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ABOUT US

Our leadership team is based in Singapore, we have direct operations in Thailand and the Philippines and focus our grant-making efforts on South-East Asia as well as on specific social issues outside Asia. 

We are members of various philanthropic networks and support the growth of collaborative efforts between philanthropic funders and implementing organizations in order to foster the development of effective and solutions to some of the most pressing social issues faced by communities in Asia and beyond.

In 2006 Francesco started his collaboration with Richard Paul “Dick” Haugland - a philanthropist, scientist and entrepreneur. Richard and Francesco worked alongside to manage both investments and philanthropic efforts of the Richard P. Haugland Foundation. In the meantime, Francesco founded Firetree Asia Foundation (USA) in 2010 and its Asia's chapter in Hong Kong, where he lived, in 2014. 

The Starfish Education Trust and Firetree Trust were created  by Francesco Caruso, after the dissolutions of both the Richard P. Haugland Foundation and Firetree Asia Foundation and the relocation of our assets to Singapore.

OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Fran New

Francesco Caruso
Group Principal and Trusts Protector

Francesco heads the Investments Committee and, as Trusts' Protector, chairs the Boards of both Firetree Philanthropy and Starfish Education and approves all grants and donations.
Francesco is also responsible for Governance and Compliance of all the entities part of the group.

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Michelle Lim
Group Treasurer


Michelle oversees the financial management of the Group, monitors all our investments, supports - as required - the management of private companies in which Firetree has invested and monitors the financial operations of all the organisations part of the Group.

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FIRETREE PHILANTHROPY FOUNDATION

Nicky New

Nicky Wilkinson
Executive Director of Firetree Philanthropy Foundation


Nicky leads the external philanthropic work of Firetree Group, developing partnerships with social impact organisations and fostering initiatives to support change-makers focused on working with some of the most marginalised communities in Asia.  

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STARFISH EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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Dr. Nanthaporn (Prae) Seributra
Head of Starfish Education, President of Starfish Education Foundation &
Starfish Education Social Enterprise Co. Ltd.


Prae leads a team of 86 people implementing the programs of the Starfish Education and is responsible for the overall strategy of Starfish Education and its implementation in collaboration with the Thai government, public schools, private companies and foundations and international institutions.

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GROUP STRUCTURE

Starfish Education Foundation

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