Authentic Leaders inspires LGBTQ+ professionals to lead with pride.
Authentic Leaders provides programs and platforms to queer people in a lovingly inclusive environment, with a professionally challenging voice. We help these individuals feel at home and be fiercely courageous — anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Partner with us as we nurture, empower and unleash the brilliant LGBTQ+ leaders within your organisation. Discover what they can achieve for your brand, their teams, and themselves.
Our Purpose
To enable and empower queer people to access their full potential.
Our Mission
To support LGBTQ+ individuals in inclusive organizations by providing programs & platforms for their development.
Our Vision
A caring world connected by pride both in ourselves and each other.
OUR TEAM
Ian Goh (He/They)
Co-Founder & Coach
I knew I was good. I just didn’t know I was good enough.
Life is beautiful now. I get to spend my time and energy coaching brilliant queer humans, creating a community through our work here at Authentic Leaders, weaving magic with words through my writing, loving my cat and my people, and probably drinking too much coffee.
But it was not always like that. Growing up as a queer person in Singapore, I did not have many role models or narratives of success that fit me. I tried to be what my family, my friends, my schools and workplaces, my society and community wanted me to be.
I tried to fit the mold. I edited myself heavily. I hid so many parts of my personality and my identity. I copied other people. I learned how to hold and dress myself, how to behave, how to speak, how to think. And I reached admirable heights of success… at least that’s what so many people told me.
And yet, there was an emptiness inside me. I didn’t know how to feel, I didn’t know contentment nor pride nor joy. I didn’t like myself. I didn’t even know myself. No one could teach me how to be Ian. Where do I copy that from? Everyone says “just be yourself”, as if it’s the easiest, most obvious thing in the world.
Who knew I had been looking in all the wrong places? I was constantly scanning the external environment to give me clues on who to be, when I should have been building a deeper connection with myself.
I started running towards all the diverse parts of myself. My queerness. My sensitivity. My colours. My loudness and my softness. My rage and my grief. My weirdness and my structure. My creative, unhinged, expansive mind. And my wild, free, brave heart.
What I found and experienced astounded me. At the heart of everything lay a seed of pure joy, a love so pristine it makes me cry, and a pride so fierce I never want to abandon myself nor other people.
And now this is my life’s work. To bring joy into every space I walk into, to create queer community, and build a world where all of us can feel at home with ourselves and be fiercely courageous. This is my leadership.
What’s yours?
Love, Ian.
Ansis Sy (He/Him)
Executive Administrative Manager
It's all in the name.
Born Ansis Sy, I was destined to be a sissy. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)
Reclaiming and loving this part of myself has been a journey. I've transitioned from praying to change myself, pretending with a girlfriend, and concealing significant parts of my identity from my family, to now being able to laugh at myself and owning my story on stage as a stand-up comedian.
I'm witnessing the profound impact of reconnecting with the authentic self through the Authentic Leaders program, and I'm sincerely grateful to be a part of it as their administrative fairy. In my role, I ensure the program operates smoothly and efficiently, providing crucial backend support to Ian and the team.
With over six fabulous years of experience as a virtual assistant, I've dedicated myself to assisting leaders and business owners in various capacities. And it feels like fate or the will of a higher being (Thanks, Beyoncé!) that brought Ian and me together. Just as I decided to focus on supporting more LGBTQ+ businesses, Ian posted a job ad seeking a new team member for the Authentic Leaders Program. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
As an improv and stand-up comedian, I aim to contribute my unique perspective and creativity to the program and its participants. I'm here to "yes, and" everyone, creating an environment where we can all play and create freely and safely.
Additionally, I'm currently undergoing training to become a coach, a full-circle moment where I can now assist others in unlocking their full potential.
And I know my journey doesn't end here. I eagerly anticipate what else I can create and discover with the Authentic Leaders program. Best believe, wherever this journey takes me, I will sissy my way to more authenticity, more play, and more love.
Patrick Shea (He/Him)
Communications Manager
I’ll hold the spotlight and bring the microphone. You deserve them both.
I bring over 15 years of content strategy and communications experience to the Authentic Leaders team. Through experiences at global media organisations, boutique marketing agencies and startup consulting, I’ve learned that clear, honest communication is the unifying force that drives all positive change.
The mission, vision and purpose of Authentic Leaders resonate deeply with how I see the world today. I believe the pathway to true social equality is through equal platforms, equal outreach, and equal time holding the microphone.
It’s a goal of mine to offer the stage — and that microphone — to anyone in the global LGBTQ+ leadership community that wants it.
Because you desperately deserve it.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Our commitment to nurturing, loving and empowering the LGBTQ+ community extends beyond the Authentic Leaders Program. We seek to be a strong voice and source of inspiration for queer people our allies throughout the world.