AWWA names new CEO after former head moves to NKF
Mr Kevin Lee, a regional director at Microsoft, will take over as AWWA CEO on Friday (Sept 15). Photo: AWWA
SINGAPORE — AWWA, one of the biggest voluntary welfare groups here serving 6,000 beneficiaries, has found a new chief executive officer, who is a fresh face on the charity scene.
Mr Kevin Lee, who last held the position of a regional director at tech giant Microsoft, has been selected after a search that begun in May, when its former CEO, Mr Tim Oei, 58, decided to move over and helm the National Kidney Foundation. Mr Lee, who is in his 40s, takes over the reins starting today, AWWA said in a press release.
Describing him as “a seasoned management leader with over 20 years of experience in managing groundbreaking operatives and transformation agendas” at companies including Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems and Siemens, the charity said that Mr Lee will “work closely” with its board of directors and senior management to continue serving the underprivileged.
When asked about his relative lack of experience in the social services sector, Mr Lee — who holds a computer and information science degree and master’s in marketing — told TODAY that his switch from the corporate world is “not dramatic”.
It is “not something that’s an overnight decision”, he added.
He has been involved in community work since 1998, when he volunteered at orphanages in Cambodia, in the wake of anti-government protests there that sparked violence. He also pointed out that he serves on the boards of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Schools (primary and secondary schools) and St Francis Methodist School.
Mr Lee called his new role at AWWA a “portfolio for putting people first”. He wants to look into how he can “bring innovation to the social service sector”, to help AWWA’s clients “lead independent, dignified lives”.
There has been an “increasing call” by the Government over the past five years for the sector to help build a more inclusive society and devise ways to manage Singapore’s ageing population through innovation, he explained. “I am truly inspired by AWWA’s enduring passion to embrace more social-impact-focused innovations, and I look forward to forging a more inclusive society for our clients, together with our experienced board, dedicated staff members and key stakeholders,” Mr Lee said.
Ms Janice Ang, chairperson of the nonprofit organisation, said: “Given Kevin’s breadth and depth of experience in both community and commercial sectors, he is a strong candidate to lead the team at AWWA to continue to identify and provide groundbreaking programmes and services.”
Established in 1970, AWWA provides community-based programmes and services to people of all ages.
These include early intervention programmes or special education for children and youth with special needs and multiple disabilities, health and social outreach programmes and services to enable seniors to age-in-place, and caregivers support.
Mr Oei, a lawyer by training who was CEO of AWWA from 2009, officially stepped down in August. Since then, Ms Ang had worked with the organisation’s board members to ensure his duties were covered, its spokesperson said.
