PrintChandran Nair
Founder and chief executive
Chandran is the founder of what he believes is a “first” – the Global Institute For Tomorrow is an organisation based in Asia that is focused on the relationship of Asian society and values with those of the rest of the world.
Chandran was chairman of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in the Asia Pacific until March of 2004. He established the company as Asia's leader in environmental consulting.
For more than a decade Chandran has strongly advocated a more sustainable approach to development in Asia, and has helped the governments of Taiwan and Hong Kong instil these principles into their key decision-making processes. He continues to advise the Hong Kong government, devising a new approach that gives the public a bigger role in key policy making decisions – another first for Asia.
Chandran has worked and travelled extensively; corporations seek his advice on how to meet the challenges of doing business in Asia and of globalisation, on investment geo-politics, leadership development, ethics, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. He has addressed many of these issues at forums around the world, notably at speaking engagements in London, New York, Washington, and Sydney, and all of the major Asian capitals.
In addition to his work with GIFT, Chandran has maintained his interest in business, continuing to provide strategic management advice and coaching to business leaders with a focus on achieving growth targets and bringing about organisational change.
Eric Stryson
Director
Eric is involved in programme design, participant recruitment and facilitation of the field work module, in addition to developing new opportunities for company and industry-specific programmes.
Prior to joining GIFT, Stryson was the primary China-based liaison for a corporate working group focused on stakeholder engagement ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games.
In this role he advised executives from global companies on risks and opportunities in China, drawing on research and ongoing conversations with the most influential civil society groups working on issues related to environment, labor and human rights.
Stryson also has previous experience in the areas of Sustainable Development, Strategic CSR and Corporate/NGO partnerships and is a frequent speaker on these and other related topics.
Nina Jatana
Programme director
Nina is involved in developing the research GIFT develops to disseminate into wider forums across the Asian region. She is also responsible for internal and external communication for GIFT, managing events and assists in the overall management of the GIFT team.
Prior to joining GIFT Nina lived and worked in the UK. The past seven years was spent in London working on consumer policy in the public sector, local economic development research and campaigns in not-for-profit think tanks and social policy development for a national UK charity. She has a passionate belief in local economic development being nurtured through strengthening local capital and social infrastructure. She has a Masters degree in International Relations Theory from the University of Warwick and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Economics from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Mei Cheung
Office Administration and Business Development Manager
Mei was one of the founding team members during the start-up of GIFT and was instrumental in overseeing the administrative requirements that comes with company formation.
Mei rejoins GIFT in her capacity as Office Administration and Business Development Manager. Her role is a combination of managing the day-today running of the GIFT office and supporting the business development function through identifying new opportunities.
Prior to joining GIFT Mei was Manager of CSR and Systems Auditing, TUV Rheinland Hong Kong Ltd and Greater China Regional Business Field Manager for TUV Rheinland STAR. Mei had a key role in the establishment of CSR service offerings in particular areas related to supply chain, social audits and training and development. Mei graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Westminster University, London.
Karim Rushdy
Business development manager
Karim is responsible for ensuring the GIFT team stays busy between YLP programmes while continually developing our services and seeking out new opportunities for the company.
Prior to joining GIFT Karim spent almost a decade living, working, and studying in Mainland China. He was a Partner and the Shanghai Operations Director at the restaurant company Element Fresh, where he played a key role in growing the size of the business ten-fold. He is passionate about contributing to a new model for sustainable development in Asia, which is why he sought out GIFT. Karim has an MBA from the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing.
Yuyun Chen
Programme associate
As a programme associate, Yuyun’s responsibilities involve researching projects across Asia to use in YLP programmes, designing the content and logistics of these programmes as well as project management.
Prior to joining GIFT she spent six years in Germany studying for a Masters degree in American Studies from the Heidelberg Center for American Studies at Heidelberg University. In addition, Yuyun also holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a Masters in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from University of Shanghai for Science and Technology.
Nada Chan
Programme associate
Nada is involved with the development of YLP field projects with the end goal of implementation and long term commitment from investors and key stakeholders. She also takes part in the planning and organization of the YLP projects.
Born and raised in Canada, Nada graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Accounting. She holds a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation from Canada. As a CA, Nada has worked in various industries with a particular focus on mining companies. Prior to joining GIFT, Nada was a Business Analyst with a German brakes manufacturing company for high speed trains and trucks, involved with the reporting and consolidation process as well as the annual forecasting and budgeting.
Nada volunteers regularly with local Hong Kong charities and has been involved in Strategic Planning sessions for small to medium sized NGOs. She focused on advising them on their overall direction on mission, vision and values and tailoring strategies and action plans to achieve their goals.
Feini Tuang
Senior consultant
Feini is responsible for research for YLP programmes, project management and web application development at GIFT. She has been a project manager, process engineer and web developer in a few startups in the environmental sustainability field before joining GIFT. She holds BS and MS in Biosystems Engineering from Michigan State University.
Yuxin Hou
Consultant
Yuxin supports the GIFT team on sales and business development, logistics and development of content of the programmes. He holds a degree of International Business and Global Management from The University of Hong Kong (HKU). Yuxin was voted as the Top Make a Difference (MaD) Role Model in Hong Kong.
Prior to joining GIFT, Yuxin was Founder and Chief Editor of a cultural bridging magazine for Hong Kong University students from Mainland China and Art Advisor for a major Chinese university. He is also Ambassador for various organisations including L'Association Française Internationale (AFI) in Paris, Sandbox and HKU.
Email Yuxin Hou at:
Caroline Ngai
Office administrator
As an office administrator Caroline assists the office manager and supports daily operations at GIFT. Caroline has over 4 years of experience working as a merchandiser then as a secretary. She graduated from Jinan University in Guangzhou with a Business Administration degree. She has a passionate interest in environmental and social issues and always likes to approach her work with an open mind and an optimistic outlook.
William Lorenz
Global Young Leaders Programme director, USA
Bill Lorenz runs his own consulting business in Pennsylvania. Previously with the international consultancy Environmental Resources Management (ERM), Bill has successfully implemented strategic planning programmes for many Fortune 500 multinationals, integrating environmental health and safety measures into their business
mainstream.
Currently at GIFT, Bill is responsible for business development and operations in North America where GIFT’s outreach is growing.
Dorit Lehrack
Global Young Leaders Programme director, Germany
Dorit Lehrack is International Senior Advisor to the China Association for NGO Co-operation (CANGO), which involves strategic communication/advocacy for strengthening China's civil society.
Dorit works on the development of strategic partnerships between government and business, and the design and development of projects such as basic health care, poverty alleviation, and assistance for disabled children.
In her 28-year professional career Dorit has also worked extensively throughout industrialised and non-industrialised Europe as an environmental consultant, project manager, organisational development consultant and trainer.
Dorit has held positions with Greenpeace International, Friends of the Earth Germany, the Heinrich-Boll-Foundation Germany, and the World Wildlife Fund China.
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