The Apra Member Spotlight series, guided by the Apra Content Development Committee, introduces us to some of the many amazing individuals who make up our professional community. With thousands of unique, inspiring stories to tell, this series offers perspectives into our peers’ prospect development (PD) origin stories, key career accomplishments, predictions for the future and much more.

In this spotlight, you’ll meet Vicky Wong (left) – senior manager of operations for business intelligence at INSEAD — and learn about her PD journey.

How many years have you worked in PD?

2025 marks my tenth year in PD. Looking back, I’m grateful for the journey and the incredible experiences I’ve had. This dynamic field has allowed me to hone my skills continually and expand my expertise, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

What prompted you to join the PD field? What’s your career origin story?

After graduating with a political science degree, I started my career as a police inspector in Hong Kong, diving deep into criminal investigations and evidence gathering. I loved the analytical aspect of the job. A few years later, I moved to Singapore and found my new home. My passion for serving the public sector and contributing to society remained strong. One day, I stumbled upon a job listing for a prospect researcher at the National University of Singapore. Intrigued by the idea of profiling high net worth individuals and their philanthropic interests, I applied. The talent acquisition manager saw a perfect match between my investigative skills and the needs of a prospect researcher, and the rest is history!

Your role recently changed from advancement research officer to senior manager of operations for business intelligence. What’s new in your duties and responsibilities?

My job title has been updated to better reflect my evolving role, from purely prospect research to prospect development within the broader scope of business intelligence. This year, my duties focus on strategic planning and implementing business intelligence initiatives, including identifying leads through data-driven insights. I also optimize operational processes to drive efficiency and innovation, develop advanced analytics solutions and encourage change management among stakeholders and colleagues.

How has your experience as a detective inspector affected your approach to PD?

My time as a detective inspector has had a lasting impact on how I approach my work. Those four years taught me the value of meticulous research and the thrill of piecing together clues to solve complex cases. I vividly remember the satisfaction of cracking a tough case and realizing how every detail mattered. This experience sharpened my analytical skills and my ability to connect seemingly unrelated pieces of information.

Working in law enforcement also instilled a strong sense of ethics and integrity. I approach PD with the same level of professionalism and respect for confidentiality that I had as a detective. The transition from solving crimes to identifying potential prospects might seem like a leap, but, at their core, both roles require a keen eye for detail, a commitment to thorough research and a passion for uncovering the truth.

Are you fully remote, hybrid or in-person? What are the pros and cons of your work arrangement?

I work in a hybrid arrangement: three days in the office. This setup is perfect for me. In-person days are great for networking and team collaboration, with brainstorming sessions and sprints on key initiatives. Remote days give me the flexibility to manage my time and balance professional and personal needs. To handle challenges, I focus on clear communication and staying organized, ensuring seamless collaboration with my team.

How long have you been a member of Apra? Why did you originally join?

I’ve been a member of Apra for at least eight years. I joined when I was new to the field, eager to understand my role and the profession better. Initially, I was drawn to Apra for access to best practices and benchmarking resources. I discovered an incredible community of professionals who are passionate about sharing knowledge and supporting each other’s growth. This has been invaluable to my professional development.

Have you also been a member of a local Apra chapter?

Singapore doesn’t have a chapter yet. However, a few prospect researchers based here have taken the initiative to gather counterparts across institutions to form our own community and support group. We meet quarterly to build rapport, share common pain points and celebrate our successes. These gatherings have been incredibly valuable, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among local professionals.

Have you participated in any formal Apra chapter mentorship programs? Or do you have an informal mentor in PD?

I haven’t had the chance to participate in any mentorship programs. However, I’ve been fortunate to have an incredible mentor who was also my previous manager. She started as a prospect researcher and now manages a larger operation portfolio at a leadership level, as INSEAD’s head of operations for business intelligence. Her coaching and feedback sessions were invaluable, and I learned so much from her experience and insights. Her guidance has been a cornerstone of my professional growth.

What would you say to encourage someone to volunteer with Apra?

I would encourage anyone new to our profession to get involved with this wonderful community. Start small, and just enjoy the intrinsic value and the impact on your professional development. As you see more and more benefits, you’ll be motivated to engage at a deeper level — whether becoming a local chapter representative, speaking at events or joining working groups and committees. The opportunities for growth and connection are boundless.

How has being part of the Apra community benefited you?

I love to stay abreast of developments and trends in PD and am always on the lookout for new topics and questions posted by other prospect researchers in our member forum (Apra Exchange). Apra University is my go-to resource for benchmarking and process improvement.

Since I’m based in Singapore, I particularly appreciate the virtual interactions with members, which are invaluable. Last summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Seattle to attend the Apra conference. It was a fun, eye-opening experience to meet many counterparts face-to-face. The social moments, rapport and friendships created during the conference are treasures I will cherish for a lifetime.

What has surprised you the most about PD?

When I first entered PD 10 years ago, I was not aware of a strong professional organization such as Apra, where like-minded individuals engage and grow together. The willingness of peers to share insights, best practices and support each other is truly remarkable. This sense of camaraderie has made my journey in PD rewarding and inspiring.

Additionally, PD is incredibly dynamic. The continuous evolution of strategies and tools keeps our work engaging and challenging. Most prospect researchers are agile, resilient and embody the spirit of “anything is possible.”

What PD accomplishments are you most proud of?

One of the proudest moments was when I designed and implemented our very first in-house capacity ratings model six years ago. As a politics and public administration major, I never thought I would achieve something like this. It clearly shows that my learning curve has been steep in this dynamic profession, where art and science constantly intersect. I still have so much to learn and contribute!

My team and I have continued to create other data models and digital visualization tools to improve our work. It has been a step-by-step journey, and I feel lucky to be part of this building process.

Look ahead five to 10 years. How do you think PD will have changed?

In the next five to 10 years, I believe PD will be further transformed by technological advances and our stakeholders’ evolving expectations. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will enable more precise and efficient prospect identification and engagement, helping us uncover patterns and insights from vast amounts of data.

Prospect researchers will need to be data-savvy and well-versed in their institution’s data infrastructure. Our creativity, collaboration skills and commitment to safeguarding prospects’ data will set us apart from AI. This human touch, combined with technology, will ensure we continue to provide crucial insights and maintain stakeholder trust.

What would you say to inspire someone to consider PD as a career?

If you are looking for continual learning, and if you enjoy building rapport and friendships in a professional setting, PD is perfect. The growth culture in PD speaks for itself!

This field allows you to apply your intellectual skills to a wide range of topics and to make a meaningful impact on the world. You’ll experience the satisfaction of tackling challenging tasks, building models, analyzing data and leading stakeholders in change management. The sense of accomplishment that comes with solving complex problems makes this career incredibly rewarding.