Model extraordinaire, Aimee, had a stellar 2016, walking on numerous runways at Singapore Fashion Week following her success on the third cycle of Asia’s New Top Model. While continuing her studies in London, Aimee is also slated to sign with a top modeling agency there and will continue her duties as a Neutrogena brand ambassador.

This Singaporean author made waves in 2015 with her literary masterpiece, Sugarbread, which traces the life of a Punjabi Sikh family living in Singapore and was so stellar it was shortlisted for the inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize last year, competing against 68 other titles. Look out for other works by this acclaimed novelist.

She is the only female operational F-15 fighter pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, which means that Captain Nah Jinping can be activated to take part in military combat and operations. Her lone status in the RSAF makes her stand out amongst her male peers but she has never let her gender hold her back when it comes to occupying the loftiest space in our skies overhead.

(Read more: 5 Ways To Classily Manage Office Politics)

Actress and Founder of Cheryl W Wellness & Weight Management, this bubbly personality is proud of everything she’s achieved so far but hopes to continue expanding her personal brand as well as see her company grow from strength to strength. “I’d like to be open to more acting and performing opportunities, too, because ironically the crazy schedules and the fun I have on set actually keeps me sane,” she quips.

Co-Founders of The Mindful Company, Ciara (left) and Ling are best friends with a heart. After high-flying careers in the finance industry, they started a lifestyle brand that is focused on creating products that serve as every day, meaningful reminders to celebrate life. The duo are also looking to support more not-for-profit organisations this year, making them a shining example of how businesses can pay it forward.

It’s been a big year for Singapore-based designer Emma Maxwell. She scooped up a major international design award in Hong Kong just a few months ago where she won the Best of the Best in Product Design with her Flume Lighting Collection against some heavyweight contenders. Expect more innovation from this Aussie designer in 2017 when she launches in the US market.

(Read more: 5 Ways To Boost Confidence And Be Happier At Work)

A Singaporean singer-songwriter currently based in New York, Genevieve launched her contemporary pop album, On My Own Terms, last year. The mum-of-two did not let the challenges of raising a family abroad hold her back when it came to making music and she hopes to inspire more women with her motley collection of songs available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

A fourth generation family business leader – her great-grandfather, Yong Yit Lin, founded Woh Hup in 1927 – Michelle is not content to simply bask in the Yong family name. Instead, she is blazing her own trail as the Director of Aurum Land. Her other company, a collaborative innovation workspace called Collision 8, not only taps into the explosion of interest in co-working spaces but also looks to sustain the future of Michelle’s legacy through innovation and collaboration.

A recipient of the Forbes 30 under 30 award, Pocket founded SoGal, one of world’s largest communities of diverse entrepreneurs with 10 chapters worldwide. She also became a TED speaker last year reaching yet another milestone that exposes a formidability that belies her tender age. She hopes to grow SoGal to more than 20 global chapters and write a book in 2017.

(Read more: 6 Things To Do To Get To Work On Time)

Look out tennis world, Sarah Pang is coming. Having represented Singapore at the Fed Cup, the SEA Games, and joined the Women’s Pro Circuit as a full time professional player, Sarah won the Singapore Open in 2016 and is set to be propelled to even greater heights after announcing a new partnership with a new coach, Vasileios Psyrras.

Food was a big part of Sue-Shan’s life growing up. It was that passion for food that led her to open SPRMRKT in 2012. Not just a bistro, SPRMRKT is also a boutique supermarket and art space that has redefined the boundaries of traditional food and beverage outlets. Sue-Shan has since branched out to include two new establishments under her belt: KITE and Koskos.

(Read more: 13 Types Of Bosses You’re Bound To Meet In Your Lifetime)

An extended version of this article was printed in the January 2017 issue of The Singapore Women’s Weekly.