Social club The Nanson nabs ex-Häagen-Dazs Asia marketing head as CEO

Former Häagen-Dazs Asia marketing head Kaajal Shivdasani (pictured) has been appointed chief executive officer of The Nanson, a modern members’ club located along Robertson Quay.

Shivdasani steps into the role after more than two decades leading marketing, strategy and innovation across global brands, most recently at General Mills where she helmed regional marketing for Häagen-Dazs Asia. Speaking to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, she said the move marks a deliberate shift from global corporate leadership to something more local and community-driven.

“After more than two decades in marketing, strategy and innovation on large global brands, this felt like the right time to channel that experience into something more local and community-driven, in a country that I've called home for the past 15 years,” said Shivdasani.

Don't miss: General Mills reportedly mulls selling Häagen-Dazs stores in China

She added, “The Nanson offers that perfect intersection, where intuition meets insight, and imagination meets intent. It's a space that demands both art and strategy, and that is exactly where I thrive.”

Before moving to Singapore, Shivdasani lived and worked across eight countries spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, experience she said continues to shape her leadership approach.

“My years at General Mills were a masterclass — not just in building and growing brands, but also in working with and leading teams globally,” she shared. “That global perspective is something I carry with me to The Nanson, where the richness of our team and our community lies in its diversity.”

As she takes the helm, Shivdasani said her goal is to reimagine what a modern members’ club can be, one that blends exclusivity with accessibility and purpose.

“It starts with exceptional service and a space that feels personal — a home away from home where there are many you know, and many more you’ll get to know,” she said. “It grows through shared, memorable experiences that expand your horizons. And it thrives as a creative playground, where ideas collide, evolve and turn into something extraordinary.”

The Nanson has already begun hosting events that reflect its mission of “breadth, curiosity and conversation”. Its first salon session this week featured Kishore Mahbubani and Steve Okun in a discussion on silent geopolitical shifts. Next week, the club will take a completely different turn — hosting a monk from the Dalai Lama’s order, said to be the inspiration behind Star Wars character Yoda.

Shivdasani said the contrasting line-up captures what The Nanson aims to embody, a space driven by breadth, curiosity, and conversation, and hinted that this is only the start of what’s to come.

Looking ahead, she said what excites her most is the opportunity to shape Singapore’s evolving social scene through experiences that surprise and inspire.

“Our 22,000-square-foot space is a world of possibility — ever-changing, ever-inspiring. One week it’s the glamour of a White Party, the next it’s the sun-soaked spirit of the French Riviera, or the thrill of F1 season,” she added. “What excites me most is the ability to surprise — to create experiences that feel fresh, immersive and unlike anything else in Singapore.”

Shivdasani said her experience building love brands such as Häagen-Dazs and Ferrero Rocher, brands that inspire belief rather than mere purchase, has shaped how she views The Nanson. To her, the club operates on similar principles of emotional connection and shared belonging, built around community, care and memorable experiences.

"I'm excited to partner with a deeply passionate team to craft experiences that will be remembered, long after the moment passes," she added. 

Her move comes as her former employer, General Mills, is reportedly mulling the sale of its Häagen-Dazs ice-cream stores in China. According to Bloomberg, the Minnesota-based firm might launch a sale process for the assets in the coming months, with expectations of raising hundreds of millions.

According to Häagen-Dazs’ WeChat platform, there are currently over 250 Häagen-Dazs stores in China. However, the report noted that discussions are still preliminary, and General Mills may ultimately opt against a sale. The company is expected to continue distributing Häagen-Dazs products in Chinese supermarkets and convenience stores.

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