When a young Sukanto Tanoto was forced to take on his father’s spare-parts business in the 1960s, he began his entrepreneurial journey. Although he didn’t finish school, he applied his street smarts, establishing his company in the early ’70s pioneering the plywood and forestry industry in Indonesia. Later, he diversified his business into other industries like palm oil, pulp and paper, and energy.

Today, Tanato is recognised as the Founder and Chairman of Royal Golden Eagle, formerly known as Raja Garuda Mas, which has its headquarters in Singapore, assets of more than US$20 billion and a workforce of more than 60,000 people. Over more than 50 years, Tanoto worked with his wife, Tinah Bingel Tanoto, to transform his company from a local plantation into a heavyweight player in the global arena.

Through it all, Tanoto has also always believed one must give back to the community. In 1981, he set up the Tanoto Foundation, which seeks to improve learning environments so they can develop future leaders through education. They also support medical research and lend disaster relief.