On December 14 2019, Wavemaker Partners’ Operating Partner Sui Ling Cheah moderated a dialogue with 44th US President Barack Obama at the Education Benefit Gala held at The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Singapore.
The dinner was a fundraiser for Singapore charities supporting underprivileged youth and female empowerment including Dreams Academy (South Central Community Family Service Centre), Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations Service Fund, Daughters Of Tomorrow, and the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association.
The conversation covered a broad range of topics including the Obama foundation, leadership, women in power, education, social media, climate change, global rising inequality, and the future of work.
Our takeaway from the event? Progress is not a straight line. Sometimes we take turns or even steps back. What’s important is that we stay the course and not let frustration get the better of us.
As chronic optimists, we concluded with President Obama’s take on what everyone in the room could do to make positive change at the dawn of a new decade. His call to action for change-makers: take the time to mentor the next generation. It makes a difference.
Our #Wavemakers were there
There were plenty of #Wavemakers (our founders) in the room as well!
News coverage
The Straits Times‘ coverage of the event said: “The one-hour dialogue with Mr Obama, where he displayed his trademark charm, often drawing laughter from the audience, covered other topics including inequality, education and politics.”
Further information
Read The Straits Times’ coverage here.
To learn more about Sui Ling and her career, you may read this.
