Vanessa’s successful career – founding her own beauty business and representing Singapore in Miss World 2018 – pales in comparison to her sense of achievement in being able to be her father’s carer after he became bedridden while battling terminal Frontotemporal dementia. She has taught herself technical nursing and medical skills in order to help her dad. Her personal experience has led her to advocate for better medical and elder care.

“I want to champion awareness on prevalent issues in our society such as elderly healthcare, mental health, education and women empowerment. These are timely issues that need a lot more recognition and empathy,” Vanessa says. “Many people do not get access to medical consultations, treatments, vaccinations, healthcare practitioners and medicine and as a result they are unable to improve their quality of life. I feel that quality elder healthcare is a necessity. Especially considering how we live in an ageing population.”