Datin Stella Ambrose (second from the left) at Sawit Kinabalu Raya Open House in April.
By Mihar Dias April 2025
In an era where corporate boardrooms remain stubbornly male-dominated and glass ceilings are more mythically discussed than genuinely shattered, one Sabahan woman has defied expectations, rewrote the rules, and quietly climbed her way to the top.
Stella Ambrose, the Deputy CEO of Sawit Kinabalu, is more than just a success story — she’s a symbol of what perseverance, grit, and vision can achieve, especially for women navigating traditionally male-led industries.
When Ambrose first joined what would later become Sawit Kinabalu in 1994 as an assistant mill engineer, few could have predicted the path she was about to forge.
She was Malaysia’s first female mill engineer, a distinction not without its burden. In an environment where many doubted her longevity, Stella recalls, “People expected me to leave within two days of joining. Then it became two weeks, two months, two years. Thirty years on — nobody talks about me leaving anymore.”
Her resilience, however, wasn’t rooted in defiance for its own sake but in a genuine passion for her work. She immersed herself in mastering her trade, earning her first-grade steam engineer certificate, graduating with top honours in palm oil milling technology, and later, pursuing an MBA from the International University of Malaya-Wales in 2023.
It’s no surprise that shortly after, in April 2024, she ascended to her current role as Deputy CEO, becoming one of the highest-ranking women in Sabah’s palm oil sector.
Ambrose’s rise is remarkable not just because she achieved it, but because she did so while shouldering the immense challenge of being a pioneer. “It was considered impossible for engineers, especially female engineers, to climb the ladder like this,” she said. https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
But impossible is a word that seems to exist purely for Stella to disprove.
Her story is a rallying cry for young Sabahan women — and women everywhere — who dream of breaking barriers but fear the odds.
It reminds us that the most enduring successes are built not on easy victories but on relentless consistency.
Stella’s belief is simple yet profound: “In every position I’ve been in, I’ve always been ready for the next step.” https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
But Stella Ambrose isn’t content resting on personal laurels. She’s a firm believer that her journey should open doors for others.
“A lot more has to be done to encourage women to participate in the industry,” she says. https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
To her, success isn’t about being the lone woman at the top table; it’s about pulling up chairs for others.
Her commitment to sustainability and innovation is equally inspiring. Faced with environmental restrictions and increasing demands for sustainable practices, she led Sawit Kinabalu’s diversification into ventures like Kunak Lipids, Malaysia’s only tocotrienol producer from palm oil refinery by-products.
She also spearheaded plans for a Green Technology Park in Sabah and property development projects that promise to breathe new life into underdeveloped areas while preserving the environment.
It’s no surprise that Stella Ambrose was honored with the Successful Women Leadership Award in 2025, an accolade she graciously accepted on behalf of “countless women who have paved the way for future generations.”
In her own words: “This award serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring all women to embrace their passions and pursue success relentlessly.” https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
What makes Stella’s story resonate isn’t just her professional triumphs but her emphasis on mentorship, inclusivity, and collective progress. She champions nurturing local Sabahan talent within Sawit Kinabalu, with almost 100% of its management and staff born and bred in the state.
“We like to train people from within so they can eventually step up to new challenges,” she remarks. https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
In a corporate world often obsessed with quick wins and external talent poaching, Stella’s patient, people-first leadership is a refreshing reminder that meaningful progress takes time — and that investing in people is the surest path to sustainable success.
As Stella looks to the future, her focus is clear: shape a company culture that’s daring, creative, and inclusive.
“We cannot do things like business as usual anymore. We need to be more daring to try new ideas,” she asserts. https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
In Stella Ambrose, Sabah has not just a corporate leader but a visionary, a mentor, and a trailblazer whose journey reminds us all that no barrier is too high, no industry too male, and no dream too distant for those brave enough to persist.
We gratefully acknowledge materials from CEO Magazine that inspire this column on Stella Ambrose. https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/palm-oil-pioneer-stella-ambrose/
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