In this episode of The Human Algorithm podcast, I sit down with Uma Thana Balasingam, a former tech executive, community builder, advocate, and host of Raw with Uma, for a deep, soul-shifting conversation about what it means to rewrite the rules of power, purpose, and self-worth as a woman in Asia today.
Uma shares how her childhood, shaped by cultural expectations, colourism, and caretaking responsibilities, lit the fire behind her leadership.
From growing up in Johor Bahru and being told she had a "weak heart" to running a billion-dollar business across 48 markets, founding the Elevate Group, and building one of Singapore’s largest Lean In communities, her journey is one of breaking patterns, not just ceilings.
Together, we unpack what it takes to lead with vulnerability and strength and why authenticity is not a buzzword but a spiritual awakening.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why perfectionism is a survival strategy and how to unlearn it
The difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why women need both
The power of going ‘raw’, especially when it is taboo
Why some women resist change and how to keep your heart open anyway
What a death clock taught her about living with intention
If you have ever felt like you do not quite belong in the boxes society has built, this episode is for you.
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