Mr Lee Siang

Lee Siang has played a pivotal role in transforming Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) from a small social service agency into a leading organisation serving individuals with dyslexia and other learning differences.

Joining DAS in 2001 with just 20 staff, three centres, 300 children and a $2 million annual turnover, Lee Siang became CEO in 2014 and led its growth to more than 4,000 enrolments across 12 centres and 10 offsite locations, with annual turnover peaking at $24 million. Under his leadership, DAS expanded beyond English literacy and dyslexia-focused support to include Chinese, Mathematics, Science, Speech and Drama, the Arts, preschoolers, students in Institutes of Higher Learning and working adults.

In 2024, Lee Siang championed the expansion of DAS services beyond dyslexia to support students with overlapping learning challenges, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and children's homes. He also drove innovations such as the virtual front counter model, significantly improving operational efficiency while enabling staff to focus on client support.

A strong advocate for accessibility, Lee Siang has expanded bursary fundraising to more than $2 million annually, ensuring that children from lower-income families can access DAS programmes. He has also championed evidence-based practice, programme evaluation and research, with DAS publishing more than 25 issues of its research journal.

Lee Siang prioritised professional development, building a multidisciplinary workforce with 4 PhD and 32 Master's degree holders, while fostering strong staff retention and commitment. His leadership and foresight were especially evident during COVID-19, when DAS successfully transitioned more than 3,000 students to online learning, with over 97% continuing their programmes.

Beyond Singapore, Lee Siang has contributed extensively to the international dyslexia community through the International Dyslexia Association, African Dyslexia Organization and SPARK, and as co-author of International Book of Dyslexia in Education. He was also recognised with the International Dyslexia Association’s Excellence in Leadership Award 2020.

Through his pioneering vision, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to collaboration, Lee Siang has significantly strengthened the dyslexia and learning-differences ecosystem in Singapore and beyond.