At Cartus, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for all. As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on the women within our organization.
This year, we are excited to share an interview with Sanny Linawati, Cartus’ Global Director, Destination and Real Estate Services. With over a decade of experience in Cartus and the mobility industry, Sanny is a distinguished leader in the Asia Pacific region and resides in Shanghai.
Read on to learn about her journey and insights on navigating the industry and mobility in China.
Q: Hi, Sanny! Happy International Women’s Day (IWD)! Can you tell us about yourself?
A: Hello! I currently hold the Global Director, Destination and Real Estate Services position in Cartus. I lead the APAC service delivery teams and oversee the daily account management and operations functions.
I collaborate closely with global stakeholders to ensure smooth service delivery and growth in our business. I’m also a mother to two children, aged 13 and 8, and a wife. This means I’m very familiar with juggling multiple priorities.
Q: The theme for IWD 2025 is “Accelerate Action.” As we strive towards a future that champions greater equality for women, can you share about the women who have inspired you the most in your life and career?
A: Michelle Yeoh is someone who comes to mind, as she has been a great inspiration to me over the years. In the movie industry, she is a trailblazer in her own right as the first-ever Asian female Oscar winner. Over the past few decades, she has consistently defied traditional movie industry stereotypes, showcasing her versatility and talent across various roles. This not only provides crucial representation for Asian women but also paves the way for future generations.
Beyond her acting career, Michelle Yeoh is also a United Nations (UN) Goodwill Ambassador, where she actively champions gender equality and raises awareness on critical issues. She truly demonstrates an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity for women around the world, and that strongly resonates with me.
Q: What are some unique advantages you think women leaders have in the mobility industry?
A: In global mobility, we help employees relocate, which is a significant life transition for individuals and their families. Clients look towards us for technical expertise and leadership to help them through this phase. I believe women can bring added advantages and unique perspectives that enrich the global mobility landscape.
We (women) are good at active listening and providing personalized support. Empathy for our client’s unique needs and problems helps ensure continued client satisfaction and employee retention. Furthermore, as an industry that thrives on partnerships and understanding diverse needs, a heightened ability to foster collaboration and build strong relationships is greatly valued. In my years of working in global mobility, my female counterparts are often adept at creating inclusive environments where everyone feels heard.
Q: We see an increasing trend of Chinese companies expanding overseas. How can Cartus, with your global expertise in mobility and relocation, add value to these companies?
A: Cartus is turning 70 this year, a milestone we are very proud of. With such a long history of serving customers, we have accumulated deep expertise in global relocation management while expanding and innovating our services to cater to our clients’ needs.
Our services – such as intercultural and language training, destination services, compensation, and global tax gross-up solution – have enabled Chinese companies to expand overseas with greater ease as we help them navigate diverse cultural norms, business practices, and compliance matters. Cartus also provides tailored programs and policy design to help individuals, and their families adapt to the new location. Understanding the nuances of local customs and social expectations is vital for successful overseas assignments and talent retention for the company.
Q: According to the latest Cartus Global Mobility Survey, there is a focus on policy redesign. What key changes will the mobility industry face in the next 3-5 years?
A: The mobility industry is indeed facing a period of rapid evolution. These are some key changes I observe:
Q: With the HR industry’s accelerated digitization in recent years, what are Cartus’ specific plans for technology applications?
A: As part of our ongoing innovation and technology strategy, we are continuously enhancing and expanding the capability of our proprietary technology – MovePro360®. MovePro360® is a centralized mobility hub that offers clients a comprehensive view of their entire relocation program while integrating data from key suppliers — providing a true single source of truth. The platform empowers HR and mobility managers to intervene in real time to improve individual employee outcomes by providing multichannel access to a live move status.
Our Core-flex policy is also offered through Benefits Builder and integrated into the hub. Recent enhancements include real-time cost projections, budgeting tools, and approval functions, and by building even more flexibility in Benefits Builder, we are enabling client-driven selections, recurring benefits, and more.
We’ve also recently launched our Global Tax Gross-Up Solution, in partnership with Certino. This expanded shadow payroll service allows for seamless implementation and serves as a centralized point of coordination for global compensation while ensuring ongoing tax compliance.
Q: How does Cartus promote gender equality in the recruitment and career development of employees?
A: Cartus takes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) seriously and it is very much part of our company culture. We have many internal employee resources groups (ERGs) and initiatives.
To name a few, we have Brave Space —a monthly drop-in meeting where we share DEI topics in a supportive and judgment-free environment, as well as Women’s ERG – an internal resource group offering networking, meet-ups, and workshops to support and accelerate women’s careers within Cartus. Our “What Moves Her” campaign aims to promote and uplift women in the workspace by honing their leadership skills and realizing their professional development goals.
Apart from that, the Asian and Pacific Islander Alliance ERG also holds quarterly online sessions with employees from various ethnic groups to explore different festivals and cultures across the employee population. This aims to increase cultural awareness and understanding, which is beneficial when working with colleagues globally in our course of work.
Q: Would you like to leave us with some words of encouragement as we celebrate International Women’s Day?
A: To all working women around the world like me, I wish for us to come together and create an equitable and inclusive workplace that supports women’s careers and development. Aligning with Cartus’ core values and vision, we should continue advocating for an environment where career progression would be based on talent, passion, and ambition, in hopes that collective efforts would lead to equal opportunities for all in the near future. Happy International Women’s Day!
In celebration of International Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the strides we’ve made in our journey towards a more equitable and inclusive world. Every action, no matter big or small, can pave the way for future generations of women.
Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at Cartus!
To request a technology demonstration, learn more about a specific solution, or simply speak to one of our knowledgeable subject matter experts, please fill out our form and someone will get back to you shortly.
To learn more about how our work in this space can help drive your talent mobility program to the next level, please fill out our form, and one of our knowledgeable subject matter experts will get back to you shortly!
