One of a Kind Charity Dinner with Sydney Tan Su Shan Fetches Close to $15,000 at Sotheby’s Auction

An amazing evening with Tan Su Shan, CEO and director of DBS Group, sold for SG$18,900 (US$14,790) at a Sotheby’s auction last Saturday, which is more than double the initial estimate of SG$6,000 to SG$8,000. This was part of the National Gallery Singapore’s 10th anniversary gala. This was a unique opportunity for high net worth individuals to enjoy an evening with one of the most influential leaders in banking in Southeast Asia and to support a key national cultural institution.

As a result, the unprecedented sale highlights a global increase in the amount of charity auctions that contain high profile business and cultural icons. Additionally, it showcases the lasting interest that luxury consumers and philanthropists have in acquiring unique, one of a kind experiences.

The Auctioned Experience: What the Evening Entailed

The person who won the bid received a package over and beyond a regular dinner. The experience also had:

Prehistoric Champagne

_Prehistoric champagne, which is the most expensive champagne available in the market today, is served in a stylish private location._

Private Dinner

_A dinner for 6 people is catered to you by Tan Su Shan._

Private Tour

_A private tour of the National Singapore Gallery, which showcases Southeast Asian art that is housed in 2 national monuments of Singapore._

Exclusive Experience

_Bidders were told, “With the greatest and most intimate settings that you could ever experience, this dinner comes with great and powerful conversation and wit that is most certainly guaranteed. Perfect for the bidders of the finest tastes who are looking for conversations, great company, and a seat beside one of Singapore most powerful people.”_

_For bidders, the evening was about more than merely meeting a prominent business figure. It was also a chance to see Singapore’s largest bank, DBS, operate, and to interact with lots of powerful people in business in a close setting._

DBS and the National Gallery Singapore: A Partner of The Gallery For A Long Time

_A DBS spokesperson explained that Tan’s participation in the charity auction was in line with the bank’s longstanding support for the National Gallery Singapore._

“Su Shan participated in the charity auction in the National Gallery Singapore‘s 10th anniversary because of DBS’ long-standing support for the National Gallery Singapore,” the spokesperson expressed.

The 10th anniversary gala, during which the dinner was auctioned off, raised over SG$2.8 million, which will be used towards:

• Funding new exhibitions with a focus on Southeast Asian and international artists
• Developing and expanding curatorial research in order to understand the history of the region more deeply.
• Providing educational activities and workshops to children, seniors, and other underserved communities.

The museum blends public service with exclusive cultural experiences to ensure that art remains accessible to everyone.

Tan Su Shan: Leadership and Career Achievements

Tan Su Shan has built a great professional career and is a prominent name in global banking. Early this year in March, she was appointed DBS Bank‘s CEO, which makes her the bank’s first female CEO. This position marked her a great first in the financial and banking sectors as she is also the first female CEO in the Southeast Asia Banking Industry.

Tan has worked in banking and wealth management for over 35 years. She has led departments in Morgan Stanley and Citi. When she first came to DBS in 2010, she was the group head of consumer banking and wealth management, and she took charge of initiatives that improved the bank’s retail and wealth divisions.

Since she took on this position, DBS shares have increased by over 10%, showing the market’s belief in her leadership and vision. Tan’s combination of accomplishments and innovative management styles in her field has solidified her value and reputation in banking in Asia.

The Culture of High-Value Charity Auctions

Fundraising by offering meals with notable individuals for charity auctions has become a worldwide phenomenon. The underlying rationale is that wealthy contributors receive unique opportunities to interact with important decision-makers, while the charity receives large donations.

In 2022, a bidder paid over US$19 million to have dinner with Warren Buffett to benefit a San Francisco charity.

In 2014, a Singaporean man paid over US$2 million to dine with Buffett.

Southeast Asia philanthropic efforts are relatively inexpensive and easier to access, as evidenced by the SG$18,900 spent to dine with Tan Su Shan. Incorporating cultural and social value with cash donations are some of the ways charity dinners have leveraged to create impact and value.

Other Auction Highlights from the Gala

The Sotheby’s auction showcased almost 90 unique art pieces and luxury experiences, from fine art to culinary exclusives. Some of the key highlights included:

• Li Huayi, a Chinese contemporary ink artist, sold for 517,000 SG$, and in the process, became the highest-ever auction item sold in the National Gallery Singapore.
• Private art tours, travel packages, and rare collectibles were also offered.

By offering art and personalized experience packages, the auction organizers met the needs of a diverse clientele, including art and philanthropy. The high-value charity auction pieces signal a growing trend and seeded value of art, business and luxury experiences.

Strategic Importance to Tan Su Shan and DBS Bank

The charity auction helps to highlight DBS Bank and its leadership. Through her participation, Tan helps the National Gallery and also demonstrates DBS’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its presence in the cultural and philanthropic arenas.

The bank’s brand image reflects the social responsibility Tan Su Shan champions and the leadership vision she possesses to connect finance, culture, and community.

For bidders, understanding the strategic challenges, bank dealings, and community involvement of one of the world’s leading banks makes the charity dinner an invaluable lesson. Aspiring executives and investors community engagement, and the dinner provided a valuable opportunity to learn.

The Broader Impact on Cultural Philanthropy

The National Gallery gala shows a different version of cultural philanthropy. Philanthropy can be about luxury and exclusivity. This fundraiser allows the National Gallery to sell:

• Auctions selling time with leaders like Tan.
• Sustainable programming for the revenue raised.
• Integration of the cultural and business issues with the networking brought by the revenue raised.

This model of cultural philanthropy has spread globally. It can now be found in New York and London but also in Singapore and other parts of Asia.

The Importance of Accessibility and Community Engagement

There are still public benefits to high-profile dinners. The National Gallery of Singapore described the National Gallery’s 10th anniversary gala as a fundraiser for the public. The public programs supported by the raised funds include:

• Art outreach workshops and guided tours for school children.
• Programs for seniors to engage with contemporary art.
• Art education initiatives for marginalized and underserved communities.

The auction demonstrates an inclusive model of philanthropy because it links exclusive experiences to a public good. It is elevated and public-spirited philanthropy.

Conclusion

Charity dinners remain popular and effective, as illustrated by an evening with DBS CEO Tan Su Shan going for almost SG$15,000. These dinners offer bidders a unique mixture of exclusivity, cultural engagement, and social significance.

For Tan Su Shan, this was an opportunity to demonstrate DBS’ community relationship and leadership to the community while supporting the arts in Singapore. For the National Gallery Singapore, it was another opportunity to raise invaluable funds to further its goal of making art available to everyone.

In an age where philanthropy and culture are intertwined, the ability to auction experiences interacts business and charity in a meaningful way, reflecting a wonderful collaboration of art and auctioning while making a social statement.