About
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Photo Courtesy of the APEC Secretariat, www.apec.org
Executive Training
Strengthening regional economic integration and prosperity across Asia and the Pacific is the Centre’s driving purpose.
We have an enviable record in designing and delivering tailored training programs and capacity building programs for government,
business, not-for-profits and academic institutions.
Malaysia
Erina Zahara binti Ellias
Business Name: Zaahara
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Business Website: www.zaahara.com​
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About me:
I'm Erina, COO and Co-Founder of Zaahara—a Malaysian faith-inspired lifestyle brand. As a mother of three and business owner, I’m passionate about designing purposeful products that make it easier for modern Muslim women to stay spiritually grounded while being on-the-go. Zaahara was founded in 2013 out of a personal frustration with bulky inconvenient prayerwear. As a Muslim woman juggling the many daily hats, I was looking for products that supported my daily routine. That has led to spark the idea of one of our bestsellers today, the Marisa on-the-go prayerwear. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to carry—perfect for daily prayers, travel, or outdoor activities. The size of your Iphone! What began as a niche idea has since grown into a brand trusted by thousands across Malaysia, Singapore, and beyond. Through the APEC Women’s Business Activator, I hope to scale Zaahara globally (especially in Australia), connect with like-minded women founders, and build a sustainable, impactful brand that supports and empowers Muslim women around the world. Additionally, I aim to explore new ways to reach broader audiences and attract investors who share our vision, so we can continue expanding and innovating within the modern Muslim lifestyle market.
Eniza Fasiha binti Ellias
Business Name: The Skinny Bakers
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Business Website: www.theskinnybakers.com
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About me:
My name is Eniza Ellias, and I’m the founder of The Skinny Bakers, a Malaysian-based cookie brand that started as a humble home-based business and has since grown into a fast-scaling SME with both local and international aspirations. I'm passionate about creating delightful experiences through our cookies while championing entrepreneurship, especially among women. With a background in business and years of hands-on experience, I’m now exploring ways to scale up through exports, franchising, and strategic partnerships.
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About my business:
The Skinny Bakers began with just five jars of cookies sold via WhatsApp, and today we supply to retail chains like ZUS Coffee and TGV, while also expanding into OEM supply for other brands. One of our proudest moments was pitching for the SAY Aspire Export Ready Programme and winning a top 3 spot, earning us funding and support to explore new markets. Our newest venture, SunTropika, infuses tropical flavors into our cookie line, aiming to make a mark globally by sharing a taste of Southeast Asia. The journey has been filled with perseverance, creativity, and a strong sense of community—values that continue to drive our business forward.
My expectations of the program:
I hope to gain valuable insights into expanding our business beyond Malaysia—especially into APEC economies—through mentorship, networking, and capacity-building initiatives. I’m also keen to connect with like-minded women entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and explore cross-border collaboration opportunities that can amplify our impact and growth potential. Ultimately, I aim to strengthen our foundation to become a globally recognized Malaysian cookie brand led by a proudly women-powered team.
Parimala Kanapura
Business Name: SP Juara Sdn Bhd.
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Business Website: www.spjuara.com.my​
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About me:​
I’m Parimala Kanapura, the Founder & Managing Director of SP JUARA SDN BHD, 100% women-owned company specializing in milk powders and Malaysia’s leading tea-time beverage supplier for hospitals, currently serving over 85 government and private healthcare institutions nationwide. I began my business journey in 2012 with minimal resources, but a strong vision and unwavering determination. Today, SP Juara has grown into a structured organization with dedicated teams handling government tenders and procurement, forming impactful collaborations across the healthcare supply sector. As a mother of three, I balance my roles with resilience and a deep passion for building legacies that matter. I aspire to one day transform SP Juara into a public-listed company, driven by ethics, and people-first leadership. One of my proudest achievements is the culture we’ve cultivated at SP Juara—a workplace that promotes equal opportunity, mutual respect, and career advancement. I place the highest value on my employees and always put their wellbeing first. Their loyalty and dedication are a reflection of the trust and support we continuously build together. Guided by the values passed down from my mother, I uphold integrity as the foundation of entrepreneurship. At SP Juara, we practice responsible finance by ensuring our payables are cleared even before their due dates, reinforcing trust with our partners. As a food and beverage manufacturer for hospital patients, we maintain the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation, with stringent SOPs implemented at every level of our operations to ensure safe and quality delivery.
My expectations of the program:
Through this program, I aim to strengthen my business expansion within Malaysia by enhancing our procurement capabilities and forming collaborations with international dairy producers from countries like Australia & New Zealand. I hope to gain insights on financial management, operational efficiency, and learn from the global network to better serve my nation with value-added, nutritious products.
Natalie Yoke Kei Loi
Business Name: UnBound
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Business Website: www.unboundmalaysia.com​
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About me:​
I’m Natalie Loi, a Malaysian technologist, artist, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and immersive education. As Head of Technology and co‑founder of UnBound Sdn. Bhd., I design award‑winning Artificial Intelligence digital systems for smart cities, education and sustainability. I’ve guest‑lectured at Monash, Sunway, and UiTM, advised government panels on AI governance, and advocate actively for women in tech across Asia–Pacific. Recognized by Britishpedia’s Successful People of Malaysia & Singapore and the Australian High Commission’s Young Entrepreneur list, I’m driven by the belief that technology should be experiential, inclusive, and—above all—human‑centred. UnBouund began its journey in university when my co-founder and I built an Augmented Reality System from scratch with no background in tech. Corporations soon joined in - funding and scaling our ideas and dreams across borders into education, smart cities and artificial intelligence systems. Today, we are proud to be representing Malaysia and ASEAN in conversations and delegations across the world to showcase our technology and creations in creating a more inclusive society. I hope to primarily gain cross-border partnerships for co-creation and co-development from this programme spanning industry, founders, governments and institutions. As a woman scaling deep‑tech, I’m also keen to refine strategies for attracting capital while championing investments for our company. Ultimately, I’m joining the Activator to grow together: to exchange proven playbooks, open new markets, and elevate women‑led innovations.