Every significant career journey has a catalyst – a moment that sets a new course. For Tracy Nguyen, Associate Director with KPMG in Singapore’s Technology Consulting team, that moment came through a chance conversation with a KPMG partner in Singapore a few years after her move from Vietnam. It led to an invitation to join a nascent arm of the firm’s technology consulting business. The real test, however, came soon after, when she was entrusted to lead a large-scale digital transformation project – a challenge that would stretch her capabilities and shape her future.
“Just a few months in, I saw an opportunity to pursue this project for the firm. And when we won the project, I was given the responsibility of driving it. And I was only in my mid-20s then,” recounts Tracy.
Bridging business and technology with trust
More than a career-defining opportunity, the project was a profound vote of confidence from the firm’s leadership, a theme that has defined Tracy’s journey. For the Vietnamese national, her move to Singapore to forge a career was given a voice at KPMG–a place which recognised her drive and talent by entrusting her with opportunities that she had not dreamed of.
“This project set me on a most unexpected career path. Our work for the client eventually ran for five years, and during that time, I grew and learned in ways I never anticipated," says Tracy.
The project’s core challenges, Tracy soon discovered, were less about code and more about people. The biggest hurdle was guiding the client through a significant cultural shift as they adopted Agile methodology and low-code technology for the very first time. It required a delicate balance of technical guidance and human-centric leadership. “We committed time to getting the teams work together to align with the Agile philosophy,” Tracy explains.
In this high-pressure environment, Tracy learned that the most critical skill was the ability to build trust. When gaps emerged, she brought all stakeholders into the same room, proactively bridging gaps and reinforcing the partnership. “It is crucial to build trust with stakeholders. That way. Trusted relationships help clients to see you as a partner.”
The experience solidified Tracy’s understanding of KPMG’s key differentiator: the ability to connect technology to tangible business needs. The goal is never simply to provide a tech solution, but to serve as a strategic partner who understands the broader business context and manages the human side of transformation. While technology leadership is inevitably crucial, she says, “Our value is [also] on the business side... we knew how to manage the stakeholders, to effectively bridge the gap of technology and business.”
Tracy’s KPMG journey has also been shaped by the exceptional talent around her. Surrounded by high-calibre colleagues from diverse backgrounds, they act as both role models and a constant impetus for growth. “We have many people from different backgrounds, and they are accomplished in their own way. Even the interns can be very dedicated and amazing,” she says. “From the junior level to senior people – the calibre is so high. You can observe and learn so much from working with them.”
KPMG’s innovative mindset and global network proved crucial when the project faced an unprecedented challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic. With hiring challenges due to border restrictions, Tracy’s team tapped into KPMG’s global talents around the region and leveraged teams across different time zones to provide round-the-clock service.
“We had to be creative and innovative with how we solve problems,” she says. “Innovation is not just adopting new technologies; it’s also innovating the way we work.”
Future aspirations
Tracy’s professional journey reflects a relentless drive to adapt, innovate and lead. From helping shape emerging technology with the firm, she is now a driving force behind developing KPMG’s AI capabilities and fostering collaboration across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region. This constant evolution is something she thrives on. “KPMG keeps revamping itself. It also creates opportunities for employees to always refresh their roles… [and] it keeps pushing me in a way that I always need to learn very fast.”
Looking ahead, her philosophy is clear: she is committed to making an impact and nurture the next generation of talent with a mindset fostered by the mentorship and trust she has received throughout her time at the firm. “I’m grateful for the mentorship that empowers me to chase after impact,” she asserts. “You bring the impact and the rest will come.”
“It’s a personal goal for me to really grow and nurture other people and help them in their career,” she says. From finding her own voice to empowering others to discover theirs, Tracy’s #KPMGPlotTwist has truly come full circle.
