Nik Aisyah Amirah’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable, especially for someone who is only 37. As the Chief Strategy Officer of Sapura Group and recently a Board Member of a public listed company, she has navigated diverse industries, spearheaded complex projects, and demonstrated unwavering leadership in the face of challenges. From an ambitious intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to a corporate leader driving strategic transformation, her journey reflects courageous tenacity, adaptability, and the hunger to continuously learn.
Breaking Barriers, Embracing Challenges
At PwC, she was first exposed to the structured world of auditing and finance, where businesses were viewed through the lens of a perfect matured, institutionalised corporate system — one built on governance, compliance, and financial accuracy. This foundation played a vital role in shaping her expertise to navigate the corporate world. However, she soon realized she wanted more than just advising businesses on how to do things right; she wanted to experience the outcomes firsthand and have a more direct impact by solving business challenges end-to-end. This hunger for growth and deeper involvement in business operations led her to seek opportunities beyond conventional auditing.
At just 25 years old, she took a bold leap and participated in “The Apprentice Asia,” a high-stakes, high-profile business competition broadcasted across the region. Competing against seasoned professionals from various industries and countries, she saw this as a platform to push herself, test her limits, and gain exposure to new perspectives and experiences. Though she did not win, the journey proved invaluable, ultimately steering her towards a career at General Electric (GE).
At GE, she took on various roles across different businesses, beginning as a consultant for a local tax project before expanding into regional responsibilities. Her breakthrough came when she took on a role in the joint venture (JV) between GE Oil & Gas and Sapura, where she had the opportunity to help craft the structure and drive its growth right from its establishment in 2013. This phase of her career was a turning point, giving her firsthand experience in managing complex corporate structures, and balancing multiple stakeholders with diverse systems, cultures, regulatory frameworks, and business priorities. This is where she learned how instrumental it is to align these different elements to drive the JV towards success.
Her most testing yet rewarding journey unfolded when she moved to Sapura Energy during two of the most tumultuous periods in recent history—the 2019 oil price crash and the COVID-19 pandemic. Managing high-stakes projects in such volatile conditions demanded resilience, strategic foresight, and the ability to make swift yet informed decisions to protect company and stakeholders’ interests. It was a defining chapter in her journey, solidifying her ability to navigate uncertainty while driving business continuity and stability.
“The most important leadership qualities during crises are decisiveness, communication, and courage,” she asserts. “You have to be willing to make tough calls and stand by them.”
Leadership: Balancing Nature with Nurture
Nik Aisyah attributes much of her leadership style to her upbringing. “Courage and forthrightness were instilled in me from a young age,” she says. Her time in GE and Sapura, as well as her MBA at the Asia School of Business have also played a significant role in boosting her natural aptitude to lead, while sharpening her strategic thinking.
She firmly believes leadership is not just about making decisions but also about ensuring team alignment. “Leadership isn’t about giving orders. It’s about walking the talk. If you expect commitment from your team, you need to show commitment first.”
This philosophy has guided her across industries: from finance and energy to corporate strategy and digital transformation. Regardless of the field, she stresses the need to understand the bigger picture. “It’s not just about excelling in one role — it’s about understanding how different parts of a business connect.”
Adapting Across Industries: The Power of Alignment
One of the most impressive aspects of Nik Aisyah’s career is her ability to transition seamlessly across different industries. At the core of this adaptability is her guiding principle: alignment.
“Whether it’s finance, oil and gas, or digital transformation, the key is to align yourself with the industry’s ecosystem,” she explains. “You need to dive deep enough to understand how the industry or the business works and where you can add value.”
Her experiences across multinational corporations and Malaysian companies have given her unique insights into both worlds. While MNCs offer structured career paths, she appreciates the agility of Malaysian companies, where access to decision-makers allows for greater impact.
“MNCs have layers of decision-making, but in Malaysian companies, you’re closer to the action. You can make things happen faster,” she notes.
The Transformative Impact of an MBA from Asia School of Business
Nik Aisyah’s MBA at Asia School of Business, in collaboration with MIT Sloan, was not initially part of her career plan. However, when Sapura offered her the opportunity, she seized it — an experience she describes as life-changing.
“Asia School of Business deepened and refined my cognitive thinking — transforming it into a more structured, methodical approach to decision-making rather than acting on impulse,” she says. The program’s courses strengthened her skills and knowledge across a broader spectrum of business disciplines — including finance, supply chain, HR, organizational behavior, marketing, and strategic leadership — while its Action-Learning approach enabled her to apply these skills and knowledge in real-time.
Driving Organizational Success and Managing Change
For Nik Aisyah, leading an organization means leading by example. She believes that leaders must embody the change they want to see, rather than just directing it.
“You can’t just tell people what to do. You have to show them. If you want accountability in your team, you need to demonstrate accountability yourself,” she asserts.
She sees her proactive approach to leadership as a key enabler in fostering a culture of accountability, adaptability and innovation in supporting Sapura’s drive to stay ahead in evolving industries, particularly in digital technology. She credits the company for its forward-thinking strategy, saying, “It’s not just about solving today’s problems. It’s about anticipating future challenges and being ready for them.”
Courage and the Hunger to Learn
For young professionals aspiring to excel in corporate strategy and finance, Nik Aisyah offers straightforward yet powerful advice: “Have the hunger and courage to learn. That’s what opens doors.”
She emphasizes the importance of not limiting oneself and being willing to take on new challenges. “If an opportunity comes your way, take it — even if you feel you’re not 100% ready. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.”
The Next Generation: Inspiring Women Leaders
Nik Aisyah is also a strong advocate for gender inclusivity in leadership, though she believes the focus should not be on gender alone.
“I never frame myself as a ‘woman in leadership.’ I earn my seat at the table based on merit. We should expect equal treatment as the default, not the exception,” she affirms.
She acknowledges the progress made in promoting women in corporate leadership, yet stresses the importance of shifting mindsets to focus on capability over gender.
A Vision for the Future
As she reflects on her career, Nik Aisyah takes pride in her ability to navigate different roles and industries while making a tangible impact. Moving forward, her aspirations are focused on job security for next generations and technological sovereignty for Malaysia — a mission she is committed to advancing through her work at Sapura. Her story proves that success belongs to those with the vision to see beyond limits and the courage to act.