Elysa Chen

Elysa Chen Shiyun (Chinese: 陈诗韵; born c. 1983) is a Singaporean politician and member of the People’s Action Party (PAP). She was elected to Parliament in the 2025 general election and has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bishan–Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (Bishan East–Sin Ming ward) since May 2025. Prior to entering politics, Chen worked as a crime reporter for Singapore Press Holdings and later as an educator; she eventually became Executive Director of CampusImpact, a charity focused on youth development. Her public service includes grassroots roles on the North West Community Development Council and Punggol Coast Citizens’ Consultative Committee.

Early life and education

Chen was born and raised in Singapore. Her father was a church deacon, and Chen has said his example of service inspired her values. When she was 16 (around Secondary Four), her father died of cancer. As the family’s only remaining breadwinner, Chen took on multiple jobs – including tutoring, hotel receptionist, and food-and-beverage service – to help support her family during that time. These early challenges shaped her determination and empathy for vulnerable families.

Despite these hardships, Chen pursued higher education. She enrolled at Nanyang Technological University and in 2007 graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. Later, reflecting her involvement in church ministry, she earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Trinity Theological College in 2016. (Her work as a pastor and her theological training informed her career in community service.) There is no public record of Chen receiving any government scholarship; her university education appears to have been self-funded or privately supported.

Career

After graduating from NTU in 2007, Chen began her professional career as a crime reporter with The New Paper at Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). She covered major cases – for example, exposing a prostitution ring in a Sembawang forest and reporting on high-profile crime incidents – during her tenure at SPH from 2007 to 2011. Her journalism exposed her to the challenges faced by families in crisis, and she has said these experiences instilled in her a deep conviction to support children from lower-income and broken families.

After leaving journalism in 2011, Chen entered the education sector. She served as a lecturer in General Paper at Hwa Chong Institution (a junior college). Concurrently, she volunteered as a tutor through CampusImpact (then a grassroots youth programme), reflecting her commitment to education and youth development. Chen also worked as a church pastor during this period, aligning with her theological training.

In 2018, Chen took on a leadership role at CampusImpact, becoming its Executive Director. CampusImpact is a non-profit social service agency that helps children from challenging family backgrounds build character and resilience. Under her direction, CampusImpact expanded programmes in education support and life-skills development. In addition to her charity work, Chen became active in community organizing: in 2020 she was appointed a district councillor on the North West Community Development Council’s Social Support Standing Committee, and in 2024 she joined the Punggol Coast Citizens’ Consultative Committee, where she helped organize family and community bonding events. Through these roles, she worked on programmes to uplift vulnerable segments of society and strengthen social cohesion.

Chen’s leadership positions have been primarily in the education and social service sectors. There is no public record of her serving on any corporate boards or holding government posts beyond her community volunteer positions. Likewise, there are no notable awards or scholarships on public record associated with her career; her recognitions are largely through grassroots community feedback and media interviews.

Political career

Chen formally entered politics in the lead-up to the 2025 general election. In April 2025, she was introduced as a PAP candidate for the Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC. She contested in the four-member PAP team led by Minister Chee Hong Tat and was elected on 4 May 2025, as the PAP retained Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC. As MP for Bishan East–Sin Ming, Chen attends parliamentary sessions and serves residents of her ward.

Her official responsibilities include holding weekly Meet-the-People sessions to address constituent concerns (scheduled every Tuesday at her ward’s constituency centre). As of mid-2025, Chen has not been appointed to any ministerial or parliamentary committee positions, nor has she introduced any private member’s bills (being a newly elected backbencher). However, her background suggests her parliamentary interests likely focus on youth, education and family issues. For example, Chen has spoken about her passion for child welfare, saying her prior work motivates her to “build strong children, strong families, and a strong society”. She will be expected to contribute to debates and initiatives related to education and social support, in line with PAP policies on social development.

Chen’s entry into Parliament has been free of controversy. She and her team ran a campaign centered on community engagement and did not face significant opposition beyond routine political debate. No scandals or conflicts of interest involving her have been reported in credible media or parliamentary records to date.

Personal life

Elysa Chen is married and has one son. She and her family are active members of their church community, which aligns with her past role as a pastor. In interviews she frequently cites her family experiences as a source of inspiration: for instance, she has described her late father as “the first in, last out” who modeled servant leadership by both cooking meals for people and leading worship services. Chen has said these lessons motivate her own public service.

Outside of work, Chen’s public profile indicates she enjoys community activities and art. (She was shown painting as a hobby in one interview.) She has also volunteered as a tutor and mentor for children in need, reflecting a personal commitment to education. Chen does not publicly disclose further personal details (such as her husband’s name or specific hobbies), respecting her family’s privacy.