Kathlyn Tan (Knudsen)
Kathlyn is a Principal of Singapore-based family office Rumah Group and Director of its philanthropic arm, Rumah Foundation. She established Rumah’s ocean philanthropy and impact investment activities in 2017, and now leads the foundation’s ocean philanthropy efforts, including strategic grantmaking and collaborative partnerships. Rumah Foundation's ocean portfolio focuses on Southeast Asia, supporting awareness and journalism, protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, and alternative seafood.
A member of the World Economic Forum's Friends of Ocean Action coalition and the Leading Women for the Ocean network, she serves as Co-Chair of the 30x30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund, a funders collaborative dedicated to supporting efforts to protect 30% of Southeast Asia's seas by 2030, and is a Board Trustee of Rare, a global environmental nonprofit. She also advises Sustainable Finance Institute Asia and previously served as Board Director of the Good Food Institute APAC and Board Trustee of Conservation International Singapore. She began her career in financial communications before moving into corporate sustainability.
A certified Divemaster and two-time Singapore freediving National Record holder for Dynamic with Bi-Fins and Dynamic No Fins, Kathlyn developed a deep love and respect for the ocean and marine life. She is passionate about ocean protection and sustainable business, and previously founded and led Coastal Natives, a not-for-profit inspiring ocean lovers and conservationists through film, art and community. She earned her degree in Economics and a postgraduate qualification in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Sydney.