Ashwin Ramesh is the founder and CEO of Synup, an integrated local marketing platform based in NYC that empowers multi-location brands, agencies, and partners to enhance their digital presence. Under his leadership, Synup has become a trusted platform for listing, reputation, and social media management, providing real-time insights and scalable solutions to drive growth for SMBs. Ashwin began his entrepreneurial journey at age 14, running a profitable online marketing business in his teens, and chose to pursue entrepreneurship full-time over a formal college degree. In 2018, he was recognized on Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 list for his achievements in tech and marketing.
Brendan King, Co-Founder and CEO of Vendasta, is a driving force behind the company’s innovative approach to online reputation and digital marketing for SMBs. With over 25 years in technology, Brendan has been instrumental in creating Vendasta’s AI-powered platform, enabling agencies to manage reviews, social content, and lead conversion at scale. His dedication to empowering local businesses with digital tools has helped Vendasta support over a quarter of a million businesses worldwide.
Dr. Gengen He is the International Partnership Manager at Amap, part of Alibaba Group, and has two decades of experience in geospatial and mapping. His diverse background includes roles as a Professor at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, a National Science Foundation Fellow, and an advisor to the Jiangsu Ministry of Technology. Dr. He also contributed to Esri's local government solutions team and founded a startup focused on indoor mapping. Recently, he joined Amap’s international team to advance global mapping strategies.
Elise Balsillie, Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand, is a passionate advocate for small business growth and digital transformation. With over 25 years of experience in media, education, and technology, Elise has spent two decades at Thryv, leading teams to help small businesses embrace digital solutions. She focuses on streamlining operations for SMBs, enabling them to grow, hire, and thrive. Elise is a recognized public speaker, sharing insights on digital transformation, organizational growth, and employee engagement at industry events. Under her leadership, Thryv has been named 'Employer of Choice' for two consecutive years. Outside of work, Elise enjoys time outdoors and supporting her family at sports events.
Frank Grasso, CEO of FeedOps Australia, has managed over $700 million in ad spend, driving billions in revenue for clients. With a hands-on background in mechanics, Frank transitioned into digital advertising and founded FeedOps to help eCommerce businesses optimize ad relevance, increase conversions, and lower costs. His unique approach uses data-driven strategies to enhance ad performance for SMBs.
Hiroyuki Misumi is the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at NTT Town Page. With over 30 years at Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Hiroyuki has been a driving force in digital transformation initiatives, especially in the APAC region. His leadership focuses on innovative digital solutions that support local businesses, helping them stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Jared Turner co-founded Boostability in 2009 and is the Chief Technology Officer. With over 25 years in technology and online marketing, Jared has been integral to Boostability’s growth, helping agencies provide scalable SEO services to SMBs. His focus on innovative, white-label solutions has made Boostability a leader in supporting SMBs with accessible, revenue-driving SEO.
Lex ten Veen is the Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships at Uberall, where he leads strategic initiatives to expand the company's presence in location marketing and digital solutions globally. A seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and founder, Lex joined Uberall following its acquisition of Navads in 2018, a company he co-founded and led as CEO. At Navads, he played a pivotal role in establishing a global footprint in local search and location data management. With deep expertise in business development, marketing, and technology strategy, Lex has worked with leading tech companies to enhance their digital ecosystems and drive competitive growth. Known for his innovative approach and commitment to excellence, he focuses on building partnerships that empower businesses to leverage cutting-edge location technology for transformative results.
Miggy Bautista is the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Execution at DPC. He has over 15 years of experience in marketing, design, and business operations. He has led teams in developing software and applications for DPC clients and formed partnerships with leading SaaS providers. Miggy’s experience provides him with unique insights into the needs of Philippine SMBs, particularly around digital solutions and SaaS adoption.
Natalie Ruiz is the CEO of AnswerConnect, a leader in human-powered customer experience solutions for SMBs. Known for her dynamic leadership, Natalie has driven the company’s growth through strategic, customer-focused initiatives, setting new standards in service excellence and tech innovation. She is an award-winning executive, recognised as Female Executive of the Year and Women Helping Women by the Stevie Awards, a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal, and one of the "100 Women to Know in America."
Neal Polachek is the co-founder of Dialog, a research and advisory initiative focused on AI’s role in the local marketplace. With over 25 years in strategy consulting, digital marketing, and business development, Neal has been a transformative figure in local digital strategies. He has held roles as an advisor and speaker for local businesses, media, and SaaS technology, with extensive experience guiding digital agencies on adapting to AI and digital transformations.
Paul Donlan is a key sales leader at Wix, specializing in strategic partnerships and business development to drive growth in enterprise solutions and reseller channels. Known for his expertise in building relationships and managing complex deals, Paul has been instrumental in expanding Wix’s presence in the parent reseller segment. With a collaborative approach honed over 30 years, he has achieved success in closing high-profile deals and fostering lasting partnerships across the global digital ecosystem. Paul focuses on creating innovative solutions that align with customer needs and industry standards.
Paul Korber serves as Microsoft’s Director of Partner Development for the APAC region. With extensive expertise in AI, digital privacy, and partner growth, Paul works closely with organizations across Asia-Pacific to drive digital transformation. His focus on leveraging AI and innovative technologies positions him as a key thought leader in adapting to the evolving digital landscape in APAC.
Paul Massard is a Global Executive Trainer and Coach renowned for his expertise in self-awareness, mindful leadership, and values-driven success. With over 20 years in sales and general management roles across Europe and Asia for companies like Alstom and Saint-Gobain, Paul brings deep insights into multicultural business dynamics and organizational transformation. Fluent in Chinese, French, and English, Paul is based in Bangkok and holds ACC accreditation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He is certified in Hogan Leadership Assessment, as a Master Coach and Trainer in NLP (ABNLP), and as a Yoga and Breathworks Teacher. Paul’s mission is to help leaders cultivate self-awareness, reconnect with purpose, and thrive in the AI-driven future.
Peter Buxton is an independent consultant with extensive experience in directory publishing and its transformation into digital media. Over the past 25 years, Peter has managed his own consultancy, advising clients worldwide on best practices in sales management, HR, and executive coaching. His career includes executive roles within the ITT organization and a tenure as General Manager of MMRD Publications in Yangon, Myanmar, from 2015 to 2017. Known for his ability to adapt proven strategies to diverse cultural settings, Peter specializes in transferring expertise to emerging markets, enhancing business practices across various regions.
Philipp Kandal is the Chief Product Officer at Grab, where he leads the Product, Design, and Analytics teams, driving trusted solutions for consumers, drivers, and merchant partners. Since joining in 2019, Philipp has overseen Grab’s Geo business and spearheaded the launch of GrabMaps to meet Southeast Asia’s mapping needs. With two decades of experience in technology, Philipp co-founded Skobbler and served as Senior VP of Engineering at Telenav. He holds an MBA from the University of Cologne and studied at NHH Norwegian School of Economics and UDEM Universidad de Monterrey.
Sawitree Chaiyasut (Aor) is the Head of Partnership at WhosCall (Gogolook Thailand), leading strategic partnerships and growth initiatives for Gogolook's enterprise solutions. With experience in corporate sales, product management, and digital marketing, Sawitree has worked with brands like LINE Plus, Comseven International, and Big C Supercenter. She has driven digital campaigns with Nuren Thailand, Hot Now Thailand, and Rabbit Line Pay and previously led business development at WiPay, creating partnerships across sectors. Her expertise strengthens Gogolook’s ties with financial institutions, telecoms, SMEs, and state-owned enterprises.
Sumita, Chief Operating Officer at Adaan Digital, has over 20 years of experience in media, publishing, and digital marketing. Since Adaan’s inception in 2005, she has shaped its operational strategies, focusing on SMB marketing and process optimisation. Sumita has led Adaan’s expansion into scalable, white-label services for agencies, making it a key player in digital marketing solutions.
Sudy Rao is the AVP of Sales at Synup, bringing over 15 years of experience in SaaS sales and revenue management. Known for his expertise in setting up effective go-to-market strategies, Sudy specializes in scaling revenue operations and enhancing retention for Synup’s agency and reseller partners. His leadership has been instrumental in driving growth and delivering high-impact solutions for Synup’s clients in the digital marketing space.
Swami Sekar, Operating Partner at Accelerating Asia Ventures, is a seasoned technologist, entrepreneur, and investor. With over 200 advisory and coaching roles across various APAC-based startups, Swami is deeply involved in the region’s tech startup ecosystem. He has led AI and voice strategy projects for top brands and held leadership roles at AMD, LivePerson AI, Intel, and VMWare. Swami holds a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and an MBA from MIT, making him a key contributor to tech-driven innovation.
Since 2005, Trevor Nadeau has been a pivotal figure in local search and digital marketing, focusing on enhancing online visibility for businesses in the Middle East and Turkey. As the founder of Local Knowledge, he brings deep insight into the challenges SMBs face with digital discovery across platforms. Trevor specializes in optimizing “brick and mortar” locations for better visibility on web searches, maps, apps, and navigation systems.
Charles Laughlin is an accomplished business journalist, event producer, and podcaster with extensive experience in the tech and media sectors. As Co-Founder of BigFive Digital, Charles focuses on how emerging technologies impact small businesses in Africa and the Middle East. He has organized conferences worldwide, from San Francisco to Cape Town, with an emphasis on tech-driven transformation for SMEs. Charles honed his event production skills at The Kelsey Group and later applied his expertise at Localogy, BigFive Digital, ALSMA, and more. He hosts BigFive Digital’s BIG5D Podcast, exploring tech’s influence on African and Middle Eastern businesses, and co-hosts Localogy’s This Week in Local podcast, examining big tech’s impact on local businesses. Charles also founded The Craft of Conferencing, an agency dedicated to conference management and best practices for event professionals.
