Mr. Chavalit Frederick Tsao

Chavalit Tsao, also known as Fred, is the fourth-generation steward of a family business that started in The Shanghai Bund before 1906. Fred joined his family business at the age of twenty after he graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Sciencein Engineering. In 1995 and at the age of thirty-seven, Fred took over as Chairman of IMC Group. Under his stewardship, the traditional shipping company transformed into a multi-national conglomerate with diverse business interests in industrial supply chain, lifestyle, leadership learning communities and investments. Fred believes that a business that plays its role in serving human well-being and one that continues to evolve to meet the needs of society is a thriving and sustainable business. He advocates that evolution is the key and consciousness is the ultimate capital. Hence in his keen foresight Fred decided in 1995, more than two decades ago to form a research center named as East West Cultural Development Center, as an extension of his own evolutionary journey. To date led to the formation of AITIA Institute (AI), Quantum Leadership, sustainability, societal and management issues. As the brainchild and founder of SANGHA Retreat by OCTAVE Institute, Fred’s own inward journey of conscious awakening has led him to create opportunities for societal healing towards fostering harmonious communities. As someone who is passionate about human well-being, he is deeply interested in the connection between Western science and traditional Chinese philosophy. Fred believes that reality is relationship and is a reflection of our own experiences and conditionings. When we change our lenses, we see the world differently and only then can we reclaim our freedom and creativity. Fred shares this in his recently published book the Quantum Leadership: New Consciousness in Business where he has co-authored with Prof Chris Laszlo. In this book, Fred argues that current approaches to leadership fail to produce positive outcomes for either businesses or the communities they serve. Drawing on extensive research, he shows how changing a person’s consciousness is the most powerful lever for unlocking leadership potential, to create wealth and serve humankind.