Upon graduating from National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2000, Mr David Lee committed his first year of work to serve full time in church . His career hence started as a Youth Pastor whose primary role was nurturing youth leaders. The one year turned out to be three and a half. When he completed the stint and prepared to transit to the corporate world, the global financial crisis struck. Despite the freezing of employment worldwide, he was invited to join the next two organisations consecutively where he headed regional businesses and led top management from a group of companies with businesses in Education, Travel, IT, F&B and M.I.C.E.. He was also in charge of setting up new businesses as well as hiring the MD and ED, and nurturing them towards growth. In addition, he led international conferences and exported local training overseas. He was the lead in the inaugural China-Singapore Maritime Officers Training Collaboration. He was also appointed as Director over a few companies.
Wanting to share these invaluable experiences he acquired, David Lee founded Luminaries Lab Pte Ltd in 2009.
Today David Lee is known to be one of the influential authorities in the training industry. He has trained, coached and spoken in physical venues to tens of thousands in Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China. His participants include professionals such as top management, doctors, lawyers and educators from MNC such as Singapore Exchange (SGX) & Sanofi Aventis to top institutions such as Singapore Polytechnic & National as well as Nanyang Junior College.
David Lee also receives affirmation from government agencies. In 2010, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) launched the WTS Scheme and invited him to be the first Principal Trainer to equip the Cohort Mentors and Career Consultants with facilitation and coaching skills. From 2023 to 2025, he has been appointed by the agency, now known as SkillsFuture Singapore, as a Trainer for the SkillsFuture Advice Workshops. He is also the first appointed Trainer by Ministry of Education (MOE) to train key personnel staff from hundreds of schools from Primary, Secondary, JC/CI and Mixed-School levels for Education & Career Guidance (ECG). He has since also been invited to train hundreds of educators on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
To help staff manage change in a VUCA environment, the Monetary Authority of Singapore engaged him over a period of three years to training personnel across different departments. Since 2019, David has been repeatedly invited as the coach and mentor for the finalists in Liveability Challenge by Temasek Foundation with a prize of one million dollars. In 2021, David is engaged by CapitaLand to coach the finalists for the CSXC, an initiative that allows testbeds in 220 cities over 30 countries. He is a familiar face in the Home Team Academy for training both newly appointed inspectors and team leaders.
David Lee is the elected President of the Association of Professional Trainers, Singapore (APTS). Under his leadership, the association developed the Professional Certificate in Training (PCT) Programme where the Advisory Panel include management from Marina Bay Sands (MBS), Shell, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Shangri-La Hotel.
Under the SPRING ACE Grant, David Lee sat in the Business Advisory Council with Singapore Poly. He evaluated ACE business proposals on a regular basis and provided mentorship to the entrepreneurs.
David Lee is also a mentor for Youth Business Singapore, a programme under The Prince’s Youth Business International (YBI), a global network in 36 countries.
In addition to his Honours Degree in Engineering from NUS, David Lee is an accredited Human Behaviour Consultant with the Leadership Institute of America. He is also a Certified Professional Trainer with the International Professional Managers Association, UK. In 2015/6, he spent a year at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS), Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), Harvard Divinity School (HDS) and FAS auditing lessons on Leadership and Psychology, learning from renowned professors such as Robert Kegan and Steven Pinker and Bob Behn – Prof Red Sox!
What makes David Lee a well-liked speaker and trainer? It is his dual ability to engage his learners and fulfil desired training objectives. He does not stop at educating minds but often moves on to touch hearts and engage commitments. At one to one level, his insights as a mentor and coach have guided numerous individuals from different industries and management levels to breakthroughs. His passion leads him in a continuous commitment in initiatives to raise a new generation of transformational trainers, entrepreneurs and leaders.
Additional Appointments
Current Appointments
Previous Appointments
- Group GM, Wavelink Group of Companies
- Chairman, Management Corporation and Strata Titles 4433
- Founding President, MCST Association of Singapore
- Founder & Executive Director, Wavelink Education Group Pte Ltd, Academy
- Advisory Committee Administrator, Singapore Maritime Training Fund
- Chairman, Young SMOU
- Evaluator, SPRING ACE Grant
- Finalists’ Coach @ The Liveability Challenge, Temasek Foundation
- Finalists’ Coach @ The CSXC, CapitaLand
- Member, Young NTUC Executive Committee
- Director, Wavelink Maritime International Pte Ltd
- Regional Head of Business Unit, Certified Professional Trainer Programme, UK
- Deacon, Board Secretary, Youth Pastor, Church of Singapore (Balestier)
- Member, Business Advisory Council, SP
- Guest of Honour, NVSS Speech Day
- Guest of Honour, The Success Summit Conference
- Guest of Honour, EMAP Graduation
- Keynote Speaker, China-Singapore Inaugural Maritime Cadet Officers Training Opening
Testimonials
Tan Boon Gin, Director, Commercial Affairs Department, Singapore Police Force
I have been through many similar courses. This is the first one where I found everything felt really original. The framework and ideas were very well thought through and very relevant. David Lee was very good. He was engaging, gave very good case studies and examples and pulled everything together very well. I would definitely recommend without reservation.
Dr Ong Wah Ying, Medical Director, Dover Park Hospice
We had a great time in David’s teaching session. What was most useful for the team were the practical sessions where theories taught can be put into immediate practice to demonstrate effectiveness. It helps to build the team’s confidence in delivering their presentations.
Fong Yong Kian, Chief Executive, Singapore Totalisator Board
Thank you for your superb facilitation of the workshop series. The scope was well organised and achieved its objectives successfully. My staff have acquired the broad principles and know-how to achieve better self-awareness at a personal level and to collaborate better with each other at the team level. Your ability to provide real-life illustrations, which the participants can easily relate to, are especially helpful to us in grasping the principles and applications of DISC. My staff and myself have enjoyed and benefitted a great deal from the workshops.
Li Yu, Assistant Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Thank you for the interesting course on “Adapting to Change”. Really appreciate the effort which you have put in to make the course interesting, engaging and stimulating. The programme was well-designed and entertaining games were incorporated to bring across important learning points, concepts and principles in an easily comprehensible manner. A big thank you for your effort!
Eugene Wang, Winner of SGD 1,000,000 @ Liveability Challenge by Temasek Foundation
David’s coaching is one of the KEY reasons for my win… Really really really appreciate it.
Ryan Cheong, CEO, NTUC Link
I would recommend David’s training and consultancy to others because he is au fait with a good number of management theory frameworks to help facilitate discussions. He is able to provide considered interventions that could help to move discussions forward and has facilitated the corporate retreat effectively.
Eileen Eng, HR Manager, 4S
It was a definitely an inspirational session conducted by Mr David.
Yong Soon Huat, General Manager, Liebherr Singapore Pte Ltd
David belongs to a rare breed of Professional Trainers, the very few that I encountered who has the ability to keep a seminar alive & stimulating from beginning till end!!
Regina Mah, ER Associate, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
The activities are relevant to the respective contents. David made the session interesting while keeping it concise. He is entertaining while experienced.
Zukifli Mohammed, CEO, Singapore National Co-operative Federation Limited
David is knowledgeable and competent when conducting various training sessions. He has demonstrated many a time that he knows his stuff/material in detail and is steadfast when he posed with difficult questions.
Ng Soo Kok, Chemistry Dept, Innova Junior College
Yes a very big thank you for carrying out the connection betw SEL and our IJC charter. The feedback i got from our colleagues were all very positive and in a short 4 hr presentation, you were able to capture the essence of SEL and the rationale behind MOE’s mission. It was engaging and there was not a dull moment. You are very informed, charismatic and persuasive. I dont think we could have found a better person to do the job. Thank you David.
Thomas Tay, General Secretary, SMOU
David is a very good trainer and motivator who encourages and impacts lives. He is committed and passionate and I find him professional and reliable.
Koo Ivy, Level Head, National University of Singapore (NUS) High
Engaging speaker who shows relevance by using inspiring video clips and real life examples.
Roland Tan, Director, Singapore Poly, SMA
I’ve come to know David as a discerning and understanding person. He is a man of integrity and is reliable. I’ve observed that he carries out his duties with a sense of responsibility, and is capable of handling major projects. He will make an impact on others through training and by his exemplary conduct.
VP, Nan Chiau High
The staff enjoyed this enriching workshop and are inspired to apply the techniques learnt from Mr David Lee, who is a knowledgeable and inspiring trainer.
Cohort Mentor, Central Singapore CDC
We are very satisfied with David’s training and professionalism in his delivery. David is highly motivating and he speaks truly from the heart which I know has definitely inspired lots. I personally benefited tremendously hearing him speak.
ECG Key Personnel, PSS
Engineered but at the same time remained real, authentic and purposeful… made the training interesting & attractive. Thank you. One of the more meaningful trainings I’ve been to.
Head of Department, Yuhua Sec Sch
Great sense of humour, passion and conviction that can make a difference to lives…many thanks for the subtle reminder about keeping the flame alive.
Nance Peters- Ng Bee Wah, Key Personnel, Singapore Sports School
What I like most about David is his sharing and motivation, fun and lively pace, while being knowledgeable and staying relevant
Rachel Teoh, Key Personnel, ACJC
David is energetic and able to capture our attention. He is convicted in what he says.
Shakeela, Key Personnel, Hwa Chong Institute
Constantly enthusiastic, encouraging and smiling which improve our morale and mood.