Dr. Ruth A. Shapiro is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS). CAPS is a research and advisory non-profit organization based in Hong Kong and working throughout Asia. CAPS is committed to producing world-class, evidence-based research to help philanthropists, governments and social delivery organizations maximize the positive impact of private social investment.
Ruth is the primary author of Pragmatic Philanthropy: Asian Charity Explained, published by Palgrave Macmillan in January 2018. She is the editor of The Real Problem Solvers, a book about social entrepreneurship in America. She also co-authored the book, Building Energy Efficiency: Why Green Buildings are Key to Asia’s Future. She has published articles in the Nikkei Economic Review, the South China Morning Post and Philanthropy Impact and is a regular speaker on issues related to private social investment in Asia.
Ruth founded the Asia Business Council and served as its Executive Director since its inception in 1997 until May 2007. As founder, she recruited CEOs and chairpersons in Asia and internationally to create Asia’s premier business leaders’ forum. Subsequently Ruth was the Principal of Keyi Strategies, a consultancy specializing in increasing understanding through relationships and expertise sharing among leaders in Asia, Europe and the United States.
Ruth spent the early part of her professional career in the field of international development. Within this field, she held management positions and built new program areas at the Academy for Educational Development, the Harvard Institute of International Development and Global Outlook. She holds a doctorate from Stanford University and Master’s Degrees from Harvard University and George Washington University. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan.