(Inspiration of the Month)

Before Joining Siemens Hong Kong in Aug 2000, Keith was working for Optus-Singtel in Sydney as a telecommunication specialist responsible for transmission/Access Network capacity planning and data center implementation. During his 17 years within Siemens, he was working in the Mobility Division on mainly railway projects and progress his career from Engineer to eventually the Head of the department managing Projects, Bids, Innovation and people development. The area of responsibility were transmission data network, telephone systems, station public address announcement systems, passage display system, CCTV system, SCADA control systems and electrical switch gears for the railway overhead lines. Keith grew the team from 8 to 80 people within 4 years and he is looking forward to a new challenge ahead. Keith is also passionate about young talent development with attendance in career fair and career talks with University undergraduates. Around 10% of his team is employed through these channels and also through internships programmes. Currently, Keith is working in the MindSphere Application Center since 1st Oct 2017 as the Siemens Hong Kong Lead for innovation ideas and software development to enable to better serve our customers and address our customers daily challenges with the application of MindSphere.

(Guest Judge)

Alan Chan is the Manager of Government & Corporate Affairs at IBM China/Hong Kong Limited, he is responsible for the collaboration among Government, Universities, Professional Organizations, Industry Players and Enterprises in digital and innovation development. In addition, Alan is also responsible for IBM Corporate Social Responsibility in Hong Kong.

In Alan’s over 20 years of services at IBM China/Hong Kong Limited, he had held various roles in different Business Units, like Software, Professional Services, Cloud and Global Markets serving China, Hong Kong & Taiwan markets. Alan is an acknowledged transformation and innovation leader; he always brings in innovation ideas and technologies and helps Enterprises pioneering in different aspects.

Born in Hong Kong, Alan holds a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Statistics from McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. Alan is an active participant in Hong Kong community, both IT and non-IT related societies, like Hong Kong Computer Society, Smart City Consortium; and Hong Kong Automotive Association.

(Guest Judge)

Joseph Armas was named Managing Director in January 2019 and is responsible for business operations of the Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan areas of the Otis Elevator Company. He is based in Hong Kong with his wife.

Joseph has been involved in many projects that have pushed innovative technology in the elevator industry. Considered an expert in new technologies such as Destination Dispatch, Machine Room Less, and regenerative elevators, he has incorporated these in significant iconic projectos with major technology firms.

Joined Otis Elevator Company in 2004 in the United States and focused on maintenance area, Joseph had held several functional and general management positions in US regions with overall leadership responsibility for operations in Service, New Equipment and Modernization. Prior to the current role, he served as Senior Director and Regional General Manager, Northern California (USA).

Prior to joining Otis, Joseph seved 6.5 years as an Officer in the United States Army with numerous deployments to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq areas.

Armas holds a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA.

(Guest Judge)

Thomson Lai is a technology veteran with over 20 years of experience in the geospatial industry and is an expert in a wide variety of digital technology. He is a chartered surveyor, CIC Certified BIM Manager, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified project manager. Thomson’s involvement has been integral to many large- scale civil infrastructure projects, and he’s responsible for many digital solutions, including BIM processes and workflows. His recent projects include the Hong Kong International Airport Three-runway System, pilot study on underground space development for the HKSAR Civil Engineering and Development Department, study on integration of BIM & 3D spatial data for the HKSAR Lands Department, and APAC datacenter BIM managed service for multinational technology company.
As an experienced technology practitioner, Thomson is a pioneer who integrates technologies — including BIM, GIS, photogrammetry, IoT, and immersive technology — for civil and infrastructure projects. He is also the Digital Transformation leader of AECOM and is currently leading the digital transformation efforts in Greater China, pushing the adoption of digital technology across the region.

(Guest Judge)

Mr. Truscott has served as the Chief Operating Officer of CLP Power Hong Kong since 2017 and has more than 28 years of experience in the power section with previous roles in development, financing, construction, operations and maintenance. In CLP Power Hong Kong, he led the Power Systems and the Generation businesses previously. He joined the CLP Group in 1999 as Business Development Manager for Southeast Asia and was later appointed Senior Vice President for CLP Southeast Asia in Business Development prior to joining the Hong Kong business. Before joining the CLP Group, Mr. Truscott led development, acquisition and financing efforts for power projects in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Mr. Truscott served as a United States Naval Officer after graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and was qualified as an engineer for a nuclear-powered submarine achieved during his service on board the USS Whale (SSN 638). His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University as well as a graduate degree in International Business from Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria.

(Judge)

Tara Joseph has been president of AmCham Hong Kong since February 2017. She is charged with overall responsibility for leadership and operations of one of the most influential NGO business organizations in the Asia Pacific, with a mission to foster commerce among the United States, Hong Kong and mainland China.

Tara has more than 15 years experience working in Asia, covering top economic and political stories as a foreign correspondent for Reuters. In her 22 years as journalist, she has reported on hundreds of the world’s most important and high profile news stories including Russia’s financial crisis, Myanmar’s emergence from virtual isolation, China's rise on the world stage and the Beijing Olympics to name a few. As a TV reporter and presenter she has interviewed Fortune 500 CEO’s and government officials across the globe.

Earlier in her career, Tara was the editor and main presenter of Reuters Financial Television based in London, and covered emerging markets and G7 economic issues.

Tara is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Journalism, and Smith College in the United States. She has twice served as President of the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong, one of the world’s largest press clubs.

(Speaker)

Gregory has been successfully leading multiple categories at Logitech since 2013, such as desktop speakers and Enterprise Headsets. He drove turnaround for these categories through product innovations, P&L management, and Go-To-Market Strategies. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of a Marine Electronics Equipments Manufacturer in Sweden where he had full P&L responsibility, which he successfully turned around leading to a sale to market leader brand Garmin Ltd.

(Speaker)

Jen Flowers is currently the global head of strategy and business management for partnership development and innovation for HSBC Retail Banking and Wealth Management. She is an expert in design thinking helping companies think outside the box to innovative. Jen has over 15 years experience across marketing, business development, innovation and change. As co-­chair of the TEDx TinHau committee, Jen oversees all facets of the planning and running of multiple non-­profit TEDx conferences and events in her free time. Jen has a masters degree in Chinese Literature, speaks Mandarin and spent over 10 years living across Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Jen currently serves as the Innovation & Technology Committee Co-Chair at AmCham Hong Kong.

(Speaker)

As a strategy and Board advisor, Todd Bryan helps companies transform through new business models and digital strategies. His experience spans Software, Digital Media, Networking Hardware, Consumer Electronics and Durables, Industrial Goods, and Telecommunications.
Previously, Todd has held leadership positions on corporate strategy teams at Philips Lighting, Adobe Systems, and Cisco Systems. Todd was also a strategy consultant with BCG in San Francisco, and an equity analyst with Morgan Stanley in Singapore.
Todd earned a BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MS from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MBA from the Kellogg (Northwestern University).

(Featured Speaker)

Based in Hong Kong, Ming Lai Cheung works as Manager for Illicit Trade Prevention – Asia at Philip Morris International. Among her many responsibilities, she is tasked to devise and execute strategies against illicit trade in selected markets in Asia Pacific which include engaging relevant stakeholders in business and the wider community to bring about legislative and regulatory changes in governments and law enforcement. She has a research interest in terrorism, organized crimes, and human trafficking.

Ming Lai established and chairs the Shadow Economy Sub-Committee (SESC) within the Trade and Investment Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), leading a team of experts in three areas: Financial Crimes and Anti-Money Laundering, Trade Technology, and Intellectual Property Rights Protection and Enforcement to address illicit trade issues in the region.

Ming Lai volunteers as a Charities Reporter for the American Women’s Association (AWA) magazine AWAre and researches, interviews and writes about community projects in Hong Kong. Further, she serves as a Director and Company Secretary for C3 Church Hong Kong providing strategic direction and governance, and overseeing its external relations and charity programs.

Ming Lai was formerly a Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs at AmCham. She is a qualified lawyer of the New South Wales Supreme Court, Australia. She holds a Master of International Law from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Government & Public Administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.