Dr Tan Jit Seng graduated with M.B.B.S. from National University of Singapore, Faculty of Medicine in 2002.  He obtained his Graduate Diploma in Geriatrics Medicine in 2010. Dr Tan is registered as a Family Physician from 2012.  Dr Tan is involved in many aspects of Eldercare work; in the development and piloting of new elder friendly technologies and products, long-term care services, training of caregivers, and consulting on care homes architecture among others.  He is currently running clinical practices in private home care services, an outreach clinic and locuming for a geriatric department in a public hospital. Dr Tan is the Chairman of the ELDEX Advisory Board.

Ms Annie Barr
Clinical Director (Founder), Annie Barr International

Annie was awarded the MBE for her majesty the Queen in 2018 for her services to export in China with specific reference to older people’s services. Annie is an international expert, speaker and strategist and thought leader behind many innovative projects for improving patient care via technology, digital health and workforce development. After a 35-year career in the NHS Annie established education and training programmes for clients nationally and internationally. She is passionate about high quality training and career pathways for healthcare staff. Annie has served on the board of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for the North East Faculty and is the RCGP representative on the North delivery board for the 10-year forward view.

Annie also has a specialist interest in Vitamin B12 deficiency and is considered an expert in this field throughout the UK.
She is enthusiastic about health care and works with national and international RCGP colleagues. Annie also works with the NHS senior leadership and provides training for NHS organizations throughout the UK. Annie has written and published the national competencies for Advanced Clinical Practice for the RCGP (2015).

Annie Barr works closely colleagues based in Newcastle University and is working with leading scientists in the UK and China to expand personalised medicine approaches using scientific research.

Annie is an expert and has devised home care and community based healthcare packages for clients with high level needs including brain injury and she works with rehabilitation therapists and professionals to facilitate these. This includes providing personalised bespoke training services.

Annie accompanied George Osborne to China in 2015, and in Dec 2016 with Rt Honorable Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State for Health. She was also involved in President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK in 2016 and accompanies the foreign office on visits to China to advance healthcare.

Annie Barr has been active in China for 6 years working with various clients in China to improve health care services and practices throughout China. Annie regularly speaks at conferences and events in China. Regularly providing training programmes throughout China in areas such as Elderly Care and Paediatric referral pathways for GP’s in Beijing and Hangzhou. Annie is also a frequent visitor to Singapore.

Chong Keng Hua, Ph.D is an Assistant Professor of Architecture and Sustainable Design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), where he leads the Social Urban Research Groupe (SURGe). He is also the co-founder of COLOURS: Collectively Ours LLP, an award-winning design consultancy specializing in collaborative public place design. He was appointed as curator for Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition 2018, and member of Jurong Lake District Steering Committee in 2015-2017. His most recent books are Creative Ageing Cities: Place Design with Older People in Asian Cities (2018), and Second Beginnings: Senior Living Redefined (2018), which examine the urgency of rethinking eldercare landscape in Asia and propose new architectural typologies for future senior living. He is currently the Program Lead of the MND-HDB New Urban Kampung Research Program, which aims to foster stronger communities through data analytics, behavioural studies, simulation platform, and urban prototyping.

Dr Anupama Roy Chowdhury is a Senior Consultant with Sengkang General Hospital. She received her medical degree from the National University of Singapore in 2002. She completed her specialist training in geriatric medicine in 2010 and went on to do a fellowship in dementia and neurocognitive disorders at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver in 2013. She has a special interest in dementia, geriatric oncology and medical education. She has previously been secretary and then vice-president of Society of Geriatric Medicine Singapore (SGMS).

Dr. Ogan Gurel serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Eidware / SoundMind (Seoul) and holds an academic appointment as Visiting Teaching Professor at DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology), with previous positions at DGIST as Vice-Chair & Distinguished Invited Professor (Management of Innovation). In the startup world, I also serve as a Venture Partner at The Yozma Group and Chief Scientific Officer for FRT – Field Robot Technology (Seoul), with previous executive roles as CEO at NovumWaves (Seoul), Acting Chief Medical Officer at Nessa Hearing (Singapore), and Advisor at Frasen (Seoul). I also hold additional academic appointments as Honorary Fellow (University of Melbourne) and Visiting Professor (Libera Accademia Belle Arti–Italy). Previously, I was Chief Innovation Officer at Campus D, a Seoul-based startup incubator/Fab Lab and served over four years as a Director in the CTO office (MOT & Open Innovation groups) at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT).

Dr. Gurel’s over 30 years experience in healthcare spans multiple sectors: biomedical science, clinical medicine, strategy consulting, business development, executive management, marketing, and R&D, with direct expertise in medical devices, mobile health, healthcare IT, and medical imaging. Prior to surgical training at the Massachusetts General Hospital, he obtained an M.D. Alpha Omega Alpha from Columbia University, also doing graduate work in structural biology and earned a Bachelor’s in Biochemical Sciences cum laude from Harvard College. Authoring over 15 academic papers and conference proceedings and co-inventor on three patents, Dr. Gurel has given keynote addresses and other speeches on the future of healthcare as well as innovation and strategy more generally, at business and scientific conferences and seminars worldwide. Over the past seven years he has also been presenting a unique Mini-MD program worldwide.

Mr Tristan Gwee is the current President of the Gerontological Society of Singapore. He joined the society in 2006 and has served in various capacities of Honorary Treasurer and Secretary. He is also a member of the Singapore Association of Social Workers. He is a social service professional with more than 16 years’ experience in areas of eldercare, fundraising and volunteer development. He is a certified Prepare and Enrich Facilitator and also trained in the GottmanMethod of Couples Therapy.  He obtained his Master degree in Social Work from Singapore University of Social Sciences (formerly UniSIM), and his Bachelor degree in Applied Economics from Singapore’s NanyangTechnological University.

Ms Ngaire Hobbins is a dietician and authority on nutrition, ageing, brain health and dementia; passionate about promoting independent, productive and fulfilling lives for all in their later years. Especially skilled in translating complex science into language for everyday people, Ngaire is an engaging, informative speaker and has written three books: Eat To Cheat Ageing, Eat To Cheat Dementia and Better Brain Food, offering evidence based advice in everyday language. They outline the unique nutrition needs of ageing and offer guidance on eating to avoid physical and cognitive decline. In aged and dementia care, Ngaire is committed to ensuring residents enjoy food which enriches quality of life, while also supporting physical cognitive health.

Mr Colin Milner is CEO of the International Council on Active Aging and founder of the active-aging industry in North America. Colin is also a leading authority on the health and well-being of the older adult, and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of "the most innovative and influential minds" in the world on aging-related topics. An award-winning writer, Colin has authored more than 300 articles and has been published in journals such as Global Policy, and the Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics. He also contributed a chapter to the World Economic Forum book Global Population Ageing: Peril or Promise? Colin’s speeches have stimulated thousands of businesses and government leaders, industry professionals & older adults worldwide. In addition, Colin received the CanFitPro Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Canadian fitness industry. Colin also regularly counsels the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Aging, OECD, White House Conference on Aging, US Department of Health and Human Services, The Canadian Minister of State (Seniors), Canadian Special Senate Committee on Aging, European Commission, Informal Meeting of the European Union Ministers of Sport, WEF Think Tank: Preparing for Prosperous Longevity in Asia.

Mr Jussi Peltonen is the founder and CEO of Hovi Group Ltd. and chairman of the board in Hovi Group companies. Hovi Care Singapore is the second international health service operation, which Mr Peltonen has started. Hovi Group is a 30-year-old Finnish family-owned company specialized in high-class care services for the elderly, disabled and mentally handicapped. Hovi Group operates care services in nursing homes and senior villages and provides home care. The operations have held to the initial value base throughout the years. Hovi Care Singapore provides opportunities individuals to live healthier at home. Examples of the activities are shared meals, playing games, art, music, horse therapy and current affairs discussions. Hovi Group believes in utilizing technology to create new and more effective services for people with special needs. Finland is all about independence and self-reliance. Hovi Care gives customers the best chance at an enjoyable life, to learn new things and have meaningful new experiences every day.

Femada Shamam has been working in the field of care and support to the elderly for 20 years. In 1999, she joined The Association for the Aged (TAFTA) team as a social worker. TAFTA is a Durban-based NPO that caters to the needs of older people. The organization provides services and support to approximately 7,500 people.

Currently, Femada serves as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for leading a team driven by TAFTA’s purpose of making dignity, growth and a meaningful life a realistic prospect for all elders. Her role at the organization is also to provide representation at local and provincial forums with a view to lobbying and advocating for rights of the elderly.

On a global platform, Femada serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Global Ageing Network which is a network that spans 60 countries comprised of individual providers and PEAK bodies representing providers and the interests of older adults. Their mission is to connect, learn and share across borders with the aim of ensuring that all older adults can age with quality, dignity and respect. She also serves as a Board member of the Commonwealth Association for the Ageing (CommonAge).

On a personal level, Femada is a proud mum of a little girl who provides her with the balance between work and home. She is equally passionate about family and ensuring that the bonds remain strong; a trait which she inherited from her mother.

As the senior managing director of Renaissance, Mr Naoki Takazaki is responsible for the management of fitness clubs, nursing care facilities and new businesses. He is also a committee member at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan and serves as an officer and member of related organizations, where he is responsible for promoting health and preventing dementia through corporate management know-how and marketing. He obtained also a health management adviser at local governments, including for the cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Fukuoka. He obtained his MBA degree from Hosei University. He is also a PhD candidate in Public Policy Studies.

Shen Kiat is a S.T.E.M (Succession, Trusts, Estate & Mental Capacity) lawyer. He is the co-founder and director of KITH & KIN Law Corporation, a Singapore-based law firm that supports individuals, families and communities in the practice of stewardship. The firm is devoted to the private-client and community law space.

Shen Kiat currently sits on a Law Society Committee that entails, inter alia, providing guidance and assistance to other lawyers on all matters relating to wills, probate, mental capacity, intestacy and succession.

He also played a role in the development of the Professional Deputyship and Doneeship scheme with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (“MSF”), and is one of the few registered Professional Deputy and Donee in Singapore.

In addition, he is also part of a select group of lawyers appointed by MSF to deliver public talks on Lasting Powers of Attorney and conduct workshops on Deputyship for deputies on behalf of the ministry. He has also conducted extensive user-experience surveys and interviews as part of an effort to improve the delivery of legal services to persons with additional/special needs.

Shen Kiat provides customised training to professionals from the financial industry, at the company level, on the entire spectrum of legal tools on estate planning and wealth preservation. He enjoys teaching and is currently an adjunct lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, our third law school in Singapore.

Mr Satyaprakash Tiwari has spearheaded and operationalized three Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs), piloted the first Home Help Service and Dementia Day Care Centre, and developed numerous community-based programs and initiatives in Singapore. Having been a Senior-Level Executive in VWOs for over 20 years, Mr Tiwari has earned a formidable reputation in relation to his expertise in initiating and institutionalizing significant programs with highly effective management skills, and ability to develop longstanding commercial, inter-agency and client relationships. His proven track record in the eldercare market (and the wider VWO sector) coupled with his stellar management skills have enabled him to catalyze significant organizational growth, implement cost-effective strategies, and remain at the forefront of the sector.

Dr Wan-Koo May Yeok is the Assistant Director in the School of Health and Social Sciences at Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore).

A recipient of several local and overseas bursary and study awards, she received her qualifications:
• Bachelor of Nursing from the Lincoln School of Health Sciences, La Trobe University (Australia);
• MSc Advanced Practice (Critical Care) from the European Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey (United Kingdom);
• PhD from the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences / Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester (United Kingdom).

She is a past recipient of two grants - S.E.E.D and TOTE Board SIR Funds – for the Virtual Dementia Home Series Project and has presented at several international conferences as well as contributed to relevant publications.

Dr Wan-Koo leads and oversees the NYP-StarHub Centre for Connected Care which emphasises on a dementia- and elderly-friendly design/environment.

Currently, she is involved in the following projects:
• Onsite Principal Investigator (Singapore) of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) International network research grant on dementia friendly community/neighbourhoods.
• Principal Investigator of MOE TIF grant application project i.e. Neuromorphic AI-based Smart Automated Fall Prevention System for the elderly.
• Elderly- and Dementia-Friendly Housing and Development Board Guideline Review Team.

Currently, she is involved in several key public sector projects and has also provided consultation for: Qingjian Realty on their JadeScape Project i.e. Singapore’s first fully-smart multi-generational living development; and “Remembering for the Two of Us” – a book on dementia by Ms Selena Lim.

Dr Carol Yip is one of Malaysia’s leading advocate of personal financial education and sustainable retirement for Malaysians. She has authored a few personal finance books - ‘Smart Money User’, ‘Credit Card Syndrome’, ‘Money Rules’ and ‘Money Work Life’. Dr Yip completed her PhD programme with Monash University School of Medicine and Health Science, Global Public Health and her thesis title is ‘Provision of Long Term Care and Payment Option For Elderly People Living in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia’. She is currently the CEO of Aged Care Group Sdn Bhd and group of subsidiaries: ManagedCare Sdn Bhd, ACGConcept Sdn Bhd, ACGCare Sdn Bhd. Aged Care Group’s vision is to innovate and transform the perception of ageing. Dr Yip and her team are engaged in the business of elevating aged care standards in Malaysia and she has successfully innovated the idea of ageing-in-place multigenerational community in a township with one of the largest developers in Malaysia and also implemented the care administration and management framework with one of the largest public hospitals in Malaysia. Dr Yip was appointed, in September to October 2012 by PEMANDU, as facilitator for PEMANDU Senior Living lab for Malaysia’s ageing population.