Author: Dr Corina Tan
Company: GroWith- Coaching and Development
Professional: Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
Occupation: Executive Coach and Trainer
From an Attap House to Fortune 500 Boardrooms
I grew up in Sitiawan, Malaysia, in a modest home surrounded by rubber plantations.
During monsoon seasons, rain would seep through our attap roof and collect on the floor, an early reminder that resilience often begins before opportunity appears. At 21, with a one-way ticket and limited means, I moved to Kuala Lumpur and began my career as a bank teller.
Formal university education was not immediately accessible due to financial constraints, but learning was never optional. I invested my earnings in secondhand textbooks, spent weekends in the library, and committed myself to continuous self-development. That discipline shaped the foundation of my career. After two years in banking, I transitioned into the credit card industry, followed by the telecommunications sector, where I later became a senior manager. During this time, I played a key role in establishing Malaysia’s first Call Center Association, an experience that taught me how to build structure, alignment, and momentum where none previously existed.
In 1999, while five months pregnant with twins, I accepted an offer from Dell Technologies. I became the company’s first female site leader, responsible for more than 5,000 employees. Over the years, my role expanded from regional leadership to Global Operations Vice President, managing diverse teams across time zones and working closely with U.S. headquarters. Alongside these responsibilities, I raised four children, navigating the demands of global leadership and family life simultaneously.
In my late forties, I returned to formal education, completing both an MBA and a Doctorate in Business Administration. This decision was not driven by credentials alone, but by a belief I continue to hold strongly: growth has no expiration date, and leadership requires constant renewal.
In 2021, I relocated to the United States to broaden my global impact. Sitting in Fortune 500 boardrooms, I was reminded that leadership is not defined by where one begins, but by the ability to adapt, learn, and lead across cultures and complexity.
After 35 years of leading across banking, telecommunications, technology, and global operations, I founded GroWith Coaching and Development, an extension of my lifelong passion for developing people and leaders. I now partner with executives and teams to build leadership capability, navigate complexity, and achieve sustainable performance.
My journey from an attap house to global boardrooms has shaped my belief that success is measured not only by titles held, but by lives impacted. Leadership is ultimately about lifting others, creating opportunity and leaving a legacy of growth.