“You're not just your job title. You're your mission.” – Jovel Chan
In this episode, My Holland sits down with Jovel Chan, a Singaporean food storyteller, founder of Saigon Social, and host of Saigon Supper Club, to explore how culture, identity, and leadership intersect through food in modern-day Vietnam.
Jovel shares how her unexpected move to Vietnam during the pandemic sparked a career transformation, from corporate roles around the world to becoming a visible voice in Vietnam’s vibrant culinary scene. With warmth and insight, she reflects on cultural adaptation, self-leadership, and the rise of modern Vietnamese cuisine.
📍 Key themes include:
— How food reflects culture, values, and pace of life
— Building trust in Vietnam’s face-focused business culture
— Challenges of gender representation in the F&B industry
— Creating inclusive team culture and redefining leadership from the ground up
— The growing movement of Vietnamese and Viet Kieu chefs reshaping cuisine
From navigating paradoxes of speed and stillness to redefining what a “job title” really means, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in culture, food, or what it takes to lead with authenticity in a new environment.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
🔗 Follow Mosaic Minds for more inspiring stories of women in leadership across Vietnam and beyond.
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If you know a woman leader in Vietnam who would like to join this podcast, please contact My at:
📧 Email: my@equestasia.com.au | 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myholland/
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𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
Leadership isn't a one-size-fits-all canvas. It's a mosaic! Join My Holland, your French Aussie Vietnamese host, on Mosaics Mind.
🌐 Website: https://www.equestasia.com.au
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equestasia
▶️Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@equestasia
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/42rgfiUBtVe7Gdun0oWcHA
🎧 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3O1mn6E
If you want to join our VK Nữ community of overseas Vietnamese 🇻🇳 women, check out all our VK Nữ chapters around the world here: https://www.equestasia.com.au/viet-kieu-nu
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📍Guest Bio:
Jovel Chan is a Singaporean entrepreneur based in Ho Chi Minh City. She’s the founder of Saigon Social, a curated space showcasing local food and beverage makers, and Saigon Supper Club, an underground dining experience. Jovel has worked across hospitality, media, and tech in Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore, and brings a global lens to everything she creates.
Website: www.jovelchan.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovelchan/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jovel.chan/
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Mosaic Minds Podcast - Initiative for Women by EQuest Asia
✨Music: Anthony Holland | Researcher: My-Lan Holland | Editor: Cam Tuong