Advocacy

Zac Toh founded City Sprouts in 2019, when he won the tender to transform the old Henderson Secondary School building (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Zac Toh Reimagines Singapore’s Urban Green Spaces

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. City Sprouts' founder and director designs events that encourage people to take part in sustainable, nature-based activities.

Bolong Chew founded Solar AI in 2020, and rebranded the company to GetSolar in 2023 (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Bolong Chew Turns Rooftops Into Power Plants

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. GetSolar's co-founder and CEO talks to us about growing solar adoption and regional expansion.

Paul Tan describes his work as building communities that are more resilient, more inclusive, and better equipped to thrive for generations to come (Credit: Mun Kong )

Why Philanthropy Must Go Beyond Charity, Says Paul Tan

For the fourth anniversary of a+, Community Foundation of Singapore CEO Paul Tan discusses why giving should create lasting change.

Johann Annuar left Engineering Good in 2022 (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Johann Annuar Rethinks Aged Care Through Technology

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital's director of technology, innovation, and academy oversees training and learning initiatives to mitigate the challenges of an ageing population.

Dr Siew Tuck Wah co-founded SOSD in 2012 and steered its transition to an institution of a public character (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Dr Siew Tuck Wah Continues Saving Our Street Dogs

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. Although the former SOSD president stepped down this year, he ensures long-term sustainability through succession planning.

Deep tech entrepreneur Jatin Kumar describes the Singapore he wants to live in as "one in which sustainability has become invisible, not because we stopped caring but because the right choice has become the norm." (Credit: Mun Kong)

Jatin Kumar On Why AI Can Build A More Sustainable Singapore

As part of our fourth anniversary series, Jatin Kumar discusses AI for materials, and why technology should solve real-world sustainability challenges in Singapore.

Glenn Lim was a drug trafficker who turned his life around after narrowly escaping a life sentence (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Glenn Lim Helps Ex-Offenders Rewrite Their Stories

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. Architects of Life's founding chair recently unveiled Vision 2030, a five-year roadmap that will develop outreach.

Samantha Soh-Tann founded The Radiant Spectrum in 2021. The curriculum is highly customisable to maximise each child’s learning potential (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Samantha Soh-Tann Widens Access To Music Education

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. The Radiant Spectrum's founder and principal talks to us about changing perceptions and an inclusive hiring initiative.

Hong Khai Seng, President of Design Business Chamber Singapore, says design is increasingly recognised for solving complex problems (Credit: Mun Kong)

Hong Khai Seng On Building A Design-led Singapore

For the fourth anniversary of a+, we reconnect with 12 advocates shaping Singapore's future. Hong Khai Seng explains why design must evolve from a creative discipline into a strategic capability.

Rayner Loi believes a less wasteful Singapore is not one where people enjoy food less, but one where food is valued more appropriately (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Rayner Loi Reduces Food Waste In Commercial Kitchens Through AI

Lumitics' co-founder and CEO makes it possible by preventing it from happening in the first place.

Karen Wee held roles at various social service agencies following a career as an auditor (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Karen Wee Wants To Shift Eldercare To A Preventive, Relationship-centred Approach

Lions Befrienders’ executive director believes that the sooner we build relationships and social connectedness around seniors, the more likely we can prevent deeper issues later on.

Fion Phua has been running her ground-up volunteer initiative for 40 years (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Fion Phua Restores Normalcy In The Lives Of The Less Privileged

Keeping Hope Alive's founder provides aid to the homeless, and supports elderly and vulnerable residents in one- and two-room rental flats.

Wendy Choh also volunteers as a national classifier for athletes with intellectual impairments (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Wendy Choh Urges Parents Of Special Needs Children To Move Past Denial Early

The psychologist notes that acknowledging developmental differences immediately lets parents maximise formative learning windows and prevent the emotional toll of unaddressed struggles.

Greg Tan co-founded SG Assist after a difficult caregiving experience (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Greg Tan Empowers Seniors And Caregivers Through Gerontechnology

SG Assist’s co-founder and CEO clarifies that while technology enables SG Assist to operate at scale, it is not a substitute for human connection.

Stanley Cheah Gives Us A Glimpse Into Singapore’s Lesser-known History

Hidden Heritage's co-founder offers immersive tours to little-known or inaccessible locations to keep local stories alive.

Walter Leong has held senior positions in the private, public and non-profit sectors (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Walter Leong Oversees A Complex Mandate In Animal Welfare

SPCA Singapore's executive director navigates challenges in the face of declining adoption rates and mounting operational pressures.

Firdaus D'Cruz also serves as a council member on the National Council Against Drug Abuse (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Firdaus D’Cruz Helms Education And Welfare Support

Pertapis Education and Welfare Centre’s CEO believes outcomes like family reunification are undervalued.

Dr Doreen Yong helps to build the tiny materials that allow computer chips to function better (Credit: Mun Kong. )

Dr Doreen Yong Makes The Semiconductor Industry More Accessible To Students

This chemist at Applied Materials participates in mentorship and outreach as chemistry plays a key role in defining next-generation technologies.