About ASN
The Asia Sustainability Network (ASN) aims to become the go-to platform for business-people looking to apply sustainability best practices to their career and company.
With a mission to empower collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovative practices, our community serves as a training and resource hub to connect individuals and organisations engaged in climate and sustainability initiatives.
To accelerate the impact of ideas and people across the region, ASN provides a stage for business executives and senior managers, as well as supporters, to amplify their projects, share best practice and advance their careers.
With a mission to empower collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovative practices, our community serves as a training and resource hub to connect individuals and organisations engaged in climate and sustainability initiatives.
Building Success Together for a Greater Purpose
At our core, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.
Our mission is to support and empower individuals and teams by developing innovative learning experiences that are impactful and sustainable.
We’re dedicated to continuous improvement, crafting solutions that not only enhance personal growth but also contribute to a larger purpose.
Together, we’re shaping a future where business success goes hand in hand with positive impact.
Our mission is to support and empower individuals and teams by developing innovative learning experiences that are impactful and sustainable.
We’re dedicated to continuous improvement, crafting solutions that not only enhance personal growth but also contribute to a larger purpose.
Together, we’re shaping a future where business success goes hand in hand with positive impact.
Our
Founders
Laurence Smith
As a teenager, Laurence became fascinated with Scientist James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis - that the earth itself is a living eco-system. This led him to decide to dedicate his career to transforming organisations and leaders, and leveraging technology, to enable organisations to do better business faster - while preserving the planet.
After 30 years, and some successes, at organisations such as the WorldBank, McKinsey & Co. General, Electric, LG Electronics, & DBS Bank - he realised that it was too slow, and he needed to massively magnify his impact. Hence the launch of the Asian Sustainability Network (ASN), with the explicit Mission to develop, connect & empower, 5,000 leaders and Sustainability Professional before the Paris Accord deadline of 2030.
In 2008 while Laurence was Head of Learning for GE Money and based in Tokyo, he was involved with the launch of GE’s EcoMagination strategy in China and Japan. Inspired by this, he went on to found GreenMondays, a monthly networking event in Tokyo, as well as get Certified by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP). He then helped ISSP launch in Japan.
Since then, in senior roles as Chief Learning Officer & Head of HR, he has:
Helped DBS Bank to define its new Purpose of ‘Making Banking Joyful’ - which has since evolved to ‘a Better Bank for a Better World’ ·
Published a global #1 bestseller on ‘Transformation Mindset’
Published a global #1 bestseller on ‘Transformation Mindset’
Mentored senior leaders at a major ASEAN state owned Oil company ·
Run mini hackathons on Climate Tech & Green Finance for a major ASEAN state owned bank Laurence holds Certificates in Sustainability and Climate Science, from the University of Cambridge, Stanford Business School, ISSP, and the UN SDG Academy. He also has a Masters in Organisation Learning & Design from George Mason University.
Hi, I’m Paul Kanwar, a true third culture kid with roots in the UK, US, and Switzerland, and a global mindset that’s stayed with me through adulthood.
My sustainability journey began early, earning a green badge as a Scout in Geneva in the 1970’s for recycling efforts way before it was mainstream. Fast forward a few years, and I was selling coffee and furniture in London’s Camden Market, sharpening my sales instincts in a natural marketplace.
Keen and innocent, I joined a big London advertising agency, kicking off my marketing career as a media planner/buyer - balancing two phones and a calculator is a particular skill! I’ve spent over 25 years working in countries and cultures across Europe and Asia, building ideas and driving growth from CPG brands and loyalty marketing to digital transformation and martech.
What excites me most is blending creativity, data and technology to create transformative experiences for people. This was the genesis for the Asian Sustainability Network.
What excites me most is blending creativity, data and technology to create transformative experiences for people. This was the genesis for the Asian Sustainability Network.
The Asian Sustainability Network (ASN) brings five of my passions together into a single offering:
1. People growth: Teaching others hard and soft skills to improve their future opportunities.
2. Community: Connect like-minded people to enable discussion, debate and development.
1. People growth: Teaching others hard and soft skills to improve their future opportunities.
2. Community: Connect like-minded people to enable discussion, debate and development.
3. Marketplace: Providing a market space so anyone can setup a virtual stall to sell their products or services.
4. Bookshops: Like a good bookshop, our Knowledge Hub will become a rich font of knowledge and ideas.
5. Technology: Without terrific tools and marketing technology, ASN would not be possible!
4. Bookshops: Like a good bookshop, our Knowledge Hub will become a rich font of knowledge and ideas.
5. Technology: Without terrific tools and marketing technology, ASN would not be possible!
I’m a creative entrepreneur, passionate about telling stories, all aspects of marketing, and finding fresh ways to challenge assumptions and disrupt markets. Based in Bali, by the end of 2024, I will have reached a 20-year milestone in Indonesia!
Paul Kanwar
