WomenExecs on Boards (WEoB) is a global network dedicated to empowering and supporting each other to reach leadership positions in the C-suite and on corporate boards. All the women in our network share a common experience of having taken board governance training courses at Harvard Business School. We provide a community for networking, peer support, and education while advocating for gender equality, diverse leadership, and governance excellence. Boards Can’t Count on Gover

Sharon Simmons didn't come to the Oval Office to talk geopolitics. She came to talk tips. And when pressed on transgender rights, on whether she voted for Trump, she did something most communications professionals struggle to do under pressure: she stayed on message. "I'm here about no tax on tips." That story opened APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun's fireside chat with the Asia-Pacific Association of Communication Directors (APACD) — a network of Corporate Affairs and Communica

For the first time, private capital investments in Chinese robotics companies nearly matched those in AI. That milestone framed a timely conversation at the FT Asia Wealth Summit, hosted by Professional Wealth Management (PWM) and Financial Times Live. APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun joined a panel examining how investors are approaching the opportunity in "Physical AI" in China — the convergence of robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence that is rapidly reshaping the

As the conflict in Iran continues to evolve, so do its implications for global trade. APAC Advisors hosted the fourth in its War with Iran webinar series, bringing together three leading voices to assess where things stand — and what businesses should be preparing for. The tariff roadmap Barbara Weisel, Former Assistant USTR and Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, laid out the tariff landscape with precision. The key date to watch is July 24th, when the

At the KangaNews Debt Capital Market Summit 2026, Steven Okun delivered a keynote highlighting how a new geopolitical era is set to drive higher global energy costs. He emphasized that regardless of how or when the war with Iran ends, governments will increasingly prioritise energy security and resilience—an approach that will come with significant financial implications. Okun underscored that businesses and investors must recognise and respond to this “gray rhino” risk. In t

A Middle East war. A Beijing visit. A midterm election. Three things that have no business happening at the same time - and yet, here we are! Steven Okun was at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore yesterday working through all of it - Iran's ripple effects, where China fits into an increasingly crowded US foreign policy agenda, and the electoral pressures shaping every move Washington makes right now. The big question hanging over the room: is Trump'

As part of The Nanson’s ongoing geopolitical series, we had the opportunity to take part in a timely and thought-provoking discussion examining the shifting nature of global order—and what it means for businesses and investors today. The conversation, led by Bilahari Kausikan and centered around his best-selling book “The Myth of the Asian Century,” explored a fundamental idea: that we are not entering a new or unprecedented era, but rather returning to a more historically t

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we were pleased to host a timely and thought-provoking webinar exploring a critical question for today’s workforce: will artificial intelligence help propel women forward—or risk setting them back? Titled “The New Gender Divide: How AI Could Propel Women Forward – or Set Them Back,” the session brought together insightful perspectives from across APAC Advisors, featuring Senior Advisor for Responsible Investment Megan Willis, along

The benefits of AI may arrive in the future — but the costs are being paid now. While AI holds the promise of significant societal upside, its environmental footprint and workforce impacts are immediate. That imbalance is likely to drive further disruption unless it is addressed deliberately and early. A key part of this conversation is the green AI paradox — and it was great to see APAC Advisors Senior Advisor Megan Willis bring her deep expertise on the social impacts of

In the Trump 2.0 era, government relations and public relations can no longer operate in silos. One year into President Trump’s return to office, the central challenge for public affairs and communications leaders in Asia is internalising a new geopolitical reality — one where America First policies and US–China dynamics directly shape reputational risk and business outcomes. In a recent private briefing held in APAC Advisors’ capacity as senior advisors to Edelman, APAC Advi

n a world shaped by geopolitics, trade, and AI, career paths are anything but linear. During a guest lecture at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun shared how trade negotiations play out in the real world — and what that means for businesses navigating global complexity. The conversation also turned to career advice for students interested in international relations. Three themes stood out: the importance of making yourself unique

Geopolitics is increasingly shaping what responsible AI looks like in practice. In a recent guest lecture with ESSEC Business School’s Asia-Pacific cohort in Singapore, APAC Advisors explored how geopolitical forces are pushing businesses and investors to confront the Responsible AI trilemma — emissions, job displacement, and inequality. The discussion highlighted a growing recognition among business leaders that responsible AI is no longer optional. It is being driven by rea

“China comes to the world” is no longer a future scenario — it’s already underway. As Chinese companies move beyond EVs into robotics, advanced manufacturing, and Physical AI, their ability to combine software, hardware, and scale is positioning them to compete globally. Companies that have succeeded in China’s complex, fragmented domestic market are increasingly well placed to expand into growth regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe — sooner rathe

What does Year 2 of Trump 2.0 mean for markets, geopolitics, and the global order?In the latest Second Term Trump discussion at The Nanson, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun In the latest Second Term Trump discussion at The Nanson, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun joined Taimur Baig and Ethan Wu to unpack the macro picture — from why the US and China remain globally dominant, to why AI is set to become a central issue in upcoming US midterms. The discussion highlighted a surprising

AI: More Excited or Concerned? Reflections from a Guest Lecture at Elon University APAC Advisors recently hosted a guest lecture with students from Elon University’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business during their visit to Singapore, centred on a simple but revealing question: are students more excited or more concerned about artificial intelligence? For many of the students, this was their first structured discussion on AI beyond the technology itself. The conversati

Make Yourself Unique: Geopolitics and Global Careers in an Uncertain World APAC Advisors recently joined graduate students from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Johns Hopkins University–Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies for a guest lecture on how geopolitics is shaping global careers. The discussion reflected how far geopolitics has moved beyond traditional policy analysis. Today, it influences business strateg

At The Nanson , we went behind the scenes of Hollywood. No soundbites, just an honest look at an industry being reshaped by streaming platforms and the growing influence of AI. Steve had the pleasure of moderating a conversation with his friend Brunson Green -- Academy Award–nominated producer for THE HELP -- and someone who knows the industry beyond the glossy headlines. The conversation took some personal turns, including stories about life with his husband, Jason Collin

Provided the lunch keynote for the Nomura ASEAN+ Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. This kicks-off my speaker series focusing on Year 2 of Trump 2 and how the US midterms will impact geopolitics. One key area to watch: Trump focusing domestically on affordability, which can impact both domestic policies and tariffs, while his also being even less constrained internationally. Great discussion with Euben Paracuelles following his keynote and thanks to Amy Ng and Linda Nga

Trade Uncertainties Challenge for Manufacturers Globally Thanks to AMCHAM Malaysia (American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce) for bringing Steve to Penang to lead an in-depth discussion connecting the front page to the business section for its members there. While entering the second year of Trump brings clarity the former global rules-based trading system will not come back, uncertainties still abound, including whether the US and China will reach a deal to reduce tariffs, h

The First AI Election: What the 2026 Midtetms Will Mean for the US — And Why It Matters in Asia For Steve's session with AmCham HK today, he discussed how AI will be central to the US elections, and what lessons that may bring for businesses and investors in Asia. Great to be joined by Delicia T. of Edelman to discuss how communications and public affairs must become more integrated, and thanks to Eden Woon who moderated the discussion.