2024 Board of Governors in HCMC – Biographic Information

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2024 Board of Governors in HCMC

Ramachandran A.S. (RamC)

CHAIRPERSON, Citi Country Officer, Vietnam, Citibank N.A.

RamC is the Citi Country Officer for Citibank in Vietnam. He is on the Board of both Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City chapters of AmCham.

Earlier, RamC was the Emerging Markets Coverage Head for Citi’s Global Subsidiaries Group (GSG), based in London. In parallel, RamC was the Eastern Europe Head for GSG.

RamC has 28 years of corporate banking experience with Citi across multiple functions. He started in India, set up the Citibank N.A. branch in Pune in 1998 and was later the Branded Consumer Industry Head (India) from 2001-03. He then spent 3 years in Citi Netherlands covering Citi’s Dutch multinational clients. RamC was in Singapore 2006-11 leading coverage of Citi’s multinational clients across Asia Pacific. He was in London from 2011 to 2021.

Through his extensive travel to 37 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa & Latin America, RamC has insights on the latest trends, market developments and best practices. His unique experience with the largest multinational companies across the world enables him to advocate policies, frameworks and regulations that foster healthy, sustainable growth.

RamC holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the BITS Pilani (India) and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore.

Winnie Wong

VICE CHAIR, Country Manager, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, Asia Pacific, Mastercard

Winnie Wong is responsible for growing Mastercard’s business in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. With her experience in consumer and corporate payments and banking, she brings fresh perspective to the markets on digital payments and solutions.

Prior to her current role, Winnie was the Commercial B2B Sales Head for the region, where she was responsible for driving growth for Mastercard’s Business-to-Business (B2B) solutions across Asia Pacific. This includes working with governments, banks and corporations on trade digitization with the aim of improving efficiency and transparency, especially for cross-border trade.

Winnie is also the 2022 Chair for AmCham Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. In this capacity, she leads the AmCham Board of Governors comprising key US multinationals across various industries. During this time, Winnie actively worked with AmCham and its members in furthering US-Vietnam relations, including representing AmCham in discussions with Vietnamese government and US Mission with the aim of building and fostering a stable business environment for US business to grow and thrive.

Michael Nguyen

VICE CHAIR, Country Director, Boeing Vietnam

Michael Vu Nguyen is the Country Director of Boeing Vietnam, appointed to the role in September 2021. Based in Hanoi, Michael is responsible for strengthening Boeing’s presence in Vietnam and supporting the company’s growth opportunities in the country.

Prior to Boeing, Michael spent more than 30 years across a myriad of industries, including aviation, healthcare, education and manufacturing. Some highlights of his past experience include Country Representative in Vietnam for Airport Development Corporation & Houston Airport System, and Chief Representative in the U.S. for Vinmec Healthcare System, a part of Vingroup Corporation.

Michael has a bachelor’s degree in MIS from Elizabethtown College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He speaks English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Leo Garcia

SECRETARY, General Director, Coca-Cola Vietnam and Cambodia

Leonardo Garcia is the Vietnam and Cambodia General Manager of Coca-Cola, one of the World leaders in Beverages that “Refresh the World. Make a difference.”

Leonardo is currently responsible for the entire franchise operations in Vietnam and Cambodia, leading the best-in-class teams to accelerate growth, win in the market, and win-win with the customers. He is also an executive committee member of AmCham Vietnam and, for three consecutive years, on the AmCham Vietnam Board of Governors, where he played a crucial role in driving the AmCham Vietnam mission.

Leonardo is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of work experience in Brazil, China (Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang), Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, holding various critical roles. Over his career journey, Leonardo has enabled multiple business turnarounds, driven operational excellence, accelerated Brand building, and built high-impact teams that have delivered market-leading performance over his career journey.

Leonardo graduated from Universidade de Brasília with a degree in business management in 1999, and in 2003, he earned an MBA in Marketing from Fundação Getúlio Vargas – FGV.

Leonardo married, with two children. He and his family are based in Ho Chi Minh City.

James Meffen

TREASURER, Senior Director of Finance, AES Vietnam

James is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in the power and infrastructure sector spanning four continents and more than $5 billion in financings. Currently, he is the CFO of Son My LNG Terminal a joint venture company of AES and PetroVietnam Gas and the Senior Director of Finance for AES Vietnam. He is well-versed in the opportunities and challenges of the energy sector in Vietnam and the region, and has a keen interest in promoting sustainable and innovative solutions. James also currently serves as the co-chair of the Amcham Energy Committee, where he contributes his insights and expertise to the policy dialogue and advocacy efforts including the Direct PPA program and the development of the LNG sector.

James has lived in Vietnam since 2021 with his wife and four children. Prior to Vietnam, James lead the treasury for AES businesses in Europe and Asia.

Jesse Boone

Director of Campus Development, Fulbright University Vietnam

Jesse Boone has lived and worked in Vietnam since 2010. He has served as Director of Facilities and Campus Development at Fulbright University Vietnam since 2018, where his primary focus is developing the university’s 15ha flagship campus. Prior to that, he oversaw the development of the first phase of British University Vietnam’s campus in Hanoi, and has worked with Indochina Capital, where he managed the Indochina Plaza Hanoi (IPH) complex. This combination of professional experience has resulted in a passion for developing world-class campuses in Vietnam. He has served on the boards of AmCham Hanoi (2 terms), and of Operation Smile Vietnam. Jesse was raised in Kinshasa, Zaire, but is originally from New Jersey. Jesse holds a BA from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. In his free time Jesse enjoys playing guitar, running, playing tennis, and cooking.

Dr. Dam Thi Hoang Lan

Director, External Affairs, MSD Vietnam

Lan Dam has over 23 years of expertise in the healthcare profession and is passionate about improving the health of the Vietnamese people. She has been involved in numerous healthcare projects and programs and policy development aimed at increasing patient access to new innovative treatments in various organizations.

Lan joined MSD in 2016, and she has led the Policy and Government Relations, Market Access, and Communications department since then, which has given her opportunities to pursue her commitment and contribution to Vietnam’s healthcare mission, as well as to assist the innovative pharmaceutical industry in maintaining sustainable business and continued investments. She has contributed to MSD Vietnam’s achievements in improving access to health, which has been recognized and awarded the Ministry of Health’s “For the People’s Health” Medal. She has taken proactive measures to facilitate the implementation of several programs in Vietnam, including initiatives such as “MSD for Mothers” and “Anti-microbial stewardship” (utilizing the One Health strategy).

She has also been passionate about promoting sustainability, which is defined as “meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.She has actively encouraged the MSD Vietnam team to participate in annual beach clean-ups and blood donation drives.

Lan Dam holds a Medical Doctor degree from Hanoi Medical University, a Doctor of Business Administration from the American Heritage University of Southern California, and a Master of Science (Sustainability Leadership) from the University of Cambridge, the U.K.

Do Thai Vuong

Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam

Do Thai Vuong is the Vice President, Corporate Affairs of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam (SPVB), having close to 30 years of diverse working experience in both Public and Private sectors, across various industries.

There has been no limit to the diversity of industries Vuong experienced and he is keen on driving government strategy, strategic communications & advocacy and sustainability initiatives; playing leading roles in biggest MNCs from beverage to nutrition and FMCG. Under his leadership, SPVB is leading in multiple sustainability platforms with the Government from plastic reduction to water protection education & water conversation through forest planting.

Prior joining SPVB, Vuong was Vice President – Sustainable Business and Communications at Unilever, successfully establishing strategic partnership with Government on key sustainability agenda.

Vuong holds Master degree (Cum Laude) in Business Management from UBIS International Study where he becomes Associate Professor after graduation. In his free time, we can see Vuong diving in the ocean as he holds Advance Open Water certificate or being the professional yoga instructor.

Le Thi Thanh

Special Counsel, Baker & McKenzie

Thanh is a Special Counsel based in the Ho Chi Minh City office of Baker & McKenzie Vietnam. She is a core member of the corporate / M&A practice group, and is focused on mergers and acquisitions, and foreign direct investment, into Vietnam. She has extensive experience advising multinational companies from a wide range of industries, private equity houses, on cross-border investments and divestments, joint venture and fund raise, and the establishment of business and operations in Vietnam. Being a transactional lawyer, she is particularly strong in dealing with market entry advice, deal structuring, legal due diligence, and negotiations over transaction documents.

Before joining Baker & McKenzie, Thanh spent four years working at the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City (the “DPI”), being the government authority that is in charge of foreign investment in Ho Chi Minh City. At the DPI, Thanh worked as a consultant/ governmental expert and had consulted, advised on and examined more than 300 investment projects from foreign individuals/organizations in Ho Chi Minh City.

She was also a member of the team at the DPI that contributed opinions to Project 30 launched by the then Prime Minister for the purpose of reducing administrative procedures by 30%. This was part of the regulatory reforms to modernize public service and simplify the regulatory environment for businesses from 2009 to 2010 in Vietnam.

Tram Nguyen

Country General Director, Microsoft Asia Pacific

Tram has more than 20 years of international management experience across Europe and Asia, having been in senior leadership positions in technology, telecommunications, and media ecosystem. Tram joins Microsoft from Google APAC where she led the country operations for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Prior to that, she was the VP and GM for FOX Networks Group and has led leadership positions at Vietnamobile, VSTV – the first joint-venture between the national broadcaster Vietnam Television VTV and the French Pay TV group Canal Plus, PayPal, and Orange France.

Passionate about economic development enablement through capacity building in business and trade, she was a Fellow Researcher for the United Nations Development Programme and authored two published case studies (in English) on inspiring inclusive business models having demonstrated both commercial and development impact in Vietnam (2010).

A compulsive baker in Covid times, she also loves to design jewelry and fashion accessories, when she is not exploring the world with her family and two children.

Walt Power

CEO, The Grand Ho Tram

Walt Power, the CEO of The Grand Ho Tram, is one of Asia’s most experienced gaming industry executives. Prior to his arrival in Vietnam in February of 2020, Walt worked for 18 years in Macau, and was instrumental in the development, opening and operation of the “Sands”, the first western casino in Macau.

A 30-year gaming industry veteran, he has accumulated extensive international experience through executive leadership positions at resorts in the United States, Argentina, South Africa, and the Philippines, in addition to his work in Vietnam and Macau.

Mr. Power is a former United States Marine Corps Major and aviator. During his time in the cockpit, Walt earned the designations of Helicopter Aircraft Commander, Flight Instructor, and Functional Test Pilot. He also served with the first International Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon in August 1982, participating in the initial evacuation of non-combatants from that war torn country.

Walt earned his Bachelor Degree and Master Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Walt holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and was a medalist in his age group at the 2014 and 2019 World Master Championships.

Giovanni Rojas

Senior Managing Director, Target Sourcing Services Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia

Giovanni has 20 years industry experience spanning China, South East Asia and Latin America with Leadership roles of Global Sourcing, Engineering and corporate supply chain strategy.

Giovanni has a sound record in transforming global sourcing/supply organizations through new operating models, innovative supplier collaboration strategies, and cutting-edge technology. He is seasoned in establishing and evolving teams at critical functions in strategic sourcing countries.

His footprint in Vietnam goes back to 2011 and currently is focused on boosting supply chain value, ESG, and diversification while enhancing supply chain transparency.

Giovanni is a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is motivated to cultivate highly engaged partnerships to operationalize business practices.

Brad Segal

Co-Founder, Eddies Company Limited

Brad Segal brings over 30 years of diverse business experience in Vietnam, encompassing sourcing, manufacturing, retail, and food & beverage industries. His journey in Asia began in 1988 with Inchcape, a British conglomerate, where he eventually became a Regional GM overseeing hard lines sourcing across nine countries. In 1991, he established Inchcape’s Vietnam sourcing office.

In 1994, Brad ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing his own export, trading, and manufacturing business in Vietnam. Starting with IKEA as his first customer, he transformed his factory into a prominent home furnishings company, exporting to over 40 countries and collaborating with renowned retailers and importers globally.

Following his successful exit from manufacturing, Brad dedicated the past decade to building multiple retail and F&B brands in Saigon. Prior to relocating to Vietnam in 1995, he lived and worked in San Francisco, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Shanghai, gaining valuable experience in corporate and entrepreneurial roles in retail, manufacturing, and trading.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Brad holds a BA Degree in Business-Economics from The Colorado College and studied at City University Business School in London.

Hao Tran

CEO, Vietcetera Media

Hao currently serves as the CEO of Vietcetera Media, a digital media network that he co-founded in 2016.

He has shared on trends in Vietnam and greater Southeast Asia including and not limited to venture capital, technology startups, food and beverage, tourism, retail and trade. His insights and those from Vietcetera and his projects have been featured on media outlets such as Monocle, CNBC, CNN, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the LA Times, and Bloomberg News.

He also advises a number of SMEs, family offices, and Fortune 500 companies seeking expertise in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, helping strategize key decisions including long-term growth, delivery models and business expansion.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Hao’s career has led him to both coasts of the US, the UK, India and now Vietnam.

Vo Nguyen Khanh Nha

Business Development Director, SSA Marine

As a Vietnamese national I have witnessed my country’s transformative journey through partnerships with developed economies since 1994. I’m in charge of business development for SSA in Vietnam and serve as a member of the board at two local joint venture ports.

SSA Marine is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA. We own and operate marine port facilities. About 90 % of global trade is transported by sea making ports critical infrastructure. SSA operates in about 250 locations worldwide and we are the largest US company in this industry. Our marine terminals handle about 30 million containers per year placing SSA center stage vis-à-vis international supply chains connecting global trade and commerce.

Prior to my current role, I gathered years of experience in development and policy advocacy, collaborating closely with GTZ and relevant ministries in Hanoi. This background has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of policy formulation and the ability to effect positive change. Additionally, I hold a master’s degree in development planning from the University of Queensland, Australia.

Giang Vu

Government and Public Affairs, Director, Nike Vietnam

Giang Vu is NIKE’s Director for Government and Public Affairs, leading the government engagement and community impact program for NIKE in Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand. She co-chairs Amcham Vietnam’s Manufacturing Committee and is an active member at various committees in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Prior to NIKE, she led communications for CARE International in Vietnam, a non-profit organization with a primary focus on women’s empowerment, and covered Vietnam’s foreign affairs for Tuoi Tre newspaper, one of the leading papers in the country.

Giang holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Diplomacy Academy of Vietnam and a master’s degree in public administration from the School of Public Policy at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.

Philip Ziter

Senior Associate, Russin & Vecchi

With 12 years experience in Vietnam, I primarily advise on corporate and transactional matters, and on financing arrangements for Russin & Vecchi. My experience also includes acting as legal advisor to a handful of startup companies. My experience extends to the fintech, blockchain, and e-commerce industries, and I routinely advise tech companies entering and operating in the market. I advise manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and many entities involved in cross-border transactions, on inbound investments that center on corporate finance, real estate, manufacturing, energy, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions.

I have been active with AmCham Vietnam, particularly with its Healthcare Committee, serving as its Legal Advisor since 2019. In this capacity, I’ve played an active role supporting the committee’s leadership team to advance its strategic plan: to serve as a key facilitator for both U.S. mission and stakeholders including people, government, and businesses to strengthen healthcare systems and expand access to healthcare and wellness in Vietnam.

Honorary Mem‌bers

Gregory Harris

Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service

Gregory Harris began his tour as PCO in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2023. PCO Harris will be responsible for commercial operations in southern Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant commercial areas.

Before undertaking Vietnamese studies, PCO Harris finished his tour as PCO in Beijing China, our largest office which covers a territory with a GDP of $6 trillion dollars. In Beijing, his team helped client close more than a record $50 billion dollars in sales and investment contracts for U.S. entities. He was known for developing staff to numerous promotions and awards, including several Gold Medal Awards, the Commerce Department’s highest honor. He was also intimately involved in helping provide life-saving materials for the American people during the pandemic.

Previously, Mr. Harris was the Senior Commercial Officer and Director of the Commercial Service’s Liaison Office to the Asian Development Bank. In this regional leadership role, he helped U.S. firms bid on ADB projects in forty countries across Asia. He was also a pioneer in recognizing the strategic and commercial importance of the Pacific. Mr. Harris also led commercial operations in southern Taiwan as PCO in Kaohsiung.

Mr. Harris also served as team leader at two of our busiest commercial posts, Shanghai, and Taipei, where he was a global leader in helping clients achieve their export goals. Before entering international operations, he served clients from the US Export Assistance Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Harris earned a BA from the University of New Mexico and a MA from the Jackson School at the University of Washington. He is professionally qualified in Chinese and Vietnamese. A veteran, Mr. Harris served as a cryptologic linguist for the U.S. Air Force with tours in Japan and Korea. He is married with two children.

Matt Kustel

Economic Chief, U.S. Consulate Ho Chi Minh City

Matt is the Economic Chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Matt’s prior tours include South Korea, the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs, India, and Laos. Matt grew up outside San Francisco and enjoys hiking, reading, and basketball. He is joined by his wife and three children.