Lai San is the director of BE & San, a consulting firm. BE &San’s objective is to share knowledge and bridge the communication gaps between individual, small businesses, organisations and the Singapore government ecosystem. 

Lai San has more than 20 years of experience working in the public sector and private sector. She specializes in urban and strategic planning, policies and development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building.

She was the Senior Assistant Director in Civil Aviation Authority Singapore and led the masterplan approval for Changi Runway 3 and Terminal 5 and its stakeholder engagement programme. She was also the facilities planning of Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) Transformation Concept Design, and was the team leader of the SAA facilities management team.  

Lai San has overseas experience with VinaCapital Real Estate Co Ltd and worked on China projects with Singbridge International Pte Ltd. In Vietnam, she developed concepts and plans for Hoi An South Resort Township, Danang Beach Golf and Beach Resort and Long An Port, Business Hub and Township. She managed an international team of consultants from London, Hong Kong, Singapore, China for the Singbridge Horizon residential development within Guangzhou Knowledge City. Other projects include Jilin Food Zone, Shandong Jining City Jibei Chemical Park and Pingtan Tourism Development. 

Lai San started her career in Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore, formulating development planning guidelines, organising public consultations, and worked  on Aerospace and Logistics as well as Leisure and Tourism in the Changi Region. URA is the Singapore urban planning department under Ministry of National Development.

Since 2021, Lai San has partnered with Foodscape Collective, Assisted Living Facility Association to facilitate community ground up initiatives. She has delivered lectures to various groups on Singapore urban planning and governance, Liveability Framework, public housing development and planning. She has also coached professionals in aviation, telecommunications, consulting and real estate.

Lai San has a Master’s degree in Architecture from National University of Singapore, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Manchester. She completed International Corporate Coaching Programme from Singapore Management University, and Media Writing Programme from Singapore Media Academy.