OUR FOUNDER
Alaric Tan is a trauma-survivor. For nearly two decades, he had taken drugs to cope with the pain of a life marred by abuse, depression and guilt over his sexual orientation. By the time he was arrested in 2016, he had become so heavily addicted to drugs that he had to consume them continuously just to function.
A period of forced incarceration reinforced his determination to get clean. Upon release, he sought out, then helped develop, several recovery programmes that address specific issues causing his addiction. His recovery gave him the knowledge that those with similar issues can also get well. His desire to share his experience of recovery with others led to the birth of The Greenhouse.
Alaric’s recovery is proof of his belief that people who overcome their addictions can contribute meaningfully to society and be of service to others.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings with them invaluable experience and expertise. They devote their time and professional services voluntarily and are committed to providing The Greenhouse with good corporate governance, guidance, and strategic direction, in order to fulfill its mission and vision.
Director
Rayner Kay Jin Tan received his Ph.D. from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Project-China, Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a visiting research fellow at both the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore. Rayner is a recipient of the National University Health System's Singapore Population Health Improvement Centre fellowship, the Courage Fund Limited (Infectious Diseases) Ph.D. scholarship, the DBS Bank school valedictorian award in social sciences, the Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference Fellowship. Rayner has served as a peer reviewer for more than 20 scientific journals and is currently an Associate Editor of the journal BMC Public Health, as well as part of the Editorial Board of the British Medical Journal’s Sexually Transmitted Infections journal.
Director
Loh Wei, CFA, CA (Singapore), previously served as the Finance Director at The Majurity Trust, a philanthropic organisation that uses social impact programmes and platforms to build a thriving and sustainable community for all in Singapore. He began his career at PwC Singapore and subsequently built and sold his Accounting and Corporate Secretarial practice in 2017. Since 2013, Loh Wei has devoted much of his time to practising meditation in the Chinese Zen tradition and attending silent retreats. Loh Wei holds a Masters in Buddhist Studies from The University of Hong Kong and a Bachelor of Accountancy from Singapore Management University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Chartered Accountant of Singapore.
Director
Eleanor Ong (MSc BA)'s postgraduate training in Developmental Psychology is the foundation of her therapeutic practice, influencing her extensive work with young people and adults struggling with difficulties surrounding trauma and addiction. She specializes in alcohol, drug, gambling, food and gaming addiction, and works closely with children of families where addiction is present. Eleanor also does substantial work with the LGBTQIA community around identity, addiction and relationships. Eleanor strongly believes in fostering health and growth for individuals. Her work has a deep emphasis on a foundation of safety, stabilisation, compassion and non-judgment.
Director
Kevin Ong Ching Seong (“CS”) is a lawyer and practices in the areas of disputes, investigations and compliance. He has worked in Singapore and international law firms since 2011. Since 2019, he has worked in start-ups and the charity space. His interest in charities stems from a commitment to social justice, to equalise opportunities to health, happiness and success for those who face exceptionally uncertain odds. In his free time, CS enjoys boxing and writing.
Director
Mythily graduated from the Lady Hardinge Medical College, India. She received her PhD in Gambling Studies from Monash University and is currently Assistant Chairman Medical Board (Research) and Lead Investigator of the Programme of Mental Health Policy Studies at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). She also has a concurrent teaching appointment at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Singapore. She is also a consultant with the Ministry of Health, Singapore.
She has worked in the field of mental health for more than 15 years. She was the Co-Principal Investigator of three nation-wide studies – the first and second Singapore Mental Health Study, surveys that established the prevalence of select mental disorders in the adult population of Singapore; and the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly study, a survey among older adults that aims to establish the prevalence, risk factors and cost associated with dementia in Singapore. She has over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals and is a reviewer with many international journals.