Robert Abbanat is a serial entrepreneur with a track-record for developing innovative and disruptive solutions. With 18+ years of experience, Rob has forged his own path by applying emerging technologies in novel ways to solve problems in the arenas of training and education. Rob’s career began when he founded Engineered Multimedia Inc. which became a leading provider of interactive training and marketing solutions for the aerospace and telecommunications industries, and pioneered the use of interactive media in higher education. After selling EMI, Rob co-founded International Learning Enterprises. ILE is the premier online school for results-oriented business English and business skills learning programs. Driven by state-of-the art, live real-time video instruction, ILE provides scalable training solutions that enable our students to succeed in global business. Rob currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai. Rob has an MBA from MIT, an MS in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and a BS in Physics from Boston College.

Patricia started her career in hospitality management and in the last 20 years, she was in the space of Learning, Talent Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Change Management before moving to HR, working with Audi, DBS, Shell and Walmart. While working for Shell, Patricia was very active in the women leadership circle, and is a certified facilitator for an inhouse designed program for female talents. In her last role with Walmart based in Shenzhen, she had led a team to build the first Walmart Retail University in China. Patricia joined Octave Living recently as Head of People and Organization, and is currently based in Shanghai.

Jeff Hasenfratz is Managing Director of Mindsight Executive Development Services, a Shanghai-based consultancy offering C-suite team coaching and facilitation in Asia, specializing in helping teams better collaborate.

Jeff, a certified Integral Coach through New Ventures West, speaks Mandarin and has worked in Asia for 25 years. His previous corporate associations include Hewlett Packard and Russell Reynolds Associates. Client organizations include firms in the technology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and financial and professional services industries. Jeff is currently writing a book to help Western MNC general managers in China work more effectively with local colleagues.

Sarah Köchling is the Managing Principal of Blossom Innovation, a consultancy that combines strategic advisory with deep cultural and commercial insights and creative approaches to deliver transformative growth. With over 25 years of experience in China and Asia, including brand management roles at P&G China and J&J International, leading innovation practices at consultancies What If and Dragon Rouge and working for several start-ups, she’s know for offering her clients an optimal mix of best-practice experience and entrepreneurial savvy. A Mandarin speaker and lifelong Sinophile, Sarah is a frequent speaker on innovation and China business and is active as a community volunteer, board advisor and mentor. She is co-founder and co-chair of the Women’s Executive Network (WEN) for AmCham Shanghai.

Alice Wong has over 20 years of HR experience in HR enablement, business partnering, performance management, diversity and inclusiveness, organizational development, recruiting and people engagement. She joined EY 11 years ago and used to work in consulting, corporate, Big4 and executive search firms. She has a Bachelor of Anthropology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and is the Chairperson of HR Committee at Amcham Shanghai. Alice resides in Shanghai with her husband and two children.