C. Foo James is an Adjunct Professor with the National University of Singapore and the Founder of Financial Storytelling. He has dedicated his life to helping non-financial people understand the power of financial statements in a simple, easy, and fun way.
With years of experience as a former regional finance head of a US Fortune 500 company, James is an expert in his field, but what sets him apart is his love for storytelling. By weaving together engaging narratives with complex financial concepts, James is able to make finance come wonderfully alive for his learners. His upcoming book, "Financial Storytelling: Once Upon a Balance Sheet," is poised to revolutionize the way we think about finance. By emphasizing the power of financial analysis as a storytelling tool, James shows us that financial statements are not just numbers and figures but a window into a business's strength, performance, and health.
Walter de Oude is a fintech entrepreneur and insurance innovator best known for founding Chocolate Finance and Singlife. As Founder and CEO of Chocolate Finance, he is reimagining how people grow their spare cash by offering a simpler, more accessible alternative to traditional savings products, built around the idea that better returns can help people live richer lives.
Previously, Walter founded Singlife in 2014 and led its growth into one of Singapore’s most significant financial services success stories, scaling the business to a valuation of S$3.2 billion by 2020 through organic and inorganic expansion. Before Singlife, he held senior leadership roles at HSBC Insurance Singapore, including CEO, and also served as a Director of HSBC Asset Management. His earlier career included actuarial and consulting roles with Swiss Re and Willis Towers Watson.
Walter is also the founder of Chocolate Ventures, investing in early-stage companies where he can add strategic value.
With 3 decades in Management Consulting, Taranjeet is highly recognized in business-organizational transformation, performance improvement, value creation and realization and employee engagement. He has had senior leadership experiences in Malaysia, Asia Pacific and Central Asia. He commenced his career at the then PriceWaterhouse in Corporate Finance and Restructuring Practice followed by the lead role in Talent Management within SEA at Hewitt Associates. Presently, Taranjeet is the CEO of Quantum Steppe Advisory, a boutique Management Consulting Firm focussing on Human Capital Management, in SEA. His work ranges from supporting organisations in their valuation/journey, executive coaching of senior leadership team, bank restructuring, assessment of talent and the institutionalization of a values driven high performing work culture across a global MNC. Taranjeet is a credentialed member of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia and has obtained the highest accolade within the coaching world - Master Credentialed Coach (MCC) with International Coaching Federation, US.
Chari TVT is a highly respected business leader and finance strategist with over three decades of experience in telecommunications, technology, and aviation across the Asia Pacific. Renowned for his financial acumen and strategic foresight, Chari has held pivotal leadership roles, including Group CFO of Axiata Group Berhad and CFO of Celcom Axiata, where he shaped financial strategy and operational excellence for one of Asia’s largest telecom conglomerates. Prior to this, he spent more than 20 years at Hewlett-Packard, culminating as Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific and Japan, driving significant regional growth. Today, Chari serves as an Independent Director on the boards of UEM Sunrise Berhad, AirAsia Aviation Group, and PhilTower, providing governance leadership across audit, risk, and finance committees. A fellow of CIMA (UK) and MBA graduate from SUNY Buffalo, Chari is also an active mentor and speaker on leadership, transformation, and business innovation.
