“Navigating a Professional and Purpose-Driven Path in Philanthropy.”

 

Isabel Kwan – Manager, Charities, Charities and Community (2019 MT Alumni)

 

 

 

 

“Navigating a Professional and Purpose-Driven Path in Philanthropy.”

Isabel Kwan – Manager, Charities, Charities and Community (2019 MT Alumni)

“I am a dedicated grant-making and project management professional with experience managing diverse charitable portfolios across sectors such as Youth, Elderly, and Family services. My background encompasses strategic planning and operations within the charitable sector, further enriched by valuable exposure to cross-divisional functions including government and public affairs.

My professional journey at the Club has been shaped by a culture of trust and empowerment, which has been instrumental in my development. This supportive environment has allowed me to connect my work to a deeper purpose and to contribute to meaningful initiatives.

In terms of contributions, I have been privileged to facilitate collaborative citywide initiatives alongside diverse partner organizations. My involvement has spanned the end-to-end project lifecycle—from supporting the development of conceptual frameworks and engaging with stakeholders, to assisting in implementation, outreach, and sustainability planning. Additionally, I have been fortunate to contribute to sector capacity-building efforts, including programmes focused on enhancing teachers' expertise in science education and strengthening the organizational capabilities of small NGOs through trust-based philanthropic approaches. These experiences have been profound learning opportunities, for which I am deeply grateful.

The past year, in particular, has been a period of significant growth, presented with new challenges that offered a steep learning curve. I have endeavored to approach these opportunities with a learning mindset, embracing them as chances to gain fresh perspectives and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Looking ahead, my aspiration is to continue growing as a collaborative and strategic contributor. I hope to further leverage the lessons I have learned to support initiatives that extend empowerment beyond our walls, fostering partnerships that enable communities to co-create a positive and inclusive future.”