LeadForward Roadshow (Asia Pacific)
Join The Mentoring Club for a three-session virtual experience exploring how leaders across Asia-Pacific can draw strength from their cultural values, find their voice, and create meaningful impact.
The program follows a journey from finding your calling, to finding your voice, to envisioning the future you want to create.
Program
Session 1 — Leadership: The Asian Way — Finding Your Calling, Creating Your Impact
Featuring Maria Banatao, moderated by Earl Martin Valencia. Explore how cultural values can strengthen leadership and how education, mentorship, and giving back can create opportunities for future generations.
Session 2 — Leadership Communication: Finding Your Voice Without Losing Your Culture
With Jojo Flores, Lisa Galea, and Azra Parveen, moderated by Ranvir Singsachakul. Consider how to speak up, influence, and advocate while staying grounded in the values and identity that matter to you.
Session 3 — Envision Your Future. Inspire Action. Create Impact.
Facilitated by Kimberly Wiefling, with Hong Nguyen-Phuong as moderator. Clarify what matters most, define your personal “North Star,” and identify practical actions toward a meaningful future.
Key Takeaways
Explore how cultural values can become leadership strengths.
Consider ways to build confidence, visibility, and influence.
Learn to speak up and advocate while staying authentic to your culture.
Reflect on what matters most and what meaningful work means to you.
Define a personal “North Star” and identify practical next steps.
Recognize how mentors, peers, and other “Thinking Partners” can support your progress.
Target Audience
This Roadshow is for people across Asia-Pacific, Oceania, the diaspora, and allies around the world who want to grow as leaders and create meaningful impact. It is especially relevant for professionals, entrepreneurs, mentors, mentees, students, and emerging and experienced leaders—including those navigating multicultural workplaces.
Come ready to listen, reflect, connect, and take action.
How will you use your values, voice, and vision to create impact?
Dates
November 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM SGT / November 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM PST - November 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM PST
Speakers and Moderators
Maria C. Banatao, Earl Martin Valencia, Jojo Flores, Lisa Galea, Azra Parveen, Ranvir Singsachakul, Kimberly Wiefling, Hong Nguyen-Phuong
SESSION 1
Earl Martin Valencia is a member of AWS Startup & VC Partnerships team in Silicon Valley. He connects Silicon Valley expertise with Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem. A former founder and investor, he co-founded Plentina, IdeaSpace, and QBO, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in the Philippines. He is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and co-author of "Startup Mindsets: A Blueprint to Thrive in an Innovation-Driven and Globally Connected World."
Maria Banatao is a Filipino-American philanthropist, community leader, and co-founder of the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev). She champions education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, connecting Silicon Valley expertise with Filipino talent. Through PhilDev, she supports STEM scholarships, mentorship, and partnerships that expand opportunities for Filipino students and contribute to nation-building.
SESSION 2
Ranvir Singsachakul is a branding consultant, former university lecturer, and Six Sigma Black Belt who helps individuals and companies build credible LinkedIn brands rooted in clarity, consistency, and real-world experience. Drawing on his background in Business Psychology, Business Strategy, and startup operations across Southeast Asia, he brings a practical, purpose-driven approach to branding that values substance over empty visibility.
Lisa Galea is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Creative Change Collective and AImegos, bridging AI and human creativity to help leaders navigate complexity and communicate with influence. Based in Australia’s Byron Bay Hinterland, she brings 30 years of global brand experience, a background in behavioral science, and training in Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead™. Through creative problem-solving and immersive retreats, she helps leaders turn chaos into clarity, spark innovation, and reimagine possibilities.
Jojo Flores is the co-founder of Plug and Play Technology Center and Launchgarage, connecting technology startups with investors, corporations, and global opportunities. Through Plug and Play’s international network and Launchgarage’s work in the Philippines and ASEAN, he helps entrepreneurs accelerate growth and access funding. Drawing on decades of experience building and leading international businesses, he also supports technology and education initiatives that bridge Philippine innovators, universities, and Silicon Valley.
Azra Parveen is a product and digital professional with experience in digital transformation and customer-facing technology in aviation. She collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver digital products and improve customer experiences. As a mentor, she helps professionals build confidence, strengthen communication and stakeholder skills, and recognize their strengths to create clear, achievable paths toward their career goals.
SESSION 3
Hong Nguyen-Phuong helps people navigate change, exercise good judgment, and take responsibility for the impact they make. His work combines decades of Silicon Valley experience with mentoring, leadership development, and emerging AI technologies.
Kimberly Wiefling is a global leadership facilitator, author, and cofounder of Silicon Valley Alliances. For 20+ years, she has helped leaders and teams across 50+ countries strengthen leadership, collaboration, innovation, and impact. Her work blends human leadership, AI, and sustainability to help people achieve what once seemed impossible.