25 September 2025
EQ Kuala Lumpur
Speakers
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Visionary Voices Leading Change
Experience the power of collective wisdom as we welcome leading industry experts who are shaping the future of hospitality, food & beverage industry. Their insights will inspire, challenge, and equip you with valuable knowledge to advance your professional journey.
Sameer Seth
Founder & CEO,
Hunger Inc. Hospitality (India)
With 15 years in the restaurant industry across India and the USA, Sameer blends business insight with a deep passion for hospitality. He is the Founder & CEO of Hunger Inc. Hospitality, an Indian hospitality group creating fresh, exciting dining experiences through The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, Bombay Sweet Shop, Veronica’s and Papa’s. With a focus on reinterpreting tradition in fun and unexpected ways, they bring regional Indian flavours and experiences to life while pushing creative boundaries. Committed to new-age Indian hospitality and creative storytelling, Hunger Inc. is all about celebrating India’s rich food culture while shaping what’s next.
Related session:
10 AM – 11 AM | The Great F&B Reset
2:30 PM – 4 PM | Breaking The Mould
Stefanie Wijono
Deputy Director of Marketing & PR, The Union Group
A respected figure in Jakarta’s F&B scene, Stefanie graduated from Switzerland’s Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne. She started her hospitality journey more than a decade ago in Singapore, working on brands such as Jamie’s Italian, TWG Tea and JAAN. In 2015, she returned to Jakarta to join The Union Group, a leading F&B group which owns and operates 14 brands and 28 outlets to date. Highlights on the group’s portfolio include The Cocktail Club, ranked No.12 on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024; Cork & Screw, which received the Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator from 2015 to 2024; and Italian American fine-dining chophouse Bistecca.
Related session:
10 AM – 11 AM | The Great F&B Reset
Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz
CEO,
SJS Hospitality Group
Sarissa is a powerhouse hospitality entrepreneur and the co-founder of SJS Group, an experience-driven hospitality group known for creating some of Singapore’s most iconic dining and nightlife destinations. With a standout portfolio including LuLu’s Lounge, Papi’s Tacos, Pasta Bar, and the newly launched C.O.T.U, SJS Group is celebrated for its bold concepts, immersive storytelling, and unwavering commitment to quality. As an independent organisation, they have built one of the most diverse hospitality portfolios in Singapore, reshaping the scene through innovation and vision.
Related session:
10 AM – 11 AM | The Great F&B Reset
Nicola Lee
Academy Chair for Southeast Asia (South), The World’s 50 Best Restaurants; and Contributor at Tatler Asia and the Singapore Business Times
Nicola holds a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management and currently serves as the Academy Chair for South East Asia (South) for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. With a background in luxury hotels, she has extensive experience in food and beverage operations, as well as training and development. In addition to her industry expertise, Nicola has lectured in Hospitality and Tourism and is a contributing writer on wine and travel for Singapore Business Times and Tatler Asia. She was a panel member for the Singapore Tatler Best Restaurant Guide.
Related session:
10 AM – 11 AM | The Great F&B Reset
2:30 PM – 4 PM | Breaking The Mould
Oliver Truesdale-Jutras
ReGrowth Founder & Chef/Founder Folia Malaysia (coming from Singapore)
From apprentice to sustainability pioneer, Oliver’s culinary journey reflects his lifelong commitment to food ethics. Trained globally under celebrated chefs, he developed a distinctive approach honouring local ingredients. Alongside Phoebe Oviedo, their Stovetrotter venture earned unprecedented acclaim, whilst his leadership at Open Farm Community transformed Singapore’s farm-to-table movement, garnering prestigious accolades. Now heading Re:Growth consultancy, Oliver continues revolutionising regenerative hospitality whilst serving as founding chair of Singapore’s F&B sustainability council. His influence extends beyond the kitchen—through expertise, advocacy and ceramic artistry, Oliver shapes the future of responsible cuisine with passion and innovation.
Related session:
1 PM – 2 PM | The Sustainable Restaurant Association Panel Discussion
Samantha DeMello
ESG Director,
Hyatt ASAP
(coming from Hong Kong)
Samantha is a native Singaporean and passionate sustainability advocate with over 10 years of experience in the marketing and hospitality industry. After attaining her Master’s degree in Corporate Environmental Governance from The University of Hong Kong, she pivoted from communications to sustainability and is now the Director of ESG, Asia Pacific for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Samantha combines her education in marketing and sustainability with operational experience to ensure that sustainability is integrated effectively in hotels.
Related session:
1 PM – 2 PM | The Sustainable Restaurant Association Panel Discussion
Summer Le
Chef/Founder,
Nen DaNang
(coming from Vietnam)
Summer Le is the visionary chef and founder of Nén, Vietnam’s first and only recipient of a Michelin Green Star in 2024. As an ambassador of Vietnamese cuisine, she reimagines traditional ingredients through innovative storytelling that connects food with cultural heritage. At her acclaimed fine dining establishment, Summer creates contemporary culinary experiences using hyper-local ingredients sourced from across Vietnam and Nén’s own farms. Her approach to sustainability stems from a deep respect for ingredients, producers and seasonal rhythms. Through her work, Summer establishes herself as a trailblazer who honours Vietnam’s culinary traditions whilst boldly exploring new creative possibilities.
Related session:
1 PM – 2 PM | The Sustainable Restaurant Association Panel Discussion
Karen Finnerty
APAC Growth & Partnerships Director, The SRA
(coming from Hong Kong)
With a career in hospitality spanning 15 years across Ireland, the UK and now eight years in Hong Kong, Karen’s background and experience is grounded in marketing, communications, partnerships and business development. Before joining The Sustainable Restaurant Association (The SRA) Karen worked with globally renowned hospitality and travel brands, guiding brand positioning, market entry into Asia, as well as marketing and growth strategies. When Karen welcomed her daughter to the world in 2020, the strong need to do more purpose-led work for the hospitality industry became her professional purpose. In 2023, she began her role with The SRA in as APAC Growth & Partnerships Director.
Related session:
1 PM – 2 PM | The Sustainable Restaurant Association Panel Discussion
Kristian Olsen
Founder and Managing Director,
Type A
Kristian is the founder and Managing Director of Type A, a Singapore-based social media consultancy helping brands lead with clarity and impact in a digital-first world. A pioneer of Southeast Asia’s early social media movement, he guided brands through the shift from broadcast to conversation long before it became mainstream. With roots in legacy networks like Publicis Groupe, Group M, and Batey Ads, Kristian has spent the past decade crafting bold, independent strategies for global brands, public institutions, and ambitious challengers. Known for his strategic clarity and creative edge, he brings a rare blend of traditional brand thinking and modern digital expertise to help organisations thrive in today’s evolving marketing landscape.
Related session:
2 PM – 2:30 PM | X, Y, Z
Petr Raba
Vice President Food &
Beverage APEC (Asia Pacific
Excluding China),
Marriott International
With over 23 years of experience at Marriott International, Petr Raba serves as the Vice President of Food & Beverage for the Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region. In his current role, Petr is responsible for overseeing Food & Beverage and culinary operations across restaurants and bars in more than 570 hotels. His responsibilities include ensuring Quality Assurance for all hotel’s brands, developing and implementing continent-wide Food & Beverage strategies, and spearheading culinary and marketing initiatives. Petr’s focus is on building Marriott’s Food & Beverage reputation, developing talent, growing revenues, and maximising financial performance.
Related session:
2:30 PM – 4 PM | Breaking The Mould
Emma Maxwell
Founder,
Emma Maxwell Studio
Emma Maxwell is the Founder of Emma Maxwell Studio, with locations in Singapore, Bangkok, and London. Bringing a global perspective to every project, the studio specialises in crafting immersive interiors for luxury hotels, Michelin-starred, and World’s 50 Best restaurants, including Burnt Ends and Araya. With a deep understanding of the needs of chefs, guests, and operators, the studio designs spaces that are both highly functional and emotionally resonant—transforming dining into a theatrical and unforgettable experience through thoughtful interior design, storytelling, and meticulous attention to detail.
Related session:
2:30 PM – 4 PM | Breaking The Mould
Paul Gabie
CEO,
ecoSpirits
Paul is a spirits industry veteran and accomplished entrepreneur. In addition to leading ecoSPIRITS, he is a co-founder and director of Proof & Company, one of Asia Pacific’s leading independent spirits companies. Paul has been named on the Bar 100 list of the industry’s most influential figures (Drinks International), one of the industry’s 100 most influential (Drinks Retailing), and one of Asia’s Most Influential figures (Tatler Magazine Asia). He is a founding board member of the Singapore Cocktail Bar Association.
Related session:
4 PM – 4:30 PM | Sipping on Sustainability
Debbie Yong
Founder,
Atypical Media
Debbie Yong is a journalist turned brand strategist with more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of business, culture, and communications. She led editorial for the Michelin Guide in Asia and the Middle East, and now runs Atypical Media, an executive branding agency helping founders and changemakers craft impactful narratives.
Related session:
4 PM – 4:30 PM | Sipping on Sustainability
