David Teo, an Icon of Change in Singapore

Icons of Change International Awards 2025
David Teo
Executive Director at ESGpedia

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Champion of ESG Innovation and Inclusive Finance in Asia

With over 25 years of distinguished experience at the intersection of finance and technology, David has established himself as a transformative force in Asia’s ESG and fintech ecosystem. From his early roots in banking to his current leadership role as Executive Director of ESGpedia, David has continually demonstrated a rare ability to connect legacy financial expertise with future-facing innovation—bridging traditional financial institutions with the rapidly evolving demands of sustainable, data-driven markets.

David's professional journey spans a dynamic range of functions—Sales, Relationship Management, Partnerships, Marketing, Customer Support, Credit, Operations, and Human Resources—proving not only his versatility but also his commitment to holistic leadership. His ability to navigate complex, multicultural environments and matrixed organizations has earned him respect across sectors and regions, especially within Asia’s highly nuanced financial landscape.

At ESGpedia, David plays a pivotal role in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence by leading Asia’s largest ESG data and technology platform. ESGpedia powers high-impact regional initiatives such as the UN ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN) Asia-Pacific Green Deal digital platform and the Asia-Pacific Single Accesspoint for ESG Data (SAFE). With over five million sustainability data points and a GRI license, ESGpedia provides end-to-end solutions—from greenhouse gas emissions calculations and sustainability reporting to supplier engagement and AI-driven analytics—empowering corporates, SMEs, and financial institutions to enhance compliance, competitiveness, and decision-making capacity.

David’s influence extends far beyond technology deployment. He has cultivated a robust network of institutional and corporate clients, including global and local banks, private banking institutions, insurance companies, corporates, asset managers, and high-net-worth individuals. His ability to align ESG innovation with strategic capital deployment exemplifies the kind of systems-level thinking that is essential for building sustainable economies.

In an era where ESG is no longer optional but imperative, David embodies the next generation of leadership—one that blends deep financial acumen, digital transformation, and purpose-driven impact. His commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable infrastructure reflects the very spirit of SDG 9, and his work continues to lay a foundation for resilient, future-proof industries across the region.

The Icons of Change Awards is proud to recognize David as a Champion of Innovation and ESG Integration in Asia.

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