OUR TEAM
CAROLINE NGAI
Caroline is the Office Administrator at GIFT. She supports daily office operations and also handles programme-related logistics. She has prior experience in merchandising, secretarial and administration work. Caroline obtained her degree in Business Administration from Jinan University in Guangzhou. She has an interest in environmental and social issues and is a professional cross country runner and a hiker. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.
CHANDRAN NAIR
Chandran is the founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT). He is the author of the best-seller - Consumptionomics: Asia's Role in Reshaping Capitalism and Saving the Planet. His photo book project The Other Hundred aims to provide a counterpoint to the mainstream media consensus about some of today's most important issues. Chandran frequently speaks at major global gatherings such as the World Economic Forum in Davos and APEC where his thought leadership is sought for its fresh insights and intellectual honesty. He was the Chairman of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in the Asia Pacific until 2004 and established it as the leading environmental consultancy. For more than a decade he has championed the cause of sustainable development. Download full bio.
ELLA WONG
Ella is Programme Manager at GIFT. Prior to joining GIFT, she was involved with managing corporate innovation initiatives at Swire Properties and programme management at a tech education company. She has a BA in Global Development from the University of Virginia. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.
ERIC STRYSON
In addition to leading GIFT’s dynamic team and business, since 2008 Eric has facilitated more than 30 experiential leadership programmes in fifteen countries. He is well versed in introducing new ideas on governance, business and sustainability and coaching participants to think critically about their role as leaders. Before joining GIFT, Eric spent several years managing multi-stakeholder partnerships between global brands and civil society groups in the United States and China. He writes and speaks regularly on topics related to leadership development and the changing role of business in society. Eric is an alumnus of Stanford University and holds a Masters from Hong Kong University.
JAQUELINE P'NG REE NAA
Jaqueline is a Programme Manager at GIFT ASEAN. Before joining GIFT, she was a broadcast journalist at The Edge TV and a feature news writer at Sin Chew Daily. She holds a B.S.Sc in Journalism and Communication from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is fluent in English, Mandarin, Malay, Cantonese and Hokkien.
KARIM RUSHDY
Karim joined GIFT in 2010 after participating in the Global Leaders Programme and has since designed and facilitated dozens of experiential programmes for high potential executives and government officials. In his current role Karim leads the ASEAN office and is responsible for GIFT’s regional activities and programmes across Southeast Asia. Prior to GIFT Karim spent a decade in mainland China where he was a partner in a successful nationwide food and beverage business. Karim's articles on insights gathered through GIFT programmes have appeared in a range of publications. He has an MBA from the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing and is a proficient Mandarin speaker.
MEI CHEUNG
Mei was a founding team member when GIFT was set-up in 2004 and instrumental in overseeing all administrative requirements. Mei rejoined GIFT as Head of Operations and oversees the operational management of the GIFT office and supports business development initiatives. Prior to joining GIFT Mei was a Manager of CSR and Systems Auditing, TUV Rheinland Hong Kong Ltd and Greater China Regional Business Field Manager for TUV Rheinland STAR services. Mei graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Westminster University, London and is fluent in English and Cantonese.
NICHOLAS GORDON
Nicholas is the Content Manager at GIFT. He is involved in research, writing and editing both in support of GIFT’s leadership programmes and to help produce content for publication. He graduated with a major in Social Studies from Harvard University and received an MPhil in International Relations from Oxford University, where he studied systems of sub-state sovereignty. He also has experience in research and writing working with think tanks in Hong Kong and Mumbai.
OLIVIA LAI
Olivia is the Head of Programmes at GIFT. She manages all of GIFT’s programmes, including overseeing a team of experienced Programme Managers. She has direct experience with programme design, project development, and logistics for cohorts of international participants. Prior to joining GIFT, she was a management executive at a multinational property developer based in Hong Kong. Olivia graduated with a Bachelors degree in International Relations and Master in Management from The University of British Columbia and holds an MSc in Real Estate from The University of Hong Kong. She is fluent in English and Cantonese.
PIAL KHADILLA
Pial is Head of Operations for GIFT South East Asia based in Malaysia, where she is responsible for expanding GIFT's executive education offerings in Malaysia and across the ASEAN region. She is also responsible for business development opportunities and for developing a pipeline of field projects in the region. Prior to joining GIFT Pial worked at the Central Bank of Malaysia as a Senior Executive in the department of Consumer Market Conduct before launching her own coaching practice. Pial holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Bath, England and is a fluent Malay speaker.
RAFIQAH ABDUL GHANY
Rafiqah pursued her BA in International Relations with French from the University of Nottingham (Malaysia Campus) where her main area of studies were focused on the ASEAN region and global issues pertaining to global security. Throughout her years as a student, she was actively involved in sports and student-led societies. Prior to joining GIFT, Rafiqah’s interest in language had brought her to South Korea for an intensive Korean language program from the Seoul National University. She is fluent in English, Malay, Indonesian and Korean.
ROHAN HAZELL
Rohan is a researcher at GIFT and is involved in the production of GIFT's content for its Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur offices, including articles, podcasts and business reports. Prior to GIFT, Rohan worked at a London-based market research firm where he conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis for global brands to better link consumer mindsets to behaviours. Rohan holds a BA in Geography from the University of Oxford.
STEVEN YUEN
Steven is Programme Manager at GIFT. He has lived in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden. Prior to joining GIFT Steven spent four years in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture teaching and organising grassroots internationalisation events, and another four years in Osaka managing student exchange programs and institutional partnerships for Kwansei Gakuin University. He received his professional degree in Architecture from the University of New South Wales, and holds a Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of Hong Kong. Steven is fluent in Japanese, Cantonese and English, and is proficient in Mandarin.
SYNNA ONG
Synna is a Programme Manager at GIFT ASEAN where she manages and designs programmes focusing on the Southeast Asia region. Prior to this she worked in PayPal in dispute resolution and developed process improvement tools. Synna obtained her BA from the University of Nottingham in International Relations and primarily studied on the role of regional institutions- the European Union and ASEAN. She is fluent in Malay and several Chinese dialects.