Li Foundation chanced upon a sharing session with Mr. Anthony Gao, Head of Philanthropy Services at Pictet Wealth Management Asia during one of his trips to Singapore. Currently based in Hong Kong, Mr. Gao is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in prestigious organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where Lionel met Mr. Gao for the first time in Seattle.
Mr. Gao shared with us how Asian philanthropy is evolving. In Asia, there exists a longstanding tradition of charitable giving and this is deeply rooted in the region’s diverse cultures, political systems, and religious beliefs, making philanthropy in Asia uniquely distinctive. A few key trends observed includes philanthropists becoming more transparent and strategic in their giving. Strategic philanthropy acknowledges that despite its growth, philanthropy falls short in addressing global challenges. This approach, favoured by younger, next-generation philanthropists, emphasizes high- impact strategies and innovative social investment tools. With that, it leads to the other trend of greater collaboration between philanthropists which is crucial for maximizing impact and addressing complex global challenges effectively.
From this conversation, LIF’s approach in philanthropy is reinforced as we continue to seek greater collaboration with like-minded philanthropists in what we do.
Mr. Gao is also a partner of ImpactSG, a ground-up initiative that empowers individuals to give back to society in Singapore and Asia. ImpactSG was conceived in 2022 in response to Forward SG, and was launched as a ground-up initiative in 2023 to involve and activate the expanding community of Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals to contribute both financially and non-financially to Singapore and the surrounding region.
As a key pillar in Pictet’s Wealth Solutions offering, Philanthropy Services is part of Pictet’s global commitment in partnering with individuals and families who want to use their wealth to create positive change and build a more sustainable and equitable world.
With a rich history of philanthropy, Asia has in recent years witnessed a steady trend towards a more strategic and collaborative approach and the general professionalisation of the philanthropy sector. Our clients, from the younger, more tech-savvy, to those who achieved their success in more traditional industries are becoming increasingly focused on the impact of their giving and are seeking partners and expertise to help them achieve their goals.
The book showcases how the participants challenged their limits and conquered the World Marathon Challenge and North Pole Marathon to inspire people to challenge their own limits and pursue their dreams boldly.
The book tells the stories behind the event which saw the largest number of people in history running 1045km round Taiwan in 19 days.