Karen is an NED that possesses diverse, international experience across both private and public sectors. She is currently appointed to the Boards of HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited, Manulife US Real Estate Management Pte Ltd (the investment manager of SGXlisted Manulife US REIT), Banyan Tree Holdings, and The Red Pencil Singapore. Her previous Boards included Denmark’s Falck, Northeastern University USA, Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation and Singapore EDB Investments.
Karen started working life at the Singapore Ministry of Finance, and this included postings to the Inland Revenue Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Her career then pivoted into healthcare, where she concurrently held Deputy CEO positions at SingHealth and Singapore General Hospital. Hospitals work hand in glove with medical schools, and Karen was instrumental in the teams setting up two in Singapore: Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and LKC Medical School at Nanyang Technological University. She has headed advisory work for clients and worked at prestigious hospitals across Asia, including ones in Bangkok, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon.
Following her hands-on experience in healthcare and education, Karen moved into private equity and was CEO / Executive Director at IP Investment Management Singapore, an alternative real estate licensed fund manager. She was also a Senior Advisor to TVM Capital Healthcare Partners.
Karen has a BA (Hons) in Economics, from the University of Cambridge and a Masters in Public Administration / International Tax Program (Certificate) from Harvard University.