Future: People Asia

09:00 AM - 09:10 AM SGT

Opening & Welcome

Opening & Welcome

Sandhya Karpe, PhD, Human Capital Center Leader, Asia and Program Director of Asia Inclusion Council, Asia CHRO Council, The Conference Board

09:10 AM - 09:30 AM SGT

2025 Highlights from TCB

A fast-paced look at the top trends shaping business and people strategies in 2025 — drawn from The Conference Board’s latest research and global member insights.

Sandhya Karpe, PhD, Human Capital Center Leader, Asia and Program Director of Asia Inclusion Council, Asia CHRO Council, The Conference Board

09:30 AM - 09:50 AM SGT

Key note #1

Anil Argilla, President, Emerging Markets Asia, Pfizer Inc.

09:50 AM - 10:30 AM SGT

Key note #2

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM SGT

Networking Break

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM SGT

AI & Innovation: How GenAI Can Drive Human Creativity & Innovation

Rather than replacing human creativity, Generative AI has the power to unlock new levels of innovation. This session delves into how organizations are using GenAI to accelerate ideation, product development, and problem-solving—while redefining the role of human ingenuity in an AI-augmented future.

Lokesh Venkataswamy, CEO & Managing Director, Innomantra Consulting Private Limited, Senior Fellow at The Conference Board

Dan Wong, CEO, GIFT.ed and Senior Fellow, The Conference Board

Matthew Godfrey, Managing Director, Asia, The Conference Board

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM SGT

AI & Leadership: What Leaders and Managers Must Know

AI is reshaping the way we lead. This session equips leaders and managers with the insights they need to navigate an AI-enabled workplace, covering critical topics such as decision-making, workforce transformation, responsible AI use, and fostering a culture of trust and agility in the age of automation.

Mukta Arya, Managing Director, Chief Human Resources Officer, APAC, Societe Generale

Diana Khaitova, Head, Client Development, APAC, Center for Creative Leadership

Jane Horan, EdD, Distinguished Principal Research Fellow and Program Director of Asia Learning, Development & Culture Council, The Conference Board

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM SGT

AI & HR: When HR Meets Technology

Discover how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world of Human Resources—from talent acquisition and workforce planning to performance management and employee experience. This session explores practical applications of AI in HR, the ethical and cultural considerations it raises, and how HR leaders can harness technology to drive strategic value.

Andrew Saidy, Head of Talent | Head of HR, APAC, Cigna International Health

Jing Wang, Program Director of China Human Resources Council, The Conference Board

Gurpreet Grewal, Program Director, Asia Talent Management Council, The Conference Board

12:30 PM - 01:30 PM SGT

Lunch Break

01:30 PM - 03:00 PM SGT

Cultures of Innovation: Where Agility, Resilience, and Creativity Thrive

Innovation doesn’t just happen in labs—it thrives in the right culture. This session unpacks how organizations can foster environments that support experimentation, embrace failure as learning, and balance agility with long-term thinking. Hear how leaders are building innovation-ready cultures that spark creativity and drive resilience.

Tabby Kim, HR Operations Director, 3M

Renato Jiao, Chief Human Resource Officer, Globe

Jane Horan, EdD, Distinguished Principal Research Fellow and Program Director of Asia Learning, Development & Culture Council, The Conference Board

01:30 PM - 03:00 PM SGT

Cultures of Care: How Employee Wellbeing Drives Business Results

Caring for employees is no longer a ‘nice to have’—it’s a business imperative. This session highlights how companies are embedding wellbeing into their culture, from leadership behavior to everyday practices. Discover how prioritizing mental, emotional, and social health leads to stronger engagement, performance, and sustainable success.

Andrew Newmark , CHRO – Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International, Inc.

Shailaja Sharma, Executive Director, Learning and Talent Management, SGX Group

01:30 PM - 03:00 PM SGT

Cultures of Change: Teaching Elephants to Dance

Large organizations often struggle with agility, but change is no longer optional—it’s imperative. This session explores how established companies can cultivate cultures that embrace transformation. Learn how to overcome inertia, empower people at all levels, and build the mindsets and behaviors needed to move at the speed of change.

Rhona Tasmia Rabbani, Managing Director, Talent & Culture, FedEx

Kuan-Thye Sean DBA, Program Director of Asia Total Rewards Council and Asia Strategic HR Leaders Council, The Conference Board

03:00 PM - 03:30 PM SGT

Networking Break

03:30 PM - 04:50 PM SGT

Skills for Tomorrow: Equipping Your Future Workforce

As the world of work evolves, so must our approach to skills. This session explores how organizations are identifying, developing, and scaling the critical capabilities needed for the future, ranging from digital fluency to human-centered leadership. Learn how to build a workforce that’s not only ready for change, but ready to lead it.

Jing Wang, Program Director of China Human Resources Council, The Conference Board

03:30 PM - 04:50 PM SGT

Policies for Tomorrow: Driving HR Innovations

Traditional HR policies are being reimagined to meet the demands of a dynamic, diverse, and digital workforce. This session highlights innovative approaches to policies around flexibility, inclusion, performance, and more, showcasing how forward-thinking HR teams are shaping the employee experience and organizational effectiveness of tomorrow.

Jingying Li, Head of Global Rewards, Suntory Beverage and Food

Kuan-Thye Sean DBA, Program Director of Asia Total Rewards Council and Asia Strategic HR Leaders Council, The Conference Board

03:30 PM - 04:50 PM SGT

Talent for Tomorrow: Beyond the Conventional Sources

The future of talent is boundaryless. In this session, discover how organizations are going beyond conventional pipelines to tap into non-traditional talent pools, such as gig workers, returners, neurodivergent talent, and more. Explore new strategies for inclusive hiring, skills-based assessment, and sustainable talent ecosystems.

David Lim, Executive Vice President, People, PVH Asia Pacific

Cynthia Tan, Senior Fellow, The Conference Board

04:55 PM - 05:20 PM SGT

Experiential Activity

05:20 PM - 05:30 PM SGT

Future Agendas & Closing Remarks

05:30 PM - 06:30 PM SGT

Connect over Drinks & Bites