JA Worldwide appoints former WWF-Singapore chief to lead APAC operations

Non-profit organisation JA Worldwide has appointed Vivek Kumar (pictured) as president and CEO of JA Asia Pacific. He brings over two decades of leadership experience across the private sector, public service and international NGOs.

Kumar most recently served as CEO of WWF-Singapore, where he led efforts to sharpen strategic priorities, deepen partnerships and expand conservation impact, including advancing work in carbon finance.

Prior to that, he held regional leadership roles at multinational corporations including Shell and within Singapore’s Labour Movement. Across business, public and civil society roles, education has remained a consistent focus in his career.

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According to the organisation, Kumar has spoken about the role education plays in expanding opportunity and improving economic mobility. He has advocated for systems that better connect young people to the realities of work and community.

JA Asia Pacific operates across some of the world’s largest economies and fastest-growing communities. Through programmes focused on entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial capability, the region’s member organisations deliver hands-on learning experiences to millions of young people annually, while expanding digital and hybrid learning pathways and strengthening partnerships with industry and government.

Kumar joins at a time when the region is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the global workforce. More than 60% of the world’s young people live in Asia Pacific, positioning the region as central to JA’s mission of equipping youth with skills and confidence for the future.

“JA Asia Pacific is central to our global mission. With the majority of the world’s youth living in this region, the opportunities and responsibilities for preparing young people for meaningful work and economic participation are immense. Kumar's experience leading impact-oriented transformation across sectors, as well as his commitment to youth opportunity, make him the right leader for JA Asia Pacific,” said Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide. 

In tandem, PG Raghuraman, JA Asia Pacific board chair said, “Kumar sees a significant opportunity for JA Asia Pacific to make an impact in the region and its growing young communities. An avid reader, he brings a deeply thoughtful, values-driven approach to leadership and is focused on strengthening how innovation, partnerships, and emerging technologies can expand opportunities for youth. We are delighted to have him join us at JA." 

Kumar shared his enthusiasm for the role, pointing to his upbringing in a small town to educator parents as a key influence on his belief in the power of education to create opportunity. He said he has long admired JA’s ability to build young people’s confidence through real-world experiences and connect classroom learning to tangible career pathways.

"The region’s diversity and energy are unmatched, and I’m excited to work alongside our member organizations to expand JA’s impact and support millions more young people in discovering their potential," he added. 

In other leadership moves unveiled earlier this month, the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) appointed Emily Poon as its new chief executive officer.

Poon will join as CEO-designate from 1 March 2026 and officially assume the role on 1 May 2026, succeeding Terence Quek, who is stepping down after four years at the helm. She brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership, strategy and communications, most recently serving as Asia Pacific president of Ogilvy Public Relations. At Ogilvy PR, Poon was the youngest and first female Asia Pacific president, overseeing 26 offices across the region and driving year-on-year growth, while advancing AI and digital media capabilities.

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