Mark Weingard
Founder,The Inspirasia Foundation
Mark Weingard is a successful investor and innovative philanthropist.
Mark was a successful trader at Chemical Bank and Tokai Bank for several years before he created Reset, a market leading electronic trading platform for Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange derivatives. Reset was sold to ICAP at the end of 2008.
In the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings, where he lost his girlfriend, Mark started a charitable Foundation focusing on health, education and disability projects across Asia. The Inspirasia Foundation (previously known as the Annika Linden Foundation) focuses on strategic philanthropy providing support and training for all of the charities it supports. To date, Reset and Mark personally have contributed more than USD 9 million to the Foundation.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Bali tragedy, the Inspirasia Foundation is set to enter a new phase. In January 2013 the Foundation will open the Annika Linden Centre for Disability Rehabilitation in Bali. Mark is also opening Iniala Beach House, a luxurious and exclusive 10 bedroom resort in Phuket focusing on Design, Gastronomy and Art. In a bold move, 10 percent of all room revenues (yes, revenues not profits!) and a percentage of all other revenues will go directly to Inspirasia. The Beach House will be the first of several ventures that Iniala will open over the next few years in its attempt to prove that Sustainable Philanthropy can walk hand in hand with Business.
