Leaders Special Asia

Rabie H.Issa, CEO & Managing Director, La Vie
Rabie H.Issa: Shaping The Future Of Food & Beverage With Purpose & Innovation

The food and beverage industry is one of the worldʼs most dynamic and essential sectors. It is where tradition meets transformation, and every decision has the power to shape not only markets but also societies. As global consumers become more conscious about health, sustainability, and transparency, the industry must continuously evolve to stay relevant, balancing innovation with responsibility, convenience with quality, and efficiency with ethics. In this landscape, visionary leadership is more important than ever. At the helm of La Vie, Vietnamʼs leading bottled water brand and a key member of the Nestlé Waters global family, Rabie H. Issa is redefining what it means to lead with purpose. More than a seasoned executive with nearly three decades in the sector, Rabie is a passionate advocate for sustainable growth, people-centered leadership, and operational integrity.

The Great Trade War
By: Sujith Vasudevan, Managing Editor
The Trump administration has been batting for pressure politics in global trade ever since he returned to the White House. The new tariff hikes by the US have created significant uncertainty for business leaders in Asia. Many Asian exporters.

Traits of an Effective B2B Consumer Goods Industry Leader
By: Ivantius Limampauw, VP - Sales, PT Esensi Solusi Buana
Over the last 5-7 years, we are seeing a tremendous shift in the consumer buying pattern in Indonesia, wherein customers are increasingly opting for online shopping

Leadership strategies to deal with the Challenges of Energy Transition

By: Baroruchi Mishra, Group CEO of Nauvata Energy Transition (NET) Enterprise Pvt. Ltd

In the current dynamic environment, the energy sector finds itself at a crucial juncture.

AI Transforming Cyber Defense in Real-time

By: Diwakar Dayal, Managing Director & AVP – India & SAARC, SentinelOne

he media roundtable ‘AI-Driven Cyber Defense in Action,’ organized by , a global leader in AI-based cybersecurity, recently occurred in Bengaluru.

Digital Onboarding Trends Every Fintech Leader Should Embrace

By: Ganesh Tayi, BD & Operations Head, Jukshio

As businesses strive to deliver seamless, secure, and personalized experiences, digital customer onboarding is evolving rapidly.

Why the AI Game Isn't Over for Tech Leaders

By: Simon Wardley, Researcher, Startup Advisor, and Former CEO

Often, people assume that the AI story has already been written and that its outcome is settled. The answer is that it’s not. In truth, that’s far from reality. AI is not a single technology.

Leaders Special Asia - 2025

CEOs in Indonesia are in a unique position to set corporate strategies, navigate complex regulatory environments and take advantage of one of Southeast Asia's fastest growing economies. With Indonesia's rapidly maturing and developing sectors, which include energy, technology, finance, and manufacturing, we see that there is an incredible focus and momentum on sustainability, digital transformation and regional expansion. With the emergence of local conglomerates and the influx of foreign direct investment, CEOS must embrace global standards while leveraging local cultural and business practices. Leadership in Indonesia tends to emphasize relationships and adaptability, and developing an understanding of how to navigate government policies, while finding ways to integrate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives into their business models.

The food and beverage (F&B) sector in Vietnam is experiencing exceptional growth as disposable incomes rise, cities grow, and the population continues to get younger. Within this vibrant industry, CEOs of F&B product-owning companies are driving innovation across the packaged food, beverage and quick service restaurant segments. Many are incorporating sophisticated supply chains, digital ordering, and e-commerce during the consumer shift. In this increasingly competitive market, there is also a noticeable focus on health-conscious offerings, organics, and sustainability. Since Vietnam's F&B sector, including the raw ingredient space, attracts foreign direct investment, its CEOs are clearly adopting strategies that encourage competition on the global stage while being mindful of Vietnam's strong agricultural foundation for cost-competitive raw material sourcing.

A Country Manager in Japan is responsible for the local operations of an international company, reconciling the local operation with its home headquarters while adapting the strategies to Japan's unique cultural and business setting. A Country Manager must have a deep understanding of Japan's regulatory performance, consumer behavior, and business etiquette. International executives like Country Managers in Japan usually prefer to focus their time on building relationships and trust with their Japanese local partner, managing a bilingual team, and implementing a solution to the climate-specific needs of the Japanese market. A Country Manager also plays a role in introducing globally designed innovations while respecting Japan's traditional business culture so they can sustain their long-term brand reputation in one of the world's most mature and competitive economies.

CEO Insights Asia in this issue presents a spotlight of ‘Leaders Special Asia - 2025' featuring leaders who have leveraged their extensive industry expertise and experience in offering effective skills to the market. The following list has been prepared after being closely scrutinized by a distinguished panel of judges including CXOs, analysts and our editorial board. We recognize their valuable contribution to the ever expanding and competitive market and their ability to sustain themselves and emerge as top contestants through their reliable knowledge.

Leaders Special Asia - 2025

Company Management	Company Name	Company Description
Binu Jacob, Chairman & CEO	Nestlé Vietnam	He drives strategic initiatives, strengthens market presence, and champions initiatives that promote nutrition, health, and wellness while creating long-term value for consumers and communities
Eddi Danusaputro, CEO	BNI Ventures	He oversees the company’s investment portfolio, identifying high-potential startups and emerging businesses while fostering partnerships that accelerate market expansion
Krestijanto Pandji, President Director	Medela Potentia	He led the company’s expansion into Europe and is guiding it through an IPO, positioning the business for long-term growth and innovation
Lina Sugianto, CEO	LIF Indonesia	She is committed to delivering high-quality products, enhancing customer experiences, and creating long-term value for stakeholders
Milly Cheng, CEO	Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam	With experience in the beverage industry, she oversees the company’s full operations, driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence
Rabie H Issa, Managing Director & CEO	La Vie	With nearly 30 years of experience in the food and beverage sector, he is recognized as a leader who champions ethical, high-quality, and sustainable business practices
Ryu Takahashi, Country Manager - Japan	Izuma Networks	He oversees business operations, drives strategic growth, and fosters strong client and partner relationships to strengthen the firm's presence in the Japanese market
Surya Fitri, President Director & CEO	Siemens	He drives the company’s vision for innovation, digitalization, and sustainable development, and oversees strategic operations, business growth, and market expansion
Takuya Tanabe, Country Manager - Japan	Pitney Bowes	He has experience in all aspects of financial management, including regional corporate finance, regulatory reporting, business and strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and more
Tsuyoshi Kitagawa, Vice President & Country Manager	Sonicwall	He has nearly three decades of experience in the technology industry, particularly in cybersecurity, having worked with reputed MNCs

Other Issues