About Me

Introduction

I am best known for my authentic approach and ability to get things done in the areas of grant-writing, facilitation and coaching.

From 2017 - 2023, I spent 6 years building A Good Space, Singapore's first co-operative of changemakers working together on projects for greater social impact.

Together, we worked on projects such as disbursing $1.12M in short-term financial assistance to low-income families during the pandemic, activating 90 citizens to prototype ideas to improve the lives of migrant workers and designing a youth mental wellness center for the government.

These experiences taught me that citizens are our greatest untapped assets and they don’t have to come forward only when they are angry.

Experiencing the highs and lows of running a social enterprise ignited my passion for impact work and I seek more opportunities to learn and apply my strengths in service of others.

My Mission

At age 18, we are often asked to pick a degree when the real choice is what life to pick. Growing up, I discovered that I wanted to use my life and career to reduce suffering in the world.

I envision a world where every human being has available and recurring access to good support networks, institutions and programs that reduce their suffering and improve the quality of lives.

Care is provided first by fellow citizens and later by institutions, in a way that affirms their agency and dignity. Nobody can ever say: “I don’t know anybody who can help me.”

I seek to contribute to this world by helping to start or operate businesses that provide employment for vulnerable communities and use the profits to fund their basic needs, dreams and areas where traditional governmental assistance does not cover.

When the time is right, I pivot the businesses to become employee-owned co-operatives, setting up institutions that belong to the community.

I am a community animator who helps facilitate generative conversations that provoke new modes of thinking and supports prototyping innovative solutions in different countries.

I help local nonprofits and governments to discover the assets of their people and connect them meaningfully to make progress on important social and community issues.

Whether it is designing a safe refuge for young people with mental health challenges in Singapore or supporting a community in Kenya with water access, I answer the call of suffering and go where I can be useful.

Values I Aspire to Embody

I align myself with these principles and use them to inform the way I work and live

Service

I act to have a positive impact on the people around me, communities I am a part of and the country I live in. When interacting with people, I look for what is strong, not what is wrong. I leave a place, person or organization a little better than when I found it.

Express Curiosity

I adopt a beginner’s mindset and choose to first listen to understand, rather than listen to respond. I notice my barriers to learning and practice having an open mind to learn from the people I meet and interactions I have, especially those whom I don’t naturally agree with or are different.

Non-Violence

I am responsible for my emotions and connect my feelings to my needs. I express my needs appropriately and guard against resentment. I see people and triggers as teachers bearing lessons to help me understand myself better. I listen to the needs of others and where possible, support them to articulate these needs in the form of requests.

Seek Intention

I embark on the lifelong journey to be in contact with my language, body, emotions and needs. Through introspection and extrospection, I choose actions that serve my dreams and growth. I learn to better see the difference between the things I can control and the things I cannot control.

Entrepreneurial

I am creative and find ways to pull together resources to create meaningful products, projects or organizations that are of value to communities I care about and my country.

Integrity

I align my words and actions and do what I say. I choose honesty and do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. I hold steadfast amidst temptation and am a man of honor.

My Services

Grant and Proposal Writing

I help mid-sized non-profit leaders and social entrepreneurs in Singapore, the US and Europe with limited bandwidth to write successful grant applications and proposals, securing $1M+ SGD to grow their programs and services.

Strategic & Civic Engagement Facilitation

I support non-profit leaders to facilitate strategic retreats and multi-sector stakeholder conversations to guide program / service design. I also partner government agencies and educators to design innovative citizen engagement experiences.

Coaching for Non-Profit Leaders

Through ontological coaching, I support non-profit leaders and managers to find their own answers to getting unstuck, enhance decision making and build a plan for their goals, driving greater impact in their teams and organizations.

Speaking / Moderation at Panels & Forums

I help to moderate or speak at panel discussions, forums, conferences, lightning talks, or brown bag sessions for non-profit sector and government agencies on the topics of social impact, co-operatives and active citizenry.

  • Vincent has a deep care for serving society and exceptional competencies in meeting design, facilitation and relationship building. I was so impressed that I asked him to contribute to my book and his essay: “Facilitating Citizen Action for Social Change: Strengthening Singapore’s Democracy Through Citizen Participation” is an excellent guide".

    Douglas O'Loughlin

    Associate Consultant, Civil Service College

  • As Treasurer in the Board for A Good Space Cooperative Limited, I observed Vincent's ability as GM to work with the Board to implement a comprehensive strategic plan, establish yearly budgets and workplans, review governance policies and ensure compliance with annual audit requirements

    Christine Sim

    CEO, The Entre Club Pte Ltd

  • During our collaboration on the Migrant Workers Listening Living Labs, I observed Vincent's proficiency in data collection, synthesis and presentation, workshop design and facilitation and resourcefulness to move teams beyond discussion to implement their ideas, even with limited financial and staff resources.

    Michael Cheah

    Former Executive Director, Healthserve Ltd

Connect with Me

If I could be of service to you or your organization, please click on the button below to connect with me and let’s have a chat!