Karen Ngui

Karen Ngui


Head, DBS Foundation, Group Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications
DBS Bank

Karen Ngui joined DBS in June 2005. She is Managing Director and Head, DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Karen leads corporate communications, brand management, strategic marketing, internal communications, sponsorships, media and issues management across DBS Group. She is also responsible for managing, enhancing and strengthening DBS’ brand positioning and value, as well as ensuring a consistent brand identity across all businesses and markets, including Singapore, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia.

As a purpose-driven bank, DBS is committed to being a force for good and creating impact beyond banking. Karen is pivotal in bringing this spirit to life through her work in overseeing the bank’s employee volunteerism initiative, DBS People of Purpose, and DBS Foundation, which she heads.

The DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of vulnerable segments in society. Karen was instrumental to the foundation’s formation in 2014, when it was established to champion social entrepreneurship in Asia.

Over the past decade, DBS Foundation has catalysed the growth of 140 purpose-driven businesses through grants, and nurtured 1200 others through support measures including mentorship, capacity-building, business and networking opportunities. In 2022, the foundation’s mandate was broadened to support the community directly. It has since launched various community programmes, which are projected to impact more than 7.5 million beneficiaries over the next few years.

In 2024, the bank further deepened its commitment to supporting the vulnerable by pledging SGD 1 billion over ten years to this purpose. This will be supported by 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.

Karen has over 30 years of experience in corporate branding, marketing and communications for financial institutions, and joined DBS from Standard Chartered Bank where she was Global Head, Brand Management and Strategic Marketing.

Learn more

Providing Essential Needs

Discover how we improve access to food and nutrition, basic education and healthcare, including mental health, and tools to better cope with daily stressors.

Fostering Inclusion

Learn how we provide skills and tools to improve financial and digital literacy, as well as access to financial products.