Pat Dwyer

Founder and Director

Pat is a respected sustainability expert and the founder of The Purpose Business (TPB). She has over two decades of sustainability leadership experience and is passionate about helping leaders and businesses in Asia activate purpose and grow responsibly.  

She serves as a Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and sits on the Global Steering Committee of one of its flagship offerings, the Business & Sustainability Programme. She works as faculty and tutor across several Executive Education programmes as well as online offerings including Governance for a Sustainable Future and High Impact Leadership.  

Pat sits on advisory boards including the Shared Care Collective for Sanofi Consumer Healthcare as well as Enrich, a Hong Kong-based charity dedicated to the financial literacy of migrant domestic workers.   

Before TPB, Pat held pioneering roles for Asian conglomerates.  She was the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Manager at Ayala Land, the Philippines’ most esteemed land developer. Then, as the first Global Head of CSR & Sustainability for Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, she reached landmark organisational milestones including becoming the first Asian hotel chain to be recognised in the Hang Seng Sustainability and Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the first Asian hotel chain to ban the service of shark’s fin, back in 2014.  

A knowledgeable and engaging speaker on purpose and leadership, responsible business, women’s empowerment and inclusion, she regularly hosts and moderates the highest-level panels and events including the Obama Foundation Leaders' summit and sessions at the World Economic Forum.  

She was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2015 and remains a fellow of the Asia Society and the Royal Society of Arts.  

Pat holds an MA in Globalisation & Governance, certificates in Transformational Leadership from the University of Oxford and Global Leadership & Public Policy for the 21st Century from the Harvard Kennedy School.  

Adrian Cheng

Sustainability Advisor

Adrian works closely with organisations to ensure they measure, manage and monitor sustainability data effectively to accurately track performance.

Adrian’s broad range of capabilities in the field of sustainability includes data analysis, materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement, training workshops and report writing. He is a specialist in reporting guidelines such as HKEx ESG Reporting Guide and GRI Standards.  

Before joining TPB, Adrian  has worked with Business Environment Council, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre.

He holds a BSc in Environmental Life Science from the University of Hong Kong and a MSc in Environmental Technologies from Imperial College London.

Alvin Wong

Sustainability Advisor

Alvin is a dynamic sales and account management professional with a passion for embedding purpose and sustainability into day-to-day operational processes.

He has extensive experience in sales, retail and business development, and leverages this expertise to discern the business case for sustainability and purpose transformation. With a career spanning multiple sectors and having worked across 10 of Asia's major economic hubs, Alvin brings a deep understanding of cultural and local context to his stakeholder engagement and facilitation style, making him an effective partner for leaders in addressing key sustainability issues.

Alvin holds an MBA from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School and a degree in Business Administration from De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde. An ardent advocate for diversity and inclusion, he is a volunteer mentor for young leaders affiliated with Community Business, one of Asia's leading not-for-profit organisations promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in companies. Alvin is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Andie Uy

Sustainability Advisor

Andie empowers businesses to harness their capacity for creating sustainable value, from grassroots initiatives to boardroom strategies. Her expertise in data analysis and strong communication and people skills make her a natural leader and facilitator.

She began her career with a focus on ESG data aggregation to inform corporate and sustainability disclosures and swiftly progressed to developing sustainable narratives and strategic frameworks. Andie has supported transformation projects by facilitating purpose articulation and driving activation and engagement. She has been instrumental in guiding executive leadership of blue-chip companies to embed purpose into their business models, including Philippines' largest food manufacturers and some of its most trusted family conglomerates, as well as Hong Kong-based hotel group, Swire Hotels. 

Andie graduated with honours from Ateneo de Manila University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Management in Applied Chemistry. An environmental and social advocate, she was a youth council member in her hometown, a Climate Reality Leader and a co-developer of a community food security toolkit for a social agribusiness. At The Purpose Business, Andie has worked across multiple sectors, including food and manufacturing, automotives and shipping. Her clients value her thoughtful and grounded approach, prioritising creating shared value.

Andrew Russell

Head of Client Services I Sustainability Advisor

Andrew blends deep global management consulting experience with keen sustainability insight to craft strategic solutions that support responsible businesses.

With over two decades of professional service across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Andrew excels in forging client-centric solutions that bridge the gap between business growth and sustainability strategies. His advisory work spans a diverse range of industries, including financial services, media, technology, transportation, government, hospitality, and F&B.

Andrew holds a BASc in Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an Honours Executive MBA from Ashridge-Hult. His qualifications include the FT Non-Executive Director Diploma, ICGN course in Governance, Stewardship and Sustainability and several HKIoD certifications and is a member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Chris Dwyer

Senior Writer, Reporting and Disclosures

Chris is a Hong Kong­-based writer and communications expert with more than 20 years of experience working with top-tier global brands. His compelling communications underscore the purpose, integrity and value of sustainability initiatives.

Prior to establishing his own consultancy, Chris led corporate communications, marketing and PR across Asia Pacific for CNN International and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific.

Before moving to Hong Kong, Chris led UK communications for the youth development charity Raleigh International and represented them in Belize, Malaysia and Chile where he accompanied Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, on an expedition.

Educated in Britain, France and the United States, he speaks fluent French and conversational German and Spanish.

Denise Samson

Executive - Operations & Communications

Denise fuses her experience in hospitality management with sustainability practices to bring meaningful insights to the intersection of tourism and environmental stewardship.

Her practical experience in applying sustainability principles within lodging and tourist attractions has sharpened her understanding of creating organisational shared value. At The Purpose Business, her belief that sustainability can be a powerful tool across various sectors shapes her approach to fostering impactful community and destination development.

Denise is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Tourism Development and Management at the University of the Philippines and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Travel Management from the University of Santo Tomas.

She is an active member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.

Elise McAuley

Sustainability Advisor

Elise is an Oxford University and University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) trained economist. She has 15 years’ experience in sustainable development and climate change initiatives in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

She has a strong track record of delivering reporting services and supporting clients to achieve disclosure and transparency, in line with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ESG Guide and the constantly evolving Global Reporting Initiative standards (GRI G4 & GRI Standards). Elise is also well versed in global recommendations on climate related financial disclosures such as TCFD.

Since 2012, Elise has advised and written over 60 reports for companies that comply (one or more) with HKEX, Bursa Malaysia and SGEX relevant laws and regulations.

A founding member of TPB, Elise appreciates working in an industry with ‘purpose’ and is passionate about supporting companies with ambitions to grow responsibly.

Dr. Merrin Pearse

Sustainability Advisor

A trained land surveyor, geodetic advisor and circularity convenor, Dr. Pearse is a natural problem solver and positive impact catalyst. His curiosity makes him a  natural facilitator and eager listener, able to thread insights well and synthesise discussion points to aid with learning and/ or decision-making .

Merrin's experience spans over 3 decades of holding leadership roles from land development consulting to social enterprises and environmental non profit organisations across Asia Pacific.  In business roundtables he brings with him scenario analysis as a method to surface priorities, innovate processes and motivate teams. He has deep expertise in the areas of waste management and circularity, social impact and environmental conservation - all topics that he regularly speaks on and sparks his light. 

Merrin holds a doctorate degree in Geomatics. A certified facilitator, he sits on the board of Masarang HK and continues to share his time and expertise in professional learning and development circles such as the Competent Boards and Sustainable Business Network as a faculty member. Since 2016, Merrin has been instrumental in the development of close to 20 sustainability strategy frameworks for industries spanning hospitality, transportation, supply chain, and construction.

Dr. Margaret Burnett

Sustainability Advisor

Margaret is Programme Director of Sustainability Leadership and Governance at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and is highly valued by TPB clients for her strategic approaches to align sustainability research and thinking with vision and action.

From her work in Canada and Hong Kong and across the public, private and non-profit sectors, Margaret has three decades of experience helping organisations integrate sustainability principles into organisational culture and core decision making. Her expertise and interests include opportunity analysis, social impact, sustainable food systems, urban planning, climate change and building collaborative cultures.

Margaret holds a BA Distinction, and an MA in Regional Planning and Resource Development, and her PhD from HKU. Her teaching includes business sustainability, leadership, ethics and corporate social responsibility where she aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Hanna Pacua

Sustainability Advisor

Hanna excels in leading private sector-led development initiatives, possessing experience spanning corporate philanthropy, corporate sustainability, climate finance and development communications.

Over the past fifteen years, Hanna has successfully bridged the gap between the non-profit and business sectors, holding impactful roles at organisations such as Give2Asia, Cebu Pacific Air and the International Finance Corporation. Driven by a passion to enhance societal contributions, she is skilled in guiding individuals and organisations to identify and leverage their strengths. Her areas of expertise include sustainability research, strategic communications, strategy development and report writing.

Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Ecology with a Major in Social Development from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, complemented by a Masters of Development Communication from the UP Open University. Hanna is also an alumna of the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program at the University of California, Berkeley.

Jess Yiu

Head of Operations I Sustainability Advisor

Jess is an experienced business operations and finance professional with over 10 years of expertise in workflow mapping, process improvement, and solutions assessment.

She has worked in a variety of industries, from professional services to financial data, and understands the differing needs of firms ranging from boutique SME to MNC. With a background in accounting and data analysis, coupled with a skillset in project and stakeholder management, Jess is skilled at bridging the gap between process planning, and driving execution and implementation.

Originally from Vancouver, she holds a BComm in Accounting and International Business from the University of British Columbia, and is a qualified CPA, CA (Canada).

Kennisha Amon

Head of Culture I Sustainability Advisor

Kennisha is a skilled sustainability strategist and capable leader, with deep experience as an ESG data analyst and strong communications skills.

At TPB, she serves as Head of Culture where she works on embedding the company's values across all processes, implementing support and development systems, and cultivating TPB's team dynamics. She also sits at the helm of sustainability reporting projects as a reporting adviser and is a key team member of sustainability strategy projects. Kennisha made impactful contributions in sustainability analysis during her time working with ISS ESG, a leading global ratings provider and played a pivotal role in training employees on a wide range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

Kennisha holds a degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Ateneo de Manila University and has completed numerous sustainability courses. She has also held leadership roles in social and environmental organisations such as AIESEC and the Ateneo Environmental Science Society.

Lynn Backe

Head of Marketing and Communications I Sustainability Advisor

Lynn is a senior marketing and communications specialist with a background in building brands through strategic integrated marketing communications.

For over 20 years she has advised both corporate and public sector leaders on strategic communications, public affairs, integrated marketing comms, stakeholder engagement and internal employee communications across a range of issues including but not limited to corporate strategy, ESG and CSR strategies and initiatives, reputation and issues management and M&A employee engagement.

Lynn is passionate about measurable and accountable purpose, and corporate strategies and ambitions to create sustainable and inclusive growth for all stakeholders.

Martha Fernandez

Sustainability Advisor

Martha has over two decades of experience in sustainability and in the property development sector, with a distinguished career in carbon asset management and climate change initiatives.

As a regional manager for two leading carbon asset managers, Bunge Environmental Markets and Climate Change Capital, Martha oversaw the commercial development of projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. As part of this work, she focused on carbon financing and stakeholder management for renewable energy and sustainability initiatives in compliance with the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) programme. During her tenure with the United Nations, Martha collaborated with UNEP’s Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and the Southeast Asia circular initiatives on climate adaptation and plastic waste solutions.

Martha holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the National University of Singapore and an MBA from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Currently based in Singapore, in her role with The Purpose Business she collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive sustainability strategies for listed companies, with a focus on waste management and regulatory compliance. She also leads leadership retreats and facilitates workshops on Purpose, Values and Ambition articulation and activation.

Mei Kok

Sustainability Advisor

Hailing from Singapore, Mei brings over a decade of expertise managing projects and partnerships focused on elevating sustainable business across Asia Pacific. Mei has led teams at both the Asian Development Bank and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at the Asia School of Business and spearheaded project operations at an agri-tech consulting firm. She has also held an executive role at the nonprofit organisation AIESEC, where she honed skills in leadership development.

In her free time, Mei enjoys exploring the depths of oceans while scuba diving and immersing herself in new cultures while traveling. She aspires to fortify TPB’s footprint in sustainable development and advance long-term growth for businesses across the globe.

Mei holds an MBA from IE Business School and an undergraduate degree in Commerce, majoring in accounting and finance, from the University of Western Australia.

Outi Gruener

Head of Market Development I Sustainability Advisor

Outi is a dynamic sustainability leader and management professional with over 14 years of transformative impact in Southeast Asia, where she has spearheaded purpose-driven initiatives and forged strategic alliances across multinational corporations, government bodies and social investors.
 
Her expertise encompasses developing sustainability strategies, facilitating workshops for senior leadership teams and creating collaborative platforms to drive responsible growth. A sought-after speaker and panellist, Outi is known for her deep understanding of the ESG landscape, corporate sustainability and purpose-led business strategies.
 
Outi holds a Master's degree in Social Sciences from the University of Turku in Finland, including two years of study at the University of Leipzig in Germany. Originally from Finland, she has spent half her life abroad and identifies as a global native at home amongst diverse cultures and regions. Outi currently resides in Singapore. 

Pat Fong

Sustainability Advisor

Pat has over 20 years of experience in marketing communications and sales. She has held leadership roles in international advertising and financial companies including Citibank, HSBC and DBS Bank where she strategised and led projects for branding, product campaign, PR and internal staff engagement. Her extensive project delivery credential covers across multiple functions and cultures.

A natural communicator, Pat is quick at establishing rapport with internal and external stakeholders clients and colleagues to build trusted relationships. She has successfully transited these skills from a big corporate environment to holding key roles in boutique consultancies where she quickly grasps client’s business issues to provide insightful and practical solutions.

Pat is committed to promoting holistic well-being within individuals and within the society. At TPB, this means helping business in their ESG journey to deliver realistic and measurable results.

Pat is a business graduate from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and is bilingual in English and Chinese.

Pua Kielland

Sustainability Advisor

Pua is a skilled communicator with over a decade of experience working across sectors on key sustainability issues. She was an early member of TPB and is thrilled to be part of such a diverse and dynamic team, committed to working with purpose in the fast-evolving corporate sustainability space. At TPB, Pua focuses her efforts on helping companies to shape their sustainability narratives, through sustainability report writing and other communications tools. She is also part of TPB’s internal communications team, where she contributes to content planning and crafts relevant, timely articles for TPB clients and the broader community. 

Originally from Hawaii, she started her career as an environmental journalist and advocate in the US. During her twelve years in Hong Kong, she served as a communications and sustainability professional for such organizations as the Business Environment Council (BEC), World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, Ocean Recovery Alliance, Future 500 and the Clinton Global Initiative Asia. 

In her spare time Pua can be found adventuring around the mountains of Vermont with her family. 

Pua holds a BA in English Literature from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she graduated Cum Laude and with Distinction.

Simon Lee

Sustainability Advisor

Simon possesses deep expertise in sustainability, combining experience in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, qualitative and quantitative research, value network and systems change approaches, and financial insight. This unique blend positions him as an invaluable catalyst for transformative change across sectors and industries. Simon’s client base includes multinational companies, philanthropic foundations, public institutions, and the social economy. 

His nearly two decades of experience spans the UK, Europe and Asia, where he has provided strategic sustainability advisory and reporting services to many prominent organisations. Simon is a skilled facilitator who works with leaders at all levels to build understanding of sustainability-related risks and opportunities and develop robust responses.

Alongside his work with TPB, Simon is an Associate with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, where he holds a qualification in Sustainable Finance. Simon also has an MA in International Political Economy and a BA in Economics from the University of Leeds. As the founder of ReRoot.org, Simon demonstrates leadership through promoting sustainability in the music industry.   

Vicky Lee

Sustainability Advisor

Vicky is TPB’s multilingual and multicultural (English, Cantonese and Putonghua) stakeholder engagement, workshop and training lead. She has worked with teams in international as well as regional companies based in the Greater China and Greater Bay Area.

Her innate ability to question, distill and unearth insights to build dynamic and robust strategies and deliverables such as sustainable reports and internal training programmes make her a valued member of TPB’s strategy team.

Vicky also provides advisory and writing services for reporting and disclosures with her proficient knowledge in HKEX and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.

Within People

The Purpose Business serves as Within’s Hub in Asia delivering Purpose, Values and Ambition and leadership toolkits to our shared clients. For a decade they have helped leaders around the world find purpose and grow - from multinational superbrands to homegrown startups.

Within’s ambition is for the Within Way® to be a blueprint for 21st century business. Their approach combines the best of culture development, strategy, design thinking and leadership coaching.

Yoly Javellana

Sustainability Advisor

Yoly is a licensed attorney in the Republic of the Philippines and has a role at the University of the Philippines Law Centre as a Law Reform Specialist at the Institute of Government and Law Reform and as a Senior Legal Adviser of the Program for Sustainable Finance and Financial Market Development. ​

Prior to joining The Purpose Business, she worked in private practice and the Defense and Energy sectors of the Philippine government.​

​Yoly holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a degree in Political Science from the same university.​

Passionate about sustainability and creating lasting positive impact, she is particularly interested in highlighting the social aspects of the ESG framework.  ​

​Yoly is dedicated to leveraging her skills, knowledge and experience to help organisations shift towards being more purpose-driven.