Renee Tan is the Founder and Managing Director of Hashtaqs®, which helps businesses to scale up and internationalise through brand transformation, omni-channel marketing and ecosystem development. She has more than 13 years of corporate experience in sales, marketing and ecosystem development for the MICE sector in various industries such as Life Sciences, Healthcare, Supply Chain & Logistics, Mining, Power Electricity, Private Banking, Hedge Funds, and recently been actively building the community in the technology, innovation, and sustainability arena.

She’s also the Founder of HER® Entrepreneur, an inclusive and diverse regional community and omni-channel media platform which inspires, educates, empowers and also connects the ecosystem of entrepreneurs, leaders, government and investors across Asia through online content, monthly LearnXNetwork sessions and the yearly summit that was held in Singapore and Malaysia. Her yearly conference gathers C-suites and Founders to discuss, connect and forge potential partnerships.

She’s the Chief Producer for the HASH Asia Summit which was recently held that gathers business owners, industry leaders, government and investors across Asia to discuss about innovation, technology and sustainability.

She’s also the Partner for Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII), a think thank that advocates Sustainable AI for Humanity, which is a strategic international partner to the World AI Conference (WAIC), that hosts the largest AI conference globally. AIII’s role is to build the ecosystem of the AI industry globally and venture build AI startups.

She was a recipient of the Brands For Good Award in 2019 and was featured in The Business Times. She’s also the recipient of the SME Excellence Business Award 2022/2023 and the Aspiring Woman Entrepreneurs 2022/2023.

She had been invited to speak in several SME events and events for the MICE industry across the region. Her business and herself was featured in several media platforms such as 938FM, Astro Radio, e27, The Economist, CNA, News5, Marketing in Asia, The Business Times, etc.

She is a Singapore certified management consultant by the certifying body, TUV SUD, an ACTA certified trainer, and a degree graduate who holds a Double Major in Psychology and Marketing from the Singapore Management University. She recently holds an advanced certificate in Venture Capital.

Syed is a Sustainability and Engineering veteran with over 30 years of proven experience in leading the change within organizations to adopt technologies, innovation, business process improvement, and stakeholder engagement to future proof assets, and achieving triple-bottom-line goals – People, Planet, and Profit with Purpose. He has held several senior leadership positions at various organizations in Asia in leading diverse group of teams, and deliver multi-million-dollar projects across commercial, industrial, hospitality and corporate real estate assets.

He has managed multi-million sq. ft of facilities in Asia to lead teams in delivering Facilities Management, Engineering and Sustainability services to improve asset performance, risk mitigation, improve health & safety of environment, realize carbon reduction, cost savings, water conservation, waste minimization, and engaging stakeholders for common goal. He has raised multi million in funding to execute asset improvement and green initiatives which includes process improvement, digital transformation and adoption of low carbon technologies.

He has implemented several management systems such as ISO 9001, 18001, 45001,
55001 and 21021 to overcome operational challenges, improve quality, eliminate wastages/mundane functions, increase productivity and common data environment for system visibility. He has pivoted the execution of SDGs, ESG and ERM reporting adoption of standards/requirements like CDP, GRI, SBTi, GHG, AA1000, TCFD, ISO14064, SGX, HKEx and so on.

He has been pivotal in forming consortium to develop blue and green hydrogen projects in SEA of multi megawatt scale. Also providing advisory, consulting, engineering design and technology selection to facilitate the project intent.

He holds qualifications in Business Sustainability, Financial Management, Electrical & Electronics Engineering. He is the recipient of the CSR Award, ASHRAE Technology Award and published several papers on decarbonization and technologies. He is an alumnus of S P Jain Global Institute of Management and CISL, UK.

Ramu is a Dynamic Operations & Management Executive with strong domestic and international P & L management experience in driving market share, revenue and profit growth. He possesses expertise in both high tech and traditional manufacturing environments for multinational companies and talent for making rapid assessment of diverse situational challenges, developing solutions and providing the necessary leadership to achieve outstanding results.

Ben is an internationally acclaimed and accomplished Validation Principle Engineer/Director with strong System Architecture End-to-End knowledge, memory subsystem, system agents, platform boot flows and high volume validation experience.

Authored numerous task forces to intercept critical customer program milestone. Holder of 1 Patent on Post Silicon Debug. He is highly energetic, committed, and a team leader with passion on teamwork, integrity and synergy. Currently Ben is serving as Site Lead / Director of Data Center Graphics and Accelerated Computing (AI accelerator) in AMD Penang.

Hoong Fei is a Director of Software Development at AMD, with over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT. Based in Penang, Malaysia, he holds an MBA from the University of South Australia and leads major transformation programs focused on Finance systems and process modernization. His work integrates enterprise SAP with cloud platforms and internal AI tools to deliver seamless user experiences.

Hoong Fei also heads the site IT organization, driving sustainable infrastructure and software development. He is a passionate advocate for AI adoption, spearheading the “AI First” movement at AMD Malaysia to align with the company’s leadership in the AI era. Prior to AMD, Hoong Fei spent over a decade at Intel, where he led IT initiatives across Supply Chain, Finance, and Advanced Analytics.

Teresa is a Program Director in Market and Industry Development in Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST), working at the intersection of industry, government and universities to strengthen collaboration and innovation. She brings over 20 years of corporate experience across program management, quality engineering and large-scale product execution in the semiconductor and electronics sectors.

She has been part of an AI task force within a multinational organisation, contributing to early efforts in building AI awareness, shaping culture and exploring ways to improve efficiency. A certified coach, she is passionate about developing people, supporting leaders, mentoring students and building capabilities that help individuals and organizations grow with purpose.

Senior operations and engineering leader with 29 years at Dell Technologies, driving global product operations, engineering transformation, and digital innovation. Proven track record in scaling global engineering capabilities, optimizing end-to-end operational workflows, and delivering measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and revenue generation.

Recognised for building high-performing teams, modernizing systems, and leading cross-regional initiatives across APJ, EMEA, and the Americas. Strong expertise in AI-enabled transformation, product configuration services, quality systems, and operational excellence.

Experienced Human Resources Business Partner with a demonstrated history of leading change in the aviation and oil and gas industry as well as in regional corporate environments. Skilled in Talent Management, Organizational Development, and Learning and Development with a strong focus on Inclusion and Diversity. A solid human resources professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Psychology and a passion for talent development and a mission to #BalanceTheEquation.

Dr. SS Loo is a seasoned operations leader with over 20 years of experience in multinational
manufacturing environments, specializing in operations management, engineering, and strategic
transformation. He currently serves as Director of Operations at HP Malaysia Manufacturing,
where he leads large-scale inkjet supplies production, overseeing engineering, manufacturing,
and business performance across a diverse workforce.

He has built a strong track record in driving manufacturing excellence through operational
optimization, digital transformation, and scalable business strategies. His leadership spans end-
to-end manufacturing operations, sustainability initiatives, and productivity improvement. He has
successfully led global manufacturing initiatives, including technology transfer and plant start-
ups, while managing multi-site operations across Asia and Europe.

A strong advocate of Industry 4.0, lean manufacturing, and sustainability-driven operations, he
champions innovation to enhance operational efficiency, organizational resilience, and long-term
competitiveness. His experience includes spearheading transformation initiatives in automation,
data-driven decision-making, and workforce capability development. He is also recognized for
building high-performing, inclusive teams and fostering effective collaboration across global
stakeholders.

Beyond his corporate role, he actively contributes to the broader manufacturing ecosystem. He
serves on multiple industry advisory panels, including the Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas
Consortium, and collaborates with academic institutions to strengthen industry-academia
partnerships. An active member of IEEE and other professional bodies, he is committed to
developing future-ready talent and advancing the manufacturing industry.

His leadership philosophy centers on people engagement, sustainability, operational excellence,
and innovation in advanced manufacturing.

With over 23 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, currently serving as Country Manager, Workforce Development for Micron Memory. In addition to this role, I lead the Future Skill Talent Council ( FSTC ) for Malaysia’s Electrical and Electronics sector as chair person , driving strategic initiatives to shape the nation’s future workforce upskilling .
Educational background includes a Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, complemented by an MBA in Business Management from the University of Derby, UK. Presently pursuing a PhD in Management, further deepening expertise in organizational leadership and strategic development.

Dr. Andreas Herold is a senior engineering and industrialization leader with more than 25 years of international experience spanning plastics processing, automation, special machinery, and advanced manufacturing. He currently serves as Vice President of Process and Project Engineering & Industrialization at B. Braun Medical Industries in Penang, Malaysia, where he established the B. Braun Technology Center Asia Pacific back in 2024 as a recognized hub for engineering excellence, equipment design, and industrialization.
A mechanical engineering major with a subsequent Ph.D. in plastics processing technologies, he has been acquiring vast experiences in different industries in the US (consumer products) and in several European countries (automotive industry and medical) over his professional career. Since 2014 he has been working for B. Braun Melsungen AG as an engineering leader. A special focus of his responsibilities was the conception, projecting and build of manufacturing equipment, ranging from injection moulds, moulding cells and automated assembly machines to completely integrated production lines including online testing and full digital interfacing to manufacturing execution systems.
As one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, B. Braun aims to protect and improve the health of people around the world. For more than 180 years, the company has shaped health care with pioneering spirit and groundbreaking contributions. More than 63,000 employees work for the B. Braun Group worldwide, the company has over 300 subsidiaries in 64 countries. With a portfolio including 5,000 healthcare products clinical therapies (infusion, pain and enteral nutrition treatments) as well as ambulatory care (dialysis, incontinence and wound treatment) are supported. B. Braun’s product line is completed by surgical instruments, implants and sutures.

Tobias Leong is the co-founder and CTO of Axium Industries, a Singapore-based AI company
building agentic systems for supply-chain reliant businesses across the region. Axium currently
serves listed companies spanning manufacturing, maritime, oil and gas, and other industrial
verticals, helping them drive operational efficiency at scale.

With over a decade of engineering and data leadership experience in top tech companies, Tobias
has built and scaled data platforms across some of the most demanding environments in the
industry. Most recently at Databricks (one of the most prominent data companies for AI), he
deployed complex data platforms for the largest enterprise customers in APAC.

Tobias has also led global full-stack engineering teams at Zendesk, building products used by
millions across the world. He had also spent four years at GovTech Singapore leading the Data
Engineering division, where his team designed and delivered the national contact tracing
platform during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gowre Saseedaran is the APAC Talent Acquisition Director at Intel, bringing over 18 years of experience redefining how organizations attract, engage, and hire talent across all levels from early careers and high-volume hiring to specialized technical and executive leadership recruitment.
A recognized thought leader in Talent Acquisition, Gowre is known for driving innovation at scale, integrating data-driven hiring practices, digital transformation, and evolving sourcing strategies to meet the demands of a rapidly changing talent landscape. She has led the design and execution of advanced RPO and MSP models, enabling organizations to build agile, future-ready workforce capabilities across Asia-Pacific.
Gowre is particularly passionate about leveraging technology, analytics, and market intelligence to enhance candidate experience, strengthen employer branding, and deliver sustainable hiring outcomes. Her cross-industry experience, including Semiconductor, Aerospace, Engineering, IT, and Telecommunications allows her to bring a holistic, insight-driven approach to talent strategy.
With over 12 years of leadership experience, Gowre is widely respected for building high-performing, diverse teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. She is committed to shaping the future of Talent Acquisition by aligning people strategies with business transformation and long-term growth.

Herve Charles is Vice President of Smart Manufacturing IT at NXP Semiconductors, where he leads the company’s digital manufacturing and factory IT strategy, driving smart factory initiatives, industrial automation, and digital transformation across NXP’s global manufacturing operations. Based in Kuala Lumpur, he has over 25 years of experience in manufacturing IT, industrial engineering, and factory automation. Since joining NXP (following the Freescale acquisition), he has held leadership roles including Head of IT Asia, Global Industrial Engineering, Director of Systems & Automation, and Senior Director of Smart Manufacturing IT. Prior to NXP, he spent more than a decade at STMicroelectronics in manufacturing systems and IT leadership positions. Herve is recognized for advancing Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, industrial AI, and digital factory transformation.

Visionary leader with 30+ years of experience in integrated circuit (IC) design, validation, and emulation platforms. Distinguished career at Intel Malaysia and currently serving as Executive Vice President at Oppstar Berhad, Malaysia’s first publicly listed IC design house. Recognized for driving innovation, building sustainable ecosystems, and advancing STEM education to position Malaysia as a regional hub for semiconductor validation and talent development. Active council member for TalentCorp MyMahir FSTC (Future Skills Talent Council) for the E&E Sector, contributing to national workforce transformation initiatives.

Kenneth Sim is the Chief Technology Officer of OneSystems Technologies with over 20 years of experience in ICT infrastructure, technology consulting, and digital transformation. Having held leadership roles across presales, consulting services, and cloud technologies, he specialises in designing resilient, scalable, and future-ready technology environments. His current focus includes network automation, intelligent infrastructure, and the integration of physical ICT systems with emerging autonomous technologies.

Aziz Kevin Lee is a creative storyteller, ecosystem builder, and strategic firestarter with over 30 years of experience turning bold ideas into impactful realities. His career has spanned leadership roles across MDEC, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the Ministry of Youth & Sports as Special Officer to the Minister, and advisory work with UN-Habitat, where he has helped shape initiatives in entrepreneurship, innovation, urban regeneration, creative industries, and public policy. He has been instrumental in establishing national initiatives such as Think City, CREST, the Khazanah Nationwide Entrepreneurship Outreach (KNEO), and the Cornerstone Co-Investment Fund, while also conceptualising creative intellectual properties, producing live wrestling events and designing innovation districts that bridge arts, technology, and community.

Imran Hafiz is an Investment Director at Gobi Partners Malaysia, focused on growth-stage investments across Malaysia and Southeast Asia, with an emphasis on semiconductors, healthcare, consumer, and education.
He began his career at PwC Malaysia in the Financial Services practice, auditing equity, bond, and feeder funds with NAVs exceeding RM1 billion. He later moved into earl-stage venture investing at Fatima Gobi Ventures before joining Gobi Partners Southeast Asia.
At Gobi Partners, Imran has led several notable semiconductor and deep-tech transactions in Southeast Asia, including a pre-IPO investment in SkyeChip, the region’s leading IC design company; a seed investment in GreatASIC, the leading SoC design team in Southeast Asia; and the backing of a Malaysia-based deep-tech start-up focusing on graphene applications in the semiconductor space, nanoSkunkWorkX.

Full bio (~150 words):
FC Lim is the founder of BioPharma Advisory, a Singapore-based principal advisory practice on digital investment strategy for regulated manufacturing. Over more than twenty years, he has led digital transformation across pharmaceutical and biotechnology operations – including the design and regulatory approval of a greenfield biologics manufacturing facility with systems connected from shop floor to quality release, multi-country ERP deployments, manufacturing execution system implementations, and post-merger IT integration under live regulatory audit – working across organisations including GSK, Pfizer, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Takeda, and regulatory environments spanning US FDA, EU EMA, UK MHRA, Singapore HSA, and Australia’s TGA.
He is the creator of the FC Model™, a diagnostic framework mapping digital investment maturity from Compliant to Capable to Competitive across Customer, Product, and Operational Value – published with seven anonymised case studies in his free industry eBook, Before the Next Digital Investment. While his direct experience is pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing, the underlying pattern holds across regulated, complex manufacturing environments. FC is participating in AIM Asia Week 2026 in a personal capacity.

Jenn Lee is the Director, Plant Operation at Ambu Sdn. Bhd. where she directs cross-functional workforce across operations, engineering, validation, and project management. Beyond this, she also translates corporate direction into actionable strategies while optimizing CAPEX/OPEX budgets to drive cost savings and financial stability. Additionally, she oversees the entire medical device manufacturing lifecycles, driving lean and yield governance to minimize waste while consistently exceeding quality, compliance, safety, and delivery KPIs. During the course of her career, she has advanced machine technology through strategic upgrades and rigorous project validation, while cultivating a high-engagement workplace culture focused on talent development, career growth, and transparent communication.

Hemalatha Murugiah is the Chief Executive of INTI International College Penang and a visionary leader in education, STEM and AI. With a background in Civil Engineering and Business Administration, she has driven academic growth while promoting “Education is for All.”
She champions entrepreneurship, STEM and AI initiatives, reaching over a thousand students annually and collaborating with government agencies, businesses, NGOs, industries and international organisations to expand opportunities and develop future-ready talent.
She also serves as committee member of professional and NGO organisations, contributing to education, talent development, STEM advancement and community initiatives.

Lim Hean Tatt serves as Chief Technology Officer for the Dell Technologies Presales Organization (SAEM). During his tenure at Dell, he has been a trusted advisor to customers across manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, gaming and casinos, financial services, healthcare, astronomy, and trading. In his role, he regularly leads Digital Transformation and Business Value Discovery Workshops, including major initiatives in core banking transformation using big data, analytics, and AI. He has also supported ecosystem modernization programs spanning telecommunications, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, helping organizations align technology strategies with business outcomes and accelerate innovation across complex, multi-industry environments.

Afdzal Syahadat is the Chief Executive Officer of MIMOS Technologies Sdn Bhd (MTSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia’s national applied research and development agency. He leads MTSB in translating advanced R&D and emerging technologies into commercially viable products, services and industry solutions, with a strong focus on technology commercialisation, strategic partnerships, contract R&D and business sustainability.

With extensive experience spanning technology development, product engineering and innovation, Afdzal has held roles with Motorola, Jaalaa, a fabless IC design company, and MIMOS. His industry experience includes global 2-way radio product development, semiconductor post-silicon validation and end-product characterisation, as well as leading multidisciplinary teams in advanced technology development.

His career sits at the intersection of technology, innovation and business, giving him a practical perspective on how organisations can move from R&D and engineering excellence towards market adoption, commercialisation and sustainable growth. As CEO, he is particularly focused on strengthening Malaysia’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem through industry collaboration, talent development and the deployment of advanced technologies.

Dato’ Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan is the Chief Executive of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), leading the transformation of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) into a globally competitive technology and investment hub. Since assuming the role in 2022, he has strengthened the region’s semiconductor and Electrical and Electronics (E&E) ecosystem while advancing inclusive and sustainable growth across Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak. In 2025, NCER facilitated RM78.55 billion in realised investments and created more than 23,000 high-value jobs.
A Chartered Accountant and member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, he brings extensive experience in auditing, international finance and economic development, having previously served with Deloitte and as NCIA’s Chief Financial Officer. He also serves as a Board Member of Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) and received Malaysia’s Most Outstanding Personality Award (Human Capital) at the Malaysian Education and TVET Awards 2023.

Har Man Ahmad is the Director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Northern Regional Office. He has extensive experience in international trade promotion and export development, having previously served as MATRADE Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Malaysia in South Africa and in Jakarta, Indonesia. He is actively involved in supporting Malaysian businesses to expand into international markets through export development, market intelligence and strategic partnerships.

Dr. Wan Raihana Wan Aasim is an innovation funding leader with extensive experience supporting technology-based companies from early-stage development through commercialisation and scale-up. As Vice President I and Head of the Developmental Fund Management Department at MTDC, she oversees more than RM200 million across national funding programmes supporting over 150 active companies, including deep technology ventures and technology-driven manufacturers.

Her work spans the entire funding lifecycle, giving her practical insight into what makes technology ventures fundable and investment-ready. She works closely with founders, technical experts and public-sector stakeholders to address the financing, commercial and execution gaps that often constrain capital raising, manufacturing scale-up and market expansion.

Dr. Wan Raihana also leads the development of the National Technology Sovereignty Framework for the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The framework is intended to identify and prioritise technologies of strategic national importance, guide investment and capability-building decisions, and strengthen Malaysia’s resilience, competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

With more than a decade of experience in technology transfer, innovation funding and commercialisation, she is a Registered Technology Transfer Professional, Certified HRD Corp Trainer and Certified Master Performance Coach. She is frequently invited to speak and train on innovation strategy, funding and commercialisation, and serves as an evaluator for several national research and grant schemes.

She holds a PhD in Pharmacology and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Universiti Sains Malaysia, as well as an MBA in Technology Management from The Open University, United Kingdom. She also serves as Vice President of the Innovation and Technology Managers Association Malaysia. Her early career in neuroscience research continues to inform her evidence-based approach to connecting science, capital and commercial execution.

Biruntha Mooruthi is the Group CEO at Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the strategic think tank agency under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), driving Malaysia’s national talent and workforce strategies.

She brings over 20 years of cross-sector leadership spanning government, academia, and industry, with a strong track record in delivering national initiatives, scaling innovation efforts, and strengthening institutional capabilities. Her expertise lies in translating strategy into market-driven outcomes, particularly through technology commercialisation and industry-academia collaboration.

Prior to joining TalentCorp, she held senior leadership roles at PlaTCOM Ventures under the National Innovation Agency, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, and British Telecom. Across these roles, she led large-scale initiatives that strengthened innovation ecosystems, accelerated technology commercialisation, and fostered industry-academia collaboration, and supported the growth of high-impact ventures across sectors including energy, deep technology, and sustainability. Her contributions to innovation and intellectual property have earned international recognition, including being named among the IAM Strategy 300 – The World’s Leading IP Strategists.

Biruntha holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Victoria University, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science from Coventry University, United Kingdom. She is a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) under the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP), USA and a Registered Patent, Trademark and Industrial Design Agent with MyIPO.