David Teo, an Icon of Change in Singapore

Icons of Change™

Icons of Change International Awards 2025 David Teo Executive Director at ESGpedia  SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Champion of ESG Innovation and Inclusive Finance in Asia  With over 25 years of distinguished experience at the intersection of finance and technology, David has established himself as a transformative force in Asia’s ESG and fintech ecosystem. From his early roots in banking to his current leadership role as Executive Director of ESGpedia, David has continually demonstrated a rare ability to connect legacy financial expertise with future-facing innovation—bridging traditional financial institutions with the rapidly evolving demands of sustainable, data-driven markets.  David's professional journey spans a dynamic range of functions—Sales, Relationship Management, Partnerships, Marketing, Customer Support, Credit, Operations, and Human Resources—proving not only his versatility but also his commitment to holistic leadership. His ability to navigate complex, multicultural environments and matrixed organizations has earned him respect across sectors and regions, especially within Asia’s highly nuanced financial landscape.  At ESGpedia, David plays a pivotal role in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence by leading Asia’s largest ESG data and technology platform. ESGpedia powers high-impact regional initiatives such as the UN ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN) Asia-Pacific Green Deal digital platform and the Asia-Pacific Single Accesspoint for ESG Data (SAFE). With over five million sustainability data points and a GRI license, ESGpedia provides end-to-end solutions—from greenhouse gas emissions calculations and sustainability reporting to supplier engagement and AI-driven analytics—empowering corporates, SMEs, and financial institutions to enhance compliance, competitiveness, and decision-making capacity.  David’s influence extends far beyond technology deployment. He has cultivated a robust network of institutional and corporate clients, including global and local banks, private banking institutions, insurance companies, corporates, asset managers, and high-net-worth individuals. His ability to align ESG innovation with strategic capital deployment exemplifies the kind of systems-level thinking that is essential for building sustainable economies.  In an era where ESG is no longer optional but imperative, David embodies the next generation of leadership—one that blends deep financial acumen, digital transformation, and purpose-driven impact. His commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable infrastructure reflects the very spirit of SDG 9, and his work continues to lay a foundation for resilient, future-proof industries across the region.  The Icons of Change Awards is proud to recognize David as a Champion of Innovation and ESG Integration in Asia.  #IconsOfChange #ESG #ESGLeadership #SustainableFinance #InnovationForImpact #DigitalTransformation #F

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00:00First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee

00:04and everyone involved in bringing this meaningful initiative to life.

00:08I'm truly grateful to be recognized alongside so many inspiring changemakers

00:13from across sectors and borders.

00:15This award is not just a recognition of individual effort,

00:18it's a celebration of the collective momentum we are building together

00:21in the pursuit of sustainable, inclusive change.

00:25This year's team, the United Nations International Year of Peace and Trust,

00:29resonate deeply with me.

00:31In a time defined by climate urgency, digital transformation and global uncertainty,

00:36peace and trust are more than ideals.

00:38They are essential foundations for meaningful progress.

00:42We need trust in data, in institutions, in systems and most importantly, in one another.

00:48And peace must go beyond the essence of conflict.

00:51It must embody fairness, inclusion and share accountability for the future we want to create.

00:56These principles are also embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals

01:00which guide the work we do every day at ESGpedia.

01:04At ESGpedia, we are on a simple but ambitious mission

01:07to make ESG data accessible, credible and actionable.

01:12We believe every company, regardless of size or centre,

01:15should be empowered to measure, manage and report their carbon emission

01:19and sustainability performance with confidence.

01:22Today, we are proud to support major regional initiatives such as the ESPN Asia-Pacific

01:28Green Deal Digital Platform and the Asia-Pacific Single Access Point for ESG Data,

01:33the SAFE initiative.

01:34But more importantly, we are proud to serve the sustainability leaders, professionals

01:39and innovators behind this initiative.

01:42Those who believe that data and technology can be powerful enablers of real-world impact.

01:47The SDGs remind us that the challenges we face are deeply interconnected.

01:52Our response must be equally integrated and collaborative.

01:56Whether we are enabling digital ESG reporting,

01:59advancing sustainable finance or driving system-level change,

02:04we are not simply aiming for compliance.

02:07We are working towards a more peaceful, resilient and equitable future.

02:10I accept this award not as a conclusion,

02:13but as a meaningful milestone and a reminder of the journey still ahead.

02:17I do so on behalf of my dedicated colleagues at ESGpedia,

02:21our partners and the broader community of Changemaker who share this mission.

02:26Thank you once again for this incredible honour.

02:29Let's continue to build trust,

02:31play with courage and work together towards a sustainable future for all.

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