Impact Stage

Capital with Purpose Initiative — Scaling Innovation, Transforming Systems & Advancing Inclusive Growth

10 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 12:20 – 13:10

Capital with Purpose, an officially approved United Nations Social Innovation Initiative (ID62), brings together global leaders, innovators, investors and cross-sector decision-makers to confront one of today’s defining challenges: how to rebuild resilient economies, strengthen SMEs and restore inclusive growth in an era of climate disruption, economic uncertainty and widening inequality.

Delivered through a high-energy “Power Particle Exchange” format, the session moves beyond incremental sustainability to spotlight practical, scalable pathways for systems transformation — from lowering barriers to innovation for SMEs and revitalising the middle class, to unlocking cross-sector collaboration that translates bold ideas into measurable societal impact. Designed for action, the session equips leaders with real-world insights to help reshape institutions, accelerate innovation and drive long-term prosperity.

Session Learnings:

  • How to turn breakthrough ideas into scalable, practical solutions that strengthen SMEs, expand opportunity and generate long-term societal value.
  • Strategies for rebuilding resilient economies by empowering SMEs, revitalising the middle class and enabling more inclusive growth.
  • How business, investors, governments and institutions can unlock new models of collaboration to remove systemic barriers and accelerate innovation at scale.
  • Practical pathways for translating innovation into measurable outcomes that strengthen workforce resilience, economic mobility and social stability.
  • Global insights into reshaping systems for a more resilient, inclusive and future-ready society.

Post-Event Actions:

  • Identify scalable pathways to strengthen SME resilience, expand economic opportunity and support a thriving middle class within their sector or ecosystem.
  • Launch or deepen cross-sector partnerships that unlock innovation, remove systemic barriers and accelerate practical solutions at scale.
  • Apply systems-thinking approaches to redesign strategies, policies or business models for more resilient and inclusive growth.
  • Translate high-impact ideas into measurable actions that strengthen workforce resilience, economic mobility and long-term societal stability.
  • Champion implementation-focused innovation that moves beyond ambition to deliver tangible outcomes across institutions, markets and society.

Speakers

Rafi Cristobal

Philanthropy for Sustainable Education Asia

Founder

Mr. Rafi Cristobal is the Founder of Philanthropy for Sustainable Education Asia (PSEA), a philanthropic foundation to support Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) schools to develop their capacity and capability on sustainable education and operation. He aims to explore and strengthen the partnership model with public and private sector for sustainability and climate funding for schools and children in both developed and developing countries in Asia by focusing on 4 areas:

  1. Providing strategic advice to philanthropic foundations and corporations to channel fundings and support to K-12 school sector in this sustainability transformation, and cultivating an ecosystem of partners across all sectors
  2. Designing, launching, and implementing philanthropic programs, grants and funds for schools in Hong Kong, The Philippines, Thailand and other Asian nations
  3. Impact investing to companies and social enterprises which show track records and commitment in supporting K-12 schools in sustainable education/operation
  4. Advocating for research and government policy to prioritise sustainable and climate education for schools and our next generation

Prior to Mr. Cristobal’s new venture, he has been an educator for children and youth for more than 20 years. Since 2021, he has connected with thousands of sustainability advocates and professionals, and contributed over 700 actionable initiatives to advocate for sustainable transformation in K-12 schools in Hong Kong after his appointment as the sustainability director at an international school.

In November 2024, Rafi was recognized as “Sustainability Leader of the Year” by the Hong Kong Management Association in the Hong Kong Sustainability Award 2024 for his contribution in sustainability education for children and youth.

Sharon Feng

APAC Financial Professionals Empowerment Center

Chair

Sharon Feng is the Chair of the APAC Financial Professionals Empowerment Center and co-creator of FinSmart for All, a systematic financial literacy and empowerment initiative. With over 18 years of experience in the financial sector, she specializes in wealth management, cross-border asset allocation, and sustainable finance. She has guided more than 100 families through identity planning, asset structuring, and life transitions.

Sharon is a key promoter of the United Nations Doha Solutions Platform-recognized initiative “Youth and Women Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment Initiative”. This global program equips youth, women, and middle-aged individuals with essential financial knowledge and micro-entrepreneurship skills through an AI-driven digital platform, mentorship, simulation programs, and Community Financial Hubs.
She was also a speaker at the 2026 UN-SDGs Impact Developers Conference held at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, where she presented FinSmart — highlighting how financial literacy and practical behavior-based learning can rebuild a critical missing layer of social infrastructure for teenagers, women, and those in career transition.

Sharon is a frequent speaker at international forums, including the upcoming World Futures Intelligence Forum 2026 at UNESCAP, addressing topics on women’s and youth financial literacy, ESG sustainable finance, ethical leadership, and cross-border wealth planning.

Her mission is to empower individuals with practical financial knowledge, risk awareness, and action capabilities through systematic education and professional guidance, enabling them to achieve financial independence and sustainable development.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026:

  1. Financial literacy for youth, women, and mid-career professionals becomes essential social infrastructure in Hong Kong.
I hope to see systematic financial education programs widely implemented, helping young people, women, and those in transition build strong money mindsets, reduce risks, and break intergenerational poverty cycles.
  2. Hong Kong establishes itself as a leading Asia-Pacific hub for youth and women’s sustainable finance and talent empowerment.
I hope Hong Kong will leverage its financial strengths and Greater Bay Area resources to create cross-border platforms that empower youth and women in ESG, inclusive economy, and sustainable career development.

Jack Huang

Social Impact Investment Foundation (SIIF)

Director

Jack Huang is an international policy and sustainability professional with cross-sector experience spanning the United Nations system, impact investment, climate and energy transition, and youth capacity-building. He currently serves as a Project Advisor to the Social Impact Investment Foundation (SIIF), where he supports strategic partnerships, SDG-aligned programme development, and selected international initiatives related to ESG, climate finance, and impact-oriented collaboration. Jack has also worked with the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (UN OICT), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the UN Multi-Country Office in Micronesia, with a focus on digital transformation, sustainable development, and policy research. In addition to his advisory work, he is an adjunct lecturer, columnist, and frequent speaker at international forums on topics including SDGs, climate governance, youth leadership, and cross-sector innovation.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026:

In 2026, Jack Huang aims to advance practical sustainability partnerships that connect youth empowerment, impact investment, and cross-sector collaboration. His priority is to help develop more actionable SDG-related programmes, especially those that link international organizations, private-sector stakeholders, academia, and local communities. He is also committed to promoting stronger dialogue on climate finance, ESG implementation, and inclusive development, while supporting initiatives that can generate long-term social and environmental value across Asia and beyond.

Sam Lam

Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Interim Director

Sam, currently Interim Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, specialises in strategic systems design thinking and innovation, shared value creation, public-private partnerships, branding and business development for public and non-profit organisations. Her career spans media, public affairs, investment, marketing, Art Tech, cultural tourism planning, social innovation, and design. She previously served as Business Development and Project Director at Hong Kong Design Centre and as a news reporter at Asia Television.

As an advisor in design thinking for multiple government innovation projects, she is committed to advancing community well‑being, cultural conservation, public space, placemaking, and creative tourism. Her collaborations include Housing Bureau, Sustainable Lantau Office, Architectural Services Department, Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, Tourism Commission and more.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026:

  1. Data-Driven Governance — Embedding Community-Level Evidence into Urban Planning and Policy Decision-Making
  2. Nature Base and Culture -Informed Urban-rural Integration — Integrating Cultural and Nature DNA and Community Ownership into the Northern Metropolis Development Framework
  3. Regenerative Economy as a Sustainability Pillar

Meeta Misra

Helicap

Chief Sustainability Officer

Meeta is currently the Chief Sustainability Officer at Helicap, a leading private credit investment firm headquartered in Singapore. With nearly 20 years of experience in asset management and private markets, Meeta has worked across both developed and emerging markets and is recognised as a thought leader in sustainable finance.

A seasoned expert in ESG and impact investments, she has a proven track record in developing and executing successful sustainable finance strategies through product innovation and strategic implementation, including impact funds and social bonds that drive capital towards creating positive measurable impact.

Her experience spans across financial institutions, development finance organisations and fintech, where she has been instrumental in developing proprietary ESG and impact frameworks that enhance transparency and accountability, bringing credibility to the deployment of impact finance.

Meeta holds a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and is a CFA Charterholder.

Luca Uguzzoni

Ambi Group

Senior Sustainable Business Developer

Luca Uguzzoni is Managing Director of Ambi Group, a Sustainable Business Development Agency based in Lugano, Switzerland, that helps organisations turn ESG and social impact ambitions into business model innovation and new revenue streams. With more than a decade of international experience across Europe/Africa and emerging markets, he advises companies, destinations and event organisers on integrating sustainability into core strategy rather than treating it as a reporting or compliance exercise.

His work spans sports and mega‑event logistics, tourism and destination development, and cross‑sector partnerships that align corporate goals with community needs and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing on a background in social marketing and Social Behaviour Change (SBC), he designs programmes that influence real‑world behaviours, strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver measurable business value.

At Ambi Group, Luca guides clients through a structured Purpose‑to‑Profit Activation System and a five‑stage ESG, CSV, SDG and SBC development journey, ensuring that sustainability decisions are commercially robust and operationally realistic. He frequently collaborates with public authorities, SMEs and international event organisers to co‑create solutions that are scalable, investable and relevant to local contexts.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026:

In 2026, Luca’s primary sustainability goal is to help more organisations move from high‑level ESG commitments to concrete, revenue‑linked action plans that cover their full value chains. Through Ambi Group’s sustainable business model design approach, he aims to co‑develop with clients at least three new “purpose‑to‑profit” initiatives that demonstrate how climate, water and social impact can unlock growth, not just mitigate risk.

Recognising Hong Kong’s role as a regional hub for sustainable finance and innovation, Luca is focused on expanding Ambi Group’s collaboration with Asian partners to localise SDG‑aligned solutions for dense urban environments and service‑driven economies. This includes embedding Social Behaviour Change principles into corporate programmes so that employees, customers and communities can adopt low‑carbon and circular practices at scale.

Internally, he is committed to further decarbonising Ambi Group’s own operations and international project delivery, improving the measurement of Scope 3 impacts related to travel, events and supply chains. By the end of 2026, his ambition is to have a portfolio of case studies that clearly evidence both sustainability outcomes and financial returns, supporting the business case for accelerated ESG transformation in and beyond Hong Kong.

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