Prof. Dr. Yeah Kim Leng is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Economic Studies Program at the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia (JCI), Sunway University, a position he has held since May 2016. He previously served as Dean of a local private university’s business school.

He brings over three decades of private-sector experience, most notably as Chief Economist at RAM Holdings Berhad, Malaysia’s first credit rating agency, where he led economic, market, and industry research for 20 years. He was also Managing Director of its consultancy subsidiary for seven years. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Senior Analyst at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, following his initial professional years as a Forest Planning Officer at the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department and Senior Forest Officer at the Sabah Foundation.

He holds a BSc in Forestry from Universiti Putra Malaysia, and both an MBA and PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Hawaii, earned under the East-West Center Degree Participant Award. He currently serves as President of the Malaysian Economic Association (MEA) and sits on the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Committee and the National Wage Consultative Council. His previous appointments include serving as an External Member of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee and as a member of the National Consumer Advisory Council under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.

Mr. Lee Heng Guie is the Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Research Center (SERC), an independent research center of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM). He has 30 years of professional experience as an economist, including almost 12 years at Bank Negara Malaysia and 18 years in financial services. He is also an Independent Director of Bank of China Malaysia since December 2021, an independent member of the Investment Committee of Opus Asset Management Sdn Bhd, and a member of the Economic Committee (EC) of the Malaysia Competition Commission.

Ginz Ooi is a Malaysian tech entrepreneur and thought leader who has driven the success of multiple ventures in the region over the past 15 years, contributing to the growth of over 200 brands. Founded and running companies below:​

• WEBQLO – Full service integrated and award winning digital marketing agency with MD certified.
• Adqlo – It is an AI-powered marketing technology SaaS platform, available globally.​
Astravo – An AI-driven cross-border MCN e-commerce livestream company​.

Recognized with prestigious accolades, including:​

• Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian (JCI Malaysia)​
• JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award (JCI Malaysia)​
• Asia Pacific Entrepreneur Award​
• Golden Bull Award​

​Digital & Data Strategy Advisor​

Ginz collaborates with multinational corporations (MNCs) and government bodies to develop data-driven strategies, including:​

• L’Oréal – Advising on AI-driven consumer insights and personalized marketing​
• CHAGEE APAC – Guiding social and data growth strategies for regional expansion in Southeast Asia
• Pizza Hut – Optimizing data analytics for performance enhancement, customer retention, and delivery efficiency​
• Ministry of Health Malaysia – Developing data analytics frameworks for public health initiatives during and post-COVID-19​
• CelcomDigi – Designing and strategizing the digital platform for SME digital solutions​

Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum is a renowned architectural futurist, sustainability advocate, and design activist. He leads [SA]², a hybrid architectural firm known for its innovative, research-driven solutions and international competition wins. Formerly President of PAM and MalaysiaGBC, he now serves as CEO of the Green Building Index (GBI) and sits on its Board of Directors. He is also a board member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) and a Panel of Experts member for KPKT.

A former Editor-in-Chief of Architecture Malaysia, Ar. Sarly holds degrees from the University of Liverpool and Universiti Sains Malaysia. From 2019 to 2024, he was an Associate Professor (Industry) at Universiti Malaya, where he still serves as an industry expert alongside his advisory role at Taylor's College. He is also on the executive committee for the Malaysia Carbon Score and was PAM’s ESG Committee Chairman.

Ashley Amidon is the CEO of the International Wood Products Association. Previously, she served as Vice President of Public Policy for the National Pest Management Association, where she headed the public policy team as a registered lobbyist handling all federal legislative issues, as well as Treasurer of NPMA’s Political Action Committee. Her portfolio focused on pesticides, tax, public health, and small business issues. She simultaneously served as Executive Director of the North Carolina Pest Management Association, which had 250 member companies.

Prior to the pest management industry, she worked as a lobbyist at the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, handling environmental issues. She began her association career at the International Wood Products Association, where she was the lobbyist and PAC administrator, focusing primarily on environmental and trade issues. She started her career in DC as a political fundraiser and has also worked on a series of political campaigns doing GOTV work, fundraising, and scheduling.

She holds a B.A. in History and International Affairs from George Mason University in Virginia and an M.A. in International Affairs from the University of Hull in the UK. She also holds a CAE.

Rupert Oliver has over 30 years of experience analyzing wood supply chains, responsible trade policy, and the environmental impact of forest products. He is currently the Lead Technical Consultant to the American Hardwood Assured (AHA) Program (www.hardwood.us). The AHA Program uses advanced technology to deliver Geographic ID linked to robust data demonstrating negligible risk of illegality and deforestation at the original source of hardwood. It applies a risk-based local jurisdictional approach to overcome logistical and legal challenges in delivering individual plot-level geolocation data with export consignments in the U.S. hardwood context, which is sourced primarily from 9.5 million private non-industrial forest owners in the United States.

The program also addresses technical and capacity constraints to ensure very high-resolution analysis and delivery of disaggregated data, enabling products that fully meet EUDR legal and deforestation-free objectives to continue being sourced from smallholder forestry. Additionally, AHA combines legal and deforestation-free assurance with product-specific data on carbon content and environmental life cycle impacts of U.S. hardwoods, assuring global markets that these are among the most environmentally friendly products available.

Dr. Anna Kleissner is a distinguished economist with over two decades of experience in regional economics, impact analysis, and satellite accounting. She currently serves as Managing Director of Econmove GmbH and holds board positions at several Austrian economic research institutions. Dr. Kleissner has led numerous national and international projects across sectors including sport, culture, biodiversity, and security, with a strong focus on total economic value concepts.

Ms. Shen Wei currently serves as Secretary General of the China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA). She earned her master’s degree from the Chinese Academy of Forestry in 2008. From 2008 to 2011, she worked at the China Office of TRAFFIC, focusing on sustainable forest management and international timber trade research.

Ms. Shen joined CTWPDA in 2012 and has held several positions, including Assistant and later Director of the International Department, Deputy Secretary General, and Secretary General of CTWPDA. She also serves as Secretary General and Executive President of the Wood Import and Export Committee of CTWPDA.

Mr. Murtaza Asgar Balasinourwala is the Founder of Build Mode Building Contracting LLC, based in the UAE. Widely known as the “Wood Doctor,” he is a passionate interior designer and sustainability advocate who specializes in repurposing discarded wood into functional and artistic creations. His innovative work has earned recognition from Dubai Municipality for transforming waste into value.

With over two decades of experience in interior fit-out and joinery, Mr. Murtaza is also a dedicated mentor and educator. He collaborates with institutions like the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in Dubai, where he leads workshops and training programs to upskill professionals and students. His approach blends technical expertise with a deep commitment to environmental and social impact, making him a respected figure in the design and construction industry.

Ingvar Kristensen is an accomplished procurement and international trade professional with extensive experience in sustainable timber sourcing and supply chain management. With a strong focus on compliance, he ensures all procurement activities adhere to international trade regulations, certification standards (FSC, PEFC, OLB, TLTV, GRS etc), and EUTR/EUDR requirements.

Drawing on his background in Forestry and Nature Management, combined with a passion for commerce, Ingvar excels at aligning diverse objectives—including ESG principles—into cohesive strategies that create tangible results. He integrates environmental, social, and governance goals into business operations while driving commercial performance, supplier relations, contract negotiation, and logistics coordination. Known for his leadership and problem-solving skills, he develops high-performing teams and fosters collaboration across international markets. Ingvar translates his expertise, interests, and commercial drive into practical solutions that generate sustainable value for companies, suppliers, and timber markets.

Ingvar is a board member of the Dutch Timber Trade Association, division hardwoods (equivalent of TEAM), and takes part in the expertise group EUTR/EUDR of the association.