Stella Ambrose, Deputy CEO of Sawit Kinabalu, on her 30-year rise as Malaysia’s first female mill engineer, sustainable palm oil diversification, and empowering women in a male-dominated industry.
From Mill Floor to Executive Suite: Empowering Women and Redefining Industry Possibilities
In an industry facing mounting sustainability demands, Sawit Kinabalu’s Deputy CEO, Stella Ambrose, is steering the Sabah-based palm oil giant toward innovative diversification while championing greater female participation in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Few leaders rise from entry-level roles to the executive suite, especially women in heavy industry. Stella Ambrose joined the organization that would become Sawit Kinabalu in 1994 as an assistant mill engineer—the first woman to hold such a position in Malaysia. Thirty years later, in April 2024, she was appointed Deputy CEO.
““Time flies when you love what you do,” Ambrose reflects. “I never imagined an engineer could reach this level in our organization—it was considered impossible. People kept predicting I’d leave: two days, two weeks, two months, two years… Now, no one mentions it anymore.”
Her journey is marked by continuous learning: earning a first-grade steam engineer certification, topping her diploma in palm oil milling technology, and completing an MBA from the International University of Malaya-Wales in 2023—just months before her promotion.
““I’ve always prepared myself for the next role,” she explains. “Even as an assistant engineer, I thought like a mill manager. After three decades here, I understand every layer of the company intimately. Nothing feels insurmountable.”
Driven by her own experience, Ambrose is determined to open doors for other women in the industry.
““We need to do much more to bring women in,” she says. “Sometimes the barrier isn’t just organizational culture—it’s women feeling intimidated by the environment. We must show them it’s possible and provide real support.”
In February 2025, her efforts were recognized with the Successful Women Leadership Award 2025 from Mediatama Management. On LinkedIn, she wrote:
““This award belongs to every woman who has broken ground before me. It’s a reminder that together, we can shatter ceilings and build a future where women lead confidently in every field.”
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Stringent sustainability regulations—including the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards and the EU Deforestation Regulation—have halted land expansion and new mill construction for Sawit Kinabalu. Rather than seeing constraints, Ambrose sees catalysts for innovation.
““My priority is turning waste into wealth,” she says. “With only seven mills, our by-product volume is limited. To make new ventures viable, collaboration across the industry is essential.”
Sawit Kinabalu is already delivering results:
- Its subsidiary Kunak Lipids is the only Malaysian company dedicated exclusively to producing tocotrienols from palm oil refinery waste. In June 2024, Kunak Lipids signed an MOU with Shanghai-based Boce Trade Service Company to supply China’s growing market, with production starting in Q1 2025.
- A landmark Green Technology Park in Sabah—developed through a June 2024 MOU between subsidiary Sawit Palm Oil Industrial Cluster and Nextgreen Global—will feature an integrated sustainable pulp and paper mill, feed mill, fertilizer plant, light industries, wetlands, worker housing, commercial zones, and a research and education hub.
Diversification extends beyond by-products into property development via SKG Property, which transforms non-plantable land into community-focused projects.
One flagship development is a six-hectare mixed-use project in Semporna, currently under construction (as of February 2025). Upon completion, it will include 84 shop offices, a 14-storey commercial tower with 488 units, a three-storey retail and leisure mall with elevated parking, a supermarket, petrol station, and standalone showroom—all designed to blend urban convenience with district tranquility.
““Property is still in its early stages, but I plan to accelerate growth here over the next two to three years,” Ambrose shares. “It requires a completely different mindset from palm oil—you have to switch hats constantly.”
People and Culture First
These bold moves demand cultural evolution within the organization.
““My biggest focus is our people,” Ambrose emphasizes. “We need teams that believe in these new directions. Business as usual won’t work anymore—we must be creative, daring, and open to fresh ideas.”
Sawit Kinabalu prides itself on developing local Sabahan talent internally.
““Nearly 100% of our management and professional staff are from Sabah,” she notes. “We prefer growing our own leaders rather than recruiting externally.”
The company often adopts a “smart follower” approach—entering initiatives once proven elsewhere—then executes with excellence to become a late-stage trailblazer.
The Power of Strategic Partnerships
Long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships underpin Sawit Kinabalu’s success.
““Communication style must adapt to each partner,” Ambrose advises. “A win-lose mindset kills collaboration. I always look for synergy—how our strengths and theirs can create something greater than the sum of parts.”
She engages lawyers and industry experts early to structure joint ventures soundly, enabling the company to progress from cautious steps to confident leaps.
The strategy has earned recognition, including the World Sustainability Leadership Excellence Award 2023 and the Nation’s Pride in Agriculture Palm Oil Award 2024.
Looking Ahead: Mentoring the Next Generation
Having shaped Sawit Kinabalu’s transformation from within, Stella Ambrose now focuses on legacy.
““I love seeing how my work has influenced our direction,” she says. “My mission moving forward is clear: mentor the next generation, smooth the path for women in this industry, and build a bolder, more sustainable future for Sawit Kinabalu.”
Through resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to people and progress, Stella Ambrose is not just navigating change—she is defining it.
Pioneering Pathways in Sustainable Industry
As Stella Ambrose continues to guide Sawit Kinabalu toward diversification and inclusion, her leadership highlights the potential of intentional evolution in traditional sectors. From waste-to-wealth innovations to empowering local talent, her insights offer frameworks for resilience and growth. In an era of regulatory and environmental shifts, such principles suggest new avenues for collaboration and progress across global industries.
