeply invested in other people.
Accompanying her on a walkabout left me impressed. Despite being a new candidate with limited opportunities to interact with residents compared to her more experienced colleagues, she was able to recognize familiar faces while distributing flyers at coffee shops.
Preparing for our interview, I learned that Ms. Chen, a former journalist at The New Paper, was believed to be a shy worker who largely kept to herself. Few would have predicted her move into politics.
The years between her departure from a Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) newsroom and her journey into a PAP branch office saw her take on roles as a teacher, church pastor, and later, a charity director, collaborating with political leaders like Minister K. Shanmugam.
Clearly, much has changed along the way, as Ms. Chen channels her energy into serving Singapore through politics.
- Elysa Chen, a candidate for the Ge2025 Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC), is deeply invested in education-and-self-development and personal-growth, currently serving as the director of CampusImpact, an organization dedicated to the education and betterment of young people.
- Through her extensive experience, Elysa Chen has developed an extroverted persona, managing to engage with constituents effectively despite being a relative newcomer in politics, having worked as a reporter, teacher, church pastor, and charity director.
- In response to the policy-and-legislation landscape, Chen has proposed tuition reforms for improving education and offering financial assistance to students from challenging backgrounds, much like the children she cares for in her role at CampusImpact.
- The Ge2025 election will be a testament to Chen's resilience, as she maneuvers through the political waters while juggling her commitments at CampusImpact, her personal life, and her campaign, demonstrating her adaptability and determination.
- Despite the demands of politics and the general-news cycle, Chen finds time for personal growth and happiness in her family life, with her charming son and supportive mother by her side, proving that success in politics and life can go hand-in-hand.
