Asia’s 40 Under 40
In a world that is constantly evolving, the driving force behind change often lies in the hands of young leaders, visionaries, and innovators. As Asia continues to emerge as a global powerhouse, it’s the dynamic force of its under-40 founders, business leaders, c-suite professionals and innovators who are pushing boundaries, breaking norms, and shaping the future in ways we could only imagine a decade ago. At TradeFlock Magazine, we have always prided ourselves on celebrating the innovators and trailblazers who are transforming industries, from technology to finance, from sustainability to education. As we reflect on the profound shifts across the region, we are thrilled to present our new edition Asia’s 40 Under 40—a collection of young leaders from Asia who have left their mark and are continuing to inspire a generation. In this special edition, we offer an exclusive look into their minds and the secrets behind their remarkable journeys. Through candid conversations and insightful features, we dive deep into how these Asian leaders under 40 navigated obstacles, innovated for success, and shaped industries with their vision. From leadership lessons to success stories, we uncover the strategies, philosophies, and values that propel them forward.
Elie combines discipline, resilience, and continuous learning in his leadership journey. His background in national service and nonprofit leadership refined his skills in teamwork, crisis management, and infrastructure building. Elie’s bold move to China, leveraging his expertise in Asian Studies and Mandarin, enabled Mobileye to expand and dominate the Chinese automotive market, while now leading operations in both India and China.
Harshvardhan Singh
Head of Strategic Partnerships
Harshvardhan thrives on resilience and determination. His journey from a disciplined childhood in Patna to leading transformative partnerships at one of the region’s key enterprises is a testament to his focus on excellence. With a data-driven, collaborative approach, he ensures that each partnership fuels sustainable growth, leaving a legacy of accountability and impact in his wake.
Aaron is transforming financial management in the Philippines with a user-friendly app that empowers over 1.4 million Filipinos to track income, expenses, and savings. With roots in Milan and deep ties to his homeland, Aaron combines global perspective with local insight to bridge financial literacy gaps. His visionary leadership is paving the way for a financially empowered Philippines, one peso at a time.
Adel Sajan blends tradition and innovation to lead the UAE’s real estate and construction industries. From expanding Danube’s portfolio to driving digital transformation and sustainability, Adel’s vision has reshaped the company. His journey from a hands-on start to a global leader highlights his adaptability and commitment to future growth.
Anirudh is revolutionising technology with his expertise in automation and cutting-edge fields like soft robotics and 3D printing. A graduate of SUTD and NTU, he turned complex research into practical solutions, including a food 3D printer prototype. Now, at Galamad Aerospace, Anirudh pushes technological boundaries, applying first principles to drive innovation in the space industry and make advanced technologies more accessible.
Anjli is a key driver of transformation across one of Asia’s largest healthcare-focused private equity firms. With over 16 years of experience in healthcare and private equity, Anjli has worked at top institutions like Max Healthcare, Fortis, and AIG Hospitals, where she honed her expertise in clinical operations, business expansion, and financial management. In her current role, she combines strategic vision with hands-on solutions to optimize value across Quadria’s portfolio.
Anna combines her passion for accounting with a commitment to creating impactful solutions for businesses. After honing her skills at SGV & Co. (EY Philippines) and InCorp., she identified a gap in the professional services sector, where traditional firms struggled to cater to agile startups. Co-founding Apeiron, she redefined corporate services with tech-enabled solutions designed to scale with businesses.
Avishay is at the forefront of revolutionising the Web 3.0 space by tackling one of its most pressing challenges—data confidentiality. Drawing from his cryptography expertise gained at VMware and various startups, Avishay advocates for verifiability over transparency, ensuring secure transactions without exposing sensitive information. At Soda Labs, he champions a culture of rapid experimentation and innovation, where privacy is a fundamental right.
Benjamin is reshaping cybersecurity with innovation and resilience. From hacking his school’s network to launching a game-changing platform, Continuous Automated Red Teaming (CART), Benjamin’s journey is defined by turning challenges into breakthroughs. watchTowr’s proactive defense system helps global enterprises stay one step ahead of cyber threats. He continues to drive cybersecurity forward, mentoring the next generation of digital defenders while expanding his company’s global impact.
Chalana is transforming Sri Lanka’s tourism with a focus on sustainability and community empowerment. In response to the pandemic and political turmoil, he’s pioneered regenerative tourism practices, championing climate-conscious solutions. With plans to expand globally, Chalana is leading the way for a more resilient and inclusive tourism future. Through RETRACE™, Chalana has empowered local businesses to pivot towards domestic tourism and adopt climate-conscious strategies
Christ merges his 16 years as a professional singer with entrepreneurial prowess, infusing creativity into his ventures. With a track record of founding successful businesses, he focuses on building the right teams, validating ideas, and aligning products with consumer needs. Christ’s unique blend of artistry and strategic thinking drives innovation and sustainable growth at Rasa Juara.
Clarence Ching founded Access Singapore to bridge the gap for disadvantaged youth by offering mentorship and career exposure. With a belief in relational leadership, Clarence fosters a dynamic where both mentors and mentees learn from each other, empowering students to overcome societal barriers. His vision for Access Singapore is to expand its reach and create lasting partnerships, driving social change and providing more young people the opportunity to realize their potential.
Dr. Eddy blends his engineering passion with entrepreneurship, using technology to drive innovation and address societal challenges. Starting his first business at 19, he quickly adapted to emerging trends and continues to shape the future with strategic, impactful solutions. His leadership is defined by a vision that stays ahead of industry shifts, ensuring sustainable growth and lasting change through tech-driven solutions.
Fred is not just leading an e-commerce platform—he’s architecting the future of online shopping. By blending AI and blockchain, he’s crafting a tokenised ecosystem that turns setbacks into stepping stones and transforms the digital shopping experience. As AiMalls gears up to redefine the industry in 2025, Fred is laying the foundation for an e-commerce revolution where innovation is limitless.
Huda’s journey from corporate finance to beauty mogul is a story of reinvention and resilience. After launching her blog in 2010, she built Huda Beauty into a billion-dollar brand focused on inclusivity and diversity. By listening to her audience and creating high-quality, accessible products, Huda transformed the beauty industry. Her success proves that passion and authenticity can turn dreams into global empires.
Jun leads with a unique focus on “human management,” emphasising transparency, trust, and relationship-building. Drawing from his experience at ABeam Consulting, he accelerated his career through clear communication and collaboration. At Anfini, he combines data-driven decision-making with emotional intelligence, driving significant growth and positioning the company as an industry leader in ERP implementations. His leadership fosters alignment between human and operational elements, ensuring long-term success.
Kaniyet has led Boxo in revolutionising app integration, helping businesses create seamless ecosystems across various industries like e-commerce and finance. After pivoting from a travel superapp in 2019, Boxo now focuses on enhancing user experiences through efficient integration. His focus on security, partnerships, and continuous development positions Boxo for future global growth and technological advancements.
Beyond just running a company—Macy is revolutionising the entrepreneurial game for SMEs in the Philippines. As the Co-founder and CEO of Enstack, she’s turned a mobile app into a lifeline for business owners. By blending e-commerce experience, fintech innovation, and a deep understanding of local markets, Macy has crafted a platform that handles everything from inventory to logistics in one simple, smartphone-friendly space. Macy is building a product and an entrepreneurial ecosystem that’s empowering the future of Philippine businesses.
Maria set out to transform traditional interventions by making them more empathetic and aligned with the lived experiences of communities. Driven by her frustration with one-size-fits-all solutions, she created AHA! BD to address the gaps in behavioral science through culturally relevant, co-created, and insight-driven designs. Under her leadership, the Philippines-based startup has rapidly grown from 4 to 70 employees, reaching nearly 2 million Filipinos and partnering with over 100 organisations.
Marianne Hughes is a true change-maker in the world of supply chain management. As the CEO and founder of Kno Global, she has fused ethics with innovation to create a platform that transforms the fashion supply chain, elevating the lives of factory workers while simultaneously boosting factory profitability. Her approach centers around humanizing the supply chain, offering a unique solution that allows workers to anonymously voice concerns, thereby creating transparency and trust within factories.
Meidy is a transformative force in Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionising how the technology enhances public safety, smart cities, and enterprise solutions across Indonesia. Under his leadership, Nodeflux developed VisionAIre, an advanced platform capable of processing over 200 million faces in real-time, improving public safety and traffic management. Meidy’s pioneering work earned Nodeflux global recognition as the first Indonesian company to pass the NIST Face Recognition Vendor Test.
Dr. Mohannad (Nido) Ashtar turned his passion for pop culture into a thriving career. After initially training as a dentist and pursuing cancer research in Japan, Nido immersed himself in Japan’s pop culture scene, attending conventions and networking with industry leaders. This sparked his transition from a hobbyist to an entrepreneur, founding Pro Retro X, LLC, a collectibles-focused company. Today, he continues to drive the pop culture industry forward, leveraging his expertise to foster growth in collectibles and engage with fans across the globe.
Nazhath is dedicated to bridging gaps for vulnerable populations in Singapore, including low-income families, migrant workers, and marginalised youth. Her leadership focuses on creating impactful programs like the “Sowing Care Together” movement, which promotes interfaith volunteerism. Prior to HIA, Nazhath led initiatives at the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) and founded hash.peace, an organisation fostering peace through dialogue among youth.
Omar Al Busaidy, President of Future Pipe Industries UAE & Oman, blends global insights with national pride, driving innovation in sustainable engineering and fostering diversity. With a background in marketing and international affairs, he champions digital transformation and employee development at FPI. As a thought leader and public speaker, Omar inspires with his vision for leadership and sustainable practices.
Pete transformed Southeast Asia’s air logistics by building the region’s largest network and driving $250 million in revenues. With a background in chemical engineering and finance, Pete’s leadership at Teleport integrates AI and advanced logistics for e-commerce growth. His vision includes empowering small businesses and advancing sustainable solutions, positioning Teleport as a key player in global logistics.
Primo is redefining the creative landscape in Indonesia. As the founder of Geometry Media, he has transformed branding into an art form by blending authentic storytelling with strategic innovation. His agency is not just about creating brands, but about forging deep connections that resonate with audiences on a personal level. Under his leadership, Geometry Media has become a beacon for businesses looking to transcend traditional marketing and embrace a more genuine, impactful approach.
Rorian Pratyaksa is one of Indonesia’s youngest and most influential leaders, recognised for his entrepreneurial prowess, technological innovation, and strategic vision. As the co-founder of Momofin and Woobiz, along with his advisory roles at key organisations like KADIN and PINA Centre for Creative Financing, Rorian has redefined Indonesia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and sparked transformative changes across Southeast Asia.
Rudy leads with a focus on creativity, optimism, and innovation, believing that enjoying work fuels success. He has shaped AirAsia’s global brand strategy, emphasising consistency across markets while leveraging digital marketing. Rudy’s leadership is defined by ethical practices, growth, and mentorship, aiming for continued innovation and global expansion. His leadership approach is driven by a clear vision: innovation, ethical practices, and continuous growth.
Sabrina is known for her strategic foresight, blending bold risk-taking with financial stability to drive growth. She has transformed OQ’s financial strategy, focusing on digital innovation, sustainable financing, and resilience in the global energy market. Her leadership empowers her team and positions OQ for future growth, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and expanding global presence.
Saima is a visionary leader with over a decade of entrepreneurial experience across fitness, nutrition, and construction. She has transformed HP Industries with innovations in thermal insulation and construction chemicals, driving market expansion in GCC and Asia. Her commitment to sustainability, coupled with her strategic vision and business expertise, has positioned the company for growth and success in key projects like the FIFA World Cup and Sheikh Faisal Museum.
Sanjay is a seasoned finance leader with experience across sectors like brewing, telecom, FMCG, and e-commerce. He drives financial transformation at Microsoft, optimising resources, ensuring compliance with global tax norms, and fostering innovation. Sanjay’s strategic foresight and focus on cost optimisation have enhanced operational efficiency, while his people-centric leadership helps develop the next generation of finance talent.
Shreyash Devalkar manages ₹85,000 crore in assets with a research-driven strategy.With a background in chemical engineering and an MBA from JBIMS, Shreyash’s career spans roles at J.P. Morgan, IDFC Securities, and BNP Paribas AMC, where he developed a reputation for delivering consistent, high-performing funds. His leadership has solidified Axis Mutual Fund’s position as a trusted name in India’s equity market.
Shaik Nifael Bin Shaik Nazeemuddin’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, adaptability, and determination. Overcoming early challenges, such as being a minority student and excelling in National Service despite physical limitations, Shaik developed a mindset that turned obstacles into opportunities. In 2015, he founded Jetters Incz. Pte. Ltd. to address gaps in the drainage industry, using his technical expertise from previous roles.
Dr. Sonakshi’s transition from India to the UAE has provided her with valuable insights into the differences between educational systems and professional practices in both regions. As an Assistant Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology and a Licensed Psychologist at OPENMINDS Psychiatry, Counselling & Neuroscience Centre, she has observed how the UAE’s strict regulatory framework and quality checks in education set it apart.
Stanislaus created Indonesia’s first health platform to help parents track children’s growth, vaccinations, and milestones. With a background in finance, he co-founded Modal Rakyat to provide financial solutions for small businesses, disbursing $100 million in loans. He’s also an educator, teaching fintech and entrepreneurship, fostering future innovators. Now, he aims to expand PrimaKu’s reach and further digitalise Indonesia’s pediatric healthcare ecosystem.
Sushil has made a significant mark in both Dubai’s real estate and hospitality sectors. His journey began in Mumbai, where he honed his skills in real estate, eventually moving to Dubai to work with DAMAC Properties and later Best Choice Real Estate. In 2017, he co-founded Darjeeling Cafe, transforming Dubai’s dining scene with exceptional Pan-Asian cuisine. Sushil’s strategic leadership continues to drive growth in both his real estate ventures and the hospitality sector, solidifying his influence in Dubai’s competitive markets.
Suzy is a visionary leader who has played a pivotal role in shaping Bahrain’s growing FinTech ecosystem. With over 15 years of experience in banking and finance, she combines a strong educational background and strategic expertise to foster innovation and growth in the region. Since joining Bahrain FinTech Bay in 2019, Suzy has been instrumental in establishing key partnerships and initiatives that have bolstered Bahrain’s position as a leading FinTech hub in the Middle East.
Titipun Tubthong, Head of Creative at Brilliant & Million, blends art and technology to lead innovative campaigns. Known for his groundbreaking NFT work like “Flipped Face,” he’s a global thought leader in Web3 and digital art. A creative visionary, Titipun’s work bridges cultural boundaries, inspiring others to embrace innovation while staying true to design principles.
Ugeng Wijaya, Co-Founder and Partner at Board of Transformation and Excellence (BTX), bridges the gap between strategy and execution. With a background in project management, leadership, and Agile coaching, he focuses on creating actionable, adaptable solutions for businesses. Ugeng’s expertise in business agility and digital transformation has led him to speak at over 50 global conferences, driving change and delivering tangible results.
Harshvardhan thrives on resilience and determination. His journey from a disciplined childhood in Patna to leading transformative partnerships at one of the region’s key enterprises is a testament to his focus on excellence. With a data-driven, collaborative approach, he ensures that each partnership fuels sustainable growth, leaving a legacy of accountability and impact in his wake.