Jochen Wirtz is Vice Dean of MBA Programmes and Professor of Marketing at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore (NUS). He is also an international fellow of the Service Research Center at Karlstad University, Sweden, an Academic Scholar at the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures (CIHF) at Cornell University, US, and a Global Faculty member of the Center for Services Leadership (CSL) at Arizona State University, US.

Dr Wirtz is a leading authority on services marketing and management. His research has been published in over 200 academic journal articles, including six features in Harvard Business Review. He has received over 50 awards for his excellence in research and teaching.

His 20-plus books include Services Marketing – People, Technology, Strategy (9th edition, 2022) and Essentials of Services Marketing (4th edition, 2023). With combined sales of over 1 million copies, they have become globally leading services marketing textbooks. His book Intelligent Automation: Learn how to harness Artificial Intelligence to Boost Business & Make Our World More Humans was an Amazon bestseller for over eight months (World Scientific, 2020).

Dr Wirtz has worked with international consulting firms, including Accenture, Arthur D. Little, and KPMG, and major service firms around the world. He has also been an angel investor in several start-ups, including Dataswyft (www.dataswyft.io) and TranscribeMe (www.TranscribeMe.com).

Dr. Wirtz received his Ph.D. from the London Business School and holds a professional certification in banking. Originally from Germany, Professor Wirtz spent seven years in London before moving to Asia. Today, he shuttles between Asia, the US, and Europe.

Peter Verhezen is a Specialist in Board and Leadership practice.

As a globally recognised strategist, educator, and consultant, he brings expertise in emerging markets, corporate governance, and sustainability to his work.

As a Professor at the University of Antwerp and Antwerp Management School, Peter shares his insights with future leaders, drawing from his extensive experience advising top management and boards across the Asia Pacific region. He leverages his expertise to advise clients on risk management, digital strategy, and sustainability, having previously served as a Consultant at IBM, and a Senior Advisor to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) - World Bank Group. He was the co-founder and CEO of an ICT company for over 15 years in Southeast Asia, Cimad Pacific, till sold to one of the big consulting companies.

Peter has held various academic positions throughout his career, including Professor of Global Corporate Governance, Ethical Leadership, and Risk Management at Melbourne Business School, an award-winning Professor in Global Governance at the University of Melbourne, Research Fellow for Governance at Harvard Kennedy School, and Adjunct Professor of Strategy at Vlerick Business School and Hong Kong University, and UGM in Indonesia. He has coached top executives and boards in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Jakarta and has been a guest speaker at esteemed institutions worldwide.

Peter's thought leadership is reflected in his publications, including several books on corporate governance, leadership, and responsible decision-making in the age of artificial intelligence. His unique blend of academic rigour, consulting expertise, and leadership experience makes him a sought-after advisor and thought leader in his field.

Areas of Expertise

·         Non-Executive & Board Performance
·         Sustainability, ESG Measurements & Investments
·         Digitization & Artificial Intelligence

Mrs. Yu Ping Yu (Ping) is an Associate Partner at Selion Global, specialising in executive coaching and assessments, leadership and people advisory. With a remarkable 25-year journey at HEINEKEN, she brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of driving talent development and empowering leaders to thrive. As a seasoned HR leader, she has held various senior roles, including Senior Director of HR for the APAC region at HEINEKEN from 2013 to 2021, where she was an integral member of the Regional Leadership Team and Global HR Leadership Team.

Throughout her career, Ping has been dedicated to fostering inclusive and diverse environments and has a passion for building a sustainable pipeline of APAC talent for the region and beyond. She has spearheaded various initiatives, including BOOST, APAC's strategic approach to talent development, and established the Asia Pacific Graduate (APG) Program, which has seen over 120 APG join the business. Additionally, she launched the MT Fast-Track and "Uncace" transformation program for leaders across more than 20 countries. Ping also served as a Member of the Board of Heineken Malaysia Berhad.

Ping is a certified Co-Active Coach, a trained Organization, Systems & Relationship Coaching (ORSC) professional, and a certified practitioner of Hogan Assessment Systems. She is also a Certified Chair of the Advisory Board Centre and is currently advancing her coaching training in Neuroscience & Consciousness Transformation. A Taiwanese national married to a Dutchman with two teenage daughters, Ping has lived in Taiwan, the US, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Singapore, bringing a unique blend of cultural understanding and global perspective to her work. Her life purpose is to be a warrior of the heart, championing all diversities and building an inclusive world. With her impressive career trajectory, certifications, and personal mission, Ping is a trusted partner for clients seeking expert guidance in leadership, HR coaching and mentoring, and people advisory.

Cecile Hofer is a Founder and Global Managing Partner of Selion Global. With a storied career spanning decades and continents, Cecile has established herself as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, boards, and investors seeking to future-proof their organisations.

A seasoned management consultant with a profound understanding of the intricacies of human capital, Cecile has cultivated her expertise in C-suite appointments, advisory, and strategic guidance for mid-sized and large corporations, family-owned enterprises, and venture capitalists worldwide. Her extensive experience in board and leadership consulting services has equipped her with a unique understanding of the challenges faced by senior leaders, allowing her to distil complexity into clarity and connect the dots between people, purpose, and profit.

Cecile's areas of expertise include building and enhancing boards, succession planning, culture and diversity hiring expertise, and senior talent management across various industries. Her ability to identify and develop top talent, advise on strategic leadership initiatives, and foster effective boards and executive teams has earned her a reputation as a trusted confidante to senior leaders.

Through her leadership, Selion Global Retreats brings together distinguished experts, boards, and business leaders to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration. Her passion for empowering leadership excellence extends beyond her professional pursuits, as she finds inspiration in sports and photography, embracing a philosophy of dynamic living and fostering meaningful connections that resonate

Cecile has built a reputation as a leader who can navigate complexity, drive results, and inspire others to do the same. Her distinctive strength lies in her ability to discern patterns, connect the dots, and unlock the potential of individuals and organisations alike, fostering sustainable growth and transformation.

Thomas Hofer is a Founder and Global Managing Partner of Selion Global, a globally renowned professional services firm in leadership consulting, board advisory and executive search. With decades of extensive experience at the board and senior management levels, Thomas brings a high-level insider perspective to his work. He is highly accomplished in executive search, board consulting, succession planning, and strategic executive talent advisory.

Thomas has established a reputation for partnering with clients with integrity, agility, discretion, and dedication, fostering enduring relationships with senior management executives and industry insiders worldwide. With a broad span of experience across multiple industries, he is committed to advising clients on informed leadership choices, empowering talented professionals to assume pivotal roles, and guiding them toward insightful decisions that drive success.

As a former Commanding Officer of a regiment, Thomas brings extensive leadership and management experience, having led four battalions and 2,500 military personnel. He also has a lifelong interest in sports, having voluntarily served as Team Manager of the Swiss National Elite Rowing Team and participated in the World Cup and World Championships during two Olympic Cycles.

Thomas is passionate about giving back to the community, having served as the Chair of a charity supporting families and children in underprivileged areas and as a Board Member of a Swiss-Indian foundation building schools for slum children. He is a Freeman of the City of London and enjoys visiting his favourite city often.

As a seasoned professional, Thomas believes in supporting tomorrow's leaders through pro bono mentoring and sharing his expertise. He embraces a philosophy of continuous growth, seeking answers, and unlocking potential. This approach underpins his commitment to delivering exceptional results and making a positive impact in the world of leadership consulting and executive search.

Katja de Jong is Associate Partner Selion Global BeNeLux, and Director and Regional Manager BeNeLux at Board Connect GmbH, based in the Netherlands. With over twelve years of expertise in executive search, she excels in delivering international and pan-European mandates.

Throughout her distinguished career, Katja has held various senior roles at prominent management and personnel consultancies, including Kienbaum and Amrop. She has developed a broad range of skills, including project management, client acquisition, and cross-sector expertise.

Katja holds a degree in Criminology from Erasmus University Rotterdam, with a focus on "Crime & Organisations." Committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, Katja is dedicated to advancing women in management and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across cultures. Her industry expertise spans High Tech, Consumer Goods/Retail, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Telecommunications, with a focus on placing top executives, managers, and senior-level experts.