Tell us a bit about The Food Bank Singapore and its mission.
The Food Bank Singapore is an IPC-registered charity with a simple mission: to achieve food security for all in Singapore. We redistribute surplus food from farms, manufacturers, and retailers to those in need. Think of us as culinary matchmakers 鈥 pairing perfectly good food with empty stomachs instead of landfills. In 2024 we re-distributed 612 tonnes of food, and since our establishment in 2012, surplus food weighting the equivalent of 11 A380s.
What could a workday in the life look like for you?
No two days are the same! One moment I鈥檓 meeting corporate partners over coffee, the next I鈥檓 out on food collection or food bundling distribution and later preparing for Board or Committee meetings. It鈥檚 part logistics, part diplomacy, part crisis management 鈥 and all about creating meaningful impact for vulnerable communities! My calendar is a blend of community and stakeholder engagement, hands-on work, and meeting with the team, with a sprinkle of 鈥渨hat鈥檚 for lunch?鈥 to keep things real.
The COVID-19 Pandemic brought some unique opportunities your way. How did New 麻豆传媒团队Nature Highlights come to fruition, and did you expect the farm tours to become so popular?
I was living on a lifestyle farm in Palmerston North when borders worldwide began closing. After an ex-colleague raved about a live-streaming yoga class with participants from across the globe, I thought 鈥 why not share the sights, sounds, and stories of farm life? I created a live-streaming farm tour on the Airbnb Experiences platform and, via Zoom, took guests through bottle-feeding lambs, discussing the impact of climate change on farming, and introducing my two Kunekune pigs - Pocahontas and Iron Man - who quickly became crowd favourites. Over 18,000 visitors from 32 countries joined the tours over 18 months, earning several award nominations and winning Airbnb鈥檚 鈥楳ost Magical鈥 experience.
What have been some of your career highlights to date?
I鈥檝e been fortunate to work across diverse sectors, including international banking, tertiary education, the non-profit space, and the civil service. At ANZ, I led the rollout of the Funds Transfer Scheme, enabling thousands of international students to remit money for fees and living expenses 鈥 and hopefully reassuring a few worried parents along the way. Earlier, I was headhunted to establish ANZ鈥檚 Asian consumer banking division and later entrusted with integrating the National Bank鈥檚 Asian unit into ANZ. Recognised by FINSIA as a fellow, I鈥檝e found the common thread in every role has been creating meaningful impact 鈥 ideally with coffee close at hand.
What was it about UC that drew you here to study your BCom?
I wanted a degree that combined practical skills with global relevance, and UC鈥檚 BCom programme stood out for its strong business curriculum and international perspective. Christchurch itself was an ideal setting for tertiary study 鈥 a vibrant yet welcoming city, with a strong student community, easy access to world-class outdoor recreation, and a pace of life that balanced focus with fun. It offered the perfect environment to learn, grow, and enjoy a few adventures along the way.
Any fond memories of your time at UC that you鈥檇 like to share?
Plenty! Late-night study sessions in 鈥楾he Cave鈥, followed by supper at Denny鈥檚 that were roughly 70% chat, 20% coffee, and 10% actual study. This was before smartphones, so calling cards were a lifeline and mICQ was essential 鈥 especially with the sky-high cost of international toll calls. I loved making new friends, learning about the indigenous M膩ori culture, and escaping to explore Mt Lyford. Flatting with friends meant the kitchen was always an experimental zone, and nothing beat the triumph of lectures ending early 鈥 small wins matter!
Do you have any final remarks or comments you鈥檇 like to make?
Say yes to opportunities, even if they scare you 鈥 they often lead to the most rewarding experiences. I met my wife while we were both graduate students! Build genuine relationships, because your network is your greatest long-term asset. And never underestimate the power of a decent flat white during exam season.
