Ann is a turnaround specialist who has brought transformational organizational change during her various leadership roles in the private, public and non-profit sectors. She currently leads the largest international business chamber in Southeast Asia – AmCham Singapore which represents over 700 member companies and 5,500 business leaders.
Prior to her appointment at AmCham, Ann was the Head of Strategic Planning at a global development international organization headquartered in the Philippines operating in 17 countries across Asia and Africa. During her previous stay in Singapore, she was with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore where she served as the chief of staff to the Dean and Director of External Affairs. Ann’s additional experience in the Asia-Pacific region includes specializing in issue management and crisis communication at Ogilvy in Sydney, Australia. Ann worked in Washington DC in various capacities including as a senior official at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security; an aide to a United States Senator; and as a chief lobbyist and spokesperson for a number of national membership-based associations ranging from 250 members to over 300,000 members.
She received a B.A. from the University of Iowa, a J.D. from Washburn University School of Law and served as a Senior Executive Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.
New to the role as Executive Director before acting on the board of Directors of the Chamber. Formerly worked as a Legal Solutions Consultant In Singapore at a Canadian multinational mass media and information firm which operated in 100+ countries with more than 45K employees. Combining her legal expertise, business acumen and relationship-building skills helped her succeed in a challenging commercial role in which she drove the ANA Legal business strategy to ensure market adoption of the company’s suite of legal products and solutions.
Originally hailed from the Republic of Ireland in which she practised as a lawyer and in Europe (Paris). She advised on technical, strategic and procedural aspects across different spectrum of legal issues for a variety of clients
Benita received a Honours Bachelor of Law degree from University College Dublin. A strong advocate of using technology to increase productivity, re-engineering internal and external processes for better results and economic drivers.
Karen Wee is a strategist, innovator and implementor with 32 years of volunteering experience and 12 years of professional experience in non profit sector.
With experience in full spectrum of non profit sector in APAC, working at government (NCSS), civil organisation (NVPC), international NPO (YMCA) and local NPO (Children Cancer Foundation) and volunteering experience both locally and USA, she is often entrusted to develop new departments, innovative programmes and revamp declining or mature areas.
Over the years, she continued to execute strategies, revamped operations and strengthen partnerships with public, private and people
With an intentionally extensive and intensive career in the following areas, she has successes and deep strategic and operational experience in almost the full works of NPO from planning to development to execution.
In the non-profit space where resources are scarce, budgets are tight, needs are endless, volunteer management becomes critical. Having been a volunteer herself, managing volunteers at different levels including board members, she is highly familiar with volunteer psychology, volunteer management structures and systems.
A Certified Fund Raising Executive, Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Marketer (pursuant), and Certified Internal Auditor and member of the Singapore Institute of Directors, she is currently a consultant in non-profit space
Enjoys mentoring the younger colleagues and youths, including her children as she firmly believes they are the future of any country and community.
Yen-Lu Chow is the Executive Chairman, WholeTree Foundation; Co-Founder & Director, Asia Institute of Mentoring; Chairman, Singapore Creations; Founding Partner, Fatfish MediaLab; Executive Mentor, YSI SEA, and founder of the Deep Human Movement. He is a former Apple Distinguished Technologist, a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, mentor and advisor, social innovator and humanist. With the launch of his family foundation and his other social impact initiatives, Yen-Lu devotes all of his time serving the society as well as the nation in his various capacities. He is on a life mission to help bring about a kinder, gentler, more inclusive, more just and sustainable world for all.
Kaumudi Goda (KG) is an experienced professional who has helped transform Fortune 500 companies in Asia, Europe and North America as a talent strategist, culture builder and program manager. KG has delivered industry leading results in learning and development, talent retention and management; and diversity and inclusion. She is a trusted business advisor and has extensive global experience in client leadership, business development and P&L responsibilities.
A Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management with 14 years of client and project management experience, KG moved into human capital management after getting an MBA from the Indian School of Business in 2012. Prior to that, she was an attorney for seven years in the U.S. with an LLM from the University of Virginia. She is currently licensed to practice law in India and U.S.
She is an award-winning public speaker, leadership coach and a published author who enjoys conducting workshops, coaching, and mentoring.
As CEO of EventBank, Eric Schmidt is focused on delivering cloud solutions that transform the way professional communities enable and enrich relationships. EventBank has clients in over 40 countries and continues to expand in emerging and developing markets. Over the last 15 years, Eric has founded and incubated several companies from the ground up. He maintains substantial experience with venture capital and private equity investments. He also founded China Entrepreneurs — a community he built into a 20,000+ member network.
Eric is an elected member of the American Chamber of Commerce in China's Board of Governors (2017, 2018, 2019) and is recognized as an authority on digital technologies and business in Asia. He has been featured in media such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Baron’s, BBC, CCTV, China Daily, and numerous other outlets.
Eric once traced Marco Polo’s route from Beijing, China to Venice, Italy, 100 days by bicycle – he was appreciatively sponsored by Nike and Philips.
Dickson Tang is a global educator and keynote speaker on a mission to help people and organizations get creative towards the future of work and business.
The audience benefits from Dickson’s perspectives, developing a creative mindset to unlock ideas and opportunities in new products, services and processes.