Kat and Johan’s story is a reminder that love can grow in the most unexpected of places—even over a shared policy discussion or a campus running track.
When Kathleen Kho and Johan Martin Seland met on their first day at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), they had no idea it was the start of something special. Paired on the same team for an orientation “Amazing Race” activity, they quickly discovered a shared love of competition, politics, and policy. What began as friendship soon deepened into something more, culminating in a love and marriage grounded in shared experiences, values, and ambitions.



Johan Martin Seland and Kathleen Kho, both from MPP 2019

An LKYSPP Foundation for Connection

Kat and Johan’s time at LKYSPP gave them countless opportunities to get to know one another better. Whether it was studying together, hanging out at College Green, playing board games, or running laps at the campus track, these moments became the foundation of their relationship.

“It certainly didn’t hurt,” Johan admits with a smile, referring to the LKYSPP experience that allowed their friendship to flourish. They began dating at the very end of their time in the programme, a fitting conclusion to two years that brought them closer both personally and academically.

Memories Wrapped in Policy and Play

For Johan, one of his fondest memories is Kat’s final speech in Associate Professor in Practice James Crabtree’s class on Leadership and Political Communication. Working as a teaching assistant at the time, Johan was caught off-guard when the speech included a subtle nod directed at him—a moment of flirtation, he jokes, “wrapped in a policy-wonk class, you might say.”

For Kat, the best memories are from the early days of their relationship. Studying side by side at the law building, catching up at the Multi-Purpose Hall in College Green, and enjoying walks and picnics at the Botanic Gardens next door, became the little rituals that solidified their connection. These moments, set against the backdrop of a rigorous and inspiring academic programme, were the foundation for a partnership that would continue long after graduation.

A Shared Commitment to Changemaking

Today, Kat and Johan are united not only in their personal lives but also in their shared drive to create meaningful change in society. Kat advises government leaders on strategy, policy, delivery, and technology, helping them achieve better outcomes for their citizens. Johan, meanwhile, heads sustainability efforts at a regional telecommunications company, focusing on climate action, emissions reduction, social impact, and human rights.

Both view their work as changemaking on a large scale, whether through government engagement or rolling out tangible solutions like solar technology. It’s no surprise that the values instilled during their time at LKYSPP—leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to progress—continue to shape their professional journeys.

A Life Built on Shared Values

Their time at LKYSPP not only equipped them with the tools to create change but also brought them together in a partnership built on mutual respect, shared ambitions, and unwavering support for one another.

Their journey shows us that meaningful connections, whether personal or professional, often begin when we least expect them. For Kat and Johan, the “Amazing Race” at LKYSPP was just the starting line of a lifelong adventure.