Speakers
Guest of Honour
Ms. Low Yen Ling
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry
Ms Low Yen Ling
Senior Minister of State Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry
Lennon Tan is an esteemed entrepreneur and leader known for his commitment to innovation and business excellence. Starting out as an engineer in the Petrochemical industry, Lennon continued honing his skills for a decade at American multinational corporation 3M, gaining invaluable experience.
In 2001, Lennon made a pivotal decision to pursue entrepreneurship, acquiring a small smart card manufacturing business in China. Through strategic vision and technological innovation, he leveraged advancements in technology and transformed the manufacturing outfit into one of the top 10 global smartcard producers in the world. Subsequently, he expanded the company’s capabilities to lead in fields such as artificial intelligence, biometric authentication, automation, fintech, and data analytics, supporting major sectors ranging from banks, insurance, government, healthcare, telecommunications, and transport worldwide. Lennon’s achievements have earned him widespread recognition, including the prestigious ASEAN Teochew Entrepreneur Award, and the esteemed EY Entrepreneur of the Year title in Financial Technology Enablement from global professional services firm Ernst & Young in 2017. Additionally, the Group was recognized for its excellence, receiving the ASEAN Business Award Overall Winner for Priority Integration Sector (ICT) in 2018.
Lennon’s commitment to excellence extends beyond his corporate endeavors. He is actively involved in Singapore’s business community, holding positions in organizations like the Teochew Entrepreneurs Club and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations. In 2024, Mr. Tan assumed the role of Vice President at the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), and Council Member at Singapore Business Federation (SBF), furthering his commitment to regional economic development. As President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation and Group Chairman of ADERA Global Group, he continues to drive innovation and collaboration in the manufacturing sector.
Lennon Tan’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance and strategic leadership in achieving business success.
Welcome Address
Mr. Ang Yuit
President, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises
Mr. Ang Yuit
President, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises
Founder, The Adventus
Mr. Ang Yuit is the Managing Director of The Adventus Consultants Pte Ltd, a digital solutions company, and currently serves as the President of the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME). Throughout his 15-year tenure, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to empowering SMEs, leveraging his expertise and experience to drive impactful initiatives that support their growth and success.
Keynote and Expert Sharing
Ms. Sandy Kunvatanagarn
Head of Public Policy, ASEAN, OpenAI
Ms. Sandy Kunvatanagarn
Head of Public Policy, ASEAN, OpenAI
Sandy Kunvatanagarn is part of OpenAI’s APAC leadership team, driving the company’s expansion across the region. Prior to joining the company, she spearheaded global policy strategy coordination and development for Meta’s hardware division, helped Meta build the Oversight Board, and developed partnerships to support Meta’s policy priorities in Thailand. A lawyer by training, Sandy was previously a U.S. diplomat and led the International Rescue Committee’s legal access program for displaced persons along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Mr. Nigel Lee
General Manager, Lenovo Singapore
Mr. Nigel Lee
General Manager, Lenovo Singapore
Nigel Lee stands at the forefront of Singapore’s Industry 5.0 revolution, leveraging three decades of technology leadership to champion the next generation of human-centric manufacturing and sustainable innovation. As General Manager of Lenovo Singapore, he has emerged as a leading voice in transforming and laying the blueprint for Industry 5.0. His visionary approach to technology integration has positioned Lenovo as Singapore’s premier partner for intelligent manufacturing transformation. Through groundbreaking partnerships with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and innovative collaborations like the ST Logistics smart warehouse initiative, Nigel demonstrates how AI and human expertise can work in harmony to achieve unprecedented efficiency gains while maintaining sustainability at the core. He is SMF Council Member as a key driver of Industry 5.0 and sustainability topics, Nigel’s thought leadership extends beyond business results to address the ethical implications of AI adoption and the importance of human-centred technological advancement. His recognition as “Executive of the Year – Technology” at the 2024 SBR Management Excellence Awards underscores his influence in shaping Singapore’s digital transformation landscape. With extensive experience across Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu, Dell, and Brother International Singapore, combined with advanced credentials from MIT Sloan Executive Education in Digital Business Strategy, Nigel brings strategic depth and practical execution capabilities to the Industry 5.0 movement. He is also a proud Father of triplets, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Indiana University and maintains an active lifestyle as a marathon runner.
Dr. Benjamin Ma
Centre Lead, NYP-Microsoft Centre for Applied AI
Dr. Benjamin Ma
Centre Lead, NYP-Microsoft Centre for Applied AI
Dr. Benjamin Ma is the Lead of the NYP–Microsoft Centre for Applied AI (C4AI) at Nanyang Polytechnic and a recognized leader in AI, autonomous systems, and machine learning with over 20 years of experience. He leads strategic initiatives in applied AI, robotics, workforce development, and industry innovation, driving collaborations that translate cutting-edge technologies into real-world business impact. Dr. Ma is a recipient of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) Most Transformational Project Award, the MOE Minister’s Innovation Award, and the Public Sector Transformation (PST) Award for his contributions to innovation and digital transformation.
Mr. Johnny Lam
Director, The Canary Diamond Pte Ltd
Mr. Johnny Lam
Director, The Canary Diamond Pte Ltd
Johnny Lam is Director of The Canary Diamond Company Private Limited, a family diamond and jewellery business where he helps bridge the company’s heritage in the diamond trade with the possibilities of modern technology. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in Computer Science, giving him an early foundation in systems thinking, data and software. His career has since taken him across different parts of the global diamond value chain, from corporate leadership to brokerage, sales and family-enterprise operations.
Johnny previously served as Country Manager for De Beers in China, where he gained first-hand experience in one of the world’s most dynamic luxury and consumer markets. He later worked with I. Hennig, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading diamond brokerage houses, deepening his understanding of international diamond supply, pricing, relationships and market trust. He then returned to the family business, bringing together global industry experience, technical knowledge and an owner’s perspective on execution.
At Canary, Johnny is involved in shaping how artificial intelligence can support the jewellery retail experience without replacing the human relationship at the heart of luxury sales. Canary’s AI work focuses on practical tools for sales staff: an iPad-based sales companion that can, with customer consent, support live conversations, suggest relevant products, connect to inventory information and help staff deliver more confident, timely and personalised service.
Johnny’s perspective on AI is therefore grounded in both technology and people. He believes SMEs should not adopt AI simply because it is fashionable, but because it can solve real business problems, improve service quality and help teams work better. His focus is on responsible, human-centric adoption: using AI to strengthen trust, protect data, support staff and prepare family businesses for the future.
Mr. Lincoln Peh
Director, Operations, Landsfield Property Consultants Pte Ltd
Mr. Lincoln Peh
Director, Operations, Landsfield Property Consultants Pte Ltd
Lincoln Peh is a Director at Landsfield Property Consultants Pte Ltd, one of Singapore’s longest-established property management firms with over 30 years of industry experience. He oversees a diverse portfolio of more than 100 strata-titled developments spanning residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
With over a decade of cross-sector experience, Lincoln Peh has built a strong track record across real estate management, public sector strategy, and offshore engineering. Prior to joining Landsfield, he contributed to industry development initiatives at PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, and held offshore engineering roles at Keppel FELS.
He holds a Master of Science in Real Estate from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering from Nanyang Technological University. Since 2025, he has also served as a Member of the Association of Property and Facility Managers (APFM).
Mr. Michael Goh
CEO, IPI Singapore
Mr. Michael Goh
CEO, IPI Singapore
Michael Goh serves as the Chief Executive Officer at IPI Singapore. A founding member of IPI and its former Chief Operating Officer, Michael brings over 19 years of experience in intellectual property, business and technology management, and commercialisation. His team has helped enterprises across sectors such as manufacturing, medtech, food, digital and sustainability to unlock growth opportunities through strategic innovation. To better position IPI Singapore as a strategic enabler for enterprise innovation, Michael has initiated organisational development, digital transformation and capability-building efforts.
Michael is passionate about sharing his expertise and regularly speaks at innovation forums and workshops on technology commercialisation and open innovation.
His contributions extend beyond IPI through active involvement in industry and innovation initiatives. Since 2021, he has served as a panellist for the SHELL Startup Engine programme and was a member of the Technical Committee on Agritech and Agrifood Production from 2021 to 2023. He was also a member of the Advisory Panel for the Centre of Innovation for Complementary Health Products (COI-CHP) at Temasek Polytechnic from 2022 to 2024 and was twice appointed as an External Expert Panellist for the Hong Kong University’s RAISe+ projects in 2023. He currently serves on the SME IP Advisory Panel for the WIPO IP for Business Centre @ ASME.
Dr. Quek Yang Thee
Assistant Director (Capability & Industry), School of Engineering, Republic Polytechnic
Dr. Quek Yang Thee
Assistant Director (Capability & Industry), School of Engineering, Republic Polytechnic
Dr. Quek Yang Thee earned his Ph.D. in Computational Intelligence in Electrical Power Systems from Newcastle University, UK, showcasing his commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. His academic journey also includes the successful completion of B.Eng. (Hons) and M.Sc. degrees from the prestigious National University of Singapore.
With a keen focus on sustainability, smart DC grid, renewable energies, and the application of computational intelligence techniques in power systems and urban transportation, Dr. Quek Yang Thee brings a wealth of expertise to his multifaceted role. As a distinguished IEEE senior member and Singapore Certified Energy Manager, he actively contributes to advancing industry standards and practices.
Dr. Quek Yang Thee’s influence extends beyond his institutional responsibilities, as evidenced by his participation in pivotal committees and workgroups. Notable involvements include serving on the Technical Expert Panel of the Technical Specialist Bus Programme for LTA Singapore Bus Academy, contributing to the IES Taskforce in Electric Vehicle Maintenance, and actively engaging in the IES Chartered Engineering Technologies and Technicians Workgroup for Land Transport and Precision Engineering. Moreover, he plays a significant role in shaping industry standards through his participation in the Singapore Standardisation Programme Working Group (WG) on Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).
Mr. Shawn Lee
Chief Operating Officer, Crestar Enterprise Pte Ltd
Mr. Shawn Lee
Chief Operating Officer, Crestar Enterprise Pte Ltd
Crestar Ceiling Fans was built on a belief: a ceiling fan is never just an appliance, it is an experience. Founder Eric Tew spent over a decade proving it, pioneering aluminium on AC motors for durability, LED lighting modules for brighter homes, and DC ceiling fans for energy efficiency, first to market in Singapore on every innovation. When Eric needed new leadership, he asked his son-in-law Shawn Lee to step in. Shawn joined in January 2019. In October that year, Eric passed. The legacy became Shawn’s to carry, and what followed was one of Singapore’s most quietly remarkable SME transformation stories.
When COVID-19 hit in April 2020, Crestar made a choice. While others closed, it stayed open, the only ceiling fan company operational during circuit breaker. Not for revenue, but out of a conviction that mattered more: a customer with a faulty fan at home would have their comfort and wellness impacted. Someone had to be there. The surge that followed exposed the gaps, manual workflows, fragmented processes, a business not yet built to scale. Shawn rebuilt from the ground up: digitising the fundamentals, then layering Generative AI across the operation. Microsoft 365 Copilot moved the company off siloed, location-bound workflows onto real-time cloud collaboration. Co-Pilot Agent develop and deployed to ensure every team member across pre- and post-sales speaks the same language, consistent training, consistent standards, one seamless customer experience. The results: an 80% uplift in sales, a 40% reduction in service time, and recognition from IMDA, Microsoft’s Agents of Change programme, and the Microsoft Cloud Blog’s worldwide showcase of 1,000 transformation stories.
But transformation, for Shawn, was never just about technology. Crestar tracks carbon emissions yearly from a 2023 baseline, targeting 70% reduction by 2028, electrifying its fleet, eliminating styrofoam, switching to eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging that enabled 30% more SKUs per shipment, and advocating for hybrid cooling. Through the Crestar Care Programme, it partners with NGOs and supports less-privileged families, because a brand’s responsibility extends into the homes and communities it serves. That belief also shaped “The Lightness of Air”, a 2,700 sq. ft. Crestarˇs Experiential Lab, winner of Asia Pacific Best Retail Interior by International Property Awards 2026. A space designed not to sell, but to let people feel what comfort and wellness truly mean.
Armed with an MBA and a Master of IT in AI & Data Science, Shawn leads at the intersection of business, technology, and sustainability. None of it came from a playbook. Shawn wrote one and he brings it to every stage he stands on.
Mr. Ye Yongfeng
Associate Partner, EY
Mr. Ye Yongfeng
Associate Partner, EY
Yongfeng Ye is an Associate Partner in EY’s People Consulting practice in Singapore. With more than 15 years of experience advising organisations through periods of change, he works with senior leaders on strategic issues at the intersection of business growth, workforce evolution, and organisational performance. His work focuses on helping organisations translate strategic ambition into organisational capability, ensuring they are equipped to respond to changing business demands and emerging opportunities.
Throughout his career, Yongfeng has worked across healthcare, government, and enterprise environments, advising organisations on workforce strategy, organisation effectiveness, leadership development, and capability building. He has partnered with government agencies, multinational corporations, and locally grown enterprises, bringing perspectives from diverse organisational contexts and business challenges.
More recently, Yongfeng has focused on helping leaders understand the organisational implications of artificial intelligence. While many discussions around AI focus on technology, his work examines the broader questions of how operating models, jobs, skills, leadership practices, and employee experiences may need to evolve as AI becomes embedded within organisations. He is particularly interested in how organisations can realise the value of AI while ensuring that employees and leaders are equipped to adapt to new ways of working.
At EY, he works closely with executive teams to translate strategic ambitions into practical action. Drawing on experience across both public and private sector organisations, he brings a pragmatic perspective on the leadership, workforce, and organisational considerations that often determine whether transformation efforts succeed.
