Bringing over 20 years of marketing experience across the retail industry, Elman is responsible for building the DFI brand and communications inside and out and driving innovative customer experience and synergy across the food and convenience business regionally. She has received various accolades including a Distinguished Marketing Award from the HKMA and, most recently, made the Campaign Women to Watch 2020 list, which celebrates the brightest and most dynamic female talent in marketing, media and communications in Asia-Pacific.
Embraced in diverse cultures and international work experience from Nigeria, London, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, Elman truly speaks for inclusion and diversity and enjoys fostering a team with the same values. Committed to continuous learning, she believes staying curious and getting inspiration from the things around you are key to making a difference. Personally, she is passionate about wellness and undertook Food and Human Nutrition when living in Africa.
Geetika Mehta is the Managing Director of Hershey India. Under her leadership, the brand has witnessed several breakthrough innovation launches with each one clocking ahead of its targets and driving additional growth for the organization. She has been the force behind launching the DEI Strategy and Hershey Pathways Project within the organization to improve and increase the diversity rate.
She has a proven track record of developing and nurturing small businesses as well as leading growth for large brands in diverse markets including South Asia, Thailand, Brazil, and South Africa.
She was featured in The Economic Times’ 40 under Forty list of India’s Top Young Business Leaders.
Quote: “As a jury member, I’m seeking entries that embody a culture of employee well-being, innovation, & growth. The Best Places to Work Asia-Pacific 2023 enables organizations to showcase their commitment to excellence. I’m looking forward to assessing the participants and I wish them success!”
As an accomplished HR professional with over 20 years of experience in diverse industries, I am honored to be part of the jury for the “Best Places to Work” Award. My background includes extensive experience in the training consulting industry, as well as holding HR leadership roles at multinational branding companies. Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in HRBP, Talent & Learning Development, Inclusion & Diversity, Associate Experience, and Internal Communications. With an MBA degree and a deep passion for recognizing organizations that prioritize a positive work culture, I am excited to contribute to this important initiative.
Quote: I prioritize organizations that engage, empower, and energize employees. Join me in recognizing the Best Places to Work in Asia-Pacific with a focus on employee well-being, engagement, and growth.
Harleen is a communications professional with over 21 years of experience spanned across commercial diplomacy, consulting world and tech space.
At Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), she leads the overall integrated communications strategy to support HPE’s business goals and brand reputation in India, Korea and Taiwan.
Harleen built and led the marketing and communication function for Grant Thornton and was a key driver of the bilateral communication strategy for UK Trade & Investment (Department for International Trade) at the British High Commission in India for over a decade.
She is the recipient of the exchange4media’s 40 under 40 PR and Communication Leader award 2019, the Communicator of the year (corporate communication) award 2021 and featured in the Top 100 Influential Game Changers 2022 list in India. A DE&I champion, Harleen is passionate about encouraging more women to achieve their potential and inspiring women at the workplace to realize their dreams and aspirations.
Effective 1 April 2022, Ilja has become Senior Director, Global Learning and Change for Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits with flagship brands including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu Japanese whiskies, as well as world renown premium brands such as Laphroaig, Teacher’s and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Roku, Larios and Sipsmith gins and Haku vodka.
In this position, in line with the company’s strategic Global Talent & Development agenda, being responsible for the company’s Global Learning and Change initiatives. He is based out Asia, being a Permanent Resident of Singapore.
Ilja originally joined Beam Suntory in December 2017 as Regional HR Director as part of the Emerging Asia Leadership Team and functionally reporting into the Regional President based in Singapore and the VP of International Human Resources based in Madrid, Spain. Per April 2019 Ilja became the HR Director for Asia Pacific and Global Travel Retail; and per January 2021 HR International, EX, Learning & Change. Prior to joining Beam Suntory Ilja has gained significant HR experience through Edrington Asia Pacific and Diageo in South East Asia as Director and Head of HR. Prior to his roles in Asia, Ilja was the HR BP for Diageo’s Red Stripe Lager, Guinness & spirits business in Jamaica and Latin America and started his HR career as L&D Manager for the IKEA Group in the Benelux and Great-Britain.
Melissa Chen joined Uber 5 years ago. Over the past few years, Chen has made Taiwan one of Uber’s most strategic markets as it continues to pilot new initiatives with global impact, and Uber Eats an essential household name in Taiwan. Chen draws from a career spanning over 15 years across consumer packaged goods, medical, and tech brands. From Unilever to Johnson & Johnson, she’s worked to improve the local presence & relevance of global brands to serve local consumers’ needs in everyday life.
Quote: Workplace plays an essential role of facilitating better collaboration and more opportunities for innovation with collective wisdom from real interactions. There is no substitute for the chemistry that comes to life when you get brilliant minds together in one place.
Mick has been working in Talent Acquisition for close to 20 years and is currently the Director of Global Tech, Digital and DNA hiring for adidas. Prior to this he held several positions within PepsiCo and has experience leading TA agendas in many markets across the globe with the bulk of time spent in the developing markets. Mick has a depth of experience from leading large global enterprise TA teams to center of excellence pillars across employer branding, DEI, reporting and analytics and capability building.
Quote: This award typifies organizations that have taken an active role driving an inclusive workplace
Passionate about marketing, digital, data and technology, Michel Mommejat has an extensive experience managing global and international brands across multiple countries and market sectors. With more than 20 years of experience in marketing agencies, he is currently Chief Innovation Officer at Genesis Healthcare leading product development and co-managing its Innovation Center in Tokyo. One of his missions is to drive the adoption personalized health, wellness and longevity through genetic science and AI across Japan and the Asia Pacific region.
Mukta is a Human Resources Professional with 25+ years of experience in multiple industries and locations in APAC.
Starting her career with Essar group in Mumbai, India, after completing Masters in Management Studies, she worked in Tata TD Waterhouse Securities/Tata TDW Asset Management, before joining Ogilvy and Mather as Talent Head for Mumbai, Advertising. In 2006, she joined Societe Generale in Mumbai as Head of HR for India and has been with them for the last 17+ years.
She worked in Hong Kong as Regional Head of Talent Development and Inclusion since 2010 and as Head of HR for SEA for Societe Generale in Singapore for 4 years, before being appointed as the CHRO for Societe Generale, APAC, now based in Hong Kong.
She is a Certified Coach (ACC) accredited by International Coaching Federation. She is also a Global Fellow in Talent Management by Wharton University and a Global Talent Management Leader with certification in Diversity and Inclusion, MBTI, FIRO B, Experiential Learning, HR Audit, Competency Mapping and Leadership Development.
She is a published author with 4 books till now- Wanton Thoughts, 3:15 PM- Musings in Hong Kong, Whimsical Times and Criss Cross- A Medley of Thoughts.
She is based in Hong Kong and is fluent in English and Hindi.
