She heads a foundation that benefits the community

Yap Mun Ching mooted the idea of helping the disadvantaged by supporting social enterprises from a genuine desire to help. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani

When Yap Mun Ching joined AirAsia Group as a route planner in 2004, she was often mistaken as a secretary or tea lady. Most of her e-mails were addressed to Mr Yap instead of Miss Yap.

“Back then, I was a young woman working in a male-dominated industry. At meetings with external parties, people only spoke to my male colleagues. They were often surprised when senior colleagues sought my opinions during discussions,” Yap, 40, recalls.