Icons of Change International Awards 2025 Dr. Genie Sugene Gan (간 수진) Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy - Kaspersky Chief Executive Officer - 1ST INTEL Singapore Digital Leader - IMDA Chairperson, Cybersecurity Chapter - SGTech Global Governor & Ambassador - Global Council for Responsible AI Recipient of Over 20 Major Global Awards in Technology, Cybersecurity, and Leadership (2023–2025) Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Changemaker for Responsible Innovation, Cybersecurity, and Inclusive Leadership in Singapore --- Few leaders embody the convergence of business, technology, law, and global policy with the same depth and breadth as Dr. Genie Sugene Gan. With more than two decades of impact across entrepreneurship, government, diplomacy, law, and technology, she has established herself not only as a trailblazer in cybersecurity and responsible innovation, but as one of the most influential women shaping the future of global digital trust. Her career is a study in reinvention and scale. Beginning in public accounting and law at top-tier firms, Genie demonstrated early mastery of systems and governance. But it was her entrepreneurial instinct that quickly set her apart. Long before the term “startup ecosystem” became a buzzword, she was already building successful ventures from the ground up — proof of her ability to translate vision into enterprise. She later entered public service, assuming senior positions in Singapore’s Ministry of Law, the Law Society of Singapore, and even serving as Singapore’s delegate to the United Nations. These years honed her diplomacy, policymaking, and negotiation skills, and placed her at the crossroads of governance and international relations. In these roles, Genie not only influenced legal frameworks but also bridged the often-fractured dialogue between government, institutions, and the communities they serve. It was in the field of technology, however, that her influence reached truly global scale. As Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Kaspersky, spanning Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan, Genie became a trusted voice in shaping the global cybersecurity ecosystem. She engaged directly with governments, regulators, and multilateral organizations, championing policies on data protection, digital trust, and cyber peace. At forums like the UN, G20, ASEAN, and African Union, she consistently reminded leaders that technology is not merely a driver of efficiency, but a custodian of humanity’s security, dignity, and future. Today, as Chief Executive Officer of 1ST INTEL, Genie leads a multinational consultancy enabling enterprises to navigate global expansion with resilience, compliance, and foresight. Her work spans 94 countries across 4 continents, where she advises corporations and governments alike on transformation strategy, regulatory affairs, and sustainable growth. Her leadership bridges the technical with the geopolitical
00:00Hey there, warm greetings. My heartfelt thanks to the Icons of Change,
00:04International Awards Committee and everyone joining this SDG Action Summit.
00:10To be recognized during the United Nations International Year of Peace and Trust is a
00:16moving reminder for me that lasting change comes from partnership, shared ideals and
00:22the courage to pursue progress. I'm especially grateful for this honor at a time when I'm
00:30deepening my perspectives at, well, can you recognize this place? Harvard Business School,
00:38where of course lifelong learning is not just encouraged but demanded of every leader and
00:44change maker. Education has been the constant thread throughout my journey, whether it was from
00:51entrepreneurship and law to diplomacy, tech and global policy. I believe the value of continued
01:01education and lifelong learning is the cornerstone of transformation and it empowers us to meet
01:07uncertainties with adaptability and turns inspiration into real impact. So throughout my career, whether
01:14it was advising at the UN or building trusted systems in AI and cyber security around the world,
01:21I have learned that true progress and inclusive societies depend on both innovation and ethical trust.
01:33My advocacy in boardrooms and policy forums is grounded in the belief that education should never end.
01:40With every new lesson, we renew our resolve and expand our ability to serve communities and unite across
01:49cultures. So today, let's remember that leadership is about building bridges and not walls.
01:58And in a world transformed by digital transformation, innovation,
02:05the best leaders commit to continued and continuous growth so we can champion peace, trust and shared
02:15prosperity wherever we serve in each of our domain areas. So my pledge is pretty simple which is to
02:24keep learning, to keep growing and to keep leading with purpose so that together we drive SDG progress,
02:32foster resilience and build a more inclusive and peaceful future. So thank you for this recognition and for
02:41inspiring me to keep reaching higher, not just for myself obviously, but also for our profession and for the world that we share. So thank you very much.
