The Board of Governors oversees the strategic direction of GESS. All Board members are non-executive and work on a voluntary basis without remuneration. The Board has ten members, eight of whom are elected by the members of the Association at the Annual General Meeting, and two of whom are appointed by the Board.
Board of Governors
Florian Weidinger
President
Professional Experience
Florian is the founder and CEO of an investment management company focused on emerging markets. He currently serves on the committee of the Stanford GSB alumni association in Singapore and is a non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of a shipping company listed on the New York stock exchange. Florian holds degrees in business studies and environmental science.
Florian and his family have been living in Singapore since 2011 and been members of the GESS community since 2013.
GESS Subcommittee
- School Development
- Investment Oversight
Number of Children at GESS: 2
Verena Desai
Vice President
Professional Experience
Verena Desai has a Masters in Technical Mathematics and is originally from Vienna, Austria. She spent her professional career in investment banking, working in Vienna, Frankfurt and London in Emerging Markets Fixed Income trading and sales (RZB, Dresdner Kleinwort and Jefferies).
After moving to Singapore with her family in 2010 she gave up her job and decided to focus on her family.
GESS Subcommittees
• Board Development
• School Development
Number of children at GESS: 3
Claudia Harding
Honorary Treasurer
Professional Experience
Claudia is a managing director of an international asset management firm and a senior investment professional with over 20 years of professional experience and an industry leader in ESG investing and sustainability.
Whilst born and raised in Germany, Claudia studied and worked in the US, UK and over the past five years in Singapore.
She holds a German Business degree and a US Master of Economics.
Claudia and her family moved from London to Singapore in December 2018.
GESS Subcommittee
- Finance
- HR & Volunteer Management
Number of Children at GESS: 2
Ray Sandhu
Honorary Secretary
Professional Experience
Ray Sandhu is an advocate solicitor qualified in England and Wales specialising in both civil and commercial litigation. Ray who is a Singaporean, completed his academic education in the UK and holds a BSc in Sports Development degree as well as a Masters in Law (LLM).
Having worked and lived in the UK for more than 20 years, his experience in the field of litigation is extensive.
He returned to Singapore in 2017 and joined the Law Society of Singapore. During his time there, he was instrumental in project managing the branding and marketing of the Law Society’s full suite of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) schemes. He is currently the Director at Mente Consultancy.
GESS Subcommittee
- Board Development
- Fundraising
- Audit & Risk
Number of Children at GESS: 2
Professional Experience
Florian is the founder and CEO of an investment management company focused on emerging markets. He currently serves on the committee of the Stanford GSB alumni association in Singapore and is a non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of a shipping company listed on the New York stock exchange. Florian holds degrees in business studies and environmental science.
Florian and his family have been living in Singapore since 2011 and been members of the GESS community since 2013.
GESS Subcommittee
- School Development
- Investment Oversight
Number of Children at GESS: 2
Professional Experience
Verena Desai has a Masters in Technical Mathematics and is originally from Vienna, Austria. She spent her professional career in investment banking, working in Vienna, Frankfurt and London in Emerging Markets Fixed Income trading and sales (RZB, Dresdner Kleinwort and Jefferies).
After moving to Singapore with her family in 2010 she gave up her job and decided to focus on her family.
GESS Subcommittees
• Board Development
• School Development
Number of children at GESS: 3
Professional Experience
Claudia is a managing director of an international asset management firm and a senior investment professional with over 20 years of professional experience and an industry leader in ESG investing and sustainability.
Whilst born and raised in Germany, Claudia studied and worked in the US, UK and over the past five years in Singapore.
She holds a German Business degree and a US Master of Economics.
Claudia and her family moved from London to Singapore in December 2018.
GESS Subcommittee
- Finance
- HR & Volunteer Management
Number of Children at GESS: 2
Professional Experience
Ray Sandhu is an advocate solicitor qualified in England and Wales specialising in both civil and commercial litigation. Ray who is a Singaporean, completed his academic education in the UK and holds a BSc in Sports Development degree as well as a Masters in Law (LLM).
Having worked and lived in the UK for more than 20 years, his experience in the field of litigation is extensive.
He returned to Singapore in 2017 and joined the Law Society of Singapore. During his time there, he was instrumental in project managing the branding and marketing of the Law Society’s full suite of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) schemes. He is currently the Director at Mente Consultancy.
GESS Subcommittee
- Board Development
- Fundraising
- Audit & Risk
Number of Children at GESS: 2
Viktor Leendertz
Board Member
Professional Experience
Viktor is the Group Chief Financial Officer of Jebsen & Jessen, a family-owned diversified industrial group with operational offices across South-East Asia and beyond. He also holds board positions in joint ventures of the Group. Previously, he worked for a global chemical company where he held various responsibilities in Finance, Treasury, HR, Legal, Supply Chain Management and Merger & Acquisitions.
Viktor has extensive knowledge in general management, finance and admin related functions as well as change management, organizational development and integrations.
Viktor and his family have been living in Singapore since 2001.
GESS Subcommittees
• Investment Oversight
• Finance
Number of children at GESS: 2
Thomas Lanyi
Board Member
Professional Experience
Thomas is Managing Director at CDH Investments, a Venture Capital and Private Equity focused asset management platform, established in Singapore in 2001. Thomas leads the firm’s international investment activities, with an emphasis on the broader consumer and healthcare sectors. Thomas has two decades of experience working closely with companies at a strategic and operational level, including a broad spectrum of education related businesses and organizations. Throughout his career, he has sat on or chaired numerous Boards.
Thomas has been actively involved with Not-For-Profit societies, most recently the Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SVCA), which he chaired until 2021. Thomas is a regular public speaker and been lecturing at different institutions in Southeast Asia.
Thomas studied Economics and Business Administration at universities in Vienna and Paris, and holds a doctorate degree in Econometrics. He moved to Singapore in 2001, Thomas and his family have been members of the GESS community since 2014.
GESS Subcommittees
- School Development
- Finance
Number of children at GESS: 0
Thomas Schaumburg
Board Member
Professional Experience
Thomas is Managing Partner of Prinz & Partners, heading the Digital & Data Advisory Services. He has held Partner positions with KPMG and CAPCO in Germany, France, UK and Singapore advising companies on strategy and digital adoption. Thomas is member of a VC Group, investing and mentoring especially Tech Startups. Thomas holds degrees in German Language and Literature) and in Business Administration. He has previously served as ordinary member on the Board of the IDSP (Internationale Deutsche Schule Paris), driving the digital transformation of the school.
He and his family have been in Singapore from 2010 to 2016, and came back in 2021.
GESS Subcommittees
- Infrastructure
- Fundraising
Number of children at GESS: 2
Kristina Strunz
Board Member
Professional Experience
Kristina has over 20 years of experience in General Management, business development, and business transformation. Currently, she is the managing director of a leading multi-national beauty company, where she develops and executes regional strategies for luxury and consumer beauty across India and Southeast Asia.
She volunteers with the Singapore Red Cross and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Kristina has lived in the US, UK, France, and Switzerland, and for over 11 years, she and her family have called Singapore their home.
GESS Subcommittees:
To be determined
Number of Children at GESS: 1
Professional Experience
Viktor is the Group Chief Financial Officer of Jebsen & Jessen, a family-owned diversified industrial group with operational offices across South-East Asia and beyond. He also holds board positions in joint ventures of the Group. Previously, he worked for a global chemical company where he held various responsibilities in Finance, Treasury, HR, Legal, Supply Chain Management and Merger & Acquisitions.
Viktor has extensive knowledge in general management, finance and admin related functions as well as change management, organizational development and integrations.
Viktor and his family have been living in Singapore since 2001.
GESS Subcommittees
• Investment Oversight
• Finance
Number of children at GESS: 2
Professional Experience
Thomas is Managing Director at CDH Investments, a Venture Capital and Private Equity focused asset management platform, established in Singapore in 2001. Thomas leads the firm’s international investment activities, with an emphasis on the broader consumer and healthcare sectors. Thomas has two decades of experience working closely with companies at a strategic and operational level, including a broad spectrum of education related businesses and organizations. Throughout his career, he has sat on or chaired numerous Boards.
Thomas has been actively involved with Not-For-Profit societies, most recently the Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SVCA), which he chaired until 2021. Thomas is a regular public speaker and been lecturing at different institutions in Southeast Asia.
Thomas studied Economics and Business Administration at universities in Vienna and Paris, and holds a doctorate degree in Econometrics. He moved to Singapore in 2001, Thomas and his family have been members of the GESS community since 2014.
GESS Subcommittees
- School Development
- Finance
Number of children at GESS: 0
Professional Experience
Thomas is Managing Partner of Prinz & Partners, heading the Digital & Data Advisory Services. He has held Partner positions with KPMG and CAPCO in Germany, France, UK and Singapore advising companies on strategy and digital adoption. Thomas is member of a VC Group, investing and mentoring especially Tech Startups. Thomas holds degrees in German Language and Literature) and in Business Administration. He has previously served as ordinary member on the Board of the IDSP (Internationale Deutsche Schule Paris), driving the digital transformation of the school.
He and his family have been in Singapore from 2010 to 2016, and came back in 2021.
GESS Subcommittees
- Infrastructure
- Fundraising
Number of children at GESS: 2
Professional Experience
Kristina has over 20 years of experience in General Management, business development, and business transformation. Currently, she is the managing director of a leading multi-national beauty company, where she develops and executes regional strategies for luxury and consumer beauty across India and Southeast Asia.
She volunteers with the Singapore Red Cross and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Kristina has lived in the US, UK, France, and Switzerland, and for over 11 years, she and her family have called Singapore their home.
GESS Subcommittees:
To be determined
Number of Children at GESS: 1
Dr. Norbert A. Braun
Board Member
Professional Experience
Norbert is currently Vice President Innovation & QC, Asia Pacific @ Symrise - a leading global fragrance and flavor company. He studied Biology and Chemistry for teaching in secondary schools and did his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry.
He has extensive experience in managing culturally diverse teams in Asia, Europe and the US and was a leading member of a team to manage constructions and interior design of offices and labs in Asia.
Norbert wants to bring a different perspective with his Analytical Thinking as a scientist and a strong passion for “ONE GESS” to the Board.
Norbert and his family have been living in Singapore since 2005.
GESS Subcommittees
- HR & Volunteer Management
- Infrastructure
Number of children at GESS: 2
Dr. Maren Schweizer
Board Member
Professional Experience
Maren is an accomplished technology executive with 20+ years of comprehensive success and rapid career growth in Manufacturing, Automotive, Electronics, Aviation, and Investment Management. As CEO of multiple organizations, and 15+ years specifically of leadership experience in Asia and Europe, Maren is highly passionate about leading in leading large-scale digital and business reorganizations, strategic turnarounds, and new-venture development.
She has held multiple Governance Board roles for 15 years of ListCos in Germany and Japan, more recently as independent director of microelectronics PCB businesses in Japan. In her recent role as CEO for the Schweizer World Group in Singapore, Maren built the corporate venturing and innovation and portfolio management arm of international operations which includes 34 corporate entities.
Maren and her family are in Singapore since 2013.
GESS Subcommittee
- Audit & Risk
- School Development
Number of Children at GESS: 1
Professional Experience
Norbert is currently Vice President Innovation & QC, Asia Pacific @ Symrise - a leading global fragrance and flavor company. He studied Biology and Chemistry for teaching in secondary schools and did his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry.
He has extensive experience in managing culturally diverse teams in Asia, Europe and the US and was a leading member of a team to manage constructions and interior design of offices and labs in Asia.
Norbert wants to bring a different perspective with his Analytical Thinking as a scientist and a strong passion for “ONE GESS” to the Board.
Norbert and his family have been living in Singapore since 2005.
GESS Subcommittees
- HR & Volunteer Management
- Infrastructure
Number of children at GESS: 2
Professional Experience
Maren is an accomplished technology executive with 20+ years of comprehensive success and rapid career growth in Manufacturing, Automotive, Electronics, Aviation, and Investment Management. As CEO of multiple organizations, and 15+ years specifically of leadership experience in Asia and Europe, Maren is highly passionate about leading in leading large-scale digital and business reorganizations, strategic turnarounds, and new-venture development.
She has held multiple Governance Board roles for 15 years of ListCos in Germany and Japan, more recently as independent director of microelectronics PCB businesses in Japan. In her recent role as CEO for the Schweizer World Group in Singapore, Maren built the corporate venturing and innovation and portfolio management arm of international operations which includes 34 corporate entities.
Maren and her family are in Singapore since 2013.
GESS Subcommittee
- Audit & Risk
- School Development
Number of Children at GESS: 1
The Board meets a minimum of four times per year. Between meetings, Board Members are expected to serve on the Board Sub-Committees and Working Groups: Audit and Risk, Board Development, Finance, Fundraising, Human Resources and Volunteer Management, Infrastructure, Investment Oversight and School Development. Governors may also be asked to support with matters on an ad hoc basis.
Term Limit of Board
To enable succession planning and steady renewal in the spirit of sustainability of the Association, the Board has a term limit of nine years. In particular, the Honorary Treasurer has a term limit of four consecutive years; however, they may be elected or appointed to other vacancies or Office Bearer roles.
A Board Member holding the office of the President, Vice President or Honorary Secretary shall not serve for a period exceeding six consecutive years in this position, but may be elected or appointed, to any other vacancy on the Board of Governors thereafter.
Board Pipeline
The Board Pipeline is a platform for (i) Association members to familiarise themselves with the Board’s work and to volunteer time to the School as well as (ii) the Board to ensure succession planning by identifying suitable Board Pipeline Members who may be interested in becoming Board Members and fulfill identified skill and knowledge gaps required by the Board.
The process for Association members to register interest in becoming a Pipeline Member is set out below, (the Board Development Sub Committee (“BDSC”) may also nominate candidates for Board Pipeline Membership):
- Submit CV and short statement of intent to the Board Secretary using this short form linked here;
- External Background Checks are conducted;
- Review of the application by the BDSC;
- The BDSC decides, based on the Board’s needs, whether to submit the application, together with its recommendation, to the Board;
- The Board shall vote on the application and give weight to (i) the applicant's particular expertise and background, to ensure that the Board is able to draw on a broad base of experience, and (ii) maintaining a balance between Board and Pipeline Members with children of different age groups and at different School sections in line with the Board’s Diversity Statement and the various skills required for the Board to fulfil its roles and responsibilities.
Pipeline Members are not entitled to attend Board meetings and have no voting rights on the Board or in the Sub Committees on which they sit.
Full documented guidelines are set out in the Constitution and The By-Laws which are available to all Members of the Association on the Association portal.
Current Board Pipeline Members are:
- Mario Becker
- Nico Erdmann
- Johanna Leube
- Xiaolei Lu
- Dr. Susanne Milcher
- Marc Pochert
- Robert Puschmann
- Marco Zucchet
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