Diving into the intersections of climate change and human health was Wong Xin Wei’s first work assignment as part of the Systems, Knowledge, and Innovation (SKI) team at Temasek Trust (TT).
His biggest takeaway was the extent to which myriad issues are interconnected. Climate change, for instance, gives rise to water scarcity, waste, pollution, and rising greenhouse gases. These fuel heat stress, ocean acidification, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and mental health challenges.
“We cannot afford to tackle any issue in isolation, and must be aware of the potential unintended consequences of our interventions,” he says. Before identifying or prescribing any solution, the first step should be to unpack root causes and interconnections. Only then can a holistic approach be designed.
This is the essence of systems thinking: examining how issues influence and reinforce one another.
"In a sense, we are trying to peel the onion to get to the bottom of things."
— Wong Xin Wei, SKI
As part of our 'People of Purpose' series, Xin Wei shares how systems thinking and thematic research can help to scale impact — when paired with curiosity and collaboration.
Systems Thinking: A Compass for Lasting Impact
As a Strategist in Impact Domains, Xin Wei supports SKI’s efforts in refining TT’s impact strategy. The team conducts horizon scanning and research into current and emerging challenges, using systems thinking for greater collective impact.
The SKI team at one of the events at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025, where they collaborated with colleagues from the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), Asian Philanthropy Circle (APC), and AVPN.
Take challenges like heat, community health, water security, energy, and greenhouse gases, for example. These interconnected issues can be seen as making up a “system” in which changes in one area can affect others – for better or for worse.
“It’s about spotting feedback loops — where problems amplify each other — and identifying leverage points for intervention,” he says.
Systems thinking helps uncover deeper patterns, reveal unseen connections, and point to targeted actions for lasting impact.
Power of Curiosity and Collaboration
At SKI, curiosity is not just encouraged; it is essential. “Never settle for surface level answers. Dig deeper,” he insists.
"There's always more to find out, more to understand, and many ways to frame or dissect an issue and to solve it."
— Wong Xin Wei, SKI
Today, as Xin Wei applies systems thinking in philanthropy, he finds joy in learning what more can be done to help solve some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. He also finds meaning in the potential to truly make a difference in people’s lives – and to do so in a way that creates lasting change.
SKI partners with global content and philanthropic organisations to advance knowledge of the global and regional impact ecosystem to drive planetary and community impact. “The space of philanthropy is full of good and warm-hearted people looking to make a difference,” Xin Wei affirms.
Xin Wei and his SKI colleagues learning about rice research from practitioners at the Kasetsart University, Thailand.
Each person brings to the table a unique perspective, background, and way of looking and solving a particular issue. Mutual learning and diverse views are stepping stones to greater impact and action.
“Together, we can achieve a lot more than going alone,” he says.
The SKI team exchanging thoughts with colleagues from the Health Innovation Exchange on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (left), and meeting UNDP colleagues in Bangkok (right).
SKI also works hand-in-hand with TT’s Strategy and Development (SDG) team to shape TT’s long-term impact strategy. At TT, insights and impact are interconnected. Knowledge directly influences the collective impact SKI strives to achieve through TT-supported programmes. The insights gained from these programmes generate learnings that contribute to the knowledge SKI co-creates.
Last year, SKI, SDG, and other TT ecosystem entities teamed up to organise TT's inaugural Strategy Collective. This brought together partners from across sectors to share perspectives on key issues and spark new collaborations for good.
TT ecosystem colleagues at the inaugural Strategy Collective event, titled “Frontiers in Impact: Planet”, in October 2024.
Xin Wei also collaborates with other TT entities, such as the Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H) — a catalytic vehicle by Temasek Trust that provides capital to innovative, early-stage companies in Climate, Health, and their intersection — to strengthen their impact strategies and measurements, among other areas.
Reflecting on SKI’s role, Xin Wei believes that it is only through the collective strength of the TT ecosystem and its larger network of like-minded partners that SKI’s work can achieve impact at scale.
Harmonising Purpose and Impact
Outside of work, Xin Wei — a father of three — enjoys reading and music. His favourite genres are jazz, classical, and mandopop, which he grew up with. Some evenings, his love for music takes him to the stage at “Let’s Jam”, a monthly community music event by Temasek Shophouse, where he connects with others through a shared love for music.
Being close to nature brings him joy. He finds that a flavour of the different elements, through the occasional walk, hike, run, ski, or cycle, in a new environment can be uplifting. A simple walk, hike, run, ski, or ride — especially in a new environment — offers a refreshing change that uplifts him.
His word of advice to someone looking for a start in philanthropy?
"Philanthropy is most impactful when it is grounded in purpose. Know what drives you and let it guide your path."
'People of Purpose' is a series that spotlights colleagues across the Temasek Trust ecosystem who are driving meaningful impact — sharing not just what they do, but what drives them and how they work with partners across sectors to achieve common goals. Each story reflects the spirit of collective action and our shared journey toward inclusive, sustainable change.
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