Our Leadership

The Founders

Sukanto Tanoto

An entrepreneur, visionary and pioneer in a number of global industries, Sukanto started his first business in 1967, andlater established Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), which today manages a group of resource-based manufacturing companies with assets exceeding USD 20 billion and a workforce of over 60,000.

Enduring an abrupt end to his formal education owing to school closure and an ailing father, he helped run his family’s business at the tender age of 17. As his businesses expanded into rural areas, he developed a stronger conviction in empowering underprivileged communities to be self-reliant, with a strong focus on improving education access and quality. This led to his co-founding of Tanoto Foundation with his wife, Tinah.

Tinah Bingei Tanoto

Having also not completed her formal education, Tinah was taken aback when she and her husband observed the poor standards of education in rural Besitang in the late 1970s. She later joined him in building a kindergarten and elementary school in 1981 and 1982 respectively.

A co-founder of Tanoto Foundation, Tinah remains a driving force behind the Foundation’s donations to education, medical research, and disaster relief. She firmly believes in supporting community development, so that beneficiaries can be not only resilient but also live valuable, dignified lives.

The Board of Trustees

Andre Tanoto

The eldest of four children, Andre provides counsel on the Foundation’s charitable work as well as the preservation of culture and heritage. Andre is a Carnegie Mellon University graduate and heads his own business in the food and beverage industry.

Imelda Tanoto

Imelda provides guidance on the Foundation’s international governance and is active in developing entrepreneurial talents and capabilities in the next generation. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Imelda is active in RGE’s global business development.

Belinda Tanoto

Belinda focuses on human capital investment initiatives through early childhood development, stunting prevention, and developing synergies with like-minded philanthropic and development organizations. A Finance and Political Science graduate from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, with an MBA from the Harvard Business School, Belinda is active in RGE’s palm oil business.

Anderson Tanoto

Anderson drives programs focused on forging international partnerships with universities as well as the development of youth leaders. An economics graduate from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Anderson is active in RGE’s fiber business.

Dr. Ng Choon Ta

Dr. Ng Choon Ta is a Consultant for the Department of Cardiology at the National Heart Centre Singapore and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the National University of Singapore and a Master’s in Medicine.

Sun You Ning

Sun You Ning is the Managing Director overseeing strategic real estate investments in Asia for a property unit of RGE Group and the co-founder of Endowus, a Singapore-based digital financial adviser. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The Board of Advisors

Bey Soo Khiang

Bey Soo Khiang provides strategic counsel on Tanoto Foundation’s global philanthropic activities. Holding a Master in Arts (Engineering) from the University of Cambridge and a Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, he is Vice Chairman of RGE and Chairman of pulp and paper producer Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Limited (APRIL).

Ibrahim Hasan

Ibrahim Hasan provides guidance in the Foundation’s strategic partnerships and impact measurement. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from MIT and an Economics Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, Ibrahim is also President Commissioner of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP), a subsidiary of APRIL.

Dr David Pang

Dr. Pang is the CEO of Kerry Group Kuok Foundation Limited and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCMP Group Limited, a diversified media company whose publications include the South China Morning Post. He holds a Master degree in Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Kentucky.