Ivan Tse

Ivan Tse’s Biography

Ivan P.L. Tse is an American-Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized for his innovative leadership in philanthropy and social innovation. He serves as Chair and President of the TSE Foundation, a charitable organization founded by his late grandfather, Tse Hsien Tsung. Since joining the Foundation’s board in 1996 and assuming its presidency in 2012, Ivan has guided its evolution, focusing on education, environmental conservation, and climate change leadership.

The Foundation’s early initiatives included building schools in rural China and a hospital in Taiwan, while its later phases addressed environmental stewardship through partnerships with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Ashoka. In 2012, Ivan launched Global Friends Ltd., a Hong Kong-based social enterprise aimed at fostering climate change leadership and strengthening philanthropic engagement between China and the United States.

Ivan’s entrepreneurial endeavors include We Are Beauty, a lifestyle brand he founded that collaborated with partners such as Obumex and Loro Piana Interiors to define modern... Ivan P.L. Tse is an American-Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized for his innovative leadership in philanthropy and social innovation. He serves as Chair and President of the TSE Foundation, a charitable organization founded by his late grandfather, Tse Hsien Tsung. Since joining the Foundation’s board in 1996 and assuming its presidency in 2012, Ivan has guided its evolution, focusing on education, environmental conservation, and climate change leadership.

The Foundation’s early initiatives included building schools in rural China and a hospital in Taiwan, while its later phases addressed environmental stewardship through partnerships with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Ashoka. In 2012, Ivan launched Global Friends Ltd., a Hong Kong-based social enterprise aimed at fostering climate change leadership and strengthening philanthropic engagement between China and the United States.

Ivan’s entrepreneurial endeavors include We Are Beauty, a lifestyle brand he founded that collaborated with partners such as Obumex and Loro Piana Interiors to define modern high-end living. His most recent project, Pegasus, represents the culmination of his vision for next-level resilience and social architecture. Structured as a B-Corp, Pegasus focuses on dynamic resilience strategies and urban sustainability, emphasizing readiness and adaptability in a fast-changing world. It leverages culture, storytelling, and partnerships to inspire transformative action, creating frameworks that empower individuals and communities alike.

A graduate of Boston College, Ivan furthered his studies at Columbia University and the Architectural Association in London. His global perspective has been shaped by living in cities such as London, Amsterdam, Paris, New York, Boston, and Singapore.

Ivan’s work reflects a lifelong commitment to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and creating meaningful impact on a global scale. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Ivan Tse’s Background

TSE Foundation

President & Chair

2011 - Present

Hong Kong, HK

The TSE Foundation was established in 1986 to financially assist China's most vulnerable. For more than three decades it has helped fund numerous initiatives that encourage access to better healthcare and education, and that inspire cross-border understanding and communication.

TSE Foundation

Director

1997 - 2011

Hong Kong, HK

Ivan Tse served as Director of the TSE Foundation until his appointment to President and Chair in 2011.

Board Positions

NewCities Foundation

Board Trustee

Jan 2020 - Present

Montreal, CA

NewCities is a non-profit organisation built on principles from the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Its mission is to create inclusive spaces for all residents of inner cities across the globe. Connecting residents, institutions of learning, civil society and business, NewCities encourages the development of community ecosystems.

Media

The Philanthropist's Conversation

"The Philanthropist's Conversation" addresses the pivotal challenges shaping the future. Each episode presents discussions with distinguished experts in sustainability, urban design, and government policy. The conversations delve into critical questions and seek innovative solutions that enhance resilience.

Ivan Tse of the Tse Foundation on his #athensdemocracy Forum discussion

Speaker

Sep 2021

Ahead of his appearance at the Athens Democracy Forum, Ivan Tse shares what his key talking points will be, asking: Who us not at the table when it comes to the climate change conversation and why is it hard to build momentum around the climate challenge?

Features

Seeking Solutions to Global Challenges

Featured

Oct 2021

Athens, GR

Climate change poses a greater, more lasting threat than the coronavirus, yet urgency from governments and individuals remains lacking. At the Athens Democracy Forum, Ivan Tse discussed how alliances among philanthropists, corporations, activists, and policymakers can drive meaningful action.

Publications

Synergos

Feature

2017

New York, NY, USA

Ivan Tse shares his personal journey of Spiritual Civilisation, how he was introduced to the practice and the benefits he has gained from centering himself.

Memberships

The Philanthropy Workshop

Participant

1999 - Present

London, UK

The Philanthropy Workshop engages with leaders the world over in an effort to find solutions to the most dire social issues facing the global community. They lend their time, skills and resources to assist in strategically mobilising efforts to affect change.

Speaking Engagements

Athens Democracy Forum

Speaker & Panelist

Sep 2021

Athens, GR

Ivan Tse was a speaker and panelist at the 2021 Athens Democracy Forum where he joined world leaders to discuss the need for governments, philanthropists and individuals to urgently agree on ways to work together to confront climate change.

Business Interests

We Are Beauty Productions

Founder

Aug 2010 - Present

Hong Kong, HK

Ivan founded We Are Beauty Productions to offer clients specialised spiritual development and guided journey programmes to reach greater self-awareness and life mastery.

Community Engagement

World Learning

Trustee

2004 - 2006

Brattleboro, VT, USA

World Learning works alongside underprivileged communities to bring development, education and social change to the world's most vulnerable. The organisation's principal mission is to combat poverty and inequality.