Ruth Abishegam Clark

Ruth serves as SVP of Learning & Development at Azimuth Centre of Excellence, an international company dedicated to creating customised training and Human Resources consultancy for corporate clients using disruptive methodologies.

She brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector across the Asia Pacific region, having headed Human Resources departments and served as an HR and L&D consultant. Throughout her career she has worked across diverse organisational cultures and levels, focusing on building shared value for communities.

A key aspect of her professional legacy involves championing sustainability initiatives, leading organisational transformation toward environmental and community responsibility. Looking forward, Ruth aims to mentor emerging hoteliers by offering fresh perspectives to those who want to rise the ladder and have the drive and passion to be internationally recognised.

Vasudevan Suppiah

Vasudevan Suppiah is a seasoned industry professional backed by 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Industrial Relations in the hospitality field, having worked extensively with both international hotel chains and independent properties throughout his career.

His professional motivation centres on addressing industry gaps. He believes there is a need for a platform for Asian hoteliers to share their knowledge and experiences, and he is committed to leveraging technology to develop solutions that encourage the recruitment and training of young people from local communities while providing equal opportunities for the next generation.

His credentials include a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of London, a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM from the University of Portsmouth, and an MBA from Universiti Utara Malaysia. He holds Certified Hospitality Administrator, Certified Hospitality Trainer, Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager, and Certified HR Auditor credentials, and served as a Member of the Malaysian Industrial Court Panel from 2009 to 2012.

Mondi Mecja

Mondi Mecja was appointed Country General Manager for Ascott Malaysia in September 2019, where he is responsible for enhancing Ascott’s presence and driving greater results for the brand in the country.

Prior to this role, he served as Area General Manager overseeing four properties within the Berjaya Group portfolio, including hotels in Kuala Lumpur and London and a resort in Tioman. Earlier in his career he held senior executive positions at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa Kuala Lumpur, managing business development, operations, sales, marketing, revenue management, and asset management functions.

Mondi holds a Bachelor of Human Sciences degree and brings over 22 years of hospitality management experience. He serves as Vice President of the Malaysian Association of Hotels Kuala Lumpur Chapter and received the Leadership Personality Award (Most Outstanding) at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2018–2020.

Chef Bob Lee

Chef Bob is a native of Penang who embodies the island’s multicultural culinary heritage. He began his career as crew aboard MISC Transpacific ocean liners before returning to Penang to establish himself as a leading player in the local culinary scene.

His professional journey included positions at prominent establishments such as the Penang Mutiara Hotel and the E&O Hotel, where he served as Executive Chef, and he represented Penang at international food promotion events around the world.

Despite retiring from active hotel management, he remains committed to mentoring emerging culinary professionals and advancing the next generation of talent in the hospitality industry.

Clement Paul

Clement Paul brings over 33 years of experience in hotel management to his role. He progressed from entry-level Front Office positions through various roles including Director of Rooms and Executive Assistant Manager, gaining exposure to both major hotel brands and independent properties.

Currently overseeing a 355-room resort, he focuses on optimal guest satisfaction and a good working environment to achieve all set objectives. His contributions to the hospitality sector earned him recognition as one of Malaysia’s Best General Managers at the CMO Asia Awards 2019 in Kuala Lumpur.

Praba G Menon

A seasoned, well-travelled hospitality professional who started as a housekeeping attendant at the poolside, progressing through a role as a restaurant busboy before becoming Director of Food & Beverage for the Regent Kuala Lumpur. His career took him to Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, the Seychelles, South Africa, and Mali in various General Manager positions.

He later returned to Malaysia to serve as Chief Operating Officer of a local hospitality group in Borneo. Most recently he held a corporate position as Group Managing Director of PestBusters Pte Ltd in Singapore, overseeing operations across five countries with expansion planned throughout the Asia Pacific region. He has since retired to Malaysia.

Menon attributes his professional success to the hospitality industry’s development opportunities and is passionately committed to training and developing young talent, emphasising the importance of allowing emerging professionals to learn from mistakes and grow in their roles.

Rohizat Baharum

Rohizat brings more than 25 years of hospitality sector experience, having worked with major hotel chains including Equatorial, Hyatt, Parkroyal, and Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts, plus convention venues such as KLCC and MITEC. He serves on several professional bodies including the Industrial Relations Panel for the Industrial Court and the SOCSO Panel.

His career focuses on creating employment pathways and developing hospitality talent. He has established partnerships with hospitality colleges to deliver skills training in catering, housekeeping, culinary arts, and beverage service, and pioneered a “Casual Worker Program” offering skill training to students at hospitality colleges and universities.

Rohizat serves as an Industrial Advisor to INTI University and TARUC, and is Vice President of the ASIA Hospitality and Human Resource Association and Deputy Chairman of Malaysia Tourism Talent Development. His qualifications include Train the Trainer certification (HRDF), Licensed Master and Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Certified Hotel Trainer credentials.

Ruth Abishegam Clark

Ruth serves as SVP of Learning & Development at Azimuth Centre of Excellence, an international company dedicated to creating customised training and Human Resources consultancy for corporate clients using disruptive methodologies.

She brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector across the Asia Pacific region, having headed Human Resources departments and served as an HR and L&D consultant. Throughout her career she has worked across diverse organisational cultures and levels, focusing on building shared value for communities.

A key aspect of her professional legacy involves championing sustainability initiatives, leading organisational transformation toward environmental and community responsibility. Looking forward, Ruth aims to mentor emerging hoteliers by offering fresh perspectives to those who want to rise the ladder and have the drive and passion to be internationally recognised.

Kathy Khoo S.L.

Kathy brings over three decades of hospitality experience spanning multiple continents. She graduated from Middlesex Polytechnic (now Middlesex University) and launched her career in London across various hospitality institutions.

Drawn to Asian hospitality, she relocated to Malaysia and progressed through several roles, ultimately becoming Hotel Manager at Savv Hotel Penang — a property situated within Georgetown’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. She emphasises that sustainable development ensures long-term viability and believes the pandemic has revealed critical gaps in traditional business models.

Throughout her career in Rooms and Housekeeping, Kathy has mentored numerous associates who advanced within the industry. She advocates for structured training and development programmes, viewing them as essential pathways that make career progression more accessible in hospitality.

Ravi Kathiravelu

Ravi currently serves as Executive Director of Sutera Sanctuary Lodges in Sabah, Borneo, overseeing four properties in natural settings. The flagship property is located in Kinabalu National Park — Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site (2000) — situated 1,584 metres above sea level and featuring unique ecological systems.

In his current position, Ravi prioritises environmental stewardship, believing sustainable development is essential for humanity’s future. He previously worked as Chief Operating Officer at Sutera Harbour Resort, where he began as Head of Food & Beverage Operations managing 14 outlets, 2 ballrooms, and 27 meeting rooms, and has held food and beverage roles with international hospitality chains across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Beyond his primary role, Ravi advises a major hospitality development project in Timor-Leste. He is a graduate of Ecole Les Roches Bluche in Switzerland and Schiller International University in London.