Vignesh Louis Naidu
Impact Philanthropy Expert
Singapore
Summary
Visionary non-profit and philanthropic leader with 15+ years of experience in driving transformative change across education, healthcare, sustainability, and community development sectors. Adept at steering mission-driven organisations through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and innovative programme design. Proven expertise in fostering high-impact partnerships and scaling initiatives to deliver measurable social outcomes in Southeast Asia and beyond. Demonstrated success in mobilising resources, managing multicultural teams, and advocating for systemic change to address complex regional challenges.
Key achievements include leading the creation of a peer-led professional development platform for educators and scaling programmes to impact over 60,000 educators across Southeast Asia. Committed to leveraging strategic insights and innovative solutions to enhance impact for holistic social development.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Operations
The HEAD Foundation
09.2016 - Current
- In charge of all philanthropic activities in education including: grant making; capacity building programmes; and publications across Southeast Asia
- Spends time on the ground, across Southeast Asia, to understand the needs of our beneficiaries and ensure the successful execution of our projects.
- Designs tailor-made programmes to provide grant recipients access to the latest developments in their specific area of work.
- Conceptualise, design, deliver and evaluate high impact capacity building programmes for educators in the region.
- Created new programmes, synchronous and asynchronous, for teachers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- In 2021, lead a major revamp of our brand identity that included the launch of a new logo and website.
Manager
CPG Facilities Management
01.2016 - 08.2016
- Strategized and developed a comprehensive learning and development plan for a large Singaporean MNC.
- Expanded cross-functional organisational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals.
- Plan formed the basis of application to be an Approved Training Organisation in Singapore.
Managing Editor
Inconvenient Questions
08.2015 - 11.2015
- Organised discussions between leading figures in Singapore, not just about political issues but larger macro issues such as multiculturalism and the environment.
- Oversaw publication of digital products, aligning multi-media content strategies to maintain a cohesive brand identity.
- Ensured the smooth and timely delivery of all our output.
- Responsible for the editorial content, ensuring that it stimulated public discourse, while remaining objective and neutral.
Research Associate
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
12.2013 - 07.2015
- Researched and authored case studies that focused on social and infrastructure policies in Singapore.
- Produced actionable information that improved access to social services by leveraging behavioral economic theories.
- Contributed to the university's various publications.
Project Manager
CPG Facilities Management
06.2009 - 09.2011
- Managed a government funded feasibility study on the provision of maintenance services for private estate residents.
- Managed staffing, finance, public relations and reporting of the project.
- Worked independently and reported directly to senior government officials about the status of the study.
Education
Master of Public Policy -
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
06.2011 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Science - Economics
Singapore Management University
06.2005 - 08.2009
Skills
Strategic Planning & Execution
undefinedAccomplishments
- Authored the chapter on schools for 50 Secrets of Singapore’s Success edited by Prof Tommy Koh Member
- Contributed to A Handbook on Inequality, Poverty and Unmet Social Needs in Singapore, published by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation, as an expert and a reviewer.
- Freelance journalist with articles published in CNA.com, Mothership.sg and Yahoo Singapore
Timeline
Director, Operations
The HEAD Foundation
09.2016 - Current
Manager
CPG Facilities Management
01.2016 - 08.2016
Managing Editor
Inconvenient Questions
08.2015 - 11.2015
Research Associate
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
12.2013 - 07.2015
Master of Public Policy -
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
06.2011 - 08.2013
Project Manager
CPG Facilities Management
06.2009 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Science - Economics
Singapore Management University
06.2005 - 08.2009
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