Prof Tan Puay Yok and Alumna Ms Yu-Ning Hwang Take on Key Leadership Roles at Nparks and MDN

MS YU-NING HWANG (LEFT) AND PROF TAN PUAY YOK (RIGHT). PHOTO: NPARKS

PROF TAN PUAY YOK AND MEMBERS OF THE URBAN ECOLOGY LAB, NUS

Professor Tan Puay Yok has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Board (NParks), effective 1 June 2026. A globally respected urban ecologist and scholar-practitioner, Prof Tan has played a significant role in advancing Singapore’s City in Nature vision.

Prof Tan is currently on secondment to NParks, where he serves as Executive Director and Chief Science and Technology Officer, as well as Group Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. He brings over three decades of leadership experience across public service and academia, underpinned by deep institutional knowledge of NParks and expertise in urban greening and ecology. As Executive Director of the National Parks & Gardens Cluster and Group Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, he has enhanced the Gardens’ international standing as a leading centre for tropical botany and conservation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a cultural institution, and a beloved National Garden.

MS YU-NING HWANG, THEN CHIEF PLANNER & DEPUTY CEO OF URA, SPEAKING AT CDE WOMEN: RIDING THE WAVES OF TECH IN 2022

Ms Yu-Ning Hwang, an alumna of the Department, has been appointed Chief (Urban Innovation & Excellence) at the Ministry of National Development, following her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of NParks over the past three years.

Ms Hwang has built a distinguished career in the Singapore Civil Service, marked by strong leadership and extensive experience across policy and operational roles. Throughout her service, she has held senior appointments in ministries and statutory boards, including her role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Planner at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and her position as Chief Executive Officer of NParks.

These appointments reflect the continued contribution of our community to Singapore’s urban development, environmental sustainability, and public service excellence.

Source: MND Press Release