Aileen Tan
Aileen Tan Shau Hwai is a Professor in School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Currently, she is the Director of Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) in USM and also the Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN). She has been elected as the first woman president of the 53-years old UNITAS Malacologica, which is based in Belgium, from 2013-2016.
Professionally, her field of expertise is in marine science, specializing in mariculture and conservation of molluscs. She is the first Malaysian woman who has successfully culture the oysters from eggs and sperms through artificial spawning. Her work on oysters, as featured in the website of World Oyster Society, has gained vast recognition, not only in Malaysia but internationally.
She has received and won many awards from both national and international organizations for her research and service to the community. She was awarded the Outstanding Figure Award 2015 (Anugerah Tokoh Sanggar Sanjung) by USM for her dedication and commitment towards her work. She also has been awarded the Toray Science and Technology awards for her great contribution in science by Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MSTF).
Azmi Hussin
Mohd Azmi Hussin started his career as street caricature artist in 2013. He produced his first Cartoon Book in English entitled "Tanjong Life" in February 2015, under Clarity Publishing, and his second cartoon book titled "The Little Mamak" in 2016. In March 2017, Azmi Hussin made history in Malaysia Book of Records under the category ‘Most Caricature Live Paintings in 24 Hours’ by producing 320 caricatures. Azmi Hussin's third cartoon book titled "The Little Mamak: Lost In Bagan" was published under the sponsorship of ThinkCity in August 2017. He was awarded the "Pekomik KEMBARA Award" by PEKOMIK Malaysia at PWTC Kuala Lumpur in 2018.
Calvin Chan
Calvin Chan is an International Business graduate who discovered his passion in ‘Green’ by accident. He was the 2016 Penang Green Idol and is a Green Activist who is currently focused on reducing food waste and open burning. He believes wholesome excess food should be channeled to those in need instead of being thrown away. His solution to solving the food waste problem was inspired and drawn from the current practices in France, Denmark, and Hong Kong.
Eileen Soon
Eileen works with a unique group of individuals – people with autism. She finds their minds fascinating! Returning from her Masters in San Francisco, Eileen embarked on a journey to understand how this diverse group of people can live independently and be effectively included to find their valuable role in society, exploring the process of inclusion. Featured in the Huffington Post as a voice for Special Education, she not only equips her students with vocational and life skills but works to bring awareness and mindset change in the community.
Mei Tan
Mei Tan is a serial entrepreneur who is currently the Creative Director & COO of Asia Green Group; a property development company. Mei graduated with Honors from the Ringling College of Art & Design in Florida, USA and won a few design awards in the United States. After employment at MTV International as a Graphic Interactive Designer in NYC, she came back to her hometown of Penang as a member of the Executive Management team in Asia Green Group.
She is also the founder of Scoopoint - a disruptive and stylish co-working space in the Penang. The space was formed with the mission of transforming how local people work and empower creative entrepreneurs. Scoopoint is also a community and platform to encourage creativity, passion & collaboration.
She is also the co-founder of Asia Innovation Agency that organises the Asia Innovatif+ Summit & Award in Asia to connect and nurture creativity and innovation among entrepreneurs for business sustainability.
Paul Augustin
Paul Augustin was born and raised in Penang. He was a performing musician for more than 15 years prior to venturing into the event management industry in 1993 as project coordinator for concerts and tours. He set up his own events & venue management company, The Capricorn Connection with his business partner in 1996. In 2004, Paul together with his business started The Penang Island Jazz Festival.
Paul is also the Co-Principal Researcher and Co-Curator of The Penang Musical Heritage Project that has produced two exhibitions on the history of popular music in Penang (in 2010 and 2013 respectively), published a book “Just For The Love Of It, Penang’s Popular Music 1930s – 1960s” (2015) and the creation of “Penang House of Music” which is a venue that houses a Gallery, Black Box and a Resource Centre in 2016.
Sophia Shung
Sophia graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia, majoring in Persuasive Communications. She was trained as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specialised in risk reduction and corporate insurance planning, particularly in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, architecture and property development.
Sophia obtained her Diploma of Auctioneering from Missouri Auction School, USA and is currently one of the only six fine art appraisers in Asia registered with the International Society of Appraisers, USA. She then founded Suma Orientalis Art Auctions Sdn Bhd., an art auction house cum gallery based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
She is one of the directors in Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC). She previously headed the bureau of Self Growth and Learning Development in the chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Section. She has been devoting herself in urban planning, heritage conservation, social and economic development in Penang. At the national level, she currently serves in the committee of National Harmony and Government Affairs in the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).
Teong Hin Saw
Filmmaker
Saw Teong Hin is a multiple award-winning writer, producer and director for film, tv and theatre. Teong Hin’s directorial debut, “Puteri Gunung Ledang” (2004), is the first Malaysian submission for the Academy Awards and the first Malaysian film invited to the Venice International Film Festival. His company, Real Films, produced the Sudirman-tribute musical film, “Hoore! Hoore!” (2012), the Penang Hokkien film, “You Mean The World To Me” (2017).