Impact Investing to Create Shared Value

Dr. Ruth A. Shapiro is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS). CAPS is a research and advisory non-profit organization based in Hong Kong and working throughout Asia. CAPS is committed to producing world-class, evidence-based research to help philanthropists, governments and social delivery organizations maximize the positive impact of private social investment.

Dr. Shapiro is the primary author of Pragmatic Philanthropy: Asian Charity Explained, published by Palgrave Macmillan in January 2018. She is the editor of The Real Problem Solvers, a book about social entrepreneurship in America. She also co-authored the book, Building Energy Efficiency: Why Green Buildings are Key to Asia’s Future. She has published articles in Nikkei Asia, the South China Morning Post, Alliance and Philanthropy Impact and is a regular speaker on issues related to private social investment in Asia.

Dr. Shapiro founded the Asia Business Council and served as its Executive Director since its inception in 1997 until May 2007. She spent the early part of her professional career in the field of international development. Within this field, she held management positions and built new program areas at the Academy for Educational Development, the Harvard Institute of International Development and Global Outlook. She holds a doctorate from Stanford University and master’s Degrees from Harvard University and George Washington University. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan.

Cintia Nunes is the General Manager and Head of Asia of The Mills Fabrica. As the innovation engine to sustainability and impact of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, Cintia leads the team to connect innovators in the techstyle and agrifood tech space with capital, connections, and expertise — to bring sustainability tech innovations from concept to market.
Drawing inspiration from social business principles that prioritize both profitability and purpose, she is committed to facilitating collaboration among stakeholders across the ecosystem to advance positive environmental and social impact at scale.
Before joining The Mills Fabrica, Cintia served as Chief of Strategy and Growth at Hong Kong’s largest network of social enterprises and impact ventures. She also held leadership roles at a multinational FMCG company where she formalized business strategies for over 10 brands.

2025 Sustainability Goals

• More industry level cross-sectors collaborations
• Open dialogues across stakeholder groups on what works/what doesn’t
• Accessibility/transparency to capital across asset classes for impact

Prof. Benny Zee is the Director of the Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services (ORKTS), Director of the Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics (CCRB) and Professor of Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). In addition, he holds honorary appointments in the Department of Clinical Oncology and the Department of Statistics of CUHK; he was the Chairperson of the Joint CUHK-NTEC Clinical Research Ethics Committee from 2006-2020. He is also the Director of the Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab at the CU Shenzhen Research Institute (SZRI).
Professor Zee obtained his PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh, USA, in 1987. He then joined the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG), currently known as the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), as a Senior Biostatistician. After joining CUHK in 2001, he actively promotes international academic activities and collaborations.
Professor Zee is interested in multi-centre clinical trials, including statistical methods, data management, and drug and medical device development. He has experience developing efficient data management and “big data analytic” research using advanced computer and AI technology. He also has ample experience working with the industry to design and carry out clinical trials that satisfy both academic interests and industry objectives. He has tremendous experience developing hospital infrastructures such as the Ethics Committee, GCP Centre and Risk-based Quality Assurance to conduct clinical research that meets regulatory and international requirements. He is also active in medical device development, such as “AI-based retinal imaging analysis (ARIA)”, to assess the risk of stroke, dementia, diabetes and other chronic diseases. The technology has obtained patents from the USA, China and Taiwan and was commercialised through Health View Bioanalytic Limited with support from the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) of the Innovation Technology Commission (ITC) of Hong Kong. In addition, he is also active in bioinformatics research and co-founded Beth Bioinformatics Company Limited to predict virus mutation and use digital methods to assess vaccine effectiveness. He has published over 309 international peer-reviewed journal articles and many patents. He serves on various committees, including advisory committees for drug development and data & safety monitoring committees for international drug trials.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025 

• The Hong Kong healthcare system successfully transitions to a prevention-first model, prioritizing early prevention and accessible, cost-effective screening. The incidence of chronic and preventable diseases will decrease considerably, ultimately reducing healthcare expenditure in the long run.

• Hong Kong citizens have easy access to resources and environment that promote holistic wellbeing for both physical health and mental health, fostering a high quality of life for the community.