Page 30 - NYAA GAHA 30th Anniversary "Service Beyond Gold"

Desmond Chong Kok Hwee

Regional Head of Risk Management

Mastercard Inc.
NYAA Council Member
NYAA Gold Award Holder (1998 Cohort)

Desmond Chong Kok Hwee is a distinguished leader where he developed the Asia Pacific regional disaster
in risk management and community service whose response guidelines and continues to champion
career spans corporate, public, and non-profit sectors. youth development through scouting. He is also a
With over 20 years of expertise in governance, risk and Council Member of the National Youth Achievement
compliance, Desmond has combined professional Award (NYAA) Council, a Board Member of the
excellence with a deep commitment to youth Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre, and a leader
development and community building, exemplifying in multiple community organisations, including
the GAHA ethos of 'Service Beyond Gold.' the Buangkok-Fernvale South Citizen Consultative
Committee, Yuhua Community Club Management
As Chief Risk Officer and Regional Head of Risk Committee, and the Chong Chang School Supplies
Management for Mastercard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, Fund. Desmond is also a member of the People's
Desmond oversees governance, risk and compliance Association Board of Management and a member of
across the region, convening the Regional Business the board's Audit and Risk Committee.
Risk & Control Committee and the board's Risk &
Governance Committee, while also chairing the Asia Desmond's leadership and service have earned him
Pacific Risk Working Group. Since joining Mastercard national and international recognition. In 2022,
in 2016, he has strengthened the company's risk he was granted a personal Coat of Arms by Queen
management framework, built resilience across Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee Year. He
markets, and led regional teams to uphold the has also received the Distinguished Service Award
highest standards of governance and compliance. (Silver, 2023) from the Singapore Scout Association,
the International Friendship Award (2025) from
His career journey reflects versatility and a global the National Scout Organisation of Thailand, and
perspective. He began as an Intelligence Officer in multiple long-service awards from the People's
the Singapore Armed Forces, supporting defence Association and Singapore Armed Forces. A proud
policies before moving into corporate risk leadership NYAA alumnus, he was a recipient of the NYAA Gold
roles at the Intercontinental Hotels Group, Meritus Award (1998), the HSBC NYAA Youth Environmental
Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft. At Microsoft, he Award (Merit, 1998), the Citibank Youth Leadership
was recognised with the Business Excellence Award Award (1999) and the HSBC Youth Excellence Award
(2014) and the Chief Security Officer Commendation (2002).
(2012) for his leadership in risk mitigation. Earlier, he
also received the CEO Leadership Award (2010) at Through his leadership in risk management, his
Meritus Hotels & Resorts. dedication to youth and community, and his service
across local and international platforms, Desmond
Beyond his corporate achievements, Desmond Chong Kok Hwee embodies the values of resilience,
is deeply engaged in community service and responsibility, and service that define the GAHA
youth leadership. He currently serves as the Chief legacy.
Commissioner of the Singapore Scout Association,

28 30 Years of Service and Leadership