The QED Changemakers

As part of our 17th QED Changemaker Forum on 'Beyond AI Hype: Scaling the Human–AI Advantage for Competitive Growth amid Uncertainty', we spoke with Lauren Huntington, Head of Employee Strategy Asia at Qualtrics.With over 13 years of experience advising C-suite leaders across 16 countries, Lauren brings a distinctive perspective at the intersection of organisational psychology, innovation, and AI-driven transformation.In this episode, we explore a critical leadership reality: the challenge is no longer adopting AI, but redesigning organisations so that AI becomes a sustained driver of business value. We discuss overcoming passive resistance, why "care" is becoming the ultimate corporate differentiator, and how to protect the purpose of work as tasks become automated.For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

This part 2 of our 'Deep Dive' podcast on the QED Changemaker Foresight 2025 Report.For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

As part of our QED Changemaker Foresight 2025 report, this special ‘Deep Dive’ episode unpacks key insights from the biannual senior leaders’ pulse check survey, conducted in Nov - Dec 2024. Over 250 C-suite executives and Board Directors shared their top priorities for the next 6 to 12 months. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 13th QED Changemaker Forum on Business Resilience in a Shifting Landscape, we spoke with Guna Chellappan, General Manager, Singapore of Red Hat. A seasoned IT software industry veteran with over 25 years of leadership experience, Guna oversees his company's sales and business development efforts within the country. He has played a pivotal role in deploying complex solutions, including hybrid multi-cloud platforms, enhancing customer experiences, and streamlining supply chains across various sectors such as finance, government, manufacturing, and retail. In this episode, we chat with him about Business Resilience. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 11th QED Changemaker Forum on Leading Corporate Sustainability - From Ideas to Action, we wrap up the session with a special insights from the senior leaders who attended. After the forum closed its doors, we spoke with Phillip Forrest, Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at 8VI Holdings / Singapore Institute of Directors and Margaret Rumpf, Global Commercial Head at GSK to get their thoughts on the discussions that took place about Leading Corporate Sustainability and their experience at the QED Changemaker Forum. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 11th QED Changemaker Forum on Leading Corporate Sustainability - From Ideas to Action, we spoke with Betul Genc, SVP & Head of Adecco ASEAN of The Adecco Group. She is a seasoned leader working towards reinventing workforce solutions for a resilient economy and creating a talent platform to address the ever-changing landscape of skills shortage and transformation along with her diverse team. In this episode, we chat with her about  Leading Corporate Sustainability. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Lilian Tan, Chief Human Capital Officer of SATS. With over 20 years of experience, she holds a wealth of experience in human capital management and organisational change. At SATS, she is responsible for the Group’s strategic people agenda and leads the SATS Foundation, SATS Academy, and SATS Shared Services. In this episode, we chat with her about how she helped SATS transform their business during the pandemic. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Lynette Ong, Assistant Chief Operating Officer of Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). With over 20 years of experience in the public healthcare sector and as an active member of the Design Education Advisory Committee (DEAC), she currently oversees the hospital's operational efficiency through effective resource management, supply chain management, service quality, and value-based care. In this episode, we chat with her about one of TTSH’s initiatives which was featured in the DesignSingapore Council’s Playbook for Building a Design-Led Culture. Download the report ‘It’s All About Culture: Better Businesses by Design’. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Marcus Loo, CEO of Savills Singapore. With a wealth of experience in real estate and an intimate knowledge of the real estate industry in Singapore, he oversees the strategic growth and day-to-day operations of the local office. Prior to Savills, he spent 13 years at Colliers international overseeing their Singapore Office Services division. In this episode, we chat with him about his experience at the recent QED Changemaker Forum on Future Ways of Working. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Sam Bednall, Technology Lead, Digital Workplace, Telstra. With over 20 years in the technology industry, he is currently in a technology lead role focusing on building Telstra's digital workplace and cloud propositions, and provides expert guidance to Telstra’s global teams and customers in emerging technologies. In this episode, we chat with him about how new ideas can be a key driver of change in the Workplace. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Betul Genc, Country Manager, Singapore of The Adecco Group. She is directly responsible for the organization’s country operations which work towards reinventing workforce solutions for a resilient economy, and creating a talent platform to address the ever-changing landscape of skills shortage and transformation. In this episode, we chat with her about The Future Workforce. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Gwenda Fong, Assistant Chief Executive of Strategic Planning & Digital Readiness at IMDA. With years of experience across several organisations in the public sector, she currently oversees the formulation of research-based strategies for Singapore in the digital economy, and leads IMDA’s Digital Readiness efforts to develop and implement programmes that drive digital access and adoption amongst Singaporeans. In this episode, we chat with her about Technology as an enabler in the Future Ways of Working. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Ishak Ismail, Chairman of the Family for Life Council. He leads the council to actively promote family as a building block of Singapore's society. Once a recipient of the Public Administration Silver Medal for his significant contributions to the military, he also now volunteers on the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence to strengthen and recognise family support for National Service. In this episode, we chat with him about flexi-work arrangements as a norm in the Future Ways of Working. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Julia Leong, Partner, Digital Solutions (Transformation) of PricewaterhouseCoopers. With more than 20 years in professional services, she works with organisations to design, integrate and de-risk digital-led business transformation journeys. In this episode, we chat with her about corporate leadership and how people can be the key driver of change in our future Workforce, Workplace, and Workday. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 10th QED Changemaker Forum on the Future Ways of Working, we spoke with Jonathan Tiong. Diagnosed with type two spinal muscular atrophy as an infant, Jonathan went on to graduate as valedictorian of his class and now works as an Executive, Employee Engagement at GIC. In this episode, we chat with him about his experiences in navigating a world built for the able-bodied, and how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within organizations make a difference in the workforce. The opinions he expresses in this podcast are his own and do not represent those of his employer. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of QED Changemaker Network’s Journey to Board Directorship series, we spoke with Carmen Wee, Board Member of Home Team Science and Technology Agency. We discussed her new book ‘From the Kampung to the Boardroom: My Leadership Journey’ and spoke about her insights and opinions on Diversity in the boardroom, employee wellness, and skills needed to be a future-ready leader. You can grab a copy of her book at carmen-wee.myshopify.com. For more information on QED’s Changemaker Network and how you can collaborate with us, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 9th QED Changemaker Forum on the Innovation Economy, we spoke with Srikant Kadambi, Managing Director of Energy & Sustainability in Microsoft Asia. With more than 20 years of experience in the Energy industry, he is an avid explorer of the role evolving digital technology will play in the forthcoming energy transition. Hear from Srikant as he shares how organisations can focus on innovation to meet the rising demand for sustainable solutions while creating a safe, productive, and sustainable modern workplace environment for employees. For more information on QED’s Changemaker Network and how you can collaborate with us, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 9th QED Changemaker Forum on the Innovation Economy, we spoke with Monila Kothari, Senior Vice President of Strategic Projects at Givaudan. A champion of diversity and inclusion, Monila shares her insights into how Givaudan works to manage food waste, sustainable food production, and how each individual has a role to play in making the world a better place for future generations as part of the larger Innovation Economy. For more information on QED’s Changemaker Network and how you can collaborate with us, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 9th QED Changemaker Forum on the Innovation Economy, we spoke with Felix Loh, Chief Executive Officer at Gardens by the Bay. A champion of R&D in sustainable growth, Felix takes us through his experiences and key learnings into how the Gardens manage to innovate for growth and innovate for sustainability as part of the larger Innovation Economy. For more information on QED’s Changemaker Network and how you can collaborate with us, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 9th QED Changemaker Forum on the Innovation Economy, we spoke with Wynthia Goh, Senior Partner at NCS NEXT. Passionate about organisational transformation and using digital to unlock value in businesses, Wynthia shares her key takeaways and insights into how organisations today can converge their long-term sustainability goals and growth ambitions. For more information on QED’s Changemaker Network and how you can collaborate with us, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 8th QED Changemaker Forum on Environmental, Social and Governance, we spoke with Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited. As an active advocate for green building and sustainability, Esther shares with us her perspectives and key takeaways on the issues raised at the recent COP26 UN Climate Change Conference which she attended in Glasgow. For more information on QED’s Changemaker Network and how you can collaborate with us, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 8th QED Changemaker Series on Environmental, Social and Governance, we spoke with Ralf Schmidt, Head of Global Finance, Indefol Group, a regional renewable energy developer going global. As a passionate leader and advocate for ESG, he shares in this episode some of his perspectives and the science behind Green Electricity. Ralf is also a member of the ESG committee at the Singapore Institute of Directors. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 8th QED Changemaker Series on Environmental, Social and Governance, we spoke with Ben Elliott, Chief Executive Officer of Experian Asia Pacific on carbon neutrality. As a regional leader, he manages a broad portfolio of responsibilities that covers business strategy and growth and has been instrumental in driving Experian’s vision of accelerating financial inclusion and literacy in the APAC region. In this episode, he shares more about Experian’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 8th QED Changemaker Series on Environmental, Social and Governance, we dive deep into driving factors behind the new regulations on climate and diversity. We spoke with Michael Tang, Head, Listing Policy & Product Admission, SGX RegCo, who gave us a snippet of his personal journey in promoting sustainability. At SGX RegCo, he oversees listing policy and rules development, and has oversight of the listing admission of securities products. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 8th QED Changemaker Series on Environmental, Social and Governance, this episode talks about the Electric Vehicles (EV) trend. We spoke with Mr Sebastian Tan, General Manager of Prestige, Wearnes Automotive. With more than 7 years of experience in the Automotive Industry, he is managing a number of SuperCar Brands for Wearnes Automotive Pte Ltd, namely Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Rimac, Pininfarina, Alpine and Lotus. He also has had a wealth of experience in Sales & Marketing and the Hospitality Industry at a regional level prior to his current role. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast, we chat with Rebecca Ang Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of MSIG Asia. She is responsible for formulating strategies and governance on corporate branding and communications for the region. Just 2 years ago, she took an additional role as the organisation’s sustainability lead. Since then, she has helped MSIG build a Regional Sustainability Taskforce, working with both internal and external stakeholders to further MSIG’s commitment towards sustainability. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

As part of our 7th QED Changemaker Series on the Future of Work, we spoke with Lawrence Chan, Chief Executive Officer of NETS. With more than 20 years of deep and diversified experience, he is spearheading efforts to strengthen NETS' position in the rapidly evolving digital payment space. Prior to this, he held several leadership roles at Visa, PayPal and American Express, during which he was responsible for managing regional merchants including Grab, FoodPanda, McDonalds, Chevron, Agoda, and Expedia. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected]

In this episode for our 7th QED Changemaker Series, Logan Velaitham, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Singapore shares his vision for the future workday and how the pandemic has disrupted the aviation industry. Logan is an aviation veteran with 30 years of experience in both full service and low-cost airline operations. Under his leadership, AirAsia in Singapore became the largest foreign airline in terms of passenger numbers into Changi Airport, which became the third-busiest virtual hub for AirAsia Group.

As part of our 7th QED Changemaker Series on the Future of Work, we chat with Ivan Ng, Chief Technology Officer of City Developments Limited. With 25 years of experience, he now leads Group Technology, Strategy, and Operations, with oversight of Group IT and Digital Initiatives. As an industry leader, he has been ranked amongst the top 10 CIOs in ASEAN by IDG since 2019, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Singapore IT Management Association and as an advisory board member of the National University of Singapore. To find out more about the QED Changemaker Forum, email us at [email protected]

As part of our 7th QED Changemaker Series on the Future of Work, we chat with Betul Genc, Singapore’s Country Manager of The Adecco Group. She has 13 years of experience in the company and takes a keen interest in human resources, talent management and performance management. Betul is responsible for reinventing workforce solutions and creating a talent platform to address the ever-changing landscape of skills shortage and transformation. To find out more about the QED Changemaker Series, email us at [email protected].

The tenets of good decision-making – Have a clear goal, employ a diverse group of participants, and plot different scenarios. In this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast, we chat with Audrey Kuah, former Executive Director, APAC of Dentsu International. With over 25 years of experience in different industries across the globe, she is a veteran in marketing, business, and advertising. She is an avid champion for transformation and is a board member of the Singapore Tourism Board and IPOS International. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Message management across different employee groups is imperative in Crisis Communication. We chat with Susie Wong, Former Chief Digital & Marketing Officer of Fuji Xerox Singapore. She is a business & marketing transformation leader with over 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles across the globe, building diverse industry knowledge from her tenures at the Singapore Economic Development Board, Sembawang Corporation, IBM, Dentsu, and Young & Rubicam. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Christina Lim, Chief Marketing Officer In Residence of SMU IIE shares her experiences in crisis communication during her time at online grocery and food delivery business Honestbee. She was the former Vice President of Marketing for Honestbee Asia Pacific, and has taken on leadership roles with regional and local brands such as NTUC Fairprice. She is a seasoned practitioner and visionary of branding and marketing with over 30 years of experience in the communications industry. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Melita Teo,  Chief Customer and Digital Officer of AIA Singapore shares how the industry was forced to conduct fully virtual client appointments during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is responsible for strengthening the Customer, Brand, Health and Wellness propositions, advancing the enterprise-wide Analytics capabilities, and accelerating the delivery of an integrated Digital experience. Melita has also served as the Key Regulatory Liaison Officer to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) and Life Insurance Association in Singapore (LIA). For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

How has COVID-19 shifted consumer behaviour? Francis Looi, Chief Executive Officer of Polar Puffs & Cakes shares his thoughts on how retail business has changed since the pandemic hit globally. With 29 years of experience in the F&B industry, he has held critical operations and business development in CIAS, NTUC Food Fare, Manhattan Fish Market, Prima Deli, Daily Fresh (Shanghai) and Caffe Bene (Korea). In his free time, Francis pursues photography and is an avid reader in philosophy and human behaviour and communities. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast, we chat with Junie Foo, Group Executive Director of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) on cross-training internal stakeholders to integrate services. After spending two decades holding senior management positions in international banks such as Standard Chartered, Citibank and MUFG Bank, she joined MWS in hopes to serve in a more socially impactful way. Junie also chairs the Board Diversity & Advisory Committee at the Singapore Institute of Directors, and is President of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

The automotive industry retained 70% of online car sales after the Circuit Breaker period despite full-refund policies in place. Victor Kwan, Managing Director of Wearnes Automotive shares how the company's online sales during COVID-19 made it seem as if showrooms were never closed. With over 20 years of industry experience, he has managed brands that cut across all market segments – from city to family to super cars. Apart from his role to manage the Bentley, Aston Martin and Bugatti brands, Victor also researches social media word of mouth and luxury management. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

"Innovation is no longer an option, but essential to the survival and success of a company." In this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast, we chat with Kevin Wo, Managing Director of Microsoft . With a 27-year track record in the IT industry, is responsible for developing and driving growth strategies for all of Microsoft’s commercial business in Singapore. He also serve as a Board Member at Info-Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), and other chambers and associations including The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (Board of Governor), Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (Board Member) and SGTech (Councilor). Kevin’s career spans diverse roles including technical, business and sales management for leading organisations such as Microsoft, Avanade, Oracle, IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers and National Computer Board. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

In what areas should businesses invest when speaking about Business Innovation? We chat with Howie Lau, Assistant Chief Executive for Media & Innovation of IMDA in this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast. With more than 25 years of experience across many countries such as China, India, Eastern Europe, Russia, South America and South East Asia, he leads teams and manages P&L, corporate development, and marketing. Prior to IMDA, he was the Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Consumer Business at Starhub and the Vice President of Corporate Development at Lenovo. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, Enterprise Singapore's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ted Tan, chats with us about market-led open innovation to develop solutions that solve real world problems. He plays an important role in growing local enterprises, by building their capabilities and connecting them to business networks and opportunities. Leading with purpose, Ted plays a major role in establishing strategic partnerships, both locally and internationally, to help startups and enterprises grow into globally competitive companies. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

From pursuing profits to purpose-driven stakeholder capitalism - we chat with Jessica Cheam, Managing Director of Eco-Business and Board Member of ComfortDelGro, about environmental sustainability amongst businesses and how to do more with less. She is an award-winning journalist, TV presenter, director, producer, and social entrepreneur, with more than a decade of experience in media, journalism and sustainable development. Also a member of the Singapore Institute of Directors, she currently chairs the Climate Action SG Alliance – an initiative supported by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment to advocate climate action and raise public awareness on climate issues. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Dr Jaclyn Lee, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) talks about adapting to Industry 4.0 in this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast. She is a thought leader with over 25 years of experience in HR Technology and Analytics. Apart from being a recipient of the Silver Public Administration Medal in 2019, Dr Jaclyn has also held several roles prior, such as the Senior Vice President of Group HR at CERTIS and the Regional HR Director with NEC Corporation. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Businesses have to think out of the box to embrace change and pivot. Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and elected Member of Parliament for Pioneer SMC discusses Singapore's global connectedness and how business need to transform to move with the tide. In addition, Patrick holds multiple appointments, such as chairing the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, and co-chairing the Financial Sector Tripartite Committee with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Patrick is a passionate leader who advises and represents numerous unions and members in complex labour and employment issues. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Jan-Paul Jeffrey, Head of Marketing for Southeast Asia at Spotify discusses Gen Z's relationship with music and how the organisation has leveraged these growing trends on their platform. He has 16 years of experience in luxury fashion and beauty categories, and has experience working across regional and local roles with companies such as Qantas and Procter & Gamble, spanning across the UK, Germany, China and Australia. Jan-Paul leads the marketing function at Spotify across eight markets with the goal of putting consumer insights at the centre of the business. To read more about Spotify’s Culture Next report, visit bit.ly/SpotifyCultureNextReport.

Customers crave connection. Yvon Bock, Founder & CEO of Hegen, a leading mother and baby care brand, shares how creating content for a community of mothers has helped her company meet business objectives and drive sales. Prior to founding Hegen, she catalysed the rapid expansion at Fitson, a mother and baby care product manufacturer, increasing revenue by over 800% in just three years. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore shares about digitalisation efforts in the maritime industry in this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast. With more than 12 years of work experience in the public sector, her background ranges from economic policies to environmental and social policies, including the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the National Population Secretariat. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Shock to Loyalty - Ivan Ng, Chief Technology Officer of City Developments Limited talks about how customer loyalty has shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic in this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast. With a passion for helping people and businesses realize their full potential with technology, he has over 20 years of experience in global companies such as HP, Dell, Pactera and ServiceNow. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

Finding opportunities in a time of crisis – David Kelly, Executive Director of British Chamber of Commerce Singapore shares a refreshing perspective in this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast. Passionate about mentoring and supporting others, he brings with him corporate experience from his years with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and the UK’s Marine Industries Leadership Council (MILC). For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

ICDM's President & CEO, Michele Kythe Lim, chats with us about the need for balance and adaptation in order for businesses to survive the COVID-19 crisis. With a wide spectrum of experience including her time with IHH Healthcare Berhad, Michele now works with corporate boards and directors within and outside Malaysia to enhance their capabilities to lead in today’s disruptive world. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].

In this episode of the QED Changemaker Series Podcast, we chat with our moderators on the insights they gathered from our latest edition of the event: Business Unusual – The New Norm, Now & Beyond COVID-19. Special thanks to Sandeep Bhalla, Shivendu Nadkarni, Manisha Seewal, James Brasher, Professor Ang Peng Hwa, Germaine Ong and Cindy Koh. For more information on QED’s Leadership Development Solutions, email us at [email protected].