Please join STEP Singapore for a timely discussion on the developing role of philanthropic efforts in Singapore and the region.
The panel conversation will cover donor advised funds in Singapore and outside Singapore. They will examine the new rules for family offices to allow/encourage contributions outside Singapore. The presenters will give participants background as to why charity rules operate in the way they do, and comment on how grantmaking charities have helped in building the philanthropic space in Singapore.
4.00pm – 4.15pm: Registrations
4.15pm – 4.20pm: Opening Remarks by Moderator
Mr Tang Hang Wu – Professor, Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University
4.20pm – 5.20pm: Panel Discussion on “ Philanthropy and Donor Advised Funds In Singapore
Mr David Chee – Partner, WongPartnership LLP
Ms Catherine Loh – CEO, Community Foundation of Singapore
Ms Seow Jia Xian - Director, Legal, Planning & Advisory, Asia Community Foundation
5.20 pm – 5.30pm: Q&A
5.30pm – 6.30pm: Networking Drinks
Mr David CheePartner
WongPartnership LLP
David Chee is a Partner in the Private Wealth and Middle East Practices. He advises clients on all aspects of wealth and succession planning (which includes wills, trusts, tax, family offices and philanthropy). David was called to the bar in 2004 and apart from legal practice, he has also worked as an in-house counsel in trust companies and as a wealth planner in private banks. Having spent almost 20 years in the wealth management industry, David has deep industry insight and a strong network with industry participants.
In the private wealth space, David works with and advises high-net-worth clients on all aspects of their wealth and succession planning needs such as wealth transfer strategies from one generation to another, asset protection and preservation, family business succession, family governance, structured philanthropy and the establishment of family offices. In the area of trusts, David also advises trustees on various matters related to trust business, such as regulatory requirements, fiduciary risk and obligations and the administration of trusts and estates. Apart from private trusts, David also advises on the use of trusts in other areas such as charity, investments, debt restructuring, employee benefit programs, environmental restoration and rehabilitation projects. In his charity and philanthropy practice, David advises on the establishment, governance and administration of charities and other non-profit or philanthropic entities.
Ms Catherine LohChief Executive Officer
Community Foundation of Singapore
Catherine is the CEO of the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), the nation’s first community foundation. Since 2012, Catherine has been leading CFS on a strategic growth path with a steady increase in the number of philanthropic funds and donation volume, all while raising social impact through strategic philanthropy.
Catherine joined CFS after having spent more than 20 years in the financial industry where she held various leadership positions in the Singapore offices of Nomura, Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs. Catherine started her career at the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.
Catherine is involved in volunteer work and she currently sits on the Board of Governors of Temasek Polytechnic and is chairperson its School of Humanities & Social Sciences’ School Advisory Committee. She is also the Chairperson of the School Advisory Committee of Telok Kurau Primary School and serves on the Investment Committees of Assisi Hospice and Metta Welfare Association.
Ms Seow Jia XianDirector, Legal, Planning & Advisory
Asia Community Foundation (ACF)
Jia Xian is Director of Legal, Planning & Advisory at ACF, where she supports donors on their philanthropic journey, develops strategic partnerships, and manages internal planning, legal and compliance aspects. Formerly a partner at one of the largest global law firms in Singapore, Jia Xian’s principal areas of practice were private wealth, tax, and philanthropy.
In her previous role, Jia Xian spearheaded her firm’s Philanthropy & Non-profits practice, where she worked closely alongside funders and impact organisations on the structuring, building-out and administration of philanthropic and non-profit structures and operations.
By drawing from her uniquely diverse, multi-sectoral professional experience across 15 years of legal practice, she has advised stakeholders that span the range of individuals, family offices, charities, multinational corporations, as well as statutory bodies and government agencies, and on matters ranging from local and international tax, trusts and estate planning, to regulatory compliance, and governance.
Prof. Tang Hang WuProfessor
Yong Pung How School of Law
Singapore Management University
Tang Hang Wu is a Professor at the Yong Pung How School of Law and Associate Provost (Research Governance) at the Singapore Management University. He has published widely and is a Board of Advisors Member of the International Charity Law Network. In addition to his academic work, he been instructed as Counsel to act before the Singapore court on matters of charity law.