About CSP
We’re Driving Positive Change
– In a Big Way
Established in Oct 2021, CSP Singapore is an independent nonprofit that works in collaboration with CSP at the University of Zurich.
The story begins in 2015 in Boston at the first Impact Investing for the Next Generation research and training program held at the Harvard Kennedy School. Bold ideas, strong partnerships, and the drive for impact rapidly grew into a university center dedicated to finding the answers to the complex question of how to make sustainable finance the default.
The spinoff of the flagship training program was established as the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth at the University of Zurich in 2017 on the basis of the Center for Microfinance.
Today, CSP brings together academic research and practical training programs. The global team consists of about 20 researchers and program staff enabling a modus operandi built on transforming questions into knowledge and bringing knowledge to action.
Ann Tan
Janice Cheah
Janice is the Head of Operations and Finance at the CSP Singapore. Her focus is on operations management, developing and managing systems for efficiency.
With a career background spanning almost a decade in the equine industry, organizing and managing numerous events, including national and international sporting events, she has honed her skills in operations management and event coordination. During her tenure with the club, she most recently played an integral role in managing the club’s relocation, showcasing her skills in adaptability, strategic planning, and teamwork.
Now, as part of CSP SG, she is inspired to continue contributing to meaningful initiatives as she feels committed to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
In her free time, she enjoys engaging in various sports and spending time outdoors in nature and with horses. She cherishes moments with her two kids, finding joy in their company and creating lasting memories together.
Ayesha Bohart
Ayesha Bohart is the Head of Trainings at the CSP Singapore. Her focus is development and delivery of the CSP’s programs to financial institutions and wealth owners. Her sustainability journey began 18 years ago when she led the Corporate Social Responsibility division for the Great Indian Dream Foundation in Mumbai.
With 10 years of experience in financial services, Ayesha was most recently part of the Learning & Development team at Credit Suisse in Singapore where she successfully trained all the Singapore-based client facing private bankers on the IBF-certified Frontline Training Program – a program which trained and accredited relationship managers in managing client relationships, portfolio review and management, as well as objection handling and advisory techniques. Prior to this, Ayesha was a Senior Consultant at Macsimize Pte Ltd where she designed, delivered, and managed programs in Hong Kong and Singapore for private banks and financial institutions.
Ayesha holds a Master in Business Administration from IIPM, India. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog and spending time with her twin daughters. She also enjoys a good book, a glass of red wine, a game of tennis, and long off-road runs.
June Ho
With over a decade of experience across diverse domains, June has held significant roles in marketing, sales, business development, and people management. Her talent for connecting the dots and communicating with simplicity and empathy has opened minds and facilitated collaborative solutions, elevating projects to new heights. As a certified Gallup Strengths Coach, June takes joy in understanding individuals and empowering them to pursue a more authentic and clear path.
June holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science with a major in Psychology from the University of Western Australia. An avid scuba diver and skier, she is constantly torn between her love for the ocean and the mountains. When on solid ground, June enjoys social dancing Brazilian Zouk and West Coast Swing.
Andrew Yong
Andrew Yong is the Assistant Training Manager at CSP Singapore, specializes in developing and delivering tailored programs for financial institutions and wealth owners. His focus is building strong relationships with intermediaries, High Net Worth individuals, and families, guiding them on impactful journeys in sustainable investing.
Andrew commenced his career as an engineer in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, where he honed his skills in training and leading an efficient and effective team focused on defect rectifications and management. During this time, he discovered a passion for creating impact through individuals.
More recently, Andrew transitioned into financial advisory sales, extending his expertise to support high-net-worth and mass-affluent individuals in personalized financial planning and investment solutions. Andrew played a pivotal role in the development and training of new financial advisors, focusing on both soft and hard skills, further refining his expertise in delivering focused group sessions, ensuring a bespoke experience that aligns with the distinctive needs of each individual.
Andrew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. During his leisure hours, he indulges in moments of relaxation on his balcony accompanied by a pint of beer, working out at the gym, and values quality time with his partner, often taking leisurely walks together.
CSP SG ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Falko Paetzold, Chair
Dr. Falko Paetzold, Chair
Dr. Falko Paetzold founded and leads the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) at University of Zurich as a spin-off from the Next Gen Impact Investing program that he co-initiated at Harvard University in 2015. He holds advisory board seats at Pictet, ZKB, and other finance organisations.
Falko was a Fellow at Harvard, PostDoc at MIT Sloan, Sustainability Analyst at Bank Vontobel, Partner at sustainable investing consultancy Contrast Capital, and assistant professor at EBS University.
Falko holds a PhD from University of Zurich and an MBA from University of St. Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland.
Sumitra Aswani
Sumitra is a fourth-generation member of Tolaram, a Singapore enterprise that began as a small retail shop in Indonesia in 1948 and now spans 16 countries, employs almost 20,000 people, and reaches over one billion consumers. Her roles in the organisation include Founding Director at Ishk Tolaram Foundation, a philanthropic organization that provides access to quality education, employment, and healthcare to underserved individuals in Singapore, Indonesia, and Nigeria, and Sustainability Lead for the global operating business.
Through these and multiple membership and voluntary engagements, Sumitra champions progressive philanthropy, sustainability, and responsible stewardship of all assets. She continues to hone her influence and skills toward mobilizing capital effectively to create a more equitable world and is particularly interested in the role of next-generation leadership in realising this.
Previously, Sumitra practised clinical medicine and healthcare policy, with an interest in family and community medicine. She holds an M.B.B.S from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
Divya Patel
Divya is the CEO of Ishk Tolaram Foundation, a philanthropic organization that provides access to quality education, employment, and healthcare to underserved individuals in Singapore, Indonesia, and Nigeria. As CEO, she steers the strategy and design of Ishk’s program and grantmaking approach, while building global partnerships. She is also championing innovation in impact financing and the use of alternate financial instruments to fund social change projects and bring greater participation from the private sector in funding solutions.
Previously, Divya worked with IBM in their management consulting division in London and Singapore and after doing this for close to a decade, she switched career paths to grow Singapore’s entrepreneurship ecosystem by building accelerator programs to develop social entrepreneurs, first with Impact Hub and then with Ashoka.
She has a MBA from Manchester Business School and B.A. Hons degree from Delhi University.
When not working, she can be found seeking out new places to enjoy a meal or a drink, meeting up with and hosting friends, exercising, going for cultural performances, pursuing spiritual studies, reading a good book, or planning the next holiday to explore new places and experiences.
Sheng Yang Eer
Sheng Yang is a private investor based in Singapore interested in deploying impact capital towards earlier stage opportunities primarily in the decarbonisation space. He is a key donor and supporter of the CSP, as well as an alumnus of the Next Gen Impact Investing program co-initiated at the Initiative for Responsible Investment at Harvard University and the University of Zurich.
He previously worked for four years as an investment analyst at a top European credit manager on its European Syndicated Loans and High Yield team in London and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. He is also a member of Toniic.
Steve Kim
Steve Kim is the Asia-Pacific Regional Counsel for Conservation International. He is responsible for all legal matters in the Asia-Pacific region and focuses on nature-based climate solutions and carbon credit markets.
Steve has a proven track record in sustainable finance and impact investing from his work experience at the UN Green Climate Fund, J.P. Morgan and in private practice in the U.S., London, and Hong Kong. Steve was the Chair of the Sustainability Working Group at The American Club of Singapore.
Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, a master’s degree from Harvard University and a law degree from The George Washington University. He has been a member of the New York State Bar since January 2000.
Patsian Low
Patsian is the Vice President of Inclusive Impact & Sustainability for Asia Pacific at Visa. She brings with her over 20 years of work experience from private and civic sectors, crossing the fields of CSR, sustainability, social finance, social entrepreneurship, impact philanthropy and non-profit leadership. She recently ended her tenure as Chief of Staff of AVPN, where she started the thematic programmes and policy portfolio for the organisation. Before that, she was Senior Vice President in DBS Bank, where she was head of DBS Foundation and DBS CSR, leading their work in championing social entrepreneurship. Prior to this, Patsian was the Director of the Philanthropy division in Singapore’s National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).
Patsian has also conducted training across Asia in Social Entrepreneurship, Assessing Social Impact, New Social Trends, Microfinance, and Human Capital Development. She has contributed to and co-written research papers and case studies on the same topics.
S. Huey Ko
Huey is the Managing Director of Liminal Assets, a private family investment vehicle that focuses on solutions that address our biodiversity and climate crises. She is also a certified coach currently training in the Compassionate Inquiry approach by Dr Gabor Mate. Her passion lies in guiding her clients towards aligning their values with their vocation, especially in the context of business families.
With experience in both non-profit and private sectors, Huey has a deep interest in connecting people and ideas across different disciplines. She started her career as a broadcast journalist before moving to the mountains of Northwest China to manage community development projects for an international NGO. There, she pioneered the use of performance management tools to inform programme design in the field. She holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University, where her focus was on business and government policy, and the role of leadership in generating value through powerful collaborations.
Huey is a member of Toniic and Family Business Network. She is a student of mindfulness and is a servant and personal photographer to two zen masters, her cats Alma and Rumi.
Fernando Scodro
Fernando is based in Singapore, is a CSP alumnus, and graduated from the New York University with a Bachelor in Political Science. He is an avid reader on a mission to read one fiction book from every country in the world.
