Careers Compass: Forces of Change-5 Inspiring Female Business Leaders in Singapore Championing Women’s Empowerment
Dr. Ayesha Khanna is more than a leader in artificial intelligence — she’s a changemaker using technology to uplift businesses and people. As CEO of Addo, she helps Fortune 500 companies unlock growth through AI, guiding them with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation.
Dr Ayesha also brings a wealth of experience, from a decade on Wall Street advising on analytics and data strategy to shaping the future of technology through global board roles with Johnson Controls, NEOM Tonomus, and L’Oréal’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed — she’s been named a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, featured in Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), and listed among Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024).
Pushing boundaries
Getting to the top wasn’t easy — tech is still a male-dominated industry, and Ayesha has had to prove herself time and again. But she’s never let that hold her back. “I believe that the true purpose of AI is to amplify human potential,” she says in her interview with Tatler.
Opening doors through education
Ayesha founded 21C Girls, a charity that offered free coding and AI classes to thousands of girls in Singapore. After leading it for 10 years, she shifted her focus to Amplify, an education company that provides scholarships for mid-career women looking to move into tech.
Advice for women in tech
Ayesha’s biggest advice? Never stop learning. Technology moves fast, and staying ahead means always being curious. She also believes in the power of mentorship and collaboration, encouraging women to seek out supportive communities that lift them up.
Through her work in AI and education, Ayesha is paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future — one where women are not just participants, but leaders.
