From the quiet streets of Alor Setar in Kedah, Malaysia, to the forefront of global environmental entrepreneurship, Susan Chong’s journey is defined by resilience, vision, and an unshakeable sense of purpose. Her life story is not only about business success but also about transforming challenges into opportunities and pioneering change where few dared to lead.
Susan was born and raised in Alor Setar, where her early childhood was shaped by both comfort and upheaval. Her father ran a construction business, and for a time, the family lived with stability. That changed abruptly when the business collapsed, leaving the family in financial distress. At the age of ten, Susan experienced the instability that comes with economic hardship. Instead of being discouraged, she grew up quickly, taking on responsibility with quiet determination. When she turned eighteen, she left for Penang to pursue a diploma in hotel and catering management. It wasn’t her passion, but she needed a practical skill that could help her support her family as quickly as possible.
Those early years of self-reliance laid the foundation for what would become a groundbreaking career. In 2002, Susan took a leap of faith and founded Greenpac, a company focused on sustainable packaging. Starting with a modest micro-loan of thirty thousand dollars, she reimagined what packaging could look like. Instead of relying on traditional wooden pallets, she introduced a lightweight and durable alternative made from timber sourced from sustainable plantations. Her designs were not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective, helping clients reduce waste and streamline logistics. What began as a humble startup soon evolved into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, serving major corporations and drawing international attention.
Susan’s innovation did not stop at packaging. In 2014, she founded Greenphyto, an agritech venture focused on food sustainability and climate-resilient farming. Recognizing the urgent global need for food security, she envisioned a high-tech solution that could produce nutritious crops year-round in a controlled environment. Greenphyto is now developing one of the world’s largest vertical farming facilities, based in Singapore, aimed at reducing reliance on traditional agriculture and minimizing environmental impact. This expansion into food technology reflects her ability to see the bigger picture, connecting ecological health with human well-being.
The road to success was far from smooth. In the early days of Greenpac, many dismissed her ideas as impractical or ahead of their time. Sustainable packaging was considered niche, and convincing clients to embrace it required not only technical proof but also emotional conviction. Susan faced skepticism, isolation, and the pressure of running a business with no safety net. Still, she pressed on. Her belief in environmentally conscious business practices never wavered. With every hurdle, she pushed forward with creativity, patience, and grit.
Susan’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in 2014. She became the first Asian woman finalist in the World Economic Forum’s Circular Economy Leadership Award in 2017 and was named Woman of the Year by Her World Singapore in 2019. Beyond awards, her influence has reached policy and education. She has served on advisory boards for government agencies such as the National Environment Agency and SkillsFuture Singapore, helping shape the future of sustainable business and innovation.
Today, Susan Chong stands as a beacon of what is possible when vision meets perseverance. Her legacy is one of impact, not just in the products she created, but in the minds she has inspired. Through Greenpac and Greenphyto, she has shown the world that sustainability and profitability can thrive together. The greatest innovations often grow from the seeds of personal struggle. Her story continues to encourage a new generation of leaders to think boldly, act responsibly, and never lose sight of the power of purpose.