Her Expat Life recently caught up with Marcella M. Lucas, PhD, a beacon of transformative thinking and visionary leadership. As the Managing Director of Lead To Innovate, Marcella leverages her extensive experience and academic prowess to drive impactful change in Greater Kuala Lumpur and beyond. With a solid foundation from Dartmouth College, she has been at the forefront of guiding organizations towards innovative solutions and sustainable growth. Read on for Marcella's inspiring journey, exploring her contributions to the fields of strategy, innovation, and leadership, and the profound impact she has made on businesses and communities alike.
1. What made you decide to live an expat lifestyle? Tell us about that journey!
I've been living abroad my whole life, and I still love it as an adult. I'm what's called a
Third Culture Kid, meaning I grew up in several different cultures. I was born in South
Africa to Dutch parents and lived in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, USA, Dubai,
Cyprus, and Zambia. I studied at the University of Bath, UK, and Dartmouth College,
USA.
For the last 10 years, Malaysia has been my home, and I really feel connected to it. I
don't see myself as a typical expat. Home is wherever I am. I adapt quickly, find my
place, set up a routine, and make it home. Unlike most expats, I didn’t choose this
lifestyle – I was born into it. I don’t know any different, but I love it.
I never thought I'd spend a decade in the same location and the same country, but
Malaysia keeps offering new and exciting challenges, so every year feels like a new
adventure.
2. You have lived an impressive expat life! Where has been your favourite place so
far to live and work?
There are so many places but I absolutely adore South Africa and try to visit as often as
I can. Kenya is also close to my heart, and I've had some wonderful experiences
working and traveling there. I had plans to move to Kenya in 2020, but the pandemic
and travel restrictions made me reconsider. However, I made the best of the situation
and adapted to the circumstances.
When travel between states in Malaysia resumed in June 2020 after strict lockdown
measures, I seized the opportunity to explore the captivating island of Tioman. I've been
living and working there for nearly four years now and have grown to love it deeply.
In 2021, I decided to leave my corporate job and start my own consulting and advisory
firm – Lead to Innovate Pte Ltd. Living on a remote island has allowed me to prioritize
achieving a balanced work-life harmony. Now, I serve clients outside of Malaysia while
enjoying a laid-back beach lifestyle, free from the daily commuting grind.
3. What challenges have you faced along the way in building such an amazing
career? How did you overcome them?
I had to make a tough decision when I left my corporate job during the COVID
pandemic. Despite enjoying my role and my team, I felt it was time for a change. At first,
I planned to take some time off and relax on the beach, but I ended up stumbling upon
unexpected opportunities through virtual networking, leading to exciting client
engagements.
When people ask about my work, it's hard to sum up in just a few words. I find that I'm
more motivated by the people I work with rather than the specific content, which might
seem a bit unusual but is incredibly fulfilling. Even though it's tough to describe my
professional pursuits in one sentence, this mindset allows me to keep growing,
exploring, and innovating.
The biggest challenge for me is figuring out my true purpose, but I'm really enjoying the
journey and the opportunities it's bringing my way.
4: What advice do you have for women who are moving or are living the expat
lifestyle and are looking to build professional relationships in diverse cultural
environments?
Connecting and building relationships with others is all about taking the time to really
understand and empathise with them. It's about finding common ground and
establishing a genuine connection. This can be achieved by being open-minded and
receptive to different ideas and experiences. Whether it's through a shared love of food,
navigating similar challenges, or embarking on new adventures, finding commonalities
is key to fostering meaningful relationships. It's important to recognize that being open-
minded, although often touted as a cliché, is crucial in overcoming the cultural and
personal barriers that can hinder the integration of new expats into their communities.
5. You are currently residing on the tropical island of Pulau Tioman, in Malaysia
which sounds amazing! Tell us more about what life is like on the island!
Living and working on Tioman for the past 4 years has been amazing! It's such a
refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of city life. There's no commuting or rat
race here, just a laid-back and humbling pace of life. Of course, COVID posed financial
challenges for many in the village, but it was a humbling experience that brought us all
closer together. I love waking up to natural light without needing an alarm, and it's really
opened my eyes to the possibilities of being a digital nomad. Plus, there's none of the
usual city noises like honking or buzzing, just pure, clean air and a beautiful blue sky.
And let's not forget the amazing wildlife, from monkeys to lizards – it's truly a nature
lovers paradise!
6. You are a significant figure in the fields of innovation, strategy, and leadership.
Share your compelling journey into this realm and highlight the impactful
projects that you have steered to success.
I am currently involved in several different activities. I run my own consultancy, where
we focus on innovation, strategy, and leadership. We work with clients across Asia,
Africa, and Europe to help them grow and succeed in these regions. Our clients come
from various types of organisations, including private companies, international
development organisation, NGOs, and academic institutions.
I am also on the Executive Committee of European Women on Boards, where we work
to promote gender diversity and leadership representation.
In addition, I provide strategic guidance to a resort on Pulau Tioman, assisting with
strategy, stakeholder management, and governance. I’m also Adjunct Professor at
UNITAR International University.
Lastly, I am a founding Director at Nova Ideation Foundation, where our main goal is to
create a collaboration technology platform aimed at rallying South African (and one day
global) generosity to make a significant difference in the lives of rural children over the
next five years.
7. What advice would you offer to someone who is aiming to advance their career
and is willing to embrace new experiences and explore opportunities abroad,
even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone?
Don't pass up the chance to go abroad! Moving to a new country can be a truly life-
changing experience, whether it's positive or challenging, as not everyone is cut out to
be an expat. If given the opportunity, just say yes and figure out the rest later.
Additionally, gaining international experience can really fast-track your personal and
professional growth, whether it's within yourself or if you plan to make a move
elsewhere later on. Developing cultural intelligence is so important, especially in today’s
ever-changing world. I'm particularly enchanted by the connections between
Europe/America and the emerging world powers in Asia.
8. How do you spend your free time?
I'm really passionate about connecting with nature and myself through activities like
hiking and yoga. Completing my Yoga Teacher Training at the Power of Now Oasis in
Bali just a few months ago, and finishing the 25km Tioman UltraMarathon, were
incredibly transformative experience.
In focusing on my professional growth I recently completed a certification in Team
Psychological Safety and am working towards an Action Learning Coaching
Certification. While it hasn’t been easy to prioritise and find time for my own
development, I’ve found these pursuits to be thoroughly enriching and already have
plans in place to explore new activities and areas of study for 2025.
Connect with Dr Marcella Lucas:
Email: marcella@leadtoinnovate.com
Instagram: Marcella Lucas (@marcella_lucas)
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