Singapore’s Top AI and Data Leaders, All in One Room at CDO Vision

CDO Vision is a global leadership platform convening senior data, analytics, and AI executives to examine how enterprises are building, governing, and scaling AI capabilities at pace and at scale. Through curated peer exchange and closed-door discussion, CDO Vision cuts through the noise, focusing on the operating realities of enterprise AI transformation, what it takes to move beyond pilots, govern responsibly, and embed AI into the core of how organizations run.

CDO Vision Singapore takes place as the fifth edition of the CDO Vision Global AI Series, a 22-city initiative spanning the world's most consequential enterprise markets. With stops already completed across North America and Europe, the series arrives in Singapore carrying compounding insight, patterns of execution, governance, and organizational design that are sharpening with each city. Singapore is not simply a stop on the circuit.

The leading enterprise AI hub of Southeast Asia, Singapore occupies a position that few cities in the world can claim: a mature regulatory environment, a government actively architecting national AI infrastructure through its Smart Nation agenda, and a dense concentration of regional headquarters across financial services, logistics, telecommunications, and the public sector. Singapore-based executives are not only transforming their own organizations, they are setting the pace for AI adoption across an emerging market region of more than 650 million people.

The Vision Awards are presented at every city of the CDO Vision Global AI Series, recognizing senior data, analytics, and AI leaders who are shaping how enterprise AI is built, adopted, and governed within their local ecosystems. As the series progresses across 22 cities worldwide, these awards form a cumulative record of the executives driving measurable, lasting impact, not in theory, but in practice.

At each city, recipients are identified for the concrete role they play in advancing AI maturity: accelerating the shift from isolated experiments to enterprise-scale systems, establishing governance models that hold up under real operating pressure, and building the organizational capability required to sustain momentum. The standard is execution, not aspiration.

The leaders recognized at CDO Vision Singapore reflect the distinct character of AI transformation in one of Asia-Pacific's most sophisticated enterprise environments. Across BFSI, government, telecom, logistics, and regional headquarters operations, they are hardwiring AI into critical decision-making, modernizing data infrastructure to support cross-border scale, and architecting governance frameworks that meet both Singapore's regulatory expectations and the varying compliance landscapes of the markets they serve.

Their influence extends well beyond Singapore's borders. In a region where many organizations are still determining how to build enterprise AI responsibly, these executives are providing a reference model, demonstrating that velocity and control are not opposing forces, and that scalable AI is as much an institutional discipline as it is a technical one.

Singapore is the fifth chapter in a growing global narrative of enterprise AI execution — and by any measure, one of its most consequential.

Singapore’s Vision Awardees (A-Z)

David is a senior AI Industry Expert with over two decades of experience, David has been at the forefront of shaping how organizations adopt and operationalize AI at scale. His work spans enterprise AI strategy, governance, and responsible innovation, consistently turning complex ideas into real-world impact. He has played a pivotal role in advancing ethical AI practices and building frameworks that balance innovation with accountability, influencing both industry and regulatory approaches to AI adoption. Known for bridging academia, policy, and enterprise, David brings a rare ability to translate deep technical expertise into strategic, scalable outcomes.

Deep Thomas is a seasoned data and AI leader with over 25 years of experience building global analytics organizations and driving large-scale digital transformation. He currently leads JPMorgan Chase’s data and AI strategy across APAC, with a focus on governance, risk, and business transformation. Previously, he led enterprise data and AI initiatives at Nomura and held senior leadership roles at Citi, HSBC, American Express, and Aditya Birla Group, delivering significant business impact across industries.

Khalid Nizami brings over 30 years of global leadership experience, driving transformation across digital, cloud, cybersecurity, and AI. As Global Head of IT at Kulicke & Soffa, he leads enterprise modernization and AI adoption on a global scale. His vision centers on a future-driven approach that integrates AI, automation, and secure cloud to build intelligent, resilient digital ecosystems. Through his STATE framework, Khalid delivers clear, actionable transformation roadmaps, balancing innovation with governance and measurable business impact, while putting people first by building capabilities, empowering teams, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and shared success.

Lakshmi Venkatesh is a global leader driving digital and business transformation through data, AI, and cloud across banking and investment management, delivering large-scale, measurable outcomes. She has led enterprise-wide initiatives to modernize platforms, embed AI at scale, and unlock multi-million-dollar value, combining strong strategic vision with execution excellence. With a background spanning Harvard Business School, NUS, MIT, and ongoing doctoral research, she brings a forward-looking perspective at the intersection of data, generative AI, and enterprise value creation.

Natalie Rubnan Que is a Chief Information & Digital Officer with 23+ years of global experience building high-performance teams and driving digital transformation across industries including technology, beauty, food manufacturing, and healthcare. She delivers business-aligned initiatives across people, process, data, and technology, enabling measurable impact and competitive advantage. A passionate people developer, Natalie is committed to nurturing next-generation tech talent and advancing women and children empowerment, actively contributing through teaching and NGO work.

Ram Thilak leads Data & AI at Suntory Beverage & Food , based in Singapore. He drives enterprise-wide transformation across data platforms, advanced analytics, and AI adoption, delivering measurable business impact at scale. With over a decade of experience across automotive, manufacturing, and FMCG, his focus is on embedding AI into the core decision fabric of organizations moving beyond tools to enable lasting, systemic change. Ram is a frequent speaker on data and business transformation, and an alumnus of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and INSEAD.

Terence Kok Wai Chuen

Terence Kok is driving AI-powered transformation across cities and infrastructure in Asia and the Middle East. His work strengthens urban resilience, boosts operational efficiency, and enhances everyday experiences for citizens. By integrating ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data platforms, and intelligent operations, he ensures that digital initiatives deliver real, measurable impact rather than stand-alone pilots. Terence also leads the adoption of digital twins, IoT, and AI-driven asset management, bringing together technology, policy, and practical delivery. He is known for guiding diverse teams from concept to live, data-driven systems that continue to learn, adapt, and optimise city operations over time.

Tinku Gupta is a C-suite executive and board director with over 30 years of leadership across financial services, bringing strong commercial acumen and deep expertise in data, technology and enterprise transformation. As CIO of SGX Group, and previously CTO and Head of Market Data & Access, she has led the modernisation of financial market infrastructure and strengthened the role of data and platforms in driving strategic growth. Focused on the practical application of data and AI, she leads teams to improve operational efficiency, decision-making and risk management, while championing workforce transformation and capability-building.