The Global Leader's Playbook: A Front Row Fireside with Tan Wern-Yuen
This event is jointly organised by the Singapore Global Network and Singapore Leaders Network in partnership with Front Row Media.
What does it take to rise to the top of Fortune 100 companies?
How can leaders from our part of the world navigate the complexities of global organisations, competing priorities, and cultural differences to lead global teams effectively.
Join us for an intimate fireside chat exploring the leadership journey of Tan Wern-Yuen, who served as CEO of PepsiCo APAC , while concurrently serving its Global Chief Commercial Officer.
Before his role at Pepsico, he was the President and CEO of Walmart China, overseeing more than $10 billion in annual revenues across Walmart, Sam’s Club, and e-commerce operations.
This conversation will unpack the decisions, challenges, and mindset shifts required to lead at the highest levels of global business.
We'll explore:
The path from early career to C-suite leadership in multinational corporations
Critical inflection points and decisions that shaped his trajectory
Leading diverse, global teams across different cultural contexts
What Singapore-based professionals can learn about competing for global leadership roles
The reality of executive decision-making in complex, fast-moving environments
Wern-Yuen's experience across retail, consumer goods, restaurants, consulting, government and investment offers a comprehensive perspective on leadership principles that transcend any single industry or context.
Schedule Of Events
6:00–6:30 PM: Registration
6:30–7:30 PM: Loh Hei Celebration & Networking Dinner
7:30–8:30 PM: Fireside Chat with Tan Wern-Yuen
8:30–9:00 PM: Q&A and Closing Remarks
About The Speaker
Tan Wern-Yuen is a Partner at Hillhouse Investment, leading the firm's consumer and retail investments practice globally.
Before joining Hillhouse in 2025, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at PepsiCo and CEO of PepsiCo Asia Pacific (including Australia, New Zealand, and China), where he spearheaded strategic growth initiatives and worked with market teams and channel partners to enhance the company's commercial data and digital capabilities.
Previously, as President and CEO of Walmart China, he oversaw more than $10 billion in annual revenues across Walmart, Sam's Club, and e-commerce operations.
Under his leadership, the company became an industry pioneer in omnichannel innovation and retail digitisation.
His earlier experience includes leading Strategy & Insights for McDonald's across Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, and serving as Managing Director for McDonald's Taiwan.
Before that, he was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group, advising clients in retail, consumer, and private equity on growth strategy and turnarounds.
Wern-Yuen began his career with the Singapore government, serving in the Singapore Police Force and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Wern-Yuen holds a degree in economics and management from the University of Oxford and a master's in finance from the University of Cambridge. He currently serves on the boards of Calbee Inc., the Singapore Economic Development Board, and Raffles Medical Group.
His experience across retail, consumer goods, restaurants, consulting, and investment offers a comprehensive perspective on leadership principles that transcend any single industry or context.
About The Moderator
Keith Yap is the founder and host of The Front Row Podcast, exploring economic, geopolitical, and technological forces shaping our world through interviews with leading scholars, policymakers, and business leaders.
You can find his podcast here at https://www.youtube.com/@keithyap65