Navigating Uncertainty: Geopolitical Instability and Its Impact on Frontier Technology

Speakers

Speaker's Profile:

Taimur Baig, PhD, heads global economics and macro strategy for interest rate, credit, and currency at DBS Group Research. He also advises the bank on risk management and investment strategy. Prior to joining DBS in 2017, Dr. Baig was a Principal Economist at the Economic Policy Group, Monetary Authority of Singapore. Earlier, he spent nine years at Deutsche Bank’s Singapore office, where his last position was Managing Director and Chief Economist, Asia. From 1999 to 2007, Dr. Baig was a Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. Dr. Baig publishes extensively on monetary policy, fintech, climate change, demographics, and related areas, and hosts the "Kopi Time" podcast. He serves as an Honorary Advisor to the Global CFO Network, Director Fellow at the Asian Financial Cooperation Association, and Council Member of the Economic Society of Singapore. He holds a PhD in Economics and a BA from the London School of Economics and Wabash College.

Moderator's Profile:

Hsien-Hui brings with him in-depth knowledge and experience in the Business Development and Venture Capital spaces across Australia, Europe, Singapore and the US. As Executive Director of Investments, Hsien-Hui leads SGInnovate's investment efforts, from working with research scientists to create and launch venture-fundable solutions based on their Deep Tech research core, to identifying high-potential, Deep Tech startups working on areas such as advanced manufacturing, AgriFood, health and biomedical sciences, and sustainability. Prior to joining SGInnovate, he was the Managing Partner, Asia Pacific for Wassax Ventures. He also served as the CEO of the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS), as well as Vice President at Staples. In the early 2000s, he co-founded a data mining company, which was sold to a global bank two years later. Hsien-Hui graduated in 1998 from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor of Engineering.

Speaker's Profile:

Steven Okun, Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors, provides analysis and commentary on the US government and its impact on geopolitics. A leader in corporate public affairs, ESG, and stakeholder engagement, he advises private equity firms and the sustainable business network BSR. He is also a Senior Adviser to the Global Private Capital Association and Kroll and Head of External Affairs for the American Association of the Indo-Pacific. Steven spent 12 years in Washington, D.C., including 5 in President Bill Clinton’s administration. A veteran of multiple US presidential campaigns, he is a sought-after speaker and media commentator on CNBC, Channel NewsAsia, and MONEY FM, contributing to major publications. Since moving to Singapore in 2003, he has led public affairs for UPS and KKR. He served as Chair of AmCham Singapore and the AmChams of Asia Pacific and was formerly Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Virginia.

Speaker's Profile:

Professor Tan Tai Yong is the president of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Before he joined SUSS, Professor Tan was President, Yale-NUS College. Prior to Yale-NUS College, he held various academic and leadership appointments at the National University of Singapore – these included Vice Provost (Student Life), Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Head, History Department. He is Emeritus Professor at NUS. Professor Tan is Chairman of the Institute of South Asian Studies’ Management Board. He is a board member of the National Library Board and the National Heritage Board, and Honorary Chairman of the National Museum, Co-Chair of the Founders’ Memorial Committee. Professor Tan was awarded the National Day Administration (Silver) Award in 2009 and the Public Service Award in 2020.