2025 JURIES
Company/Organization & Achievement Awards Judging Committee | Human Resources, Individual Professional & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee | Management & Customer Service Awards Judging Committee | Corporate Communications/PR, Publications Awards Judging Committee | Marketing & Events Awards Judging Committee | New Products & Product Management Awards Judging Committee | Technology & Sustainability Awards Judging Committee | Video, Social Media, Websites, & App Awards Judging Committee
COMPANY/ORGANIZATION & Achievement Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Sean Rooney, Co-Founder & Director
Amire, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sean Rooney is the Director of Amire, a multi-award-winning digital marketing agency across Australia and Asia Pacific. Amire provides search engine optimisation (SEO) services, paid media, and data-driven digital strategies. Specialising in the digital marketing industry since 2002, Sean has built a reputation for delivering measurable growth and innovative marketing solutions for businesses across various industries. Sean has worked across global brands such as Microsoft, Toyota, Unilever, and Amnesty International, delivering high-impact digital marketing strategies that drive measurable growth and brand visibility. Sean's expertise lies in SEO strategy, performance marketing, and conversion optimisation. His data-driven approach ensures that clients receive tailored marketing strategies that drive long-term success. Under his leadership, Amire has helped businesses enhance their online visibility, improve search rankings, and achieve significant returns on their digital marketing investments.
Sean founded Amire with a vision to bridge the gap between technical SEO, content marketing, and performance advertising. His agency is known for developing customised marketing solutions, ensuring that every client benefits from a holistic and results-oriented approach. Sean believes in leveraging cutting-edge tools, analytics, and AI-driven insights to refine digital strategies, allowing businesses to outperform their competition in an increasingly competitive online landscape. In addition to SEO, Amire provides Google Ads, social media advertising, and programmatic advertising solutions. Sean ensures that his team stays ahead of industry trends by continuously testing and refining strategies to keep up with evolving search engine algorithms and digital advertising platforms. His commitment to data transparency and ROI-driven results has earned Amire a strong reputation in the industry. Amire also has a very strong focus on providing pro bono digital marketing services to support charities, having already provided A$500,000 in pro bono services.
Sean is a sought-after consultant and speaker on topics related to SEO trends, paid media innovations, and digital growth strategies. His ability to break down complex digital marketing concepts into actionable insights has made him a valuable resource for businesses looking to scale their online presence. Outside of Amire, Sean is passionate about mentoring emerging digital marketers and staying at the forefront of marketing technology innovations. His leadership has positioned Amire as a trusted partner for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape and achieve sustainable growth.
Committee:
Human Resources, Individual professional & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee
Chair: 
Jae-woong Yoo, Representative
Korea Center for Crisis Communication (KCCC), Seoul, Gangnam-Gu, South Korea
Widely recognized by prominent South Korean media as one of the country’s foremost experts in practical and theoretical aspects of government and public sector public relations. Worked for 28 years from 1980 to 2008 as a specialist and official responsible for domestic and overseas public relations for the South Korean government. Involved since 2008 in university research, lectures, and writing on public sector public relations, as well as activities for experts and the general public to promote awareness of the importance of the field.
Active in various advisory roles for government and public sector organizations, including membership on the Advisory Committee for Communication for the Prime Minister of South Korea and the chairmanship of the Advisory Committee of Korean Policy Broadcasting.
Awarded the President’s Commendation (1990), Service Merit Medal (1996), and Order of Service Merit (2000, 2023) by the South Korean government for contributions to national and social development. Selected by Seoul Daily Newspaper in 1994 as one of “Fifty Future Leaders of the Republic of Korea.
Committee:
Chair: 
Alice Grace L. Bautista, President & CEO
OneBPO, Iloilo City, Panay Island, Philippines
Alice Grace L. Bautista is a dynamic entrepreneur and business leader, renowned for her significant contributions to the offshore outsourcing industry. She earned her degree in AB Communication and Media Studies from the University of the Philippines - Visayas, where she developed a strong foundation in effective communication and media strategies. Building on this foundation, she pursued a Master's degree in management business management from the same university, equipping herself with the strategic skills necessary to excel in a competitive business environment. As the President and CEO of OneBPO, an offshore outsourcing company located in Iloilo City, Philippines, Alice has successfully positioned the organization as a leader in customer service, back-office operations, and digital marketing services, primarily supporting retail and e-commerce businesses, healthcare, IT products and services, beauty and wellness, financial and education accounts globally.
Under her visionary leadership, OneBPO has thrived, delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses to enhance their operational efficiency and customer engagement. Alice's exceptional leadership has been recognized with numerous accolades. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious title Young Ilonggo Entrepreneur Award in Iloilo City, Philippines celebrating her innovative business practices and impactful contributions to the local economy. She also received the Excellence in Customer Service Planning and Practice award during the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, reflecting her unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding service to clients.
Her influence extends beyond local recognition; she has been honored internationally as the Executive of the Year and Woman of the Year in 2024 at both the International Business Awards in Istanbul, Turkey, and the Women in Business Awards in New York City. Additionally, OneBPO was awarded the Gold Award for Team Management during the Women in Business 2024 event, showcasing Alice's exceptional ability to build and lead high-performing teams. Alice believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration, principles that have been instrumental in maintaining a successful business over the years. She prioritizes cultivating excellent client relationships through open communication and a genuine intention to help, which she considers the cornerstone of her business philosophy. Beyond her professional achievements, Alice is a devoted wife and a proud mother of three boys. She brings her nurturing spirit into the workplace, fostering a supportive environment for her employees. With her passion for innovation and dedication to empowering others, Alice hopes to continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
Committee:
Corporate Communications/PR & Publications Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
John Frederick Cruz, Senior Director – Head of Agency
BrandPlay, Inc, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Fritz Cruz is an award-winning communicator with 15 years of experience developing and implementing corporate and brand reputation campaigns for multinational corporations and conglomerates from various industries in the Philippines. He has also worked on tourism marketing campaigns for foreign tourism boards and advocacy campaigns for UN-funded programs. He currently leads a passion-driven team of storytellers and PR professionals who are dedicated to developing campaigns that yield lasting impact to clients and the communities they serve.
With the majority of his campaigns having been recognized in the Philippines and abroad, Fritz brings in a wealth of experience in evaluating communication campaigns. He previously served as a judge for the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards and was a member of the esteemed IABC Gold Quill Blue Ribbon Panel Committee.
Committee:
Marketing & events Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Dr. Richard Huzhaoyang, CEO
BrandChina WeStars Communicating Co., Ltd., Suzhou, JiangSu, China
Dr. Richard HUZHAOYANG, CEO of WeStars Communicating Co., Ltd, has more than 15 years working experience in Branding, advertising and communicating industry fields. He is also now working as academic leader of Advertising in Soochow University Applied Technology school.
Richard started his illustrious career via leadership roles at industry-leading Ogilvy&Mather, Mindshare, and Maxus China Headquarter serving top global and local clients such as SVW, Unilever, and DHL, leveraging his successful track records in Media Marketing &Brand Innovation. Dr. Hu has built up a robust network of industry professionals throughout the value chain. He uses professionalism and a consumer-centric & tech-savvy approach to solve problems & add significant values with his Clients.
Committee:
Belen Fernando, Board of Directors
Magna Anima Teachers College, Inc.
Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines
Gary Zhou, Founder
Brand Head, Beijing, China (Mainland)
New Products & Product Management Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Junghieh Shon, CEO
Brand HanaroADCOM, Seoul, Gangnam-Gu, Korea
A Design Management Expert, Educator, and Corporate Leader, Professor Junghieh Shon has been leading the development of next-generation designers and innovation in design thinking as an adjunct professor at Hanyang University's Department of Design for the past 10 years. Based on her deep insight that encompasses both academia and the field, she has taught students the importance of creative problem solving and strategic design management and presented a vision for the future design industry.
In addition, while successfully operating HanaroADCOM for 30 years, she has established an innovative corporate operation model through the convergence of design and management. With a management philosophy that integrates design creativity and business strategy, she has achieved results that lead market trends and maximize brand value in various projects. As a result, she has established herself as a trusted leader in the industry by winning numerous domestic and international awards and creating successful business cases.
Based on her experience as an educator, practitioner, and professional judge in the field of design management, Junghieh Shon will provide fair and in-depth evaluations based on creativity, strategic insight, and many years of practical experience.
Committee:
TECHNOLOGY & SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS JUDGING COMMITTEE
Chair:
Rajeev Aswal, Chief Technology Officer
Robotic Parking Systems Inc., Clearwater, Florida, United States
Rajeev Aswal joined Robotic Parking Systems in 2014 as an Automation Manager. From the outset, he focused on technological advancements, playing a pivotal role in shaping the automated parking industry with a strong emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. Over the years, Rajeev has been at the forefront of groundbreaking innovations, particularly in automated Electric Vehicle (EV) charging technology and driverless vehicle parking solutions within automated garages. These technological advancements, now patented, mark significant milestones in intelligent and eco-friendly parking solutions. In 2019, Rajeev’s patented EV Charging Plug technology was instrumental in securing a $40 million Automated Parking contract in Kuwait, featuring 100 EV charging stations. This cutting-edge innovation distinguished his company from competitors who lacked a similar technologically advanced and sustainable solution. The impact of these advancements was recognized in 2021 when his company received the "Technology Influencer" award, for which he was honored with a Certificate of Achievement. Building on this success, Rajeev recently led the design of an Automated and Sustainable Parking Garage in downtown Savannah, Georgia. This $11-12 million project, comprising over 550 parking spaces and 50 EV charging stations, is now in its final negotiation phase. The project reflects Rajeev’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions through technological innovation.
One of the most notable milestones in Rajeev’s career occurred in 2017, when he led the installation and commissioning of the World’s Largest Automated Garage, earning a place in the Guinness World Records. His contributions in robotic automation, wireless networking, and system optimization played a crucial role in this success, securing a TUV certificate for achieving the fastest throughput in any Automated Garage. Recognizing his impact on technological exports, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded Rajeev the "Export Achievement Certificate" in 2021, further solidifying his role as a global innovator in sustainable automated parking solutions. Beyond corporate leadership, Rajeev actively contributes to shaping industry standards. As a selected member of Task Group 7 (TG7) in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), he plays a key role in developing fire safety and sustainability codes for EV Charging Stations in the U.S. and globally.
In 2023, his company was named "Most Innovative Parking Systems Provider – USA" by the Business Excellence Awards, recognizing his sustainability-focused innovations. Additionally, he was featured in the January 2024 edition of IEEE The SunCoast Signal Newsletter, where he shared insights on engineering, sustainability, and innovation. Rajeev’s passion for technology and education extends to his role as a judge at the Pinellas Regional Science and Engineering Fair and as a volunteer advisor at St. Petersburg College, where he contributes to developing engineering programs with a focus on innovation and sustainability. His online course, Automated Robotic Parking 101: Implementation Done Right, has educated over 2,370 professionals, including architects, engineers, and facility managers, on technological advancements in sustainable automated parking. As Rajeev continues to advance in his career, his commitment to innovation, sustainability, industry leadership, and community service remains steadfast. He strives to drive the future of Automated Parking Systems while actively giving back to the broader community.
Committee:
Lekshmi Nair, CEO and Founder
Fiscal Ox Cloud Pvt Ltd, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Lekshmi is a dynamic professional with 10 years of experience in tech, where she's built SaaS products and helped startups thrive. She's a tech product builder, cybersecurity researcher, and expert in SaaS development, blending innovation with practical solutions. But her talents don't stop there—she's also a skilled sales and marketing strategist.
Satya Dhavala, Director
Amazon.com, Seattle, Washington, United States
Naveen Budda, Cofounder / CTO
Onionlife Pvt Ltd (Karmalife.ai), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Naveen Budda, Co-founder of KarmaLife.ai, driving fintech innovation in financial inclusion. With deep expertise in AI-powered digital lending and embedded finance, With over 15 years of experience, he has built scalable financial systems and solutions. An alumnus of IIMA, shaping the future of digital finance with deep tech solutions.
Sangame Krishnamani, Director, Software Engineering
Capital One, Plano, Texas, United States
Sangame Krishnamani, Director of Software Engineering and Technology leader, drives strategic technology initiatives with 18+ years of experience in FinTech. Certified in AWS, Google Cloud, and Machine Learning, she specializes in cloud computing and AI. A diversity advocate, she mentors underrepresented technologists globally, empowering the next generation of innovators.
VIDEO, SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES & APP AWARDS JUDGING COMMITTEE
Chair:
Sangsoo Chong, CCO / Vice Chairman
MAD Stars, Seoul, Songpa-gu, Korea
He has been working in advertising for 38 years. He worked as a professor in the Department of Advertising and PR at Cheongju University for 17 years. As a founding member of Ogilvy & Mather Korea, he worked as an ECD / VP for 12 years and worked for 1 year at Lintas Korea, 6 years at Oricom, and 3 years at a production company.
He serves as a judge for several international advertising festivals including the New York Festivals, One Show, APAC Effies and Eurobest. He also received the Korean Prime Minister's Award for meritorious advertising professional and the Red Cross President's Award.
Committee:
Karen Ng, General Manager, Corporate Branding & Marketing
Airport Authority Hong Kong, Lantau, New Territories, Hong Kong (Greater China)