What two EPIC Speakers are bringing to Singapore this March

What stays with you after a gathering? The conversations, the ideas, the moments of clarity. All of that is important, but our vision for EPIC is to leave with more than inspiration. The goal is to leave with clear steps to materialize what we experienced here. That starts before you even arrive, by knowing what questions you're bringing with you and what you want to move forward by being in Singapore.

Ahead of the EPIC Gathering, two of the speakers shared with us what's missing from the field, what they're personally wrestling with, and what makes stewarding wealth in Asia different from anywhere else.

Nobody talks about the exit problem

Aunnie Patton Power, Founding Director of the Innovative Finance Initiative and author of Adventure Finance, works at the forefront of innovative finance, catalyzing inclusive and fit-for-purpose models that unlock systemic change. At EPIC, she'll be facilitating two Impact Labs: the first on impact-first investing, where participants will start with the problem to be solved rather than capital constraints, to build structures that are truly fit for purpose; and the second on impact-linked finance, exploring how incentives on both sides of capital can be tied directly to the achievement of better outcomes.

She thinks the field spends enormous energy on how capital is deployed for impact, and not enough on what happens when investors leave. 

The next decade will see a massive transfer of ownership across Asia's impact enterprises. The question of what survives that transition is not something that can wait. Exits are happening now and need to be addressed.

And this is not a theoretical concern for Aunnie, it's what she's actively working through.

"I'm wrestling with how to align incentives across diverse capital sources to support enterprises addressing systemic challenges — not only attracting capital but structuring it in ways that match the realities and timelines of impact-driven organisations, especially those on the ground in Asia. I'm looking forward to peer exchange on what models and practices are actually working — and what's still falling short."

It starts with how we talk about it

Cindy Pratiwi, Vice President at Double Delta, is facilitating an Impact Lab on climate and fashion, where participants will step into the roles of brands, manufacturers, investors and governments to negotiate their way toward decarbonising Indonesia's fashion industry. Her work spans the full investment lifecycle, from due diligence to impact assessment, and she has led notable initiatives in circular fashion, as well as advising a renewable energy portfolio company on monetizing RECs, and developing a centralized impact data platform for portfolio-wide metrics and investor reporting.

For Cindy, the way we talk about impact is holding us back. 

The same logic applies to blended finance, one of the field’s most powerful tools yet oftentimes misunderstood. "At its core, it is risk allocation — similar to infrastructure and project finance — through junior tranches, guarantees or first-loss layers. When we describe blended finance as charity-adjacent, we narrow the audience. When we frame it as structured finance with public or philanthropic risk sharing, institutional investors understand it immediately."

Language largely determines who comes to the table and ultimately how capital moves.

This is what Cindy is hoping EPIC can help move. "The impact sector lacks standardized language, creating misalignment between players. By establishing a universal vocabulary, we can ensure all stakeholders have clear expectations — moving the industry from fragmented inspiration toward synchronised, large-scale activation."

What makes Asia different and why it matters for EPIC

Both Cindy and Aunnie are also reflecting on specific opportunities and challenges that come with stewarding wealth in this part of the world. 

Aunnie points to the long-term potential that can be found in Asia's family- and relationship-driven wealth culture. "Asia's wealth stewardship often has a strong legacy mindset, indicating huge potential for long-term, multi-generational impact, as opposed to the short-term ownership view prevalent in many other regions. The challenge is bridging traditional values with new impact frameworks and ensuring that capital doesn't just flow, but is actively stewarded for sustained outcomes."

At the same time, Cindy puts the commercial realities under the spotlight.

“Asia’s wealth stewardship is shaped by a strong return orientation where capital is expected to compound. This means that impact solutions that do not meet commercial thresholds will struggle to scale in this region.”

But there is also a structural advantage that's easy to overlook.

“Much of Asia’s wealth remains closely tied to operating businesses. Many families built their capital in manufacturing, logistics, real estate, energy or consumer sectors, and they continue to hold controlling stakes. As a result, when they invest, they often gravitate toward sectors they know well. This creates a distinct advantage.’’

And with sector knowledge comes a whole set of resources that go beyond the financial. 

"Families can add strategic value beyond capital, open distribution channels, and underwrite risk with a sharper lens. For impact investing, this means capital is more likely to flow into themes adjacent to their core industries — such as industrial decarbonisation, supply chain resilience or sustainable materials."

Your invitation to lead

EPIC isn't for everyone. It's for those ready to move beyond intention into informed, courageous action. For those who recognize that the questions we ask about wealth, legacy, and stewardship today will shape the world our children inherit.

If that resonates with where you are in your journey, we'd love to welcome you.

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