Cover Ann Moey, head of philanthropic investments, Asia, Tony Blair Institute For Global Change
Ann Moey, head of philanthropic investments, Asia, Tony Blair Institute For Global Change
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Within their roles in global organisations, these social impact leaders drive systemic change through innovative governance and strategic partnerships, tapping on the transformative power of collaboration. Moey discusses the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change’s mission to foster change through strategic government advising
Ann Moey has always had a deep‑seated compassion for advancing social mobility and it is befitting that she serves as the head of philanthropic investments for Asia at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). After all, her personal values align perfectly with the non‑profit organisation’s mission to foster change through strategic government advising, particularly harnessing the power of technology to enhance governance. TBI aims to effect sustainable impacts globally through strong partnerships and philanthropic contributions.
Moey also runs Yallah! Dining, a private dining experience that raises awareness about lesser known global issues through the dishes served, which vary according to the stories highlighted. A portion of the proceeds supports relevant beneficiary organisations.
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Above Ann Moey, head of philanthropic investments, Asia, Tony Blair Institute For Global Change
Ann Moey, head of philanthropic investments, Asia, Tony Blair Institute For Global Change
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Her career began in multimedia journalism, where she felt the need for international development experience. This led her to Laos, where she joined a renewable social enterprise and deepened her understanding of the refugee crisis through her friendship with a former refugee. “That was the first time I came to understand what being a refugee really meant. It made me realise that I wanted to do my part professionally, in the humanitarian and social impact spaces,” she recalls.
She would spend a decade working in communications, partnerships and fundraising, including a role as the philanthropy and partnerships lead for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Singapore. Attracted by its approach to instigating ground‑level change, she then moved to TBI. “We work with the highest levels of governments such as presidents and prime ministers, advising them on strategy, policy and delivery, with a focus on unlocking the power of technology across all three areas. When you have good governance, that trickles down to better policies on the ground that address the root causes of systemic problems. This ultimately leads to social progress and development, and happy citizens,” she details.
Ann also emphasised the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, “If we want to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, all sectors of society need to be involved. Funding aside, philanthropy and the private sector can bring leadership and innovative ideas to the table. The TBI model of engagement with the private sector prioritises finding ways to co-create solutions to help leaders deliver for their citizens.”
In her current position, Moey is responsible for mobilising support from philanthropists, foundations, family offices and corporates across the Asia Pacific region. While TBI is well established globally, its initiatives in Asia are relatively new. “Donors and philanthropists here are more familiar with working with organisations, NGOs and not‑for‑profit organisations that work directly with vulnerable communities,” she says. “What we do is slightly different, as we’re working at the highest levels of government. The impact, while not immediately seen, will be felt by citizens on the ground, who benefit from good governance and policies. The outcome at the end of the day is long‑term transformational change.”
Touching on TBI’s commitment to integrating technology solutions across key sectors, including education, healthcare, climate change and poverty alleviation, Moey highlights its particular focus on healthcare in Asia, bringing up significant initiatives such as the Digital Health Transformation Strategy in Indonesia, which has already brought about benefits. “In Indonesia, the advantages of digitalisation are already evident,” she notes. “In the past, doctors had to manually write medical records and send them across the hospital, but now, everything is digitalised, including the pharmacy, making healthcare more efficient and manageable for all stakeholders.”
Above Philanthropy Asia Summit 2024 | Fireside Chat with The Rt Hon Tony Blair and Steven Chia
TBI, she further shares, is currently running programmes in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor‑Leste and Vietnam that play “a crucial role in attracting high-value investments, accelerating the climate agenda, driving healthcare transformation and building digital governance”. These initiatives, she stresses, are pivotal in improving governance and policies that address systemic issues, thereby fostering the social and economic growth of the region.
While TBI has made significant strides in healthcare digitisation in Asia, its efforts extend into other critical areas. In the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, it is working with governments to mitigate the environmental impact of AI technologies. As Moey points out: “AI can assist governments to tackle global challenges such as climate change by identifying high‑emissions industries and accelerating progress towards net zero, but AI itself is a high‑carbon sector. Environmental impacts must be considered in the development of AI models, systems and applications without hindering use or performance. This is why [TBI is] embarking on initiatives that look at how governments can enable AI to be deployed and used more greenly.” These include developing guidelines and systems that prioritise energy efficiency without compromising performance.
Moey envisions a transformative future for philanthropy, one that shifts from ad hoc, localised giving to a more systematic, global approach. She predicts an increase in the use of donor‑advised funds and philanthropy experts to streamline processes. “Philanthropists are recognising their roles as global citizens, capable of influencing the well‑being of people worldwide, not just within their own countries,” she says. This global perspective is expected to foster cross‑border collaborations, allowing philanthropists to co‑create and co‑fund initiatives that address broad social and environmental challenges.
This April, at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2024 in Singapore, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, the founder and executive chairman of TBI, highlighted the importance of transformative philanthropy and the value of building partnerships. Emphasising the lasting impact of strategic philanthropy, he said: “The best philanthropy introduces systemic change that’s sustainable over time, even when the philanthropic dollars stop.” This approach is aligned with Moey’s efforts at TBI, where the focus is on empowering governments and communities to implement enduring solutions that promise long‑term benefits.
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Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
