BOARD MEMBERS:
Amelia Kang
Founder of Singapore-based Ame de Lumiere Holistic Consultancy, Amelia Kang is an entrepreneur, highly skilled, and experienced East-West metaphysician and life strategist.
Her expertise in metaphysical practices has helped Amelia create a client portfolio that speaks volumes about her reputation and the caliber of her work. She has successfully served as a trusted advisor to CEOs of multinational corporations (MNCs), family offices, family businesses, and other prominent individuals. Her ability to connect with and create life strategies for persons of influence is a testament to her professionalism and expertise.
Amelia also boasts an impressive 10-year track record in business management before the founding of her holistic consultancy. Her strategic acumen and leadership abilities have been instrumental in driving start-ups to profitability, making her a valuable consultant to any organization.
Amelia's journey in the professional world began with her role in organizing the prestigious Singapore International Festival of Arts. This early experience honed her organizational skills and exposed her to the world of high-profile events.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Amelia is passionate about making a positive impact through various projects. She actively initiates and contributes to various charity fundraising through the organization of holistic fairs. She is also involved in a social impact channel, Project Unsung Heroes, which highlights inspiring individuals through its YouTube channel.
Amelia's commitment to sharing her knowledge and experiences is evident in her documentary, "Letters to God," which can be found on Viddsee. The short film showcases her insights and spiritual journey, captivating audiences with its thought-provoking content.
Amelia's achievements and contributions have garnered significant recognition in the media. She has been featured in reputable publications such as Asiaone, Business Times, Women's Week, and CNA Lifestyle, further establishing her as a trusted authority in her field.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Amelia finds joy in sound healing jams with musician friends, participating in meditation circles, and engaging in philosophical discussions. These activities provide her with a sense of balance and nourishment, allowing her to bring a holistic approach to her work.
Amelia Kang is a dedicated professional who seamlessly combines her expertise in metaphysics and business to deliver exceptional results. Her vast experience, high-profile clientele, and commitment to making a positive impact make her a sought-after consultant and advisor in the field.
Amelia was a participant at SEALA 8 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and is currently a Board Member for SEALA.
Anun Dhawan
Anun Dhawan, a resident of New Delhi, holds a BSc. Banking & Finance from the London School of Economics (External Programme) and has completed his MSc. Finance from Sir John Cass Business School in London, United Kingdom. He is also a CFA Level 3 Candidate.
Anun currently works with IIFL Wealth, which is one of the premier & leading financial institutions in India managing more than USD 30 billion of assets across 8000 leading promoters, UNHI in onshore & offshore assets. The organization specializes in promoter net worth management, corporate restructuring w.r.t promoter holdings, succession planning & asset protection.
Prior to this Anun was instrumental in successfully bringing Pita Pit, a Canadian QSR chain serving healthy food with over 650 outlets worldwide to India. He worked as the Chief Operating Officer & Business Head of Franchising for Pita Pit India wherein he was responsible for the set up of the brand & growth of the brand in North & East India. During his tenure, the company was running 15 outlets in North India.
He started his career in strategy & operations consulting with Deloitte for a period of one year till 2009 and then has always had a keen interest in finance. He worked under the mentorship of his father Mr. Pramod Kumar Dhawan (CA) in Mentor Trading & Capital Consultants from 2011 to 2013. MTCC specializes in debt syndication for mid-cap companies for mid-cap companies in India.
Anun is an empathetic social worker, having worked closely with a school for underprivileged children in New Delhi that provided free education from 2008 to 2013 and taught mathematics to junior school children for a period of two years. His primary focus was raising funds to ensure the school was a going concern. With the efforts of his team, the school is now a permanent establishment with minimal fees being charged.
Anun along with his brother Ishann Dhawan has successfully filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) asking the Union Government of India to direct the States to open community kitchens to feed the 300 million people who go hungry every day. The PIL is currently being heard and the hope is for a judgment to be passed in the year i.e. 2022 considering the fact that there is no opposition to the cause, however, the dilemma is the execution considering the scale of the endeavor. Anun aims to work on educating people of all ages on a stronger civic sense with the eventual aim of promoting a happier co-existence and as a practicing Buddhist shares the philosophy of love, compassion, and peace to everyone in personal interactions, eventually writing based on life learnings. He is an avid reader with a keen interest in spirituality, philosophy, and real-life stories. Other hobbies include cricket, traveling & music.
Anun was a participant at SEALA 6 in Hanoi, Vietnam and he is currently serving as the SEALA Board Chair.
Ashok Mittal
Ashok Mittal is an independent management advisor to CEOs, top management teams, and young entrepreneurs. Ashok has more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, change management, manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and green field project establishments.
Ashok is an angel investor in India Quotient and serves as a professional advisor to several portfolio companies. Ashok is also a certified facilitator for Personalysis (a psychoanalysis management tool) where he provides employee assessment and coaching, change and transition management, conflict resolution, and leadership/personal development to a wide range of clients.
Before his current roles, Ashok was a co-founder and managing director of Semco Electric and Ultratech Metals (I) Ltd, contract manufacturers of precision metal and plastic products, parts, and sub-assemblies.
Ashok received his Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences in Pilani, India. Along with other activities, he loves to travel, and scuba dive in various destinations around the world and is a hobbyist photographer.
Bill Starnes
Bill Starnes is a retired co-managing partner of Trammell Crow International, a major international real estate developer, owner, and operator. He currently devotes his time and energy to various philanthropic activities, with an emphasis on leadership development based on insights gained from a career spanning academia, international business, and the nonprofit sector.
In 1984, Bill joined the commercial property division of Trammell Crow, a major real estate developer, owner, and operator of industrial, office, commercial, and multi-family residential properties as well as hotels, hospitals, and wholesale merchandise marts. After moving to the international division in 1986, he became a partner in 1989 and a Co-Managing Partner of Trammell Crow International (TCI) in 1997. He traveled extensively to Asia, Europe, and Latin America and oversaw the opening of new offices in Japan, China, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
Bill served as the Chairman of the Society of International Business Fellows (2012-2013) and served as its Managing Director from 2001 to 2005, focusing on expanding the number, variety, and quality of its programs. He organized and led their annual new member program, taking 25 to 40 international business leaders on a 10 to 12-day program abroad to various destinations over the last 10 years in South America, India, and China. He plays the role of head of faculty for the Central Eurasia Leadership Academy (CELA), the Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA), and the South East Asia Leadership Academy (SEALA).
Bill began his career in academia as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts following graduate studies at Yale University and an undergraduate degree from Rice University in Houston. He later taught economics at Rice University and the University of Houston. After leaving academia, Bill spent three years in general management for a small, family-owned wholesale distribution company in Dallas before joining Trammell Crow. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Donna. They have one son, Jon, and a granddaughter, Lexi. He enjoys travel, photography, reading, and going to the movies.
Harley Trung
Harley is a co-founder and CEO of CoderPush, a remote-first software development agency of 70+ people across 10 cities who build software with and for tech startups and SMEs globally. He is also a co-founder of Blue Sky Academy (Vinh, Vietnam), a Cambridge International School, as well as CoderSchool (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam), a well-known coding school providing online and offline boot camps. Over the past decade and a half, Harley has been making software, founding tech startups, leading engineering teams, teaching boot camps and now learning to grow a long-term people-oriented company.
Prior to CoderPush, Harley headed engineering at TinyPulse, a leading employee engagement and performance company (acquired by Limeade). He was also a founding member and board member of the Vietnam chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization. Harley graduated in Computer Science from Yale University and had lived in Singapore, China, and the US. He now resides in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with his wife and daughter. When not working, he loves to spend time with family, play music, and train for triathlons and marathons.
Harley was a participant at SEALA 6 in Hanoi, Vietnam, and is currently a Board Member for SEALA.
Jerry Winata
In his current position, Jerry is spearheading the work of the Anambas Foundation, an independent Indonesian foundation focusing on improving the ecosystem in the Anambas archipelago of Indonesia both underwater and terrestrial while ensuring to lift the welfare of the community. Through his work, Jerry was awarded as one of the inaugural cohorts of Obama Foundation Leaders in the Asia Pacific.
Jerry spent a big part of his professional career in development work, ranging from lifting people out of poverty with the World Bank to improving the nutrition of impoverished children and pregnant mothers with the United Nation’s World Food Programme.
Before joining the Anambas Foundation, Jerry consulted major corporations in Indonesia to strengthen their sustainability strategy and make their practices safer for the environment, in line with the government of Indonesia’s ambition to reduce its carbon emission. Jerry also helps the company to establish a foundation focusing on forest and peatland conservation and restoration.
Jerry is also a self-claimed culinary enthusiast and an adventurous eater, unfortunately not blessed with a high metabolism. Therefore, he compensates for this by taking part in a lot of outdoor activities such as tracking, running, swimming, and scuba diving. You will never catch him traveling without his running shoes.
He was a participant at SEALA 6 in Hanoi, Vietnam, and is currently a Board Member for SEALA.
Nini Daing
Nini Daing is co-founder and CEO at myHarapan, a foundation dedicated to developing independent and wholesome youth by empowering them with both choice and opportunities. She was previously the general manager for 1½ years before assuming her role as CEO. She was previously with the Multimedia Development Corporation, under the Technopreneurs Development Department. She has 22 years of start-up experience and also did training and coaching for small enterprises and unemployed graduates.
Nini graduated from the University of Warwick, UK, in Accounting and Finance. She also attended the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Program in 2011 and is a Southeast Asian Leadership Academy (SEALA) Alumna. Through her work with myHarapan, Nini also received the Woman of the Year Award, Malaysia by Berg in 2018, and the Corporate Social Responsibility Leadership Award from World CSR in 2017. She was also selected in the Top 10 Women Social Entrepreneur Award, in Malaysia in 2017. She was nominated for the Malaysian Great Women of Our Time in 2015. In 2014, she also received the Social Innovation Leader Award.
myHarapan, or the Youth Trust Foundation, was established in August 2010 and has since then engaged over 25,000 Malaysian youth in various initiatives that promote taking positive action. The foundation is a social entrepreneurship advocate and uses it as its compass. myHarapan also won the bid to co-organize the Global Social Business Summit in 2013, the brainchild of Prof. Muhammad Yunus and his creative director, Hans Reitz. myHarapan also launched their Social Venture/Business Fund to provide access to funding for start-up Social Businesses and Entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
She was a participant at SEALA 3 in Surabaya, Indonesia, and is currently a Board Member for SEALA.
Sarrah Sammoon
Sarrah Sammoon, through her service industry entrepreneurship, has benchmarked Sri Lanka with the global mobility industry.
Sarrah has over 28 years of experience in global mobility, immigration, citizenships by investment, cutting red tape, and related industries allowing freedom of movement for businesses. She pioneered establishing Evisalaw, a global mobility & immigration advisory firm in Sri Lanka in 1994. The first of its kind with access to top global lawyers and experts in mobility for both overseas and Sri Lanka expansions and investments. In 2009, the firm expanded to establish Sri Lanka Relocation Services which offers relocation and destination services to corporate expats including investment facilitation. The company was reworked to MAGELLAN CHAMPLAIN in 2018.
Sarrah is also the current Chairperson of the Forum for Expatriate Management, UK for Sri Lanka. In Sept 2016 Sarrah, through her company A. S. & Associates Resource Co was the first Sri Lankan firm to be recognized as the “Rising Global Mobility Star of Asia Pacific” from FEM UK in 2nd place.
She is a strong advocate for women entrepreneurs and has served and held positions for many years on the Board of the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka and is a founding member to establish their Policy Advocacy Arm. She is also certified by ILO to train on Women Empowerment through Business Member Organizations. She has held the position of Regional Ambassador and Sri Lanka Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, NY, USA. She has also received several awards as Women Achievers – Berg Singapore, Awards as a Role Player from World Coaching Congress in 2017, and Woman Leadership for Excellence in Business in 2017 from World Women Leadership Congress. In March 2019 Sarrah was recognized at the inaugural Abdul Khalam award ceremony recognition in Business Excellence by Visham Campus and Achievers’ Foundation. In August 2019 she received Justice of Peace All Island Status. She has also been invited as an out-of-the-box thinker for Sri Lanka Agricultural Innovation Center to enhance agripreneurs in Sri Lanka.
Since October 2020, Sarrah also serves as the Country Representative for the American-based non-profit organization Center for International Private Enterprise which is part of the US Chamber of Commerce.
Sarrah was a participant at SEALA 3 in Surabaya, Indonesia, and is currently a Board Member for SEALA.
Sohail Ahmed
In a career of 15+ years have led sales teams across channels, geographies, and regions (Pakistan / Africa), Sohail has built future-proof GTM models and capabilities and run P&L. Be it delivering top-line sales through executional discipline or developing repeatable models for a variety of diverse markets and regions. As a leader, Sohail has led teams through challenging and diverse situations to deliver outstanding results, leading by example and leveraging on his passion for people and ability to get things done.
Sohail was a participant at SEALA 10 in Penang, Malaysia, and is currently a SEALA Board Member.
Shikha Kundra
With a brief experience in the BPO Industry, Shikha started working as a spoken English and personality development trainer back in 2004. Following that, Shikha worked as a freelance Corporate Trainer from 2008 to 2012. From 2012 she worked as a Program Manager for the Centre for Learning Resources. Currently, she holds the position of Program Manager at FCL.
Shikha graduated in Mass Media with a specialization in Advertising and also holds a double
MBA in Marketing and HR ( Sikkim Manipal University)
Shikha attended SEALA 9 in Penang, Malaysia, and is currently a SEALA Board Member.
Tanvir Chaudhury
Tanvir Haider Chaudhury has worked in the development sector, as an economist and as a senior banker with a multinational bank where he headed their distribution network, priority banking, and alternate delivery channels for six years and their transaction banking business for four years. For the last nine years, he has been the CEO of a fast-growing branded food company; whose product suite is the number one frozen food brand in Bangladesh. He occasionally contributes essays on contemporary issues to various periodicals. He is an enthusiastic listener of different kinds of music and a voracious reader. He keenly follows cricket, tennis, and world geopolitics. He has a bachelor's degree in Economics and an MBA, both from the University of Dhaka. He lives in Dhaka, Bangladesh with his wife, Eva Rahman, who is a senior banker.
Tanvir was a participant at SEALA 8 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and is currently a SEALA Board Member.