The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), widely recognized as the Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, has taken a significant step towards enhancing member resources and benefits in the Asia-Pacific region, with the inauguration of its new office in Singapore. This move comes as part of MDRT’s ongoing global expansion, which also includes offices in the United States, China, and India.
The opening of the Asia-Pacific office marks a pivotal moment for MDRT’s commitment to better serve its large Asian member base. The organization aims to elevate member experiences and bolster professional resources across the region. To facilitate the smooth operation of the new office and ensure the highest quality of service, MDRT has made strategic investments in new staff members.
“The opening of MDRT Asia-Pacific headquarters underpins MDRT’s commitment to the industry. As the region’s population is increasingly aware of their need and options for financial protection, the new office aims to provide members with deeper and quicker access to knowledge, skills, advice and best practices so they can better empower clients to make informed decisions,” according to Carol Kheng, MDRT Second Vice President.
Leading the team at the Asia-Pacific office will be Gina van Dijk, who assumes the role of Senior Director of Global Markets. Van Dijk brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at MCI Group, a renowned global consulting and management agency. During her time there, she played a crucial role in helping European and U.S.-based associations expand their presence across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. With her solid understanding of strategic planning, association management, business development, corporate sustainability, and customer relations, van Dijk is poised to drive MDRT’s growth in key markets and distribution channels.
“I’m very excited to be joining the MDRT team and helping to advance its global mission of professional excellence in financial services. The Asia-Pacific is a region of critical importance to the future of MDRT as an association, and I look forward to helping financial advisors and insurance agents reap the full benefits of their MDRT membership,” said van Dijk.
Joining van Dijk is Nicole Squires, appointed as the new Senior Director of Business Development. Squires boasts an impressive background in C-suite advisory and sales within the global financial services industry. Her most recent position at Standard Chartered Singapore involved catering to the Rest of the World market. A former financial advisor and MDRT member herself, Squires brings valuable insights and expertise to the role. Her primary focus will be on MDRT Family of Brands membership, cultivating member relationships, and collaborating with financial services companies in major MDRT markets.
“I am ecstatic to be making this transition from MDRT member to MDRT staff. MDRT has such a bright future in the Asia-Pacific region, and I’m honored to be part of the efforts to continue delivering even better resources to members in all three MDRT Family of Brands associations,” said Squires.
The new Asia-Pacific office will play a crucial role in supporting MDRT events in the region, including the highly anticipated 2023 MDRT Global Conference scheduled to take place in Singapore from 27 to 30 August 2023. The conference will feature presentations from leading financial professionals and inspiring leaders, offering unparalleled networking opportunities for members. There will also be dedicated sessions tailored for MDRT Global Services members, providing them with valuable insights and perspectives on financial services from around the world. The event will be held at the prestigious Sands Expo & Convention Centre, encouraging members to gather and enrich their knowledge in a truly global setting.
With the establishment of the Singapore office and the addition of Gina van Dijk and Nicole Squires to the team, MDRT is poised to make significant strides in advancing financial expertise and fostering professional growth for its members across the Asia-Pacific region. As MDRT continues to expand its influence globally, its commitment to empowering financial professionals remains unwavering.