A summary of the afternoon sessions at the annual SFi AFIS summit.
Key Highlights - PM session
The afternoon session of the SFi Asian Family Impact Summit was full of dynamic sessions that unraveled the ideas and HOW from the remainder of the 30 speakers spanning nine different markets, focusing on the theme of impact investing and sustainability.
The afternoon discussions spanned a wide array of topics, including biodiversity, greenwashing, and intergenerational dialogues, highlighting the importance of a holistic and integrated approach to impact and sustainability.
The Summit addressed the dual need for bold and incremental approaches in driving impactful change, with an emphasis on the power of collective action and the potential within the room to influence significant progress in sustainability and impact investing.
Visit the summit website to view the full gallery: https://www.sfiimpactsummit.com/gallery
“You don't need to know the endpoint. What you need to know is that you need to start and then let it flourish on its own.”
Debate on Approaches to Competitive Return
While Jian Li Yew emphasized a focus on intentionality, risk mitigation, and building partnerships to ensure impactful investments, Ramanan Raghavendran discussed the need for adaptable time horizons and managing expectations to achieve both financial and impact goals, without necessarily compromising one for the other. In one of the most exciting parts of the day, the debate shed light on the diverse strategies investors use to balance impact with competitive financial returns.
Thematic Clusters
Due to overwhelming demand, each cluster session was run twice in order to gather different perspectives on groundbreaking concepts poised to drive substantial environmental and social impact.
Participants were split into 12 groups and encouraged to think beyond conventional boundaries and envision transformative solutions. Innovative ideas included large-scale habitat creation, sustainable agriculture models, and advanced climate analytics. The session inspired attendees to pursue ambitious projects that can significantly alter the sustainability landscape.
Thank you to all our Thematic Cluster hosts and participants for their active engagement in thoughtful discussions and for generously sharing their knowledge, insights and challenges.
Here are some of the takeaways from a few of the table sessions.
Nature and Biodiversity
Do we want to live on a planet where we want to accept that level of risk?
Ronie Mak highlighted the critical role of nature and biodiversity in sustaining communities. Her table called for a systems-level approach to investment in these areas, warning of the high risks associated with neglecting biodiversity.
Combating Greenwashing
Data is the new gold, but only if it drives real, actionable change.
Elsa Pau led an in-depth discussion on greenwashing, exploring its various definitions across sectors. Her group stressed the importance of data transparency and shareholder activism in addressing and preventing greenwashing practices.
Intergenerational Communication
Enter the conversation with intention to see the other person. I see you, I hear you, and what you say matters to me.
Ann Tan provided insights into fostering effective communication across generations, particularly in family businesses. Her participants at her table underscored the importance of active listening, shared purpose, and mutual respect in these dialogues.
Summit Soundbites:
“If a company fails to embrace sustainability at the core of its corporate DNA strategy, it will be extinct soon.”
“You don't need to know the endpoint. What you need to know is that you need to start and then let it flourish on its own.”
"It's not about planting trees; it's about planting ideas and cultivating a culture of sustainability."
"We need to shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance when it comes to natural resources."
"True impact is measured not just in numbers, but in the lasting changes we make in communities and ecosystems."
"Collaboration is not a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of building a sustainable future."
Commitment to Action
In the very last session of the day, speakers Fred Tsao and Poman Lo took the stage to discuss the necessity for businesses to integrate sustainability into their core strategies to remain viable in the future because "If a company fails to embrace sustainability at the core of its corporate DNA strategy, it will be extinct soon."
“The challenge really is…how do we be bold and be incremental at the same time?” finished Katy Yung as the day came to an end for the crowd of 120 Family Office Principals, Senior Executives, NextGen and Family Foundation Wealth Managers.
The second session encapsulated the essence of the Summit, reflecting the vibrant discussions and the collective commitment to making a significant impact in the realm of sustainability and impact investing.
It concluded on a note of optimism and urgency with our emcee, Junice Yeo, encouraging participants to see the potential in those around them and to take the first steps towards impactful actions. By starting with a clear goal and allowing the process to evolve organically, our actions can lead to meaningful change.
If you are a Senior Executive or Principal of a Family Office, Family Foundation or NextGen, looking for support and a community to join you on your impact investing journey, contact us for a 1:1 Member Consultation:
The 2024 annual Asian Family Impact Summit took place on 22 May 2024 at Asia Society in Hong Kong. To view the full agenda, click here: https://www.sfiimpactsummit.com/
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