When Charles Tee was 15, a teacher told him, "People like you will never amount to anything." The truth would be anything but, yet these words cemented a quiet resolve in Mr Tee. "It riled me to want to succeed – and do more," he remembers.

Now CEO and founder of training and consulting firm T3E Global, with a successful 40-plus-year career in hospitality, tourism, e-commerce and education across the Asia-Pacific, he adds, "It’s also why I was drawn to teaching – I want people to know you don’t need to be defined by your early educational experiences."

One of five children, Mr Tee was born and raised in Singapore of Straits Chinese heritage, known for its Malay influence and English fluency. "My dad was supporting us on a single income, so we had a challenging time as a family," he explains.

School was challenging, too. "I was a lacklustre student. In fact, I didn't get my O levels. But it wasn’t because I wasn’t smart; it was that the system didn’t embrace me. I was a forward thinker, a troublemaker, and Asian culture is very conformist."

"I was always asking questions. Challenging authority was my thing. But in Singapore, you’re supposed to just do as you’re told, in school and in business. My dad is quite liberal, and always encouraged us to be our own people; to do what we want. It was quite unusual, and one of the many reasons I’m grateful to my parents."

Despite this difficult start, Mr Tee entered the hospitality and then travel industry. He was performing well, but soon realised that without academic qualifications, he was at a significant disadvantage. "Every time I’d apply for a role, it was noted that I wasn’t a graduate."

"That’s when I took the opportunity to do a short, intensive diploma in marketing. I didn’t have the luxury of quitting my job, so took classes in the evenings and on weekends. I remember the lecturers were pompous and taught marketing straight from a textbook. It was very uninspiring, but I managed to achieve my first academic qualification."

It would not be his last. By then chief operating officer for Tour East International, managing operations across nine Asian countries for the Australian-owned business, an Australian marketing degree was the logical next step. "Macquarie University was known to be progressive, and they accepted professionals who’d distinguished themselves in their field."

Again studying after work and on weekends, this time as a new father who travelled regularly for work, Mr Tee completed his Master of Arts (Marketing Management) in 1996. It would be foundational, giving him that crucial academic validation that enhanced his career.

First came a senior VP role in Malaysia for a publicly listed property firm, then he returned to Singapore to manage an American-owned corporate travel company. He was also involved in establishing a resort on Sentosa Island and starting up ZUJI in Asia. "My last corporate role was as chief operating officer (Asia) for Wotif.com, where I grew the business by 300 per cent in one year."

In 2006, he established T3E Global. "I wanted to do something for myself," he explains. "T3E stands for Travel, Tourism and Technology, and the E is for Entrepreneurship, so I work with startups, hotels and companies requiring e-commerce and technology solutions."

Even more importantly for Mr Tee, his masters would be his segue into education. "I wanted to further my interest in teaching and training, and I’ve been able to break into the training markets in Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia, where I’ve trained senior managers and executives."

"My degree also allowed me to pursue my interest in teaching, with several adjunct lecturing roles with universities opening up to me. I bring strong practical experience to my teaching in hospitality project management, risk and crisis management and tourism e-commerce, and have now taught at diploma, undergraduate and masters level for over 25 years."

No less, completing his masters at Macquarie also gave him the confidence to undertake a doctorate in education. "It took me ten gruelling years to finish, but was something I wanted to do for my own self-fulfilment; I never needed that title, and don’t use it if I don’t have to."

It was a turning point. After completing this ‘lifelong dream’, Mr Tee made a promise to himself. "I decided to devote myself to something meaningful, and that’s how I became involved with missions to Laos."

The idea had been stirring within him for over a decade, while he was working in Indochina. "I’d witnessed poverty and seen the plight of the lost, the last and the least," he says. "Children scavenging and begging in the streets, young mothers seeking help to feed their children, old people trying hard to make a living on the streets. It broke my heart."

"So, when a friend from church told me he was leading an inaugural mission to Laos, running a summer camp for kids in the village of Paksong in 2024, I decided to bring my talents to bear, heading up a team to teach English, science and life skills to teenagers."

His involvement with ACTS, A Call to Share, has since expanded further. "I returned in January 2025 to train village priests and deacons in community building, and again mid-year to train another group in planning and community development skills. This has made my involvement even more meaningful, as we are no longer just taking fish to the villagers, we are teaching them how to fish."

Unsurprisingly, the conditions are difficult. Few speak English, mosquitoes are everywhere, and the poverty is confronting. But for Mr Tee, sharing his knowledge, supporting communities to sustain themselves and inspiring young people has become his life’s true work.

"It’s a calling," he says. "I’m devoted to it, and would encourage others to do the same. Young people, of course, but also more mature people, and retirees. If you’re blessed with good health, knowledge, talent and the ability to do something, go and do it while you can – give of yourself."

It's a long way from the young boy who was told he would never amount to anything, and the young student who wanted to challenge authority. "I’m as determined as ever, but I’ve matured," reflects Mr Tee.

"I understand better how to engage with people, and now, rather than being a rebel without a cause, I have a cause. At this stage in my career, I have the time to devote to social work and charity, both in Laos and here in Singapore, and that’s what I hope to do for the rest of my life."

Charles Tee's bio

Charles Tee holds a Master of Arts (Marketing Management) from Macquarie University. Founder and CEO of T3E Global, where he collaborates with clients to develop business and product strategies aimed at achieving success through strategic planning and talent coaching, his career spans more than 40 years in the travel and hospitality industry across Asia.

Mr Tee’s professional journey includes senior leadership roles in online travel, corporate travel management, hotels and resorts, destination management and event marketing in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. He specialises in e-distribution and channel management with expertise in online travel distribution strategy, B2B and B2C e-commerce, start-up marketing and digital management.

His leadership and business acumen have driven significant performance improvement, business development and talent growth in dynamic multinational environments. Before founding T3E Global, he served as chief operating officer (Asia) for Wotif.com, where he led strategic development and operations, successfully increasing sales revenue from S$2 million to S$8.5 million within a year.

Mr Tee also holds a Doctor in Education degree from University College London and a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). He has held senior management roles with Millennium & Copthorne International, Zuji.com, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Rosenbluth International and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.

An associate lecturer at several educational institutions, he is a regular presenter at tourism and industry events. Mr Tee is also an active member of the Singapore Institute of Directors and serves a chair of the SME committee cluster, where he supports corporate governance and ESG initiatives. He belongs to the Macquarie University Alumni Network in Singapore, where he is an advisor and mentor.