Singapore’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI) has unveiled the Changemaker Impact Endeavour Fellowship (CHIEF) Programme at the Global-Asia Family Office (GFO) Summit in Singapore.

This first-of-its-kind fellowship in Asia aims to empower funders, social entrepreneurs, and non-profit leaders to become more impactful changemakers. The launch comes as Asia-Pacific braces for the intergenerational transfer of wealth in the region of US$5.8 trillion by 2030.

According to the WMI, a younger, more diverse generation of philanthropists is emerging, eager to tackle complex regional challenges. The CHIEF Programme, developed in collaboration with the London School of Economics’ Marshall Institute, will train 1,000 wealth owners and philanthropy professionals by 2028.

The CHIEF Programme aligns with Singapore’s vision of becoming a leading philanthropy hub, bolstered by the Asia Centre for Changemakers (ACC), which received S$15 million (US$11.58 million) in funding from Temasek Trust and Philanthropy Asia Alliance earlier this year.

Highlighting the programme’s importance in shaping Asia’s philanthropy landscape, WMI chief executive officer Foo Mee Har says: “ACC is dedicated to redefining philanthropy in Asia by equipping leaders with the skills and strategic insights needed to drive meaningful impact. We aim to build a robust ecosystem of changemakers capable of addressing the region’s most pressing challenges. Our vision is for the CHIEF Programme to serve as a catalyst for fostering a lifelong community of like-minded individuals who will collaborate to develop transformative solutions for Asia.”

The comprehensive seven-month programme includes on-ground learning journeys and expert-led sessions from global pioneers like Jed Emerson and Bruno Roche. Scholarships will be awarded to exceptional social innovators to foster collaboration and co-creation of impactful solutions.

The WMI is a Singapore-based centre for wealth and asset management education and research. Founded by GIC and Temasek, it describes itself as “a practice-based institute, connecting rigorous academic theory with current industry best practices to ensure we provide global perspectives with an Asian focus”.