New NUS Medicine International Council Members Are Global Leaders Across Diverse Fields

Published: 07 Oct 2024

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The NUS Medicine International Council (NIC) has welcomed new members Mr Ted Souder, Dr Kanwaljit Soin, Mr John Quinn, Ms Bianca Cheo, Mr Abhinav Jhunjhunwala, and Ms Melisa Lee.

 They bring with them a wealth of experience and a commitment to helping advance medical research and education on an international scale.

The NUS Medicine International Council (NIC), an exclusive network of global leaders, academics, and experts, has been advising the School on its strategic direction since its establishment in 2016. The distinguished group comprises a diverse group of individuals from various sectors, including government, business, investment and finance, law and more.

NIC members have access to exclusive closed-door conferences in Singapore and abroad to dialogue on global issues that go beyond healthcare, encompassing geopolitics, macroeconomics, and the mega-trends shaping the future of our world. Over the years, NIC has made significant strides in boosting the School’s global presence and fostering multidisciplinary collaborations on the world stage.

Ted Souder is a globally recognised authority on modern business transformation, with a career that has shaped the trajectory of some of the world’s leading tech companies. As one of Google’s earliest employees, Ted played a pivotal role in the tech giant’s evolution, leading high-performing teams in sales, customer success, and operations across regions such as the US, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His teams generated billions in revenue by helping some of the world’s most prominent brands enhance their digital capabilities in areas like search, mobile, video, cloud, and AI.

Beyond his tenure at Google, Ted’s influence extends into governance and thought leadership. He is a board director at 1871, a leading global tech hub, and serves on the board of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where he contributes to shaping discussions on geopolitical issues. Additionally, Ted is an advisor to startups and founders, sharing his expertise in AI, leadership, and innovation to guide organisations toward sustainable futures.

Ted’s expertise in AI and digital transformation will be instrumental for NUS Medicine as the School continues to explore how technology can revolutionise healthcare and medical education. His leadership and strategic acumen are expected to inspire new directions for research and development at NUS Medicine.

Dr Kanwaljit Soin is a pioneering figure in healthcare and an advocate for women’s rights. A distinguished orthopaedic and hand surgeon, she has held leadership roles in the Singapore Society for Hand Surgery and the Singapore Orthopaedic Association. She graduated with MBBS Hons (1966) from the University of Singapore and was top of her class. She was awarded a Colombo Plan Scholarship to Australia to train in hand surgery. Fondly known as “Kani” to her friends, she has a broad influence that extends beyond the medical field. Kani was Singapore’s first female Nominated Member of Parliament (1992-1996) and a founding member of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) in 1985, serving as its president from 1991 to 1993. She also founded the Singapore Chapter of the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the Women’s Initiative for Ageing Successfully (WINGS).

Kani has led and participated in many overseas medical missions—to Indonesia, Thailand and Timor Leste. Her advocacy for gender equality and healthy ageing has made her a respected figure both in Singapore and internationally. Among her numerous accolades, Kani has received the Singapore Medical Association Merit Award, the UNIFEM Lifetime Achievement Award, and Singapore’s Woman of the Year award. She is also the author of Silver Shades of Grey: Memos for Successful Ageing in the 21st Century and co-editor of Our Lives to Live—Putting a Woman’s Face to Change in Singapore. Her latest co-authored book, Why Not? Thinking about Singapore’s Tomorrow, was recently launched.

Kani’s extensive medical expertise and dedication to social causes will provide NUS Medicine with invaluable insights as it seeks to address not only medical challenges but also broader social issues affecting healthcare access and quality.

John Quinn is the Founder and Chairman of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, the world’s largest law firm specialising in disputes. With over 1,000 lawyers in 36 offices across 12 countries, Quinn Emanuel is renowned for handling complex legal challenges, particularly in areas such as intellectual property, antitrust, and white-collar investigations. Under John’s leadership, the firm has represented global giants including Google, Qualcomm, Tesla, Alibaba, and Hyundai.

John is widely regarded as one of the most prominent legal minds in the world, with Bloomberg Law naming him the most famous lawyer practising at a large law firm in 2016. His firm has also been consistently named the “most feared law firm in the world” in surveys conducted by BTI Consulting Group. John’s expertise in high-stakes legal disputes and regulatory issues positions him as a valuable advisor to NUS Medicine, especially as the field of medicine becomes increasingly intertwined with legal and regulatory frameworks. His addition to the NIC, alongside other legal experts, like Drew & Napier, Rajah & Tann, Allen & Gledhill, and former Attorney-General VK Rajah, will help NUS Medicine navigate risks and seize opportunities for growth and innovation in healthcare.

Bianca Cheo is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Mewah Group, a Singapore-listed company specialising in edible oils and fats. Under her leadership, the Group has expanded its consumer product segment to include items such as rice, soap, and dairy. Bianca has also spearheaded the Group’s expansion into regions such as West Africa, Europe, and South America, establishing the company as a major player in the global food industry.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Bianca is deeply committed to philanthropy and healthcare initiatives. Her leadership in building global distribution networks and her philanthropic work align closely with the mission of NUS Medicine, providing the School with fresh perspectives on expanding its reach and impact.

Abhinav Jhunjhunwala is the Managing Director of AJ Capital, a global multi-strategy investment firm based in Singapore. His firm manages a diversified portfolio covering corporate credit, commodities, foreign exchange, private equity, and venture capital. He also serves as Chairman of Symbo Insurance, showcasing his versatility in both investment and financial services.

With experience gained at Valiant Capital and Deutsche Bank’s Global Markets division, Abhinav brings a wealth of knowledge to the NIC. His insights into global investment strategies and his philanthropic commitment to healthcare will be crucial for NUS Medicine as the School explores new avenues for funding and aligns with the School’s mission to secure sustainable funding sources for its future.

Melisa Lee is the Founder and CEO of Ploutos Strategic, a firm specialising in strategic financial solutions for Asian business families. She also founded Arete XL, a platform that connects family offices with early-stage technologies for venture capital investments. With over 30 years of experience in finance, Melisa has held senior regional roles at major institutions such as CSFB, UBS, and Morgan Stanley.

Her background in investment banking and experience in facilitating partnerships with startups offering disruptive technologies will provide NUS Medicine with valuable insights as the School seeks to translate cutting-edge research into practical applications for the healthcare industry.