Chandran Nair
Founder and chief executive
Chandran Nair 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 Stryson 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.
Megan Pillsbury
Social Investments Manager
Based in Hong Kong, Megan Pillsbury is Social Investments Manager at Global Institute for Tomorrow. In this role, Megan helps social enterprises to overcome operational and financing challenges and investors to identify opportunities to employ capital for positive social, environmental and economic impact. Megan has nine years leadership and management experience on three continents, with a focus on technology, innovation, communications and sustainability. Previously she has been a sustainability consultant in Hong Kong, was co-founder and served as Executive Director of the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre in France, and worked six years in high-tech b2b marketing in San Francisco. Megan earned a BS from Ohio State and an MS from University of Michigan in electrical engineering, and an MBA from INSEAD.
Amanda Chiu
Programme manager
As Programme Manager, Amanda Chiu is responsible for project management, exploring investment opportunities and implementation of the YLP outputs.
Prior to joining GIFT, she worked at the Hong Kong Tourism Board as an executive in Tourism Marketing to develop and execute overseas marketing initiatives in North Asia (Japan and South Korea).
Amanda holds a master’s degree in American Studies from the University of Heidelberg in Germany and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hong Kong.
Anita Yang
Programme manager
Anita Yang is a Chinese-Canadian with a degree in International Relations from Canada.
Prior to joining GIFT, Ms. Yang was involved with several international development organizations including consulting work with the World Bank.
Previously, Anita led a regional evaluation in Asia to improve implementation of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program focusing on HIV/AIDS and education.
Elise Lee
Partnerships manager
As Parternships Manager, Elise is responsible for seeking Asia based NGO and Entrepreneurial partners for Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT).
Elise has a passion for social enterprise, and is excited to be a new member of GIFT’s growing team. Prior to joining GIFT, Elise has been a consultant, project manager, and research specialist in various industries.
Elise holds an MBA from China Europe International Business School and BA from Columbia University. Elise is a mother to a vivacious four-year-old daughter.
Jennifer Tsang
Office manager
Jennifer brings to the GIFT office order as office manager, co-ordinating the many and disparate members and staff of GIFT in their endeavours.
Feini Tuang
Senior consultant
As a 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
Junior consultant
As a junior 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 has just been 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 Alumni.
Email Yuxin Hou at: .
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.