Michael Switow is a Principal at The Asia Group (TAG), working in the firm’s Singapore office. Drawing on nearly 30 years of Asian expertise in media, business and the non-profit sector, Michael is a senior member of TAG’s Southeast Asia practice and broader global team. He plays a key role in delivering client value by developing policy-driven strategies, offering actionable insights, and leading strategic engagements that help clients navigate dynamic political, economic, and industry developments across Southeast Asia.
The former head of an editorial consultancy promoting thought leadership, Michael is the co-author of two groundbreaking business leadership books, a public speaker and a trainer. He brings a unique blend of analytical and public policy expertise, extensive media experience covering Asian and US businesses, an inquisitive mind and engaging communication skills to every project.
Michael made his start in Asia writing for the Associated Press in Manila, then worked in radio and television in Hong Kong, where he covered the territory’s return to China. His financial, political and social commentary and reportage have been featured across leading news platforms in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and the United States, including NPR and PRI. He has also moderated ministerial-level discussions at the intersection of business and public policy at international forums.
His books, Activate the Third Space: How to Align, Communicate and Lead in a Hyper-Competitive World (2022) and Taming the Mouse: How a Small Hong Kong Theme Park Came to Dominate Disney (2018), present results-driven leadership principles and a clear roadmap for how every member of an organisation can take personal responsibility for success.
Michael graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University and earned a master’s degree from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, focusing on economic analysis and international relations.
He sits on the board of a Singapore-based charity called ONE (SINGAPORE), which he founded in 2005 and that has helped thousands of families in need. He also served as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Niger and Gabon. Originally from Kentucky, Michael is an avid fan of college basketball and bourbon. When he is not working, he enjoys time with his family, reading Japanese fiction and hiking in Singapore’s tropical forests.