Regulation tightens across Asia and artificial intelligence reshapes business operations, forcing chief compliance officers to move beyond traditional gatekeeping. These leaders are building governance into strategy, guiding innovation, and turning regulatory complexity into operational resilience and competitive advantage.
The 20 executives recognised in this year’s list illustrate how compliance has evolved from a reactive back-office function into a strategic partner. Their responsibilities now span artificial intelligence governance, financial regulation, data privacy, digital assets and corporate ethics. Chief compliance officers are helping businesses anticipate risk while pursuing growth.
From Back Office to Strategic Partner
Meng Choo Cheah at Dyson positioned the legal function as a strategic partner during the company’s largest-ever product portfolio launch. By championing automation and AI tools, her team translated complex regulatory requirements into practical support for Dyson’s largest-ever product portfolio launch, while improving efficiency and responsiveness. The role of compliance is evolving to support innovation.
Glen Chee has made compliance a competitive differentiator for Coinhako in Singapore’s tightly regulated digital-asset market. Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its anti-money laundering and terrorism financing controls, supporting broader efforts to prevent scams. Chee was named 2024 Compliance Officer of the Year and also received the Outstanding Community Award from the Singapore Police Force.
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Doris Chen has transformed compliance at dsm-firmenich into a strategic business partner across the Asia Pacific region’s nutrition and beauty sectors. She established systems to identify risks earlier and developed data-privacy frameworks that reconcile global standards with China’s regulatory requirements.
Connie Chu has developed group-wide frameworks at Aboitiz, enhancing coordination across the company’s diverse businesses, including power, banking, and food. She also delivered environmental, social and governance (ESG) and labour-compliance training and advised on the acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, showing how integrated compliance can support major transactions.
Do Thi Hang has ensured F88’s operations are aligned with Vietnam’s legal requirements, supporting the company’s expansion and capital raising efforts. She also made compliance training mandatory for more than 4,000 employees-going beyond statutory requirements to embed accountability throughout the fintech company.
Sanjeev Gemawat at Essar has harmonised compliance and risk frameworks across energy, steel and infrastructure businesses. Nearly three decades of experience in litigation, M&A and corporate governance inform his approach to complex, overlapping obligations.
Natsue Ishida has rebuilt SEGA SAMMY’s compliance organisation, establishing group-wide governance that links business strategy to common ethical standards. With over two decades of experience in developing compliance capabilities across various sectors, including automotive, financial services, and cosmetics, Ishida applies lessons from one industry to another while remaining attuned to sector-specific nuances.
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Managing Crisis and Regulatory Remediation
Lam Chee Kin has played a key role at DBS in meeting remediation commitments following service disruptions, working closely with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. His efforts have reinforced the bank’s governance, accountability, and operational resilience, highlighting the importance of compliance teams in managing both routine regulatory compliance and crisis situations.
Uijae Lee has developed operational strategies for Veolia Korea, translating South Korea’s building-energy-efficiency requirements into actionable plans. The frameworks she has created support the company’s environmental services business while ensuring alignment with evolving carbon-neutrality targets and regulations, demonstrating how compliance can drive environmental objectives.
Handling Complex Data and M&A Challenges
When Malaysia introduced mandatory data-breach notification in 2025, Yin Ee Ong developed a group-wide response for Warisan TC. Serving as both Group Integrity Officer and Data Protection Officer, she brings together several increasingly interconnected areas of governance.
Joel Pang helped Western Union secure regulatory approval for its acquisition of DASH, a digital wallet with 1.5 million users. He has also implemented AI-enabled monitoring across jurisdictions, combining transaction support with modernised compliance controls. This combination of M&A expertise and AI tools reflects the changing skill set required for compliance professionals.
