Beyond the Screen: Mary Chen’s Rise as Southeast Asia's Regional IT Head

In the ever-evolving world of technology, it’s not just about keeping up, it’s about stepping forward with courage and curiosity. Mary Chen, Southeast Asia's Regional IT Head at Delta Electronics, embodies exactly that. Her story spans continents, cultures, and career pivots. It’s a journey marked not by a straight line, but by the strength to adapt, the willingness to learn, and the heart to lead.

Mary never intended to end up in IT. In fact, her dream was to be a lawyer. But everything changed when she became fascinated by Pixar's early 3D animated films. Curious about the technology behind them, she asked her teacher what path she should take. The answer? Computer Science. Once enrolled in the program, Mary explored both 3D designs and coding. She quickly realized that drawing wasn't her strength, but coding was. That spark shifted her focus and passion, setting her on a course that led her to a Computer Science degree at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, and ultimately down a path that would take her across borders, across disciplines, and into leadership.

When Mary joined Delta in 2018, she came from a high-pressure American consulting firm, deeply immersed in software engineering and CRM implementation. The transition, she recalls, was jarring. "I was used to fast turnarounds, fixed contracts, and clear client goals. At Delta, it was more open-ended. I found myself asking, 'What’s the direction?'"

That uncertainty led her to discover something deeper about IT within a corporate ecosystem: its breadth. "People often think IT is just fixing Wi-Fi or setting up laptops. But for me, IT is about transforming lives. When a solution cuts a task from 10 hours to 10 minutes, that’s impact."

Her early days at Delta involved CRM projects at headquarters in Taipei, working within an all-female CRM team, a rarity in an industry often dominated by men. The team's can-do attitude and collaborative spirit set the tone for what came next.

In 2019, as Delta expanded, Mary relocated to Shanghai to lead a major CRM initiative. The role required her to bring together stakeholders across departments and regions to align business needs. When COVID-19 hit, travel restrictions made cross-border collaboration even more difficult. Despite the challenge, Mary and her team found creative ways to work remotely, keeping the momentum alive and ultimately completing the project successfully without ever setting foot in many of the regions they supported.

"It was tough," she admits. "There was no consolidated process, and no clear team. I had to build everything from scratch. I remember panicking when I was suddenly named team lead. But I had a mentor who reminded me: without a vision, you risk losing your people."

That project became one of the most formative experiences of her career. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Mary fostered connection across cities with virtual Christmas parties and thoughtful gestures that built team unity despite borders. "As a leader, your job isn’t just delivery. You’re the glue. You keep spirits up, even when no one’s ever met face-to-face."

In 2022, she was asked to relocate again, this time to Singapore. Though hesitant to leave her CRM "baby," Mary embraced the challenge. What awaited was a different beast: infrastructure, hardware, cyber threats, and supporting a region with over 300 staff across multiple countries, all without a factory presence.

"It was overwhelming. I went from software engineering to network cables, power grids, and setting up 5G routers so people could work. I Googled so much," she laughs.

Soon after her relocation, she was met with personal and professional challenges that tested her resilience, including a major cyberattack that hit Delta. "That period was incredibly tough," she reflects. "But it reminded me that this job, this role, is more than just IT. It's about being dependable when it matters most across Southeast Asia."

Today, as SEA Regional Manager head, Mary oversees both infrastructure and application teams. Her priorities? Empowering her people.

"We want to move from routine work to innovative projects. From automating laptop provisioning with HR to piloting AI-driven chatbot support, we’re building a five-year roadmap that not only supports Delta, but helps our people grow their careers."

She understands the challenge of working in a region that can sometimes be underrepresented. "Without a factory, we may not always be top of mind. But I believe small teams can do big things. If we innovate here, it benefits the entire Delta Group.

Empowering Women, Every Day

As a woman in tech, Mary’s advice to others is honest and profound. "People say 'never give up.' But I say: love yourself. Be kind to yourself. Society may push you into boxes, but you can redefine them. Be intuitive, be kind, be strong, that's your power."

Her journey through grief, cultural shocks, tech transitions, and personal evolution has taught her one thing: leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about presence.

"Every day, I remind myself: I'm not just doing IT. I'm creating value. For the business. For my team. And for myself."

Mary’s story is a powerful reminder that the path to leadership is rarely a straight line, but it’s always worth walking. She shows us that strength doesn’t mean being unshakable; it means learning, adapting, and showing up even when it’s hard. For the women across Delta and beyond: your voice, your ideas, and your leadership matter. Whether you're coding behind a screen or leading teams across borders, know this, there’s space for you at the table. And like Mary, you don’t have to follow a traditional path to make a lasting impact. Blaze your own.

About the Author (Editorial Team)

DET Corp Comms

Share