(Credit: Louis Chan)  

Introduction of Profile: 

Louis Chan was originally trained as a pharmacist but made an unexpected pivot into sustainability and risk management. Today, he balances multiple roles as Sustainability Manager at Golden Energy and Resources Limited, CEO of the climate-tech start-up GreenBix, and advisory board member for several organisations.  

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Why Sustainability? 

Louis’s academic background is in pharmacy –– but his first exposure to sustainability came by chance. 

“One of my early internships happened to be in a sustainability department. That was when I realised companies can’t just look at financial metrics; they must also consider climate and ESG factors. That really drew me into this risk area.”  

While “saving the planet” motivates him, Louis says the bigger draw was the chance to work on the systemic risks shaping the future — from climate change to regulatory shifts. 

He has since built a career in sustainability investments, focusing particularly on mining and renewable energy. 

Building a Business Case for Risk and Sustainability 

Louis highlights that risk managers often face the perception that their work is a cost centre.  

“Whenever we look at a solution, people ask, ‘Why must we do this? What’s the return on investment?’ The biggest lesson for me has been to structure decisions so that costs are recoverable in a short time. That’s how you get stakeholder buy-in.” 

He contrasts this with his earlier consulting experience, where he could make recommendations but rarely see them implemented. His current role, he says, is more rewarding because he can test and execute solutions directly. 

Tackling the Perception Challenge 

One of the greatest hurdles Louis faces isn’t internal resistance, but external scepticism. 

“When people hear we are a mining company, they assume it’s not sustainable. Yet the reality is, materials like cobalt or coal are still part of today’s buildings and renewable technologies. The challenge is educating people on that bigger picture, while ensuring our financing partners understand the nuances.” 

The Entrepreneurial Lens 

(Credit: Louis Chan) 

Alongside his corporate role, Louis leads Greenbix, a start-up spun off from National University Singapore (NUS), which pioneers’ energy-efficient cooling systems for the built environment. 

“We developed a passive displacement cooling coin that can be placed into Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. By doing so, you can remove the need for an air-handling unit — essentially the fan that blows at you when you sit under an aircon. Without it, consumers save about 20 to 30 percent of energy.” 

Louis explains that the appeal lies not just in the financial savings for businesses, but also the environmental benefits of reducing energy consumption. 

“It was a novel idea — cost savings paired with carbon savings. That’s why I thought it was so interesting.” 

For Louis, being a start-up CEO has offered a new perspective.  

“It’s a tough journey, but it helps me think like an entrepreneur when I look at corporate investments.” 

Balancing the Load 

Balancing a corporate career, a start-up, advisory board commitments, and two postgraduate programmes –– an MBA and a Master of Law, requires discipline and structure. Louis has crafted a system that works for him.  

(Credit: Louis Chan) 

“Every Sunday night, I spend an hour planning the week ahead — work priorities, studies, and personal commitments.” 

He also begins each morning with Muay Thai, boxing or gym training to stay sharp. “It keeps me energised for the long hours,” he says. 

Looking Ahead 

Louis isn’t motivated by titles, but by impact. 

“I don’t have a position in mind because, to me, titles don’t mean much. What matters is impact. I want to help renewable energy companies scale and invest in small start-ups with good ideas that just need a bit of seed capital.” 

His long-term goal is clear –– to support the growth of renewable energy projects while nurturing innovative solutions from the ground up. 

Advice for the Next Generation 

For those considering a career in risk management, Louis’s advice is simple but powerful. 

“Cultivate curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. Risk management is always changing — whether it’s regulations, technology or new innovations. You need to stay motivated to keep learning, to stay ahead.”