Professional Profile

Chandran Nair is the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT), an independent pan-Asian think tank based in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur focused on advancing a deeper understanding of global issues including the shift of economic and political influence from the West to Asia, the dynamic relationship between business and society, and the reshaping of the rules of global capitalism. Through GIFT, Chandran has pioneered research and policy dialogues that encourage sustainable economic models, innovative governance, and inclusive growth strategies tailored for Asia and the broader global community.

He also serves as the Non-Executive Chairperson of Wisdom Tomorrow, guiding the organization's strategic vision and commitment to fostering responsible leadership for a rapidly changing world. Under his leadership, Wisdom Tomorrow has launched initiatives to nurture future leaders, promote cross-cultural collaboration, and integrate sustainability and ethical thinking into business and governance practices.

He is the author of Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World, The Sustainable State: The Future of Government, Economy, and Society, and Consumptionomics: Asia's Role in Reshaping Capitalism and Saving the Planet, and the creator of The Other Hundred, a non-profit global photojournalism initiative to present a counterpoint to media consensus on some of today's most pressing issues. His latest book, Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence, will be published later this year by Routledge. Chandran's work consistently emphasizes the need for equity, sustainability, and a more balanced global order that reflects the emerging voices of Asia and other non-Western regions.

Chandran was chairman of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) in Asia Pacific until 2004, establishing the company as Asia's leading environmental consultancy. His early work in environmental management laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to sustainability, bridging corporate responsibility and public policy to drive systemic change.

Chandran is a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Governance for Sustainability and Experts Forum, sits on the Global Steering Committee of CISL's Business for Sustainability Programme, is a member of the Club of Rome, is a member of the Global Advisory Board of Ethical Markets, and is a Senior Fellow of CIMB ASEAN Research Institute (CARI), as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is recognized globally for his thought leadership on responsible capitalism, sustainable governance, and ethical economic practices.

Professional Profile

Transformation Architect | Poet & Fiction Writer | Board Advisor | Compassion Based Meditation Teacher | Startup Mentor

Ajay M.K., CEO of Wisdom Tomorrow, advises organizations on future-proofing strategies to enhance profits and positive human impact. He is an Advisor to the Thriving Workers, Thriving Workplaces Program at the Harvard University Center for Work, Health & Wellbeing at the T.H. Chan Institute for Public Health and a Senior Advisor to SHAPE Global, a UK-headquartered people data intelligence company.

He was the CHRO and Board member at Colgate Palmolive Asia Pacific, and the Group Head for DE&I and Chair of the Corporate HR Transformation initiative for the Swire Group in Hong Kong. He managed additional leadership responsibilities related to risk management, innovation, strategic planning design and CSR at various points in his career. He spearheaded several transformations across four continents, having lived and worked in India, Malaysia, the United States and Hong Kong.
He serves as the Asia-Pacific Co-Lead for the AI for Human Flourishing think tank, convened by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University.

Ajay also co-founded Trogon Global Events Management, a unique Dubai based culture and creativity startup attempting to bring the sciences and the creative arts together. He is an investor and/or adviser to cutting edge startups such as Aetheon, Marlee and others.

He is a Senior Fellow at The Conference Board's Global Innovate & Transform Institute.

Beyond business, Ajay is an award-winning poet, fiction writer, editor and literary festival curator who has published seven books, and whose works have been translated into more than ten languages. He is a certified Compassion Based Resilience Training instructor from the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, New York, a leading centre for integrating modern neuroscience and Eastern psychology.

He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and post graduate qualifications in management (XLRI - Xavier Institute of Management, Jamshedpur), applied neuroscience (Kings College London) and psychology (Annamalai University). He is an international affiliate of the American Psychological Association, and is a member of the Kings Neuroscience Society and Poets of the Planet.