SIP FELLOWSHIP AND AWARDS
The SIP Distinguished Fellow and SIP Fellow Awards are, since 2008, given out once every two years at the GSIF Gala Dinner to honour leaders in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation worldwide.
SIP DISTINGUISHED FELLOWS
The SIP Distinguished Fellow Award honours legendary leaders whose illustrious lives have positively influenced lives across generations and communities around the globe.
The Distinguished Fellow motivates collaborations and inspires extraordinary innovations across sectors.
SIP Distinguished Fellows are outstanding role models and stalwarts of SIP’s community
of changemakers in building a more inclusive, sustainable and mindful world.
Late S.R Nathan
Former President of Singapore
Rob Walton
Chairman of Walmart
Jet Li
Actor, Martial Artist and Philanthropist
SIP FELLOWS
The SIP Fellow Awards recognise outstanding and high achieving individuals who are creating systemic change in the community that they live and work in. Role models in their own fields, these individuals are thought and action leaders who are shaping the future in their own way and doing what they do best. SIP Fellows are stalwarts of SIP’s community of changemakers in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and mindful world.
Vice Chairman of GITI Group, Cherie Nursalim is active in sustainable development and philanthropy, holding key roles in global institutions and contributing to various cultural and educational initiatives.
Cherie Nursalim
Vice Chairman
GITI Group
A key figure in digital civil liberties, Brian co-founded the Apache Group and CollabNet, contributing to the development of open-source software. He has also advised the White House and serves on several influential boards.
Brian Behlendorf
Collaboration Advisor U.S Government, Dept of Health and Human Services Founder
Apache Software Father, Open Source Movement
Renowned for his Antarctic expeditions, Tim Jarvis is an environmental activist and documentary filmmaker who has also made significant contributions to sustainability and climate action through his work.
Tim Jarvis
Arctic Explorer
Environmental Scientist
A solicitor and disability rights advocate, Chia Yong Yong led the SPD and championed disability issues as Singapore’s first wheelchair-using Nominated Member of Parliament.
Chia Yong Yong
Lawyer, Yusarn Audrey
President
SPD (Society for the Physically Disabled)
Founder of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant advocates for financial literacy and economic empowerment in underserved communities. He also leads several ventures and has advised U.S. presidents on financial literacy.
John Hope Bryant
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Operation HOPE, USA
Founder of Nia Tero and Conservation International, Peter Seligmann is a leading conservationist working to protect Indigenous rights and natural ecosystems worldwide.
Peter Seligmann
Chairman
Conservation International, USA
A pioneer in mixed reality and human-computer interaction, Professor Cheok has led significant research initiatives and secured substantial funding. He directs the Imagineering Institute and has been recognized globally for his contributions to scientific innovation.
Adrian David Cheok
Co-Director
Keio-NUS CUTE Centre, National University of Singapore
Once an ex-convict, Benny Se Teo founded Eighteen Chefs, a restaurant chain employing marginalized individuals, including ex-offenders, helping them reintegrate into society through training and employment opportunities.
Benny Se Teo
Director
Eighteen Chefs
As Program Director for Social Innovation at Innobasque, Gotzon Bernaola Arino focuses on societal challenges in the Basque Country, promoting public-private partnerships and active citizen engagement.
Gotzon Bernaola
Program Director
Innobasque
A sustainability advocate and former MTV Asia presenter, Nadya Hutagalung founded Green Kampong and launched We The Good, addressing issues like migrant workers’ rights and mental wellbeing.
Nadya Hutagalung
Founder
Green Kampong
Newly appointed President of Boeing's Southeast Asia business, Penny Burtt brings over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, trade, and international business, driving Boeing’s strategy in the region.
Penny Burtt
Head of Public Affairs & External Relations, Southeast Asia
McKinsey & Company
As CEO of GSG Impact, Cliff Prior advances global impact investment, focusing on transparency and mobilizing private capital for emerging economies. He has also led several prominent social enterprises.
Cliff Prior
Chief Executive
UnLtd
Co-founder of Banyan Tree Group, Claire Chiang has been a leader in sustainable tourism and community development, advancing CSR initiatives and empowering communities. She has also been active in social causes, including serving as president of AWARE and on the Board of various organizations.
Claire Chiang
Co-Founder
Banyan Tree
A pioneering entrepreneur, Fadi Ghandour co-founded Aramex and now leads Wamda, supporting startups across the MENA region and beyond. He is also a key figure in regional philanthropy and entrepreneurship.
Fadi Ghandour
Founder & CEO
Aramex International
A neuroscientist, physician, and Paralympian, Dr. William Tan has overcome paralysis to achieve extraordinary athletic feats and raise millions for charity, inspiring others with his resilience.
Dr William Tan
Resident Physician
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Founder and CEO of Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa Foundation, Veronica Colondam is a leading philanthropist in Indonesia, focusing on women's empowerment, youth education, and poverty alleviation.
Veronica Colondam
Founder
Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa
Managing Partner of E14 Fund, Calvin Chin is a social entrepreneur who previously founded Qifang, China’s first online student loan service, and has been recognized for his contributions to tech innovation.
Calvin Chin
Co-founder and CEO
Qifang, China
Dea Sudarman leads Bali Turtle Island Development, focusing on sustainable community transformation, cultural preservation, and environmental rehabilitation.
Dea Sudarman
President
Alun Alun, Indonesia
With over 30 years in media and technology, Michelle Guthrie has held senior roles in global companies like ABC and Google. She currently serves on the boards of several corporations in Australia.
Michelle Guthrie
Chair, Former CEO, Star TV
Plan International Hong Kong
Founder of Goonj, Anshu Gupta has revolutionized rural development by using urban surplus materials to drive community dignity and development, earning him the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
Anshu Gupta
Founder and Director
Goonj
A visionary CEO, James has led ECO Capacity Exchange for over a decade, pioneering financial innovation and inclusivity in global trade and investment, while publishing extensively on poverty alleviation.
James Fierro
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Recipco Holdings Pte Ltd
A global entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Patrick Liew co-founded Success Resources, a leading seminar organizer, and has been deeply involved in financial literacy and e-learning innovations.
Patrick Liew
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
HSR Global Ltd
A social activist and founder of multiple organizations, Rekha Mody focuses on women's empowerment and gender rights, raising significant awareness and advocating for women’s representation in government.
Rekha Mody
International Convenor & Vice President
Stree Shakti - The Parallel Force
A blind research scientist at A*Star, Dr. Yeo has achieved significant academic and professional success, advocating for disability rights and inspiring others with her resilience and dedication.
Yeo Sze Ling
Research Scientist
Infocomm Security Department, Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), A*STAR
Former CEO of Singapore’s National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, Melissa Kwee champions community development, social innovation, and youth empowerment.
Melissa Kwee
Chairman
MHPL (Pontiac Land Group), Singapore
A global strategy advisor and author, Parag Khanna is known for his expertise in global trends and technological disruptions, advising governments and corporations worldwide.
Parag Khanna
Director
Hybrid Reality Institute
A psychotherapist and disability advocate, Cassandra Chiu focuses on mental health, diversity, and inclusion. She is also a prominent advocate for Guide Dogs and disability rights in Asia.
Cassandra Chiu
Phychotherapist, Motivational Speaker,
Safe Habour
A medical doctor and entrepreneur, Dr. Amit Wanchoo leads Space Communications and the H.N. Wanchoo Trust in Jammu and Kashmir, providing essential services and fostering local development.
Amit Wanchoo
Managing Director
Eaton Laboratories
Indian entrepreneur Suhas Gopinath founded Globals Inc. at age 14, becoming one of the youngest CEOs globally, and later launched ShopsUp, a startup aimed at enhancing the shopping experience.
Suhas Gopinath
Founder and CEO
Globals Inc., India
Founder of SPBD Microfinance Network, Greg Casagrande has expanded microfinance services across the Pacific, supporting financial inclusion and economic development.
Gregory Casagrande
Founder
SPBD Microfinance Network
Head of IBM's AI research portfolio, Sriram Raghavan oversees global AI advancements and collaborates with IBM Software and Consulting to integrate AI into commercial offerings.
Sriram Raghavan
Founder & CEO
inKlude Labs
A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Dr. Gillian Koh specializes in Singapore’s political attitudes, governance, and civil society, contributing extensively to academic and public discourse.
Gillian Koh
Director
Social Enterprise Association
Dean at Keio University, Masa Inakage is an expert in Entertainment Design and Digital Media, leading innovative projects that envision future societies and advising global companies.
Masa Inakage
Dean and Professor, Graduate School of Media Design
Keio University
An award-winning entrepreneur and TEDx speaker, Paul Dunn chairs B1G1, a global initiative integrating philanthropy into business practices, creating millions of giving impacts worldwide.
Paul Dunn
Chairman
B1G1
Founder of The Valuable 500, Caroline Casey is a disability inclusion advocate who, after embracing her blindness, has reshaped global business practices to prioritize diversity and inclusion.
Caroline Casey
CEO
Kanchi