Bert is a Global Account Manager in New York and is currently in transition to a new role with the Bank in Shanghai.  Bert is an experienced marathoner and tri-athlete. He pioneered the Americas SiB fund raising efforts via ultra-marathons through his participation in a race through the Amazon jungle in 2007.  In 2008, he put together TeamVision SCB to participate in the Sahara Race (part of the 4-Deserts series) and collectively, the team raised over $20,000 for Seeing is Believing.  Come March 2010, Bert will lead TeamVison SCB again to run in the next 4-Deserts challenge, the Atacama Crossing in Chile. With a 4 year old daughter, a 7 month old son, a pending transfer to Shanghai, and a remarkably understanding wife whose patience is being tested, his training has been…’interesting’.  However, with the support of the TeamVision members, Bert is confident that he will rise to the challenge of the Atacama.

 

Previous marathons : Full marathons in Mumbai and Chicago; triathlons in New York and Singapore; multi-day ultra-marathons in the Amazon Jungle and the 250k Sahara Race.

 

 

Sean has been with the Bank on the Transaction Banking team in the Americas since early 2007.  He was a part of TeamVision SCB for the Sahara Race (part of the 4-Deserts series) in October 2008. Sean placed 9th overall.  Before the Sahara Race, Sean had not competed in an event longer than a 10k so finishing 9th in a 250k ultra-marathon was quite an achievement.  Eight months later, in June 2009, Sean participated in the Gobi March (also part of the 4-Deserts series) and improved his previous achievement by finishing 3rd overall. This officially cemented his passion for this rather strange hobby.  Training very hard for his next 4-Deserts series in March 2010, the Atacama Crossing, Sean is looking forward to both competing and helping to raise awareness of Seeing is Believing.

 

Previous marathons : 250k Sahara Race & Gobi March

 

 

Mara has been with Standard Chartered’s Financial Institutions division since 2006 - first as the Business Planning Manager and currently as Assistant Relationship Manager on the Banks team.  Mara has been a runner for more than 13 years, participating in marathons, half-marathons and short distance races.  She was a member of the inaugural TeamVision SCB with Bert and Sean where they completed in the 250k Sahara Race (part of the 4 Deserts series) in 2008 and raised over $20,000 for Seeing is Believing.  As a former Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, Mara recognizes the importance of good health, having witnessed the physical and economic difficulties that poor health can bring.  Mara’s experience in Togo also made her aware of River Blindness, a preventable/treatable condition that impacts certain regions of that country.  The Atacama Crossing will allow Mara to combine her love of running with her interest in health issues and to help raise funds for Seeing is Believing.

 

Previous marathons : 250k Sahara Race

 

 

Chris joined Standard Chartered as an intern in 2005 and subsequently joined the Bank’s International Graduate Program in 2007. He assumed his current role as a Liquidity Dealer with ALM in 2009.  While an avid rugby player, Chris had never run an organized race longer than 5k. As such, he considers his participation in the Atacama Crossing as rather ‘ambitious’. However, Chris is very excited for the challenge which no doubt will be far outside his comfort zone. He is looking forward to the once in a lifetime experience as well as the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for Seeing is Believing.

 

Previous marathons : None

Please find our Seeing is Believing Fundraising page here.