Ms Claire Chiang is the co-founder and Senior Vice President of Banyan Tree Group and Global Head Learning & Talent Development. She is also the Chairperson of China Business Development, Banyan Tree Management Academy and the Banyan Tree Global Foundation, and is responsible for the strategic direction, management and operation of Banyan Tree and Angsana Galleries. With a Master’s degree in Philosophy, Ms Chiang has taught for over 16 years at the National University of Singapore and Hong Kong University. She is also the founder of Laguna Phuket Kindergarten. Her vision for SILK today is inspired by the need for cross-cultural exchange and a holistic, immersive education that cultivates responsible global citizenry. Ms Chiang has served two terms as a Nominated Member of Parliament and is the Director and Non-Executive Chairperson of Wildlife Reserves Singapore and the Chairperson of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund. She sits on the Global Governing Board of the Caux Round Table as Vice-Chair for Asia.

Chua Hong Koon is the Publishing Director at World Scientific Publishing Company. Hong Koon has more than 30 years of publishing experience working with major publishers like Pearson and Oxford University Press. He has published many types of books, from children’s books to assessment and reference books, school and higher education textbooks, trade and professional books, also Christian books. Hong Koon served as an Exco member of the Singapore Book Publishers Association for several years. He is currently an executive member of the National Book Development Council of Singapore. He has a Science degree and also a Law degree.

Associate Professor Tan Chee Lay received his PhD in Oriental Studies from Cambridge University. A recipient of the Young Artist Award, Singapore Youth Award (Culture and the Arts) and numerous literary awards such as the Singapore literature prize, he is currently Deputy Head of Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group at NIE, NTU, helping to oversee the Chinese, Malay and Tamil Divisions. A founding member of the multilingual Poetry Festival Singapore and the Singapore Student Bilingual Literary Award, he had been the judge for Cultural Medallion, Golden Point Award, Singapore Book Prize, and SEA Write Award. A prolific writer of various genres, he has published almost 30 books of academic writing, poetry, children’s picture books, short stories, and prose.

Geraldine Teo-Zuzarte, holds a PhD in Early Childhood Education and is passionate about the development of children, especially those in their Early Years. A seasoned speaker, she has presented papers in conferences and workshops both locally and internationally. Having been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 30 years, Geraldine held multi-portfolios from classroom teaching to faculty appointments to overseeing the professional development of almost 3,000 ECE educators including pioneering a child study centre, which was recognized by ECDA as Outstanding Centre for Teaching and Learning and was awarded Distinction for the Early Childhood Agency Development’s Innovation Award. Geraldine has deep theoretical and practical knowledge on ECCE and has been called upon to support national initiatives, including being appointed into the first batch of ECDA Fellows. An experienced ECE practitioner and leader, Geraldine has inspired and nurtured many young entrants to the ECCE sector and many young ECCE leaders today were her students.