Hearing from Diana Gan, EMBA’19Dec – Founder of Elementary Capital
What were your key takeaways after graduating from INSEAD in relation to having a positive social impact on the community? Creating positive impact starts from realising how our relationship with other people and the planet are shaped. Understanding impact lays the foundation for which we exist, and it can be a competitive advantage for businesses.
What do you believe are the critical elements for a business to act as a force for good? Nurturing people and getting the organisation mindset ready. If we provide people with the knowledge and the tools to create impact, the leadership sets a clear direction and empowers individual agency to drive the movement, collective transformation can happen.
What are some specific actions employees should do to enable a positive social impact on our community? Respect and care for others, take pride in doing the right thing, have no fear in calling out influences and behaviour that are toxic to the environment and toxic to other people.
What are some examples in your profession/ company where you’ve experienced BAFG first-hand? Educational offering that is democratising access to quality education, protecting the teaching profession and solving mental health issues. Climate tech companies that are driving decarbonisation. Waste management companies that are reducing plastic and other environmental pollution.
What key BAFG principles would you like businesses in Singapore to embrace? Act as a beacon for creating and sustaining impact. Share best practices with the world. Encourage international exchanges to leverage on latest R&D.
What were the main reasons for accepting an invitation to be an IAA Singapore BAFG judge? There are many like-minded people who care about leading impactful lives. This is a lifelong pursuit underscored by a sense of urgency; if we keep driving the impact agenda collectively, together we can go further and…faster…
What motivated you to be an advocate for businesses to act as a force for good? The destructive forces of over-consumption and neglect for the environment are untenable. We also need to take a hard look at people-to-people connection. I hope I can create some positive examples upon which my children can continue to build.
Catch-up with 2022 Judges – Interview series
Post #1 – Li Lian Liew GEMBA’13 – Director, Corporate Planning at Tan Tock Seng Hospital & Central Health
Meeting our 2023 Judges – Interview series
Post #1 – Diana Gan – Founder of Elementary Capital