Singapore: JA Worldwide, one of the world's largest and most impactful youth-serving nonprofits, has appointed Vivek Kumar as the next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JA Asia Pacific, joining the JA Worldwide Senior Leadership Team. Kumar brings over two decades of leadership experience across the private sector, public service, and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), most recently serving as CEO of WWF-Singapore, where he focused on impact-orientated transformation and strategic partnerships.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani stated, "JA Asia Pacific is central to our global mission. With the majority of the world's youth living in this region, the opportunities and responsibilities for preparing young people for meaningful work and economic participation are immense." Advani emphasized Kumar's experience in leading impact-oriented transformation across sectors, noting his commitment to youth opportunity as key factors in his appointment as the right leader for JA Asia Pacific.
Kumar expressed enthusiasm for his new role, highlighting his admiration for JA's ability to help young people explore possibilities, build confidence through real-world experiences, and connect education to opportunity. "The region's diversity and energy are unmatched, and I am excited to work alongside our member organisations to expand JA's impact and support millions more young people in discovering their potential," added Kumar.
Before his tenure at WWF, Kumar held regional leadership roles at multinational corporations such as Shell and with Singapore's Labour Movement, progressively taking on new responsibilities. His extensive experience will contribute significantly to JA Asia Pacific, one of JA Worldwide's most dynamic regions, which operates in some of the world's largest economies and fastest-growing communities.
Through hands-on programmes in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial capability, JA member locations in the region deliver transformative experiences to millions of young people each year. They also strengthen digital and hybrid learning pathways and expand partnerships with industry and government, furthering JA's mission of preparing young people for meaningful economic participation.