From Potential to Purpose – Engineer to Leader
Priscilla Lim, Tokyo Electron Singapore

In the manufacturing industry, where the number of women has traditionally been extremely low compared to men, the semiconductor sector is no exception. Various initiatives to promote the growth of women engineers, such as industry-academia collaborations, have been increasing worldwide. Alongside this global movement, senior women executives pursuing careers in engineering are gaining attention. Priscilla Lim, Vice President of the Sales Division at Tokyo Electron Singapore (TEL Singapore), is one successful role model for women aspiring to careers in STEM. How did she pave her way to success?

This article has been modified and republished from an article posted on SSIA (Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association) Voice Magazinewith permission from SSIA.

Challenging the Status Quo
- My Start in a Traditionally Male-Centric Industry

“In an earlier era, when the semiconductor industry was predominantly male, I embarked on my career path with determination and resilience. After graduating from the National University of Singapore, I began as a hardware engineer, stepping into a challenging environment where opportunities for women were limited. Early in my career, I embraced assignments abroad—in Korea and the United States—gaining invaluable skills, international work culture experience, and technical expertise that allowed me to advance in process engineering. My drive to expand beyond purely technical roles led me into sales, broadening my scope to customer engagement and market expansion.”

Navigating Complexities

“Rising through the ranks despite the industry’s gender imbalance, I took on the role of Business Unit Manager, managing Tokyo Electron (TEL)’s Dry Etch Sales, Process, and Operation Support for Singapore and Southeast Asia customers. A pivotal milestone in my career was taking charge of Account Sales and Customer Support Operations for a key customer. Navigating a complex matrix organization, I collaborated seamlessly between headquarters’ product groups, local teams, and customer support units, reinforcing strong relationships and driving business growth.”

Embodying TEL’s Core Values

“Throughout my journey, I have deeply embodied TEL’s core values; Pride, Challenge, Ownership, Teamwork, and Awareness. These guiding principles have shaped my leadership style and fostered trust and collaboration both within the organization and with customers. These values are the foundation. I reflect that they help us overcome challenges together.”

Mentorship and Diversity as Forces of Change

“A proud highlight of my career aligns with the International Women’s Day 2026 theme ‘Give to Gain,’ as I find great fulfilment in mentoring young engineers and sales professionals. ‘Witnessing their growth confirms that leadership is not just about results but about enabling others to realize their potential,’ I say.

By investing in talent development, I extend impact beyond myself, nurturing future leaders. Today, I am motivated by the chance to give back through mentoring and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM. I note that building strong, diverse teams sparks creativity and builds resilience for our rapidly evolving industry.”

A Call to Women in STEM

"To women pursuing careers in semiconductors or STEM, my advice is clear:

Embrace every experience as a step toward your purpose.
Your unique perspective is a powerful asset.
With perseverance and openness to growth, you can transform potential into impactful leadership.

In reflection of International Women’s Day 2026, I leave this call to action:

When we give to others, we gain far beyond measure
— the future of our industry depends on lifting each other up.”