With a deep commitment to unlocking funding potential to empower social impact organisations in the region, Sue will lead ACF in its next phase of growth and development following its launch in Sept 2023
PRESS RELEASE – Singapore, 1 April 2024: Asia Community Foundation (ACF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sue Toomey as its new Chief Executive Officer. ACF is the first Asia-focused, independent community foundation supporting individual donors, families, and institutions as a trusted partner for purposeful philanthropy.
“Sue brings with her a wealth of leadership experience both in corporate and non-profit organisations across Asia–most recently as Chief Impact Officer at ACF’s sister organisation, Asia Philanthropy Circle,” says ACF Chairman Stanley Tan. “With a deep commitment to unlocking funding potential to empower social impact organisations in the region, Sue is the ideal person to lead ACF in its next phase of growth and development following its launch in September 2023.”
Creating Asia’s most trusted community of impact-driven philanthropists
ACF was founded by Laurence Lien (Lien Foundation), Stanley Tan (Rumah Group) and Francesco Caruso (Firetree Philanthropy), who are all members of Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC), a membership network of 60+ philanthropists collaborating to chart a fair, prosperous, and sustainable future for the region. Citing the pressing need for a platform to facilitate cross-border giving in Asia, these three members launched ACF to address issues of complex regulations and uncertain credibility of nonprofits, and to promote meaningful giving in Asia by connecting donors and nonprofits to achieve greater results than they could on their own.
While separate organisations, together ACF and APC are working in complement to build Asia’s most trusted and impact-driven community of givers. ACF takes the lead in enabling and facilitating the flow of funding into trusted organisations, with grant making and fundraising capabilities that provide donors with transparency and accountability. ACF draws upon the collective intelligence of APC’s membership of experienced philanthropists, who engage in peer exchange, knowledge and community-building and collaborative giving.
Other Board members at ACF include seasoned donors Anthonia Hui (AlTi Tiedmann Global) and Peggy Moh (The Moh Family Foundation), and Stacy Choong (Withers KhattarWong). Following the appointment of Sue, acting CEO Laurence Lien will step down but will remain active as a member of the ACF Board.
Says Sue, “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to lead an organisation dedicated to enabling donors to address some of the most pressing socio-economic and environmental issues facing Asia today. I am grateful for the trust that the Board has placed in me, excited to work alongside a talented team, passionate donors, and dedicated partners, and committed to upholding the values and mission behind the founding of ACF.”
Sue’s career spans over 20 years leading organisations across Asia, running the global events business for The Economist, as Executive Director of high-impact non-profit HandsOn Hong Kong, and providing strategic advisory support while serving on several non-profit Boards and Committees. ####