THE AGENDA

Personal Branding in a Social First World

- Joanne DeRozario, Regional Managing Director, Prodigious Southeast Asia
- Karisha Partabrai, Marketing and Communications Senior Specialist, Publicis Groupe, Singapore

Synopsis: In today’s social-first landscape, your online presence is often your first introduction — long before your résumé or handshake.
In this dynamic session, Joanne and Karisha explore how future marketing leaders can craft an authentic personal brand that reflects who they are, both online and offline.

Through real-world examples and candid reflections, they’ll unpack how authenticity builds trust, why your digital footprint influences recruitment decisions, and how to communicate your professional story with purpose — without feeling boastful.

Attendees will leave with practical tools and three key takeaways to help them define their own brand persona, add value through social engagement, and navigate the evolving relationship between personal branding and leadership.

Influence without Authority 

- Siew Ting Foo, Transformational Growth Leader and Author (ex HP/Diageo/Mars/Unilever)
- Rob Gilby, CEO, Blue Hat Ventures (ex dentsu, Nielsen and Disney)

Synopsis: True leadership is not defined by position but by the ability to inspire others. In this thought-provoking session, Siew Ting Foo and Rob Gilby will discuss how influence is built through authentic connection, empathy, and the art of storytelling. Drawing from their diverse experiences across global organisations, they will show how marketers can lead teams, clients, and senior stakeholders by creating alignment and trust. It is a powerful reminder that real influence comes from human connection, not authority.

How to thrive when all around you are losing their s**t

- Sherilyn Shackell, Global CEO of The Marketing Academy

Synopsis: When life knocks you flat, resilience isn’t about pretending you’re fine, it’s about learning to bounce. In this honest and fun session, Sherilyn Shackell explores what to do when everything goes wrong; how to silence the noise in your head, gain perspective, and find your feet when the ground disappears. Expect zero jargon, plenty of truth bombs, liberal use of swear words and some powerful principles that will change how you handle the hard knocks, for good.

Role of Insights in Driving Transformational growth

- Vijay Raj, Executive VP CMI at Unilever

Synopsis: Modern marketing is no longer about mastering a single channel or campaign: it’s about seeing the bigger picture and connecting the dots between consumers, culture, and commerce.

Drawing on his experience leading consumer and market insights at Unilever, Vijay will explore what it takes to be a truly strategic thinker in today’s complex ecosystem. Participants will learn how to identify powerful insights, make smarter marketing decisions, and navigate a system where consumer behaviour drives change.

Reflections of a Global Leader

- Chiro Gupta, Visiting Lecturer at ESSEC Business School and ex VP of Media for Unilever

Synopsis: A reflective session on leadership with a focus on how to navigate change during challenging times. Chiro will share his perspective on how future leaders can shape their own journeys with purpose, intentionality and focus.

Ask Me ANYTHING – an honest conversation with CEOs and CMOs

- Amrita Randhawa, CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia, Publicis Groupe
- Lex Bradshaw-Zanger,  Chief Marketing & Digital Officer SAPMENA, L’Oréal
- Chiro Gupta, Visiting Lecturer at ESSEC Business School and ex VP of Global Media for Unilever

Synopsis: Ask industry leaders the questions they’ve always wanted to ask, from career-defining moments to personal lessons in resilience and leadership. Expect candid insights, humour, and vulnerability as these CEOs and CMOs share how they navigated pivotal decisions, overcame setbacks, and shaped their leadership philosophies. It’s an open window into what it really takes to reach the top, and stay there.

Leadership Speed Mentoring

- Gita De Beer, Global Director of Strategic Initiatives, The HEINEKEN Company
- Lex BradSchlikumger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer SAPMENA, L’Oréal
- Amrita Randhawa, CEO, Singapore & Southeast Asia, Publicis Groupe
- Rob Gilby, CEO, Blue Hat Ventures (ex dentsu, Nielsen and Disney)
- Severine Vauleon, Chief Brand Architect, Pure Butter Brands | Ex Unilever
- Chiro Gupta, Visiting Lecturer at ESSEC Business School and ex-VP Global Media for Unilever
- VC John, CMO, KPMG
- Caspar Schlikum, Founder and Investor and ex-Managing Director of Accenture Song APAC

Synopsis: In this dynamic and personal session, have the rare opportunity to connect directly with some of the industry’s most accomplished leaders. Over a series of short, focused conversations, participants will meet three to four leaders for an honest, one-on-one mentoring moment. These sessions are designed to be intimate, practical, and inspiring with a chance to ask questions, seek guidance, and gain tailored advice to support each delegate’s own leadership journey.

Future Leaders Reflections, Pledge and Actions

Synopsis: In this closing session, we’ll come together to reflect on the day’s insights and translate inspiration into action. Working in small groups, this session will be time to distil the key learnings, articulate how they’ll be applied and to write a personal pledge, a letter to their future selves capturing the leader they aspire to become. This is a powerful moment of pause and purpose designed to turn reflection into momentum and connection into commitment.