Language
You can read the magazine in one of the following languages
3-min read
Bookmark now
Copy Link
Selena Chua knew the listing wasn’t the finish line. For her, it was the start of something much bigger.
As CEO of Paradigm Mall REIT Management, she led the charge in bringing three major retail assets – Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya, Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru and Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre – into a real estate investment trust (REIT).
“Leadership is not just about making decisions.”
It was a defining moment that set the business up for long-term growth.
But the story didn’t start there. In fact, the real shift began years earlier under her leadership.
Prior to helming Paradigm Mall REIT Management, Chua served as CEO of WCT Malls Management. There, she played an instrumental role in strengthening the group’s retail asset performance, shopper engagement and operational excellence.
Under her leadership, the malls not only weathered market volatility and shifting consumer trends – they thrived. They emerged stronger, more agile and better connected with their communities.
“Leadership is not just about making decisions,” Chua tells The CEO Magazine. “It’s about building a team that believes in the vision and has the courage to see it through.
“From our operations team to leasing, marketing and finance, everyone played a critical role in preparing for the REIT listing.”
The transition from being a subsidiary of a listed company to becoming a REIT-listed entity is no small feat.
According to Chua, it requires strategic alignment, financial readiness and regulatory compliance, all while maintaining seamless operations and customer experience on the ground.
“When people feel seen, trusted and valued, they deliver their best work.”
Indeed, Chua was at the helm of a complex undertaking, steering cross-functional teams, engaging stakeholders and ensuring a smooth and timely execution.
“Transparency, trust and teamwork were the three pillars we stood on,” she explains. “We knew this was more than a listing exercise. It was a complete transformation of our business model – and a leap into a new era of asset and investor stewardship.”
With this transition, Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya, Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru and Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre now stand as REIT assets poised for long-term growth, investor confidence and sustainable returns, she says.
Chua has long been known for her innate ability to empower and uplift those around her. She has a way of making others feel heard and capable, creating room for big ideas and real growth. That approach made a world of difference during the REIT process, where her support and belief in the team helped carry things forward.
“The REIT exercise was not about one person. It was about empowering a team to rise to the challenge, to stretch beyond what they thought was possible,” she reflects. “When people feel seen, trusted and valued, they deliver their best work.”
“Sustainability, digital transformation and experiential retail will be key pillars of our future.”
Her leadership blends naturally into that philosophy, combining strategic clarity with emotional intelligence to foster a culture where people feel both challenged and supported.
It’s a balance that continues to shape the way Paradigm Mall REIT Management operates today.
As the company enters its new phase as a REIT management entity, Chua remains focused on delivering value – both to investors and to the communities the malls serve.
“Sustainability, digital transformation and experiential retail will be key pillars of our future,” she points out. “Our work goes beyond building management. We curate experiences, grow value and build future-ready retail destinations.”
With Chua leading the way, Paradigm Mall REIT Management is well-positioned to embrace this exciting new chapter. Grounded in purpose, driven by people and with support from strategic partners like Edisijuta Group, the company is set to shape the future of retail REITs in Malaysia – and beyond.
RELATED ARTICLES 
Home
Podcasts
Covers
Be Featured
Community
