Forward Faster: Accelerating Corporate Action for Sustainable Development

With climate change and nature loss, the momentum for mandatory Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is growing in intensity. The roles and responsibilities of businesses are changing, making a just transition to a more sustainable business model a necessity to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

The above theme underscores the urgency and commitment required to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 16th GCNS Summit offers a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and action towards advancing the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific region.

EARLY BIRD OFFER!

Secure your discounted pass before 8 September 2024

$50 OFF SUMMIT PASS

$450

U.P. $500

10% OFF BUNDLE DEAL

$765

U.P. $850

Includes passes for Summit, Apex Awards + Learning Journey

$50 OFF APEX PASS

$350

U.P. $400

day 1: GCNS SUmmit AGENDA & speakers
THURSDAY, 03 October 2024 | One Farrer Hotel singapore

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Registration

Dr Bicky Bhangu
President, UN Global Compact Network Singapore &
President, South East Asia, Pacific and South Korea, Rolls-Royce

An engaging fireside chat with our esteemed Guest of Honour as we delve into the heart of the 16th Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) Summit’s theme, “Forward Faster: Accelerating Corporate Action for Sustainable Development.”

This exclusive session will highlight the urgency of collective action and the pivotal role of the private sector in propelling sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. Engaging conversation with a distinguished Guest of Honour. Insights into the importance of corporate commitments and their impact on regional sustainability. Q&A session with the audience.

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Young SDG Leaders’ Awards Ceremony​

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM

Break

This panel discussion aims to drive actions towards meeting sustainable development goals through the finance and investment lever. The conversation will explore the significance of sustainable finance and investment and the impact of transition finance, blended financing and taxonomy in fostering accountability and transparency within the business ecosystem in Singapore and the broader region to establish a corporate financing strategy linked to sustainable investments.

Melissa Moi
Head, Sustainable Business
Group Corporate Sustainability Office
UOB
Renard Siew
Group Head, Corporate Sustainability
Yinson Holdings Berhad
Kavitha Menon
Director
Singapore Sustainable Finance Association

Moderator

Mastering the Energy Transition: Efficiency and Reduction Pathways to Net Zero

The net-zero transition requires a multi-pronged approach that leverages energy efficiency strategies and emissions reduction pathways to drive decarbonization efforts across sectors.

Achieving net-zero emissions hinges on maximizing energy productivity through efficiency measures while simultaneously deploying low-carbon technologies and solutions to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Jeffrey A. Benoit
Vice President, Clean Energy Solutions
PSM – A Hanwha Company

Stronger Supply Chains: Value Creation for All

Explore the critical role of sustainable and resilient supply chains in driving action across the five areas of the Forward Faster Initiative. Our panel discussion will delve into how to leverage supply chains to improve performance and business outcomes, and build thriving, inclusive communities.

Join our conversation and gain insights on transforming supply chains to unlock new market value linked to the SDGs for multiple stakeholders, towards a more sustainable future for all.

Making Ripples: Leading the Charge for Water Resilience

Corporate decision-makers will explore how to integrate the ambitious goals for Water Resilience Coalition to drive substantial progress in water resilience across operations and supply chains.

Participants will engage in a dynamic discussion on setting and achieving quantifiable positive water impacts in water-stressed basins, enhancing water security, and equitable access. The session will also highlight the importance of transparency, accountability, and collaboration in meeting these targets.

Spencer Low
Head of Sustainability
Google

12:30 PM - 01:30 PM

Lunch

In this session, policymakers and experts will engage on two critical areas of action: Progressive Wage and Gender Equality. As we delve into these pressing topics, we aim to uncover strategies, challenges, and the transformative impact these actions can have on both businesses and society.

In this dynamic panel discussion, business leaders and experts converge to explore the pressing issues and challenges related to rising living costs, employee wages, and talent retention. The conversation will focus on how businesses can ensure fair, inclusive, and equitable hiring and people management practices to support a diverse workforce, and the transformative potential of aligning corporate strategies with Living Wage and Gender Equality targets to foster a just transition into more sustainable business models.

Delve into the importance of establishing action plans with contractors and supply chain partners. Discover how paying equitable wages can reduce inequalities, enhance supply chain relationships, and create resilient workforces, while attracting and retaining top talent, ultimately supporting business sustainability and growth.

Rajeev Peshawaria
Chief Executive Officer
Stewardship Asia Centre
Aileen Tan
Group Chief People & Sustainability Officer
Singtel Group
Rachel Eng
Managing Director
Eng and Co. LLC

Moderator

02:45 PM - 03:00 PM

Closing Remarks

03:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Networking

day 2 AGENDA (MORNING) - LEARNING JOURNEY
FRIDAY, 04 October 2024

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Registration

Don’t miss the the opportunity to join this learning journey with Schneider Electric – Time Magazine’s 2024 Most Sustainable Company.

Visit the Singapore Innovation Hub, located on the ground floor of the Schneider Electric East Asia Headquarters and immerse yourself in their state-of-the-art products and award-winning EcoStruxureTM solutions.

This smart and sustainable building features over 5,000 IoT connected points and holds the prestigious BCA Green Mark Platinum ZERO ENERGY certification, making it Singapore’s first brownfield, mixed development building to achieve this esteemed recognition. 

Through engaging demonstrations and insightful presentations, discover how Schneider Electric’s energy management and automation digital solutions can empower your business to achieve greater efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

Embark on a solar-powered boat tour around one of the world’s largest inland floating solar PV systems – the Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm. With over 122,000 floating solar panels spanning 45 hectares, this 60MWp solar farm is a significant stride towards contributing to the nation’s solar energy deployment by 2025. Learn how PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, leverages solar energy to produce each drop of clean tap water sustainably, making Singapore one of the few countries in the world to have a 100 per cent green waterworks system.

The electricity generated from the solar farm can power about 16,000 four-room HDB flats, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by about 32 kilotonnes a year or taking 7,000 cars off the roads. The Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm was also carefully designed to minimise impact on the reservoir’s water quality, flora and fauna. This immersive experience promises unparalleled insights into the harmonious blend of innovation and environmental responsibility. 

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM

Tea Break

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM

Fireside chat

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Lunch

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Travel Time back to drop off point

day 2 AGENDA (evening) - apex gala dinner & awards ceremony
FRIDAY, 04 October 2024

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Registration & Networking

7:00 PM - 7:05 PM

Opening Performance

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Awards Presentation

8:40 PM - 9:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Networking Reception

GCNS SME Series 2024: Move Forward Faster!

Leading up to the in-person GCNS Summit 2024, we’ve specially curated the ‘GCNS SME Series’ – to help SMEs take the next step in their sustainability journey through:

🌟 Empowerment: Gain knowledge and tools needed to advance sustainability efforts.

🤝 Engagement: Connect with industry leaders and like-minded professionals.

🚀 Action: Discover practical guidance on crucial areas like decarbonisation, reporting standards, and sustainable finance to take decisive actions.

Imperative for Decarbonisation - Deeper and Faster

Between the Devil & the Deep blue sea - Navigating the new alphabet soup of standards and customers demands

Is the colour of finance green? - Unpacking Government Grants, Bonds and Sustainable Finance

SPONSORS & PARTNERS 2024

Meet our sponsors and partners who are making an impact with us

KEY SPEAKERS

Mr Vinamra Srivastava

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
CAPITALAND INVESTMENT

Ms Jessica Cheam

FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
ECO-BUSINESS

Mr Praveen Tekchandani

PARTNER, CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES
ERNST & YOUNG

Ms Goh Swee Chen

PRESIDENT
GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK SINGAPORE

DR SANJAY C KUTTAN

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
GLOBAL CENTRE FOR MARITIME DECARBONISATION

MR GABRIEL TAN

CEO
GUAVA AMENITIES

MR TAN SZUE HANN

CO-FOUNDER
INNOVATION X SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE (IXSA)

MS JENNIFER TAY

PARTNER, INFRASTRUCTURE LEADER
PWC SINGAPORE

MS SHARON CHONG

VICE PRESIDENT, GROUP SUSTAINABILITY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
RGE

DR BICKY BHANGU

PRESIDENT – SOUTH EAST ASIA, PACIFIC & SOUTH KOREA
ROLLS-ROYCE

MS SUSANNA HASENOEHRL

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY
SAP ASIA PACIFIC AND JAPAN

DR LEE HUI MIEN

SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR GROUP ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
SINGTEL

MR ABEL ARIZA

PRESIDENT MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE
SODEXO

MR FELIPE DAGUILA

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
TERRASCOPE

MR ALBERT CHEONG

DIRECTOR OF CELL CULTURE MEDIA
TURTLETREE

MS SANDA OJIAMBO

ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL AND CEO
UNGC

MR ERIC LIM

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER AND HEAD OF GROUP FINANCE
UOB

MS MELISSA TAN

CEO
WAH & HUA

SME SERIES #1: Imperative For Decarbonisation - Deeper And Faster

PROGRAMME AGENDA

TimeProgramme
9.00amRegistration
9.30am

Welcome remarks by Esther Chang, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Singapore

9.35am
Launch of the Singapore Business Carbon Report 2023
9.45amKeynote Address by Cindy Khoo, Managing Director of Enterprise Singapore
10.00amSharing Session by Companies on their Decarbonisation Journey
10:15amPanel Discussion and Q&A
11.00amEnd of Session & Networking

SME SERIES #2: Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea - Navigating The New Alphabet Soup Of Standards And Customers Demands

PROGRAMME AGENDA

TimeProgramme
9.00amRegistration
9.30am

Session introduction

9.40amWelcome remarks by Esther Chang, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Singapore
9.50amPanel Discussion and Q&A
10.50amLaunch of the Executive Guide to Sustainability Reporting 2024 Edition
11:15amClosing Remarks
11.20amEnd of Session & Networking

MR VINAMRA SRIVASTAVA

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
CAPITALAND INVESTMENT

Disruptive innovations that enable positive transformation

Mr. Vinamra Srivastava is the Chief Sustainability Officer, of CapitaLand Investment (CLI).
Vinamra oversees the Group Sustainability function globally and is responsible for formulating and integrating the Group’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, policies and best practices into its business and operations, helping CLI to achieve its sustainability targets, deliver long-term economic value to stakeholders and foster a culture of sustainability across the organization.
Prior to this role, Vinamra was CEO, Business Parks for CapitaLand India since 2018. He oversaw real estate investments, private equity fund management, asset management, development management, leasing & marketing, operations, strategic planning and sustainability strategy for growing CapitaLand’s business parks portfolio in India. Vinamra also led multiple sustainability projects across India, including evaluating investments in developing solar farms, formulating renewable power purchase agreements, installing rooftop solar panels, implementing digital technologies to improve energy and water efficiency, piloting zero-waste solutions and improving health & wellness quotients of the buildings.
He previously headed Group Corporate Strategy & Development for Ascendas-Singbridge between 2015 and 2018. In that role, Vinamra contributed to the successful Ascendas-Singbridge post-merger integration process, oversaw formulation of the company’s corporate strategy, formed entry strategies into new businesses and geographies, and played a key leadership role to develop the India growth strategy.
Prior to joining CLI, Vinamra was a management consultant having worked with firms like Roland Berger, Arthur D Little, Cisco Systems and BCG. He has diverse experience in the areas of growth strategy, new market entry, infrastructure investments, due-diligence, M&A, and feasibility studies among others. He has led projects in multiple geographies including South-East Asia, India, China, Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
Vinamra holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from University of Pune.

Ms Jessica Cheam

FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
ECO-BUSINESS

Disruptive innovations that enable positive transformation

Jessica is the Founder and Managing Director of Eco-Business, Asia Pacific’s leading independent media and business intelligence organisation dedicated to sustainable development. She is recognised as a sustainability pioneer with two decades of experience in media, sustainable development and ESG issues globally.
She is a regular columnist for national newspapers and is on the Board of Directors for Singapore-listed ComfortDelGro, one of the world’s largest land transport companies, as an independent non-executive director. She chairs the Group’s Board Sustainability Committee, and is a member of the Audit & Risk; and Digitalisation Committees.
She holds the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing and is the General Partner of the Sustainable Future Fund, a collaboration between Tembusu Partners and Eco-Business to fund early-stage sustainability-focused ventures. Jessica is also a member of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), and serves as its ESG committee member. She is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia.
Jessica specialises in advising the Boards of a wide range of government and multi-national organisations on ESG strategy. She was a Singapore Press Holdings scholar and has been recognised in many regional and international journalism and sustainability awards, including Women of the Future Southeast Asia Awards, Gen.T List List 2021 and LinkedIn’s Power Profiles, and is frequently invited to speak at and host discussions across the globe on her areas of expertise.

Mr Praveen Tekchandani

PARTNER, CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES
ERNST & YOUNG

Paving the way for circular supply chains

Praveen is a Climate Change and Sustainability Services Partner at Ernst & Young LLP providing sustainability advisory and assurance services.
He has worked with corporates, governmental agencies and multilateral development banks on areas such as climate change and net zero strategy, carbon tax assessments, sustainability advisory, green finance and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework.
Praveen is a member of the Working Group on GHG and Product Life Cycle and Sustainable Finance Work Group at Enterprise Singapore. He is an appointed member of the Expert Board for Appeals under the Carbon Pricing Act at Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. He is also a qualified lead verifier and independent reviewer for the Singapore Carbon Tax Assurance program of the country’s National Environment Agency.
In 2018, he received the Enterprise Singapore Merit Award for his significant contributions to the Singapore Standardisation Programme in the field of climate change.

Ms Goh Swee Chen

PRESIDENT

UN GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK SINGAPORE

Swee Chen joined Shell in 2003 and retired as Chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore in January 2019. She was previously with Procter & Gamble and IBM. A global leader, she has lived and worked in Singapore, Malaysia, Netherlands, Australia, USA, Japan and China. Swee Chen has a diverse professional background, having led significant businesses in Oil & Gas, Consumer Goods and IT sectors.
Swee Chen is on the Boards of CapitaLand, Singapore Airlines, Singapore Power Ltd. and Woodside Energy (Australia). She chairs the National Arts Council, Institute of HR Professionals and Global Compact Network Singapore. She also sits on public service boards including Legal Services Commission. Swee Chen is a Trustee on the Board of Nanyang Technological University.
Swee Chen had previously chaired/sat in the Boards of Shell Joint Ventures in China, Korea and Saudi Arabia.
Swee Chen graduated with B.Sc. – Victoria University and MBA – Chicago Booth, University of Chicago. She was named Distinguished Alumni, Chicago Booth, in 2018. She is married with three children.

Dr Sanjay C Kuttan

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
GLOBAL CENTRE FOR MARITIME DECARBONISATION

Towards net zero – decarbonising to optimise business operations.

Sanjay has held various positions in the private and public sector across his career. Prior to joining GCMD, he was the Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Institute which is responsible for funding maritime research projects with industry and building local capabilities in the maritime sector, an appointment in 2018 after more than 2 years as a Programme Director/Senior Scientist at the Energy Research Institute at the Nanyang Technological University (ERI@N) managing the NRF funded Smart Multi Energy System project.
His experience in the private sector has primarily been in the oil and gas, as well as energy sectors. The roles range from line management and business development at ExxonMobil, management consulting with McKinsey to policy and industry development for the Energy Market Authority and business leadership with DNVGL. In management consulting, he was involved in refining operational improvements, fuels and lubes retail strategy and corporate performance culture transformation.
At DNVGL, he was engaged in Smart grids and power systems, renewables and grid integration, energy efficiency, electricity markets and energy policy. As the Director of Industry Development at the Energy Market Authority, he was in charge of three key clean technology projects namely the Intelligent Energy System Pilot (aka Smart Grid), the Electric Vehicle Test bed and the Pulau Ubin Renewable energy project.
He is currently a council member of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (2011) and a member of MTI’s Pro-Enterprise Panel (2019). In 2020, he was also appointed to the Management Committee of Ecolabs, The Centre of Innovation for Energy, Advisory Board for Qi Square and District Councillor for the Central Singapore Community Development Council.

Mr Gabriel Tan

CEO
GUAVA AMENITIES

Paving the way for circular supply chains

Gabriel is the CEO of GUAVA Amenities and the United Nations SDG Pioneer for Circular Economy.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Singapore, GUAVA is the world leader and trusted partner in guest amenities and related consumables to the hospitality and travel industry. Being the only guest amenities company part of the United Nations’ Global Tourism Plastic Initiative and Glasgow Declaration Launch Partner, GUAVA’s innovative solutions enable world’s largest hospitality chains, airlines and cruise liners adapt to global challenges, thrive, and improve profits by embracing sustainability at scale.
As the world becomes more uncertain and green conscious, Gabriel has built an ecosystem business model with a focus on driving and orchestrating global resources, comprising of many strategic partners to rapidly adjust and systemically reconfigure towards Creating Scalable Sustainable Impact, Together.
Gabriel is also a member of Forbes Business Council, and is passionate about sustainability, innovation, and personal development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree with honours in Electrical Engineering, from the National University of Singapore and attended Executive Education Program at the Harvard Business School.

MR TAN SZUE HANN

CO-FOUNDER
INNOVATION X SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE (IXSA)

Disruptive innovations that enable positive transformation

Tan Szue Hann is an award-winning architect, sustainability professional and strategist in sustainable development. Hann leads sustainability at an international, Singapore-headquartered real estate development firm. He is also the Chairman of Sustainability, Singapore Institute of Architects, the professional body for Architects in Singapore. He has also been Director of Sustainability at Marina Bay Sands, Managing Director of Miniwiz, and Head of Sustainability at Surbana Jurong. Hann graduated with an M Arch and BA Arch (First Class Honours) from NUS, with a visiting fellowship to UCLA in 2007, and completed an MBA programme in strategic management in 2022.
Hann is also an appointed World Cities Summit Young Leader, and BCA Built Environment Young Leader, and was Singapore’s 2015-16 BCA-SGBC Young Green Architect of the Year. He has spoken in numerous conferences including SWITCH, the UN Asia Pacific Urban Forum, and COP25 in Madrid. In 2021, he co-founded IxSA (Innovation x Sustainability Alliance), a global non-profit think tank with sustainability leaders, with the goal of creating and perpetuating a manifesto for good sustainability practices. His key skills are in stakeholder alignment, and translating sustainability goals into business value.

MS JENNIFER TAY

PARTNER, INFRASTRUCTURE LEADER
PWC SINGAPORE
Towards net zero – decarbonising to optimise business operations
Jennifer Tay leads the PwC Singapore Infrastructure Advisory Practice and is a Partner in the firm’s Deals Advisory Practice,. She has c. 20 years of experience in infrastructure – particularly in large scale financial transactions and strategic advisory, supporting both public and private sectors across the Asia regions. Jennifer’s sectors expertise includes transportation, power & energy, and telecommunications.
Jennifer has worked in large infrastructure companies in Singapore (in power, transport and telecommunications sectors) where her main roles were in strategic and financial planning, acquisitions, divestment, bond issues and IPO. She worked directly with Senior Management (CEOs and CFOs) of these companies in deciding strategic directions for their portfolio assets and execute these transactions.
Jennifer managed the restructuring, integration, valuation and marketing of the asset. The listing of the national broadband network of Singapore, NetLink NBN Trust, on the Singapore Stock Exchange was completed on 19 July 2017. The Initial Public Offering (with a market capitalisation of S$3.2B) was the largest in Singapore since 2011 and the third largest in Asia in 2017.

MS SHARON CHONG

VICE PRESIDENT, GROUP SUSTAINABILITY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
RGE

Paving the way for circular supply chains

Sharon Chong joined RGE in July 2021 as Vice President, Group Sustainability and External Affairs. Her role involves advising and supporting the RGE group of companies to understand trends and developments in the marketplace, and help direct strategic decisions that embrace green innovation and stewardship with purpose, supported by robust governance systems.
Prior to RGE, she was with Sateri International, also a member of the RGE group of companies, as Vice President, Sustainability. She was responsible for the development and implementation of Sateri’s sustainability agenda, which included developing ESG policies, directing best practices and driving stakeholder engagement. She led the development of Sateri’s Vision 2030 as the company geared up for the next decade of action.
Before joining the Group, she was Senior Manager, Sustainability, with Wilmar International, Asia’s leading agribusiness group. She was instrumental in supporting the adoption and implementation of Wilmar’s No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation Policy when the Group became the world’s first agribusiness group to launch this landmark policy across its entire value chain in 2013.
Sharon also led the development and execution of Wilmar’s Sustainability Dashboard and Grievance Procedure, both a first in the industry as well. Other agri-companies subsequently followed its lead, resulting in improved transparency and accountability of agri-supply chains and lower deforestation rates.

DR BICKY BHANGU

PRESIDENT – SOUTH EAST ASIA, PACIFIC & SOUTH KOREA
ROLLS-ROYCE
Dr Bicky Bhangu is President – South East Asia, Pacific and South Korea at Rolls-Royce, based in Singapore. He is responsible for the operations across the company’s key businesses– Civil Aerospace, Defence and Power Systems.
Bicky currently serves as Council Member for the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), and is Deputy President of Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC). He has served as Deputy President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), and as President of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore over several terms.
Bicky is an Adjunct Professor at the Nanyang Technological University. He has a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Nottingham, an MSc in Control Systems, PhD in Advanced Machines and Drives from the University of Sheffield and an MBA in Technology Management. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering Technology (IET), Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).
Bicky is also serving the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) as Board Member.
Bicky is married to Jennie and has two children Caitlin and George.

MS SUSANNA HASENOEHRL

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY
SAP ASIA PACIFIC AND JAPAN

Disruptive innovations that enable positive transformation

Susanna Hasenoehrl is SAP’s Senior Vice President and Head of Sustainability, Asia Pacific and Japan.
Susanna has extensive experience consulting into enterprises on sustainable business and climate change. She has held leadership positions at a range of technology, life sciences, and start-up businesses including Yara International.
Based in Singapore for over a decade, Susanna holds an MBA in International Business from Leopold- Franzens Universität in Innsbruck, Austria.

DR LEE HUI MIEN

SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR GROUP ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
SINGTEL
Towards net zero – decarbonising to optimise business operations
Dr Lee Hui Mien is the Senior Director for Group Environmental Sustainability for Singtel Group. She is responsible for the environmental sustainability strategy. Hui Mien has sustainability experience spanning from research to retail to development cum conservation sectors in her previous roles and she is a trained circular economy professional.

MR ABEL ARIZA

PRESIDENT MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE
SODEXO
Paving the way for circular supply chains
Abel Ariza heads up Sodexo’s Malaysia-Singapore cluster as President since March 2021. In this role, Abel develops and implements the business strategy for Malaysia and Singapore to deliver sustainable and exceptional value for Sodexo clients. He works towards promoting synergies within the organisation, drives business development, and builds a diverse talent pool to meet current and future business needs.
Abel first joined Sodexo in 2012 as a Regional Operations Director based in Spain. He relocated to Asia Pacific in August 2016 to act as the Regional Account Director for a Global Strategic Account before becoming the Segment Director for Singapore, Vietnam, and South Korea in 2019.
Abel started his career as a Market Analyst, and subsequently held several marketing, sales and operations roles in Eli Lilly and ISS. He holds an MBA from INSEAD (Singapore), MSc. in Market Research (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya), and MSc. in Naval Engineering (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya). An aircraft aficionado, he also holds a PPL.
Abel is Spanish and speaks English, Spanish, and Catalan.

MR FELIPE DAGUILA

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
TERRASCOPE
Towards net zero – decarbonising to optimise business operations
Felipe is an accomplished global business and technology trailblazer with a +24 year record of leading, designing and delivering transformative business and digital strategies for startups, Fortune 500 (among them being Google and AWS). As both a visionary and a hands-on, pragmatic leader, he is respected in the technology industry as a catalyst for transformation, customer obsession and building top performance diverse teams.
Felipe creates future-ready companies by building sound ecosystems, scalable processes, and nimble teams to quickly adapt to the ever-changing technology landscape. A truly international executive, Felipe has lived and led teams in Singapore, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Doha, and supported business development and led operations across North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Felipe completed his Bachelor of Business Information Systems in São Paulo and graduated from Harvard Business School’s executive MBA Program for Leadership Development. He also holds several post-graduate certifications such as International Management in Asia Pacific from INSEAD, FinTech from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and IT Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). His business and technology certifications include AWS working backwards, Google Magic Academy, Scrum, ITIL, Revenue Storm, PMP and Hubspot Marketing Inbound.
Felipe is passionate about mentoring and promoting culture and diversity in technology. In addition to the Google Launchpad Accelerator, he has formally mentored, advised and was board member of several startups in Asia and the US.

MR ALBERT CHEONG

DIRECTOR OF CELL CULTURE MEDIA
TURTLETREE

Disruptive innovations that enable positive transformation

Albert is the Director of Cell Culture Media at TurtleTree. Albert oversees the development of TurtleTree’s cell culture media—an essential step in enabling the company’s product commercialization and scalability, and the attainment of its strategic business objectives. Prior to his role at TurtleTree, Albert was with biotech giants like Merck KGaA and Thermo Fisher Scientific for more than 15 years spearheading cell culture and product application development.

MR ERIC LIM

CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER AND HEAD OF GROUP FINANCE

UOB

Towards net zero – decarbonising to optimise business operations
Mr Eric Lim is the Chief Sustainability Officer at UOB. He leads a dedicated corporate sustainability office that is focused on achieving the Bank’s sustainability objectives of helping businesses to advance responsibly, steering consumer wealth to sustainable investments and fostering social inclusiveness and environmental well-being.
Concurrently, Eric is also the Head of Group Finance, where he is responsible for the Bank’s core finance functions spanning financial strategy, capital management, regulatory and financial reporting, tax management, business finance and performance management.
Eric holds positions in other key UOB management committees, including Chairperson of the Group Sustainability Committee. He is also a member of the Asset and Liability Committee and the Management Committee, and holds directorships in UOB affiliated companies.
Prior to joining UOB, Eric was Managing Director and Head of Wholesale Banking Finance, Singapore and Southeast Asia for Standard Chartered Bank, responsible for driving the strategic partnership between the wholesale business and finance teams. During this time, Eric was responsible for the finance functions covering commercial banking, financial markets and investment banking.
Eric began his career with GE Capital where he took on various executive positions in the areas of financial planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, audit and controllership. He lived and worked in more than 20 countries, with particular focus in the USA and Japan during that time.
Eric holds a Bachelor of Accounting from the Nanyang Technological University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

MS MELISSA TAN

CEO
WAH & HUA

Paving the way for circular supply chains

A passionate environmentalist, Melissa Tan’s life has revolved around the waste and recycling industry for the past 20 years since she joined her father’s company Wah & Hua Pte Ltd. As its CEO, Melissa spearheads the company’s business development initiatives, continues to look for opportunities to expand the company’s presence locally and abroad. One of the milestones championing the joint venture with ALBA Group to provide a comprehensive solution ranging from collection, recycling, processes, and disposal to technologically driven energy generation services across the island.
Melissa reigns as the Chairman of the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) for three consecutive terms since 2013, championing the association’s efforts to enhance the professionalism and technological capabilities of the waste management industry in Singapore. In addition, Melissa chaired the Asia Pacific Waste and Environmental Alliance (APWEA) which was established to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, raise standards and promote cross-border business co-operation amongst its member-associations which hail from China’s Guangdong Province, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and South Korea.
Melissa also heads the board of trustees of WMRAS Academy which is a learning and development arm of the association. She also chairs and advises several working groups and steering committees led by governmental agencies, not only on waste management industry but also for trade associations, community, and panels for enterprises.
She was conferred Pingat Bakti Masyarakat or PBM (Public Service Medal) in 2017 for her contributions to public service, the title is a Singaporean national honour.