Lee Siang
Chief Executive Officer
Siang joined DAS on 15 December 2001 and assumed the post of CEO on 1 September 2014. He also sits on the Board of DAS subsidiaries, DAS Academy and DAS International. Siang was a member of the US-based International Dyslexia Association from 2016 to 2018 and Chair of their Global Partners Committee from 2016 to 2018, he still remains a member of the Global Partners Committee representing Singapore. He has played a key role in the rapid growth of DAS into a thriving social enterprise with a multi-disciplinary professional workforce that provides a continuum of services. He emphasizes that DAS "must strive to fulfil our social mission by combining entrepreneurial and business skills with the philanthropic characteristics of non-profits". In 2020, he was been awarded the International Dyslexia Association's Excellence in Leadership Award. He is co-author of the upcoming book titled "International Book of Dyslexia In Education" to be published by Routledge in 2022. Reflecting the significant overlap between dyslexia and other specific learning differences, Siang is presently on the SPARK (Society for the Promotion of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Research & Knowledge) 2.0 Steering Committee.
Siang obtained his BA from the National University of Singapore via the sponsorship of the Singapore Armed Forces. He also has a Certificate in Dyslexia Studies, a PGC in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and a PGC in Specific Learning Differences from London Metropolitan University, a PGDip in Financial Management from the Singapore Institute of Management and an MBA from the University of Western Australia. It is this unique balance of experiences and qualifications that has allowed Siang to oversee the diverse services and functions of the DAS family.
Chai Soo Chiao
Chief Financial Officer and Director of Learning Centre Management
Soo Chiao is the Chief Financial Officer at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore. Soo Chiao joined DAS in 1 September 2014 and assumed the post of CFO on 1 January 2017. She oversees both Finance and Learning Centre Operations.
Soo Chiao has a Master's in Business Administration and a Bachelor's in Accountancy (Hons) from the National University of Singapore. She is also a Chartered Accountant (Singapore) and has over 20 years of working experience. She started her career as an external auditor with Price Waterhouse Coopers before joining the commercial sector. She has worked as a Management Consultant, Internal and Financial Controller of various organisations. Prior to joining DAS, she spent 13 years as the Chief Financial Officer of Oakwood Asia Pacific, which manages some of Asia's finest serviced apartments in China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.
Geetha Shantha Ram (Dr)
Director, SpLD Assessment Services, English Language and Literacy Division & Staff Professional Development, Registrar, Register of Educational Therapists (Asia), APJDD Associate Editor, DAS Academy Academic & Examination Board Member
Dr Geetha Shantha Ram joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) in 2004. Since 2013, she holds the position of Director of the English Language and Literacy (ELL) Division. In her capacity as Director, Geetha has played a key role in enhancing the ELL Programmes, which include the Main Literacy Programme (MLP), through the implementation of the Essential Literacy Approach and the integration of the MLP curriculum. Geetha is committed to providing targeted support for students with specific needs, which led her to develop two additional programmes: iReaCH, which offers higher-order skills intervention, and iStudySmart(TM), which guides upper secondary and post-secondary students in developing critical executive functioning and study skills. Her oversight extends to the SpLD Assessment Services and Staff Professional Development division, where she has been instrumental in developing professional pathways and ensuring quality assurance of all educational efforts. Geetha also serves as the head of the DAS Research Committee and is the Registrar of the Register of Educational therapists (Asia) (RETA). Prior to her current role as Director, Geetha served as Assistant Director of the DAS Academy and continues to share her expertise by presenting at various local and international conferences. Geetha holds a Doctorate in Education, a Masters in English, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (Distinction). Her recent research explores twice-exceptionality - the coexistence of giftedness and learning disabilities, which acknowledges the strengths and immense potential of learners with learning differences. With almost two decades of experience supporting individuals with dyslexia, Geetha is dedicated to providing high-quality services that redefine their potential and encourage them to appreciate their unique abilities.
Edmen Leong
Director of Specialised Educational Services
Edmen has been with the DAS since 2010. He served as an Educational Therapist, Programme Manager as well an Assistant Director before assuming the post of Director of Specialised Educational Services (SES) on the 1st of January 2019. As Director of SES, Edmen oversees a range of programmes including the Preschool, Speech and Language Therapy, Math, Chinese, Prep 2 PSLE and Speech and Drama Arts programmes. He has also pioneered the development of Short Term Programmes and oversees student workshops that DAS conducts.
Edmen graduated from the University of Western Australia, Perth with a degree in Psychology prior to joining the DAS. He has since completed his Post-Graduate Certificate in Specific Learning Differences with London Metropolitan University and his Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics with the National Institute of Education Singapore where he won the book prize for being the top student in his cohort. Edmen is currently pursuing his PhD with an interest in the topic of reading motivation for struggling readers. He has presented in conferences and published papers on exam skills, curriculum development, reading comprehension and language testing.
Edmen strongly believes in unlocking the potential of every dyslexic learner and aims to empower educators and parents with sufficient knowledge and strategies to support struggling learners.
June Siew (Dr)
Head, DAS Academy
Dr June Siew is the Head of DAS Academy.
She provides thought leadership in the field of special educational needs (SEN), focusing on dyslexia. She holds a grounded perspective of SEN, developed through her extensive experiences with students and their community of support. She is a pioneer in advocating inclusive practices in schools and has been training SEN Officers since they were first introduced to the mainstream school system in 2005. She passionately believes that the family and community are key to a child’s success and works closely with them to help students with SEN thrive.
Anaberta Oehlers-Jaen
Head, DAS International
Anaberta joined DAS in 14 November 2005 and assumed the post of Head of DAS International on 9 May 2011. She started her career at the DAS in 2005 as an Educational Therapist and has since held various portfolios. For 4 years, she was the Pre-school Manager of the DAS Pre-school Service and was actively involved with children at risk of literacy delay and helped to launch the service at the DAS. She assumed the position of Head of DAS International in 2011 in order to support both the local and expatriate international community of students, who may be experiencing learning differences through Specialist tutoring and Assessments. In her role as Maths Programme Director in 2014, Anaberta has presented at International conferences delivered in Singapore, ASEAN region and the UK.
She is also actively involved in research and has published articles in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences. She holds a Masters Degree in Special Needs from NTU, BA( English Language and Literature) from SIM, a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the London Metropolitan University as well as a Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers (Dyslexia), along with Early Childhood Diplomas. She is also a qualified trainer with the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) by the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ). She has Fellow status at RETA ( Registrar of Educational Therapists (Asia) and is also a Senior Educational Therapist. Delivering a professional service to the families of students with Specific Learning Differences is high on her priority and hopes to continue to serve this community both in Singapore and the region.