For Speaker LinkedIn profiles, please click on their photos. Their biographies are in the details.
Dominique Rose Van-Winther
Opening Keynote
CEO & Chief AI Evangelist
Final Upgrade AI, Part of D-Central Group
(Singapore)
The AI-Conductor’s Playbook: Transforming Project Management into Human-Centered Leadership
Dominique Rose Van-Winther is the founder of Final Upgrade, an AI-powered consultancy focused on training, advisory and AI solutions for businesses to develop lasting competitive edge utilising AI and other technologies. With over 20 years of experience leading teams at global firms like IPG, McCann, and WPP, she has also run D-Central, her own high-end AI consultancy, and led Asia-Pacific for The Hoffman Agency. Dominique is a seasoned public speaker on AI, helping companies build AI strategies and upskill executives. She serves as a Non-Executive Director for Synthar AI.
As an early adopter and champion of new cutting edge technologies, her passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and building teams shines through her work across both startups and large enterprises.
Maria Matarelli
Closing Keynote
CEO
Formula Ink
(Bali / USA)
Unlocking Your Potential: Mastering Human Dynamics in a Tech-Driven World
CEO
Formula Ink
Maria Matarelli is a Fortune 100 consultant, Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), and an international best selling author. Maria and her team consult businesses to reach breakthrough results by applying Agile methodologies. Maria is the founder & CEO of Formula Ink and co-founder of the Agile Marketing Academy & Personal Agility Institute. Maria frequently travels to consult organisations and speak at conferences from Shanghai to Singapore, and from Thailand to Nova Scotia. |
Daniel J Winn
Closing Keynote
Agile Coach & Trainer
Formula Ink
(Bali / UK)
Unlocking Your Potential: Mastering Human Dynamics in a Tech-Driven World
Daniel J. Winn brings over 15 years of experience as a consultant and agency owner. Known for his dynamic approach to marketing and project management, he leads strategic workshops that inspire creativity and deliver results. With a background in human-relating and conscious communication, Daniel fosters meaningful connections in his sessions, blending in corporate consultancy with innovative learning methods. His passion for organisational effectiveness and agility helps teams to embrace adaptability, improve communication, and drive better outcomes. Daniel is dedicated to helping organisations accelerate success and to empower high performance through creative, efficient strategies. |
Karolina Gwinner
Managing Director, Leadership Speaker
& Executive Coach
Charismatic Leaders
(Singapore)
Panel - Building Trust and Collaboration in a Technology Driven Environment
Karolina Gwinner is a leadership speaker specialising in Executive Presence and Peak Performance. She empowers leaders to invest their energy and attention into what truly matters, such as fostering authentic connections, strengthening collaboration, and nurturing the well-being of their team - while maximising performance. With a proven track record in leadership development projects across APAC for Fortune 500 companies, Karolina is certified by the NeuroLeadership Institute, integrating neuroscience and emotional intelligence into her leadership development approach. She is also a professional member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the Asia Professional Speakers Association (APSS), the Global Speakers Federation, and serves as Speaker Training Co-Lead for KeyNote Women Speakers. Originally from Poland, Karolina has been living and working in Singapore for more than 11 years. Outside of work, she is a dancing queen and a foodie. |
Carolyn Chin-Parry
Digital Innovation Leader
PwC Singapore
(Singapore)
Panel - Building Trust and Collaboration in a Technology Driven Environment
Carolyn Chin-Parry is the Digital Innovation Leader at PwC Singapore, where she guides valued clients across Asia-Pacific to achieve their innovation and transformation goals through tech alliances. A United Nations speaker, Carolyn has been recognised as the Asia Business Role Model of the Year, IT Woman of the Year for Asia and 40-over-40s Inspiring Women Singapore. Carolyn was the previous PwC Asia Pacific Digital Upskilling Leader who led the upskilling initiative across 17 countries for 84,000 employees. As a former Chief Digital Officer, she has led some of the largest transformation projects in Asia-Pacific for multiple industries. |
Mark Stuart
Co-Founder, Managing Director
Anagram Group
(Singapore)
Panel - Building Trust and Collaboration in a Technology Driven Environment
Mark Stuart is a keynote speaker and corporate trainer at the award-winning training company Anagram Group. Mark has worked with over 650+ MNCs, government agencies, and universities in Innovation, Leadership in a Digital Age and the Future of Work. Mark is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – one of only 15% of speakers globally with this qualification. |
C V Ramanatha Siva
Digital Transformation Technology Leader
(Formerly: Exec Director, Head of Technology Digital Channels & Payments, Standard Chartered Bank)
(Singapore)
Panel Moderator - Building Trust and Collaboration in a Technology Driven Environment
C V Ramanatha Siva has over 28 years of IT industry experience and is a client-centric and outcome-focused technology leader in the digital channels space, delivering value to our business and customers. As the Former Head of Technology, Digital Channels Wealth and Retail Banking, he was spearheading digital transformations, focusing on delivering cutting-edge digital channels and payment solutions in alignment with the business and technology strategy, covering technology convergence, simplification, standardisation and digitisation. With a robust leadership role encompassing Agile methodologies, they successfully managed 300+ cross-regional technology teams to enhance consumer experiences and streamline operations within the Consumer, Private, and Business Banking sectors.
His commitment to digital excellence involves a steadfast approach to adopting development standards, driving innovation, integration, and ensuring superior customer experiences. Collaborating closely with business partners, he fortified critical vendor relationships and governed transformative initiatives, thereby cementing our position as integral drivers of change within the digital banking industry.
He has strong exposure and knowledge in audit, risk management, information cybersecurity, and solution architecture. He is certified in project and program management, agile delivery, enterprise architecture. He is passionate about continuous learning, knowledge sharing, creativity, and innovation. He believes in challenging the status quo for continuous improvement, empowering and enabling the teams, and prioritising the customer value chain.
Josephine Chow
Ethan Soo
Ethan Soo is a highly experienced Scrum Trainer in the Asia Pacific region, with over 300 classes delivered and excellent participant feedback. His immersive programs focus on building strong Scrum teams and delivering value through interactive lessons. Awarded Scrum Fellow by Scrum Inc., Ethan returned to his home country in 2020 and became one of three Regional Partners. He optimises Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Scrum@Scale courses for the East, while also screening, coaching, and certifying Scrum Trainers through the Train The Trainer Program (TTT). |
Elisa Mallis
Global Vice President of Research, Innovation and New Content Creation
Center for Creative Leadership
(Singapore)
Expanding Potential to Lead Projects Effectively
Elisa Mallis is the Global Vice President of Research, Innovation & New Content Creation at the Center for Creative Leadership. Elisa has over 20 years of experience as a business leader with a focus on transformational change and human capital strategy. She has spent 18 of those years based in Asia (Beijing, Sydney, and Singapore). Elisa holds an MA in Organisational Development and an MEd in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University. She also currently serves as Chair on the Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. Elisa has authored numerous research articles, articles, and book chapters on topics related to global leadership and is frequently quoted in the media, including BBC, CNBC, and Channel News Asia. |
Shailendra Malik
Senior Vice President
Banking & Financial Sector
(Singapore)The Only Constant in the Changing AI-Driven Tech Landscape
Shailendra Malik has over two decades of experience in Technology Product Ownership, Program / Project delivery, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. He is a data-driven tech leader with expertise in banking and fintech. Shailendra manages complex programs around Generative AI and Enterprise Search at one of the most prominent Banks in Southeast Asia, with 15 years of experience in Singapore Financial Sector. |
Nick Jonsson
CCMC Certified Master Coach | NickJonsson.com
Co-Founder & MD | EGN
(Singapore)
Beyond AI: Overcoming Executive Loneliness Through Holistic Leadership in Project Management
Nick Jonsson is an executive coach, award-winning keynote speaker, and #1 best-selling author of Executive Loneliness. As Co-Founder and Managing Director of Executives’ Global Network (EGN) in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, he leads a network of over 900 senior executives, fostering knowledge-sharing and peer coaching. A certified Chief Master Coach (CCMC) and Ironman athlete, Nick’s personal journey from adversity to success fuels his impactful keynotes on holistic leadership, mental well-being, and life balance. He is a leading advocate for vulnerability and authentic connections, helping leaders thrive both personally and professionally. More of Nick's work can be found in his website: www.nickjonsson.com |
Su Soloway
Managing Director
Soloway Consulting Inc.
(Canada)
Leading Beyond Algorithms: Harmonising Strengths for Effective Decision-Making in Project Management
Su Soloway, MBA, MA, PMP, PMI-ACP, CMC is an accomplished Project Executive with over 20 years of experience helping public and private sector clients create strategic roadmaps that drive meaningful results. Throughout her career, Su has specialised in enabling business transformation through technology and successfully guiding organisations through complex change initiatives. Su's expertise spans strategic planning, portfolio management, IT governance, PMO leadership, and project management - particularly in project recovery and the management of large, complex projects. These skills have formed the foundation of her practice, allowing her to help organisations navigate challenges effectively and achieve strategic goals. Su is a recognised thought leader in the field and have presented at various forums on topics such as project leadership, risk management, and mastering the art of project recovery. In addition to her public speaking engagements, she is an avid coach and mentor, passionate about developing the next generation of project management professionals. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, Canada. |
Manish Arneja
Managing Partner, SEA
Resilience Institute
(Singapore)
From Surviving to Thriving: How to Sustain Resilience in Change & Uncertainty
Manish Arneja is a professional speaker and coach on workplace resilience and human performance. He is driven to help leaders & teams to build their capacity to thrive in change and challenges. He is based in Singapore and is the Managing Partner for Resilience Institute in South East Asia. Manish held senior Change Leader positions in Asia and Europe before dedicating himself to his passion for training and building human-focused organisations. As a speaker and trainer, he worked with some of the largest and most respected multinational companies, including Shell, Unilever, PwC, LVMH, L’Oréal, DBS, Sanofi, Abbott and many others. He truly believes in the potential of conscious organisations and the infinite power of human resilience. |
Helena Brandejsova
Senior Management Consultant
Wavestone Asia
(Singapore)
Key Role of Ambassadors - Driving Transformation Through People Power
Helena Brandejsova is a Senior Management Consultant at Wavestone, with a focus on Agile Transformation and Project Management. Her experience spans across industries like Pharmaceuticals, Energy, MRO and Banking and includes both Agile and Waterfall methodologies. |
Ellen Alexandra Wong
Ellen Alexandra Wong is a Project Manager turned Delay Expert. Ellen has parlayed her decade-plus long practical construction experience to analysing what went wrong in projects and why projects experience delay. Ellen has spoken at both international and local conferences, covering contract advisory, expert evidence, and project management. At the PMI Singapore Chapter Symposium last year, she spoke on the soft skills needed by project managers. This year, she returns to share why project managers will not be taken over by AI. |
Essowè Abalo
CEO
Woloyem Consulting
(Czech Republic)
Essowè Abalo is a versatile consultant, agile enthusiast, and servant leader. He has more than 18 years of experience and expertise in business transformation, strategy and innovation, business consulting, technology, project and program management, change management, business development and sales. With proven expertise in industries such as IT, telecommunications, sports, government, security, printing and production industry, Abalo has served various reputable and multinational corporations.
His roles at IBM, Gemalto (now Thales), Foxconn, and FNZ Group involved successfully managing various large programs and projects. Essowè worked on projects with high complexity and ambiguity that created high impact and value.
He received his bachelor's degree from John Moore University in Liverpool and an MBA from LIGS University in Hawaii (USA). He holds Certified Agile Leadership (CAL®), Scrum Master, Scrum Product Owner, ITIL®4 Managing Professional, PRINCE2®, PRINCE2® Agile, Project Management Professional (PMP)® and Program Management Professional (PgMP)®certifications.
Michelle Low
Board Director, Membership and Mentorship
Women in Aviation International Singapore Chapter
(Singapore)
Navigating Success: The Power of Communication,
a Global Mindset, and Resilience in a Technology-Driven World
Michelle Low is an experienced aviation strategist with a global outlook, currently serving as Principal for Global Regulatory and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Strategy at The Boeing Company. Her expertise covers strategy development, safety data analysis, and international cross-domain collaboration to advance aviation safety. Michelle has previously been invited to speak at aviation safety conferences in the region, including the Flight Operations Safety Seminar in Taiwan and Singapore Airlines Safety Day, and at TEDxNTU. You can see Michelle's TEDxNTU talk here. |
Chris Wei
Head of Strategic Partnerships, Asia Pacific
Climeworks
(Singapore)
Carbon Removals & Net Zero: Managing the Defining Project of the 21st Century
Chris Wei is the Head of Strategic Partnerships for Asia Pacific at Climeworks, a leading carbon dioxide removal scaleup and a TIME100 Most Influential Company of 2024. Before joining Climeworks, he accumulated five years of experience in the voluntary carbon market and climate advisory. As a business development professional specializing in climate solutions, Chris has assisted clients across 14 APAC markets with carbon credit procurement, renewable energy, and net zero strategy. At Climeworks, he works closely with companies from diverse sectors including aviation to explore climate pathways that are relevant to Asia Pacific. With a Bachelor degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Economics from National University of Singapore, Chris is deeply passionate about exploring the role of carbon removal in achieving a net-zero economy. |
Dr Vidya Badrinarayanan
Lecturer
Nanyang Technological University
(Singapore)
Leveraging AI to Enhance Efficiency in Project Management
Dr Vidya Badrinarayan joined the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in 2024 as a Lecturer in the Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Cluster. She holds a PhD from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and a double Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering and Project Management from NTU Singapore and Stevens Institute of Technology, USA. Additionally, she has acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership from a joint program offered by renowned institutions such as MIT, Tuck, and Columbia Business Schools. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Madras, India.
Dr Badrinarayanan has taught postgraduate courses at NTU for the past nine years. Prior to joining NTU, she successfully managed numerous information technology projects in the finance sector. She has extensive global experience, having worked in the United States, Singapore, and India.
Vidya's research interests primarily lie in the domains of Systems Engineering, Leadership, Team Development, and Project Management. She has presented and published her work in conferences and peer-reviewed journals.
In her free time, she enjoys travelling, reading books, and solving puzzles.
Paul Blackler
Senior Manager
Wavestone Asia
(Singapore)
Empowering Project Success: Balancing AI and Human Skills in Modern Management
Paul Blackler has 20+ years' experience in leading agility, lean, startup and innovation programs driving digital transformation, operational efficiencies, value realisation, and cultural improvements through diverse experiences across UK, EMEA, Africa and APAC.
Having trained with leading international bodies while in industry working across design (Royal College of Arts), op-model (Loughborough), lean (Cardiff Uni), innovation (Babson College), Startups (MIT) and consulting. Paul works with forward thinking companies to better define problem statements that need to be solved, build conditions for improvement, develop customer centricity, reduce time to market, and improve quality of impact whilst fostering a healthy learning culture.
Paul is leading the innovation and agility capabilities in Wavestone Asia with a team delivering multi-year strategic agility, ways of working, product development, design and innovation programs and centres of excellence.
FEATURED MODERATORS
Clara Kwan
Sustainability Director
Singapore Manufacturing Federation
(Singapore)
Sustainability Champions: Elevating Your Role as a Project Manager
Clara Kwan is currently the Sustainability Director at the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, where she leads with a business-savvy approach to sustainability. Clara spearheads and implements innovative sustainability strategies tailored to the needs of clients, including sustainability assessments and roadmaps that guide companies toward sustainable practices. Her solutions-focused leadership drives the execution of strategic decisions, providing expert advice and consultations on sustainability issues, investments and best practices. Clara is instrumental in establishing and integrating ESG principles into regional and local processes across company management, operations, legal and compliance, business continuity planning, marketing and human resources. Additionally, Clara’s strategic oversight extends to assessing and managing investment and financing portfolios, with a focus on legal, sustainability and social impact considerations.
Clara served on corporate boards and has held prominent positions, including Chief Operating Officer, Head of Sustainability and Managing Director (Singapore) for a regional green independent power producer. She also led as the Global Head of Sustainability and Impact Investments for a global creative change firm.
As a lecturer, trainer and assessor on sustainability leadership, change management and legal and compliance matters, Clara continues to shape the future of sustainability practices. Clara is passionate about serving the community and holds various positions such as chief legal officer / chief purpose officer / investment advisor in several social impact projects and start-ups. She is also a grassroot sustainability adviser and committee member in several charitable/non-profit organisations including Social Health Group, Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network and a volunteer mentor / judge / speaker with youth organisations etc.
Clara holds a Bachelor of Law (Honors) from the National University of Singapore and an Executive MBA from Kellogg-HKUST. She is an accredited GRI sustainability professional, a qualified attorney in Singapore, New York and England & Wales and an accredited mediator under the Singapore Mediation Centre. Her credentials also include certifications in ISO14064:2018, ISO19001:2015, ISO14001:2015, and ISO45001:2018.
Clarice Tan
Transformation Leader & Master Facilitator
Clarice-Tan.com / PMI Singapore Chapter Volunteer
(Singapore)Power of Outcomes Thinking
Clarice Tan believes that people are the catalysts of successful transformation. Well known for her transformation and change management expertise, she has over 20 years of corporate experience, over 10 of it managing strategic transformation programs in APAC.
Clarice interacts well with people across many levels in the organisation and has a deep understanding of personal and organisational needs. She engages with senior management and key stakeholders to effectively manage strategic transformation and redesign functional processes for HR, Finance, Operations, and Infrastructure Support. She has led multi-million dollar projects and teams across multiple projects, globally and across APAC, and brings diverse perspectives with her multi-country leadership roles.
In addition to her corporate role, she is a certified ACLP trainer and part-time lecturer.
She holds numerous professional certifications, including ICP-CAT Coaching Agile Transformations, ICP-BAF Business Agility Foundations, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and PROSCI Certified Practitioner.
Ben Breen
Global Director Construction & Vice President, APAC
Project Management Institute
(Singapore)
Reframing Project Success
Ben Breen is a seasoned professional with nearly 20 years of high-profile experience in construction and project management. Currently serving as the Global Director Construction & Vice President, APAC, at Project Management Institute (PMI), Ben joined the organization in 2019 and played a pivotal role in introducing PMI's first industry-specific offering focused on construction project management.
In his role as Global Director Construction & Vice President, APAC; Interim Regional Managing Director, MENA, Ben spearheaded the development of the PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP)™ certification. The PMI-CP equips project professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to make transformative contributions to the global construction industry.
As Vice President, Asia Pacific, Ben takes on the responsibility of overseeing the region's strategy and supporting activities. He maintains a deep understanding of stakeholders' needs and ensures that PMI delivers valuable solutions for individuals and organizations. In this capacity, he also represents PMI chapters in the region, fostering a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to driving positive change in their organizations and communities.
Originally from Australia, Ben relocated to Singapore in 1994. Over the years, he has played pivotal roles in numerous projects, including notable developments such as Marina Bay Sands and the award-winning Suntec Convention Centre. Beyond these roles, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own project management company which he helped grow and develop into a best-in-class provider.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Building Engineering from Victoria University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and has further strengthened his professional credentials by obtaining the PMI-CP certification. His extensive background and commitment to driving positive change make him a valuable asset in the field of construction and project management.
Jatinder Kaniah
Jatinder Kaniah has had global experience witht he last 11yrs in Singapore. She trained as a Management Accountant and worked in many of the world's largest MNCs as well as start-ups, getting involved in business wide projects. |
Suria Raghavan
Managing Director
Sujay Consultancy & Trading
(Singapore)
Managing Power Stakeholders for Project Success
Suria Raghavan has 37 years of experience, out of which 25 years in Project / Program management and 13 years in Operations Management. Has extensive experience managing mega projects in various industries such as Oil and Gas, Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, Marine etc., and worked across Asia Pacific, Middle East, North America and Europe world areas. Having worked with clients and contractors across the globe, Suria launched his business namely Sujay Consultancy & Trading Pte Ltd., providing consultancy in Project / Program management, Leadership, Auditing and providing trading services |
Kevin Ziegler
Project Manager &
PMI Singapore Chapter ExCo
(Singapore)
No Pain, No Gain - How Can We Learn from Mistakes
Kevin Ziegler is an experienced Project and Program Manager in Banking, Finance and Fintech.
Vivian Poon
Project Manager &
PMI Singapore Chapter ExCo
(Singapore)
Global Project Management: Challenges & Strategies For Managing Global Project Teams
Nicholas Hutchins
Programme Manager &
PMI Singapore Chapter Volunteer
(Singapore)
Dealing with Project Failure as the Project Manager
Nicholas Hutchins is an experienced Change Leader / Programme Manager / Programme Director who has secured a wide variety of key roles in divisions of Global Regulated organisations. Nicholas is also a seasoned Executive Board member, as Elected Project Management Institute Singapore Chapter |
Timothy Teo
Enterprise Architect
Ernst & Young / PMI SG Chapter ExCo
(Singapore)
Managing Risks of AI in Project Management
Timothy Teo is a seasoned Technology Service Executive and Enterprise Architect advising on million-dollar initiatives with enterprise customers spanning multiple industrial verticals across the Asia Pacific focused on Next Generation Technologies: AI, Blockchain, Cloud, Data Analytics. |