Microsoft Singapore managing director Lee Hui Li dies

She died on July 24, and her funeral is scheduled for July 28, according to an obituary by The Straits Times.

Lee Hui Li, managing director of Microsoft Singapore. Photo courtesy of Microsoft

The newspaper was not able to independently verify her age at the time of publishing.

"Hui Li was a visionary leader whose impact on Microsoft and the broader technology landscape in Singapore was profound," a Microsoft spokesperson told Channel News Asia.

"Throughout her career, Hui Li was known not only for her strategic brilliance, but for her warmth, authenticity and unwavering belief in the potential of others and of Singapore," the spokesperson said.

"She mentored countless leaders, built inclusive teams and inspired all of us to lead with purpose. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Hui Li’s family, friends and colleagues."

Hui Li announced her sabbatical in May without providing a reason.

Two months prior, she posted on LinkedIn about starting a new role.

Before her role as managing director, she served as general manager of Asia-Pacific enterprise commercial at Microsoft from July 2021 to March 2022, leading regional sales and industry teams.

Her 27-year career included senior positions at IBM, Symantec, Dell, HP, and EY, as noted in her profile.

She held a degree in economics from the National University of Singapore.

In a December 2024 interview with The Business Times, she discussed Microsoft’s strategy to advance artificial intelligence adoption in Singapore through tailored, industry-specific solutions for large organizations.

Edward Chen, deputy chief executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, descried Hui Li as a key figure in the tech sector.

"Hui Li was a deeply respected industry leader, known not only for her professional achievements but for her passion to make a meaningful impact on society," he told Channel News Asia.

He called her "a tireless advocate for practical and forward-looking AI education", playing a pivotal role in shaping the new Business Artificial Intelligence Systems program’s curriculum to ensure its relevance to the evolving needs of industry.