Consultant
(Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Friendly and with a positive outlook on life, Sokhal believes in always moving forward. With more than 17-years of experience in agriculture, economic and livelihood improvement, food security and nutrition, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, and project management as well as value chain business development, he has worked with World Bank and various development agencies, both local and international. Passionate about improving the livelihood of his people, Sokhal likes to share his thoughts driving growth and shaping development best practices, even during his downtime.

Person(s) you admire the most: My parents. Despite experiencing Cambodia’s civil war first-hand and living in refugee camps, they worked hard to keep our family together and ensured all their children received a good education, right up to tertiary-levels.

Associate (Administration & Operations)
(Manila, Philippines)

With 13 years of experience in the hospitality and services sector under her belt, Jonna is hardworking, dedicated, trustworthy, resourceful and highly-sensitive to the needs of those around her. Used to meeting and dealing with people from all walks of life, she admires individuals who are not only intelligent, but also sensitive to the needs of others. In her downtime, Jonna’s usually on Instagram, catching on her favourite British series or cooking up storm for her family.

Talent she wished she had: Ability to translate her ideas into art

Manager
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Easy-going, conscientious and a multitasker, Ariff believes that there’s always a way to bounce back whenever we lose our way. He gained wide experience while working in both the executive and legislative branches of the Malaysian government, serving a cabinet minister, member of Parliament and government think-tanks. When he’s not knee-deep in crafting legislation or facilitating consultations with various stakeholders, Ariff likes to chill at his favourite java joint, reading or simply catching up with friends.

Favourite go-to app: Facebook. It reflects the true reality of its users, on-the-ground.

Consultant
(Vientiane, Lao PDR)

Armed with a never-give-up attitude, Vilakone believes in getting creative when it comes to solving problems. During his tenure with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in Lao PDR, he built up strong networks with government officials across various ministries as well as regional development partners, thus giving him a good understanding on the needs of different stakeholders. Apart from work, Vilakone is also passionate about graphic design and is working on a sustainable smart farming project.

Favorite quote:
“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts” – Marcus Aurelius.

New person content

Manager
(Singapore)

If one could describe Nishita, it would be something like this – “Trustworthy. Kind. Has the patience of a saint! Respected by her clients given her vast knowledge bank and ability to break down data into simple, easy-to-understand language. She always has your back!” Nishita focuses on the food and nutrition industry, trade associations and development partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She works on projects that straddle global, regional and local issues for multinational clients operating in the Asia Pacific region.

Downtime activities:

Feeding her headspace with politically-charged crime novels or experimenting with colours to stretch the limits of her imagination.

Regional Director
(Singapore)

In Amanda’s experience, for every problem, there is a solution – though it may not always be a neat solution.

Articulate, sharp, and savvy, Amanda brings with her in-depth experience working in bilateral and multilateral settings from her time with the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including several years at the Singapore Embassy in Beijing. Both her time as a diplomat and her current stint at White Rook Advisory have given her the tools to be resilient and nimble in uncertain and fast-moving environments.

Philosophy in life:

“Unbeknownst to most, the world is completely controlled by a single pipe smoking rabbit” – Marc Johns.

Management Associate
(Singapore)

Independent, adaptable, curious, open-minded and responsible, Alexis values different experiences and relishes the thrill of taking risks. With a Political Science Degree from the National University of Singapore, she’s worked on local and regional issues across a broad client base while previously interning with White Rook Advisory. Alexis dreams of setting up her own business in future.

Talents she wished she had:

The ability to speak all languages

Senior Associate
(Jakarta, Indonesia)

With a keen eye for detail and a strong analytical mind, Ananda has the ability to switch gears from science to business seamlessly. She leverages on her extensive experience in the automotive, food and beverage and renewable energy industries to craft accessible solutions for her clients in the nutrition and energy sectors. Outside the office, Ananda can be found doing fun, outdoor activities like swimming and cinematography.

Go-to app:

Twitter. To get real-time updates and to understand the workings of people’s minds and attitudes at any point in time.

Associate
(Singapore)

Passionate, enthusiastic, inquisitive, talkative and competitive, this Politics, Law and Economics graduate has made the health and nutrition, food and beverage, and sustainability sectors her stomping ground as she gears up for the fast-paced, demanding and ultimately rewarding world of management consulting. Prior to this, she gained experience in digital marketing and communications in Shanghai and Singapore. Theatre is one of her passions, giving her opportunities to spark conversations and meet new people.

“If I were stranded on an island… I would miss having conversations and the Internet!”

Associate
(Hanoi, Vietnam)

Hoa brings her experience in the digital, data analytics, public policy and government relations spheres to help partners address the unique challenges in ever-evolving, high pressure sectors such as nutrition and energy in one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Living in a fast-paced country known for its vibrance and resilience, Hoa is always on the go whether it’s scooting from place to place on her trusty bike, or juggling myriad requests from stakeholders who love her bubbly personality. An avid coffee-drinker, she hopes to establish her own family coffee chain with its own unique story and style one day.

Talent she wished she had:

Ambidexterity, so she can double up on her multi-tasking skills!

Partner
(Singapore)

“For me, achievements are segments of life’s tapestry that get sewn together over time… my first taekwondo black belt, the first trade agreement I closed… the first of anything really… it’s the adrenaline and exhilaration …the journey and heartache and then the sense of fulfilment that never gets old.”

A self-proclaimed vintage Gemini, Venetta’s approach to life is simply about balancing work that pulls her in different directions, with family, good wine and long walks. That’s why her philosophy in life is simply, “Live. Laugh. Love.”

When she’s not solving licence-to-operate issues, legislative hearings and inquiries, public health and safety crises or those requiring litigation support, she’s tirelessly absorbing and sharing new information to ensure the team is constantly three steps ahead of everyone else. She leverages on her 20-over years in policy and government experience to strategically guide the whole team, always ensuring everyone delivers to White Rook’s high standards, which are second to none. In short, if your project requires you to win on all sides, then you would want Ven in your team.

Go-to quote:

“I can do things you cannot. You can do things I cannot. Together, we can do great things” – Mother Teresa.

Associate
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Ambitious and driven, Aisar is committed to make things better for the greater good. Clients value his background in cross-market research, Islamic banking & finance and human resources. He’s also always thinking of new, innovative ways to create eye-catching content that combines usability with impact. Aisar is an avid photographer and loves travelling.

Favourite quote:

“Apply yourself both now and in the future. Without effort, you cannot be prosperous” – Plato.

Associate
(Singapore)

Grace’s background in food science lends her easily to tackling technical and challenging regulatory issues that many find dry and bland. But combined with her creativity, Grace is able to deliver such complex information in user-friendly ways to help in decision-making. A typical millennial, Grace’s go-to source for self-enrichment is YouTube where information is delivered in creative and targeted ways. Grace is also a self-professed geek who relaxes by indulging in a good bit of gaming. (But she also goes outdoors when she’s rock-climbing.)

Most admires:

Michelle Obama for challenging norms.

Associate
(Jakarta, Indonesia)

With Josephine, it’s always about value. Persistent, independent and determined to get things done, she loves to give anything a go! Leveraging on her extensive background from building Indonesia’s first deep-sea port to interning at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she’s valued for her critical, valuable insights and problem-solving abilities. Finding balance in this fast-paced environment, Josephine enjoys painting, writing and playing musical instruments.

Talents she wished she had:

The ability to sense everyone’s reality.

Consultant
(Naypyidaw, Myanmar)

Coming from a small town named Mogok where 90% of the world’s rubies and sapphires are mined, Sai has witnessed first-hand how the abundance of natural resources could be both an advantage and a curse. Enthusiastic about bringing sustainable economic development to his own country, Sai believes that digital technology can be used to jumpstart this development process. Over the years, Sai has worked across different sectors ranging from telecommunications and economic development to education technology. In his free time, Sai enjoys listening to good music, especially those from the 1960s and 1970s.

Go-to quote:

“Do it for the passion. Do it for love. Do it for the people. Do your best.”

Consultant
(Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Sambath’s can-do attitude belies his passion for development issues. Over more than 20 years, he has worked with diverse development partners such as USAID, FAO, the World Bank, ADB, to name a few. He has lent his drive and expertise to business start-ups, incubation and capacity-building for SMEs, private sector development across the agricultural value chain, and entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem mapping and design.

Copywriter
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Asharina believes that words are powerful, and therefore, every word counts. Words, used the right way, communicate the right messages to the target audience. She has over 20 years of experience in corporate communications and public relations, writing everything from annual reports and speeches to media documents.

Mission in life:
Doing what she can to help children from vulnerable communities gain access to education.

Senior Advisor
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

With over three decades of experience working with Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Datuk Ravidran brings profound knowledge about the Asia Pacific region, having been directly involved in various ASEAN economic initiatives, as well as bilateral and regional Free Trade Agreements. He’s also served as the Economic Counsellor at the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand. An easy-going individual who loves to unwind with sporting activities, he cites his children as his greatest achievements.

Go-to quote:

“Work responsibly. Don’t think about the rewards of your actions.”

Advisor
(Manila, Philippines)

Mae is the go-getter you’d want on your team. With years of experience in international trade negotiations and policymaking under her belt, she has built an arsenal of skills in promoting and advocating for business needs and interests. She looks out for the interests of those she advocates for by sharing global best practices with stakeholders, championing the robust enforcement of trade and investment standards, and conducting capacity building.

• Building and enhancing organisational resilience by being prepared for the unforeseen – assessing risks, determining business or other tangible impact, identifying contingencies and building a plan for a rainy day

• Maintaining organisational credibility and stakeholder confidence in times of uncertainty or upheavals

•  Strategising with our partners not just on what to communicate but how to communicate and who to communicate with

•  Providing our partners with the information, tools and skills to communicate right

•  Working with businesses to formulate their market access, go-to-market, and license-to-operate strategies and expanding their footprints in markets

•  A sounding board for our partners in the pragmatic formulation and implementation of public policy

•  Effecting public policy impact by building meaningful, constructive relationships with myriad stakeholders, from governments and the wider public sector to business, NGOs, and the media

•  Finding practical pathways to navigate complex public policy issues