“Everything we do is driven by people”: Singapore International Foundation CEO Corinna Chan on leading the non-profit organisation

While SIF’s strength has historically been in training and capacity-building, particularly in public health and education, Chan aims to evolve its model into something more holistic. “When we think about impact, we have to look upstream and downstream,” she says. “Policy work is critical. And so is community engagement.” She refers to a current project on heat resilience in cities as an example. “[Our volunteer] doctors can train the doctors [at these cities] about clinical interventions. They’ll know what to do,” she says. Yet, Chan argues that technical expertise isn’t enough, as critical gaps can remain despite existing infrastructure. “If there’s no policy, like an early warning system, or a way to make sense of meteorological data, you wouldn’t be able to [alert] the population that a heatwave is coming.”

Closing this gap between policy and on-the-ground action is precisely what Chan hopes to achieve. “What I’ve been trying to do is build on the strong foundation laid by my predecessor—widening the ecosystem and bringing a more systems-level approach to the work we do overseas.” She acknowledges that impact can take many forms, but SIF’s strategy is deliberate and focused. “We don’t aim to do this in 100 or 1,000 cities.” Instead, its approach involves leveraging its network of in-country partners, ranging from government agencies to local organisations.

Together, they bring projects or solutions overseas, pilot them on the ground and assess their effectiveness. If the model proves effective, the next step is scaling with government support. “[Otherwise], it remains one single solution in one village or city,” she adds. “Without scale, there is no impact.”

One of Chan’s most ambitious initiatives to date is the launch of the Southeast Asia Partnership for Adaptation through Water (SEAPAW), a regional platform developed in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. “We can be considered a first mover in this space of adaptation through water,” she says, as “it was the first regional platform” to merge such efforts. Designed to address Southeast Asia’s most pressing water-related climate risks, Seapaw unites stakeholders to shape solutions, accelerate regional cooperation and mobilise climate adaptation financing. It also tracks regional progress for policy and investment.

The idea for SEAPAW stemmed from a significant gap Chan observed in philanthropic funding, where less than ten per cent goes towards climate issues. “The little that goes into climate [action], I think only less than five per cent goes into adaptation,” she laments, highlighting that climate change is a new focus for SIF. Chan emphasises the critical importance of adaptation, especially through water-related initiatives. “People’s focus has been on mitigation,” she explains. “But adaptation is important. As we are going through climate change, the people on the ground, the communities and the populations are already feeling the impact. We [need to] help them adapt.”

She further highlights the strong link between water and climate resilience, stating that “90 per cent of extreme weather events are water-related.” Chan firmly believes water is central to global sustainability efforts, underpinning many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She points to its vital role in poverty reduction, food security, public health and climate resilience, all of which are interconnected within the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SEAPAW is already in motion. The Clean Water Access for Rural Communities pilot project in Sarawak is being developed in partnership with the Singapore Water Association and the Malaysian Water Association Sarawak Branch, focusing on accessible solutions for rural communities. A regional baseline study on sea-level rise and coastal vulnerability is also underway, with the goal of guiding future interventions and identifying the market opportunities and benefits of sustainable water adaptation practices across Southeast Asia. 

SIF’s focus areas also include youth development—one of the organisation’s most active and impactful pillars. Among its flagship initiatives is the Asean Youth Fellowship (AYF), a leadership programme co-organised with the National Youth Council. “We have a strong pool of alumni from AYF over the many years, and they contribute back. This is heartening as [the programme] is a whole ecosystem now.”

Another standout is the Young Social Entrepreneurs Global programme, which helps youth launch or grow social enterprises. One success story is Vietnam’s Cricket One, a protein-focused startup which went on to win $1 million at Temasek Foundation’s The Liveability Challenge 2024. For Chan, one of the most underappreciated elements of social impact is the convening layer that helps projects take root and scale.

But beyond systems, her priorities remain deeply human. “I want to unlock the potential in people—not just the team at SIF, but also the partners and communities we work with,” she posits. Chan believes people are the true engine of change. “It’s about finding the right people who will work with you, dream with you and have the same goals. Everything we do is driven by people.”

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