The Art and Science of Planting and Growing Trees: Cultivating Biodiversity and Corporate Sustainability in the TNFD Era

Wander is a senior executive with 25+ years management experience in businesses and NGOs in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Wander leads Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden as Executive Director, where he and his team of 250+ staff work on biodiversity, wildlife rehabilitation, organic farming, reforestation, sustainable living and holistic education with the mission to harmonize our (human) relationship with nature.

Furthermore, Wander is business advisor of and impact investor in social enterprises in Africa and the Netherlands, related to poverty alleviation and agricultural transition.

Wander has a master’s degree Development Geography and Economics with as main subject: ‘Why are some countries rich and others poor?’ and what can we do about it! Specifically, how can we change our current economic model and human behavior to better live within the ecological boundaries of the earth.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

To make Nature the most important stakeholder in any (re)development plan for Hong Kong.

Sophia Zhu is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience in strategic governance, environmental sustainability, and organisational growth. As the Special Advisor of Development and Strategy at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), she leverages her expertise to advance conservation efforts, drive innovative approaches to protecting biodiversity, and work with corporations to integrate these principles into their business strategies.

With a passion for integrating science, art, and philosophy, Sophia brings a holistic perspective to understanding and safeguarding our natural world. Her experience spans both the corporate and non-profit sectors, allowing her to bridge the gap between business imperatives and environmental stewardship.

Previously, as Managing Director and Head of Compliance Testing APAC at Citigroup, Sophia built and led a regional compliance team, introduced climate risk management frameworks, and spearheaded transformative organizational changes. Her work in the financial sector provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities businesses face in adopting sustainable practices.

Sophia also serves as a Trustee at the Croucher Foundation, where she has led governance reforms and provided strategic direction. Her expertise in trust-based philanthropy and stakeholder engagement has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and driving impactful change.

At KFBG, Sophia combines her strategic planning skills, environmental knowledge, and leadership experience to further the organization’s mission of nature conservation and sustainable living. She bridges corporate sustainability goals with practical conservation efforts, enhancing the impact of KFBG’s initiatives.

My Sustainability Goals for 2024:

Corporations start to engage in proactive biodiversity enhancement and habitat restoration work.