In an era where leadership is tested by AI disruption, climate urgency, and shifting global power, the CEOs You Should Follow in 2025 are those building real impact, not just headlines. Across Asia, these leaders are shaping capital markets, healthcare innovation, sustainability, digital education, and inclusive workplaces on a large scale.
What makes this list stand out is not hype, but substance. Each CEO featured here is actively driving transformation within their industry, backed by experience, execution, and measurable progress. If you want a clearer view of where Asian business leadership is heading next, these are the CEOs You Should Follow — and learn from — this year.
Highlights
Priya Nair
Priya Nair is the CEO and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited, bringing over three decades of experience across marketing, beauty, and consumer business leadership within Unilever.
Most recently, she led Unilever’s global Beauty and Wellbeing division before stepping into the CEO role in 2025, marking a significant leadership milestone. Furthermore, her recognition by Fortune India and Business Today as one of the most influential women in business highlights her sustained impact at scale.
As a result, Priya stands out as a CEO whose strategic leadership continues to shape consumer businesses across India and beyond.
Bonnie Y Chan
Bonnie Y Chan brings more than 30 years of capital markets and legal expertise to her role as CEO of HKEX. Previously serving as Co-Chief Operating Officer and Head of Listing, she has been deeply involved in shaping Hong Kong’s IPO and listing ecosystem.
Moreover, her background as a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell and her qualifications as both a Hong Kong solicitor and New York attorney give her rare cross-border credibility. Notably, her continued recognition by the World Federation of Exchanges’ Women Leaders from 2021 to 2023 reflects her growing influence in global exchange leadership.
Ankur Jain
Ankur Jain is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jivi AI, where he is leveraging generative AI to transform healthcare access for billions. Previously, he played a key role in building large-scale products at WalmartLabs, BharatPe, and Instalocate, impacting hundreds of millions of users globally.
Furthermore, his experience leading high-performing engineering and product teams across AI, fintech, and consumer platforms positions him as both a hands-on technologist and strategic leader. As a result, Ankur stands out for his ability to translate deep technology into real-world healthcare outcomes.
Martyn Terpilowski
Martyn Terpilowski is building one of Asia’s fastest-growing location intelligence and big data companies through Bhumi Varta Technology. After a 17-year career in Asian financial markets, he transitioned into leading a technology-driven business focused on mapping, predictive analytics, and machine learning.
Furthermore, BVT’s rapid expansion across Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan reflects strong regional demand for data-driven decision-making. As a result, Martyn plays a critical role in helping enterprises and governments turn complex data into strategic insight.
Yutaka Tokunaga
Yutaka Tokunaga is the Founder and CEO of Timedoor, a leading software development and IT education company in Southeast Asia. After relocating from Japan to Indonesia in 2014, he built Timedoor while also launching initiatives to address education gaps through coding programs for children and teens.
Moreover, Timedoor has educated over 10,000 students and delivered digital solutions to more than 500 clients. As a result, Yutaka’s leadership blends entrepreneurship, education, and social impact into a single mission.
Vivek Kumar, F.IOD
Vivek Kumar serves as CEO of WWF-Singapore, where he leads climate, nature, and systems transformation across the Asia Pacific. Additionally, he is a member of WWF’s regional executive body covering 30 countries, working closely with governments, businesses, and communities.
His leadership includes launching platforms such as the WWF Earth Summit and co-chairing the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solutions Coalition. Consequently, Vivek is shaping how sustainability, finance, and policy intersect at scale in the region.
Kristen Lim
Kristen Lim is the Founder and CEO of Rockrose, an executive search firm partnering with high-growth companies across AI, technology, fintech, and digital assets. Drawing from experience across startups, corporates, and cross-border teams, she helps founders hire mission-critical leadership roles.
Furthermore, her recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice highlights her influence in conversations around leadership and hiring. As a result, Kristen plays a key role in shaping Asia’s next generation of senior talent.
Piyali Mandal
Piyali Mandal is the Founder and CEO of The Media Coach, a crisis training and strategic communications firm focused on preparing leaders and organisations for high-stakes, high-noise environments.
She is known for designing immersive crisis simulations and tabletop exercises that go beyond playbooks to build real-world decision-making and communication skills, strengthening what she calls the “crisis muscle,” the ability to think clearly, act decisively, and communicate effectively under pressure.
Her work increasingly addresses AI-driven risks, including deepfakes, synthetic media, misinformation, disinformation, and rage-bait narratives that can rapidly escalate crises and distort public trust.
Working with CEOs, CISOs, senior leadership teams, and government stakeholders, Piyali helps leaders to respond with speed, credibility, and calm amid intense digital scrutiny. A LSE graduate, she integrates psychological realism, gamification, and cultural context into her training, consistently reinforcing that in an era of AI-amplified outrage, effective crisis communication is about leadership and trust.
My Holland
My Holland is the Founder and CEO of EQuest Asia, specializing in emotional and cultural intelligence. As a TEDx speaker, author, and UN Women consultant, she advocates for leadership models grounded in EQ, cultural intelligence, and positive psychology.
Beyond her advisory work, My is also the host of Mosaic Minds, a podcast spotlighting women leaders in Vietnam through the lens of hybrid cultural identity. From diplomats and filmmakers to managing directors of multinational corporations such as Microsoft, the series gives voice to stories of resilience, courage, and DEIB-driven leadership in Asia’s evolving business landscape.
Moreover, she has worked with global corporations, NGOs, and public institutions across Asia-Pacific to strengthen workplace culture and resilience. Consequently, My represents a new generation of leadership thinking centered on sustainability, inclusion, and human connection.
Tu (Max) Vu
Tu (Max) Vu is the CEO and Co-Founder of MOR Software JSC, where he leads the development of technology solutions supporting global startups, SMEs, and enterprises in their digital transformation journeys.
Having started his career as a system engineer in Japan, he brings over 15 years of hands-on experience across software outsourcing and cross-border delivery for markets including Japan, the US, and Europe.
Moreover, under his leadership, MOR Software has grown to a 400-plus engineering team and earned the Sao Khue Award for outsourcing excellence for two consecutive years. As a result, Tu represents a new generation of Vietnamese tech leaders connecting local engineering talent with global demand.
The Leadership Signals Shaping 2025 and Beyond
The CEOs You Should Follow in this list represent more than individual success stories — they reflect the leadership signals shaping Asia’s future. From capital markets and AI healthcare to climate action, education, and workplace culture, these leaders are actively building systems that scale impact.
Looking ahead, their influence will continue to grow as Asia drives global innovation and transformation. By following these CEOs You Should Follow, you gain not just inspiration but insight into how leadership, business, and purpose are converging in 2025 and beyond.
Highlights
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