Top 10: CEOs in APAC

The Asia Pacific region (APAC) has been defined by its resilience to challenges brought on by global conflicts as well as its quick adoption of new technologies and systems amid the AI boom.

Countries like the Philippines and Thailand have declared national fuel emergencies, while areas with higher GDPs like Japan and South Korea have expressed concerns over how fuel costs will affect healthcare systems and plastic production.

However, the self-sustaining, economic powerhouse that is China, has found success despite these regional challenges thanks to its established reliance on renewable energy sources such as its solar and EV infrastructure.

Even as problems from the fuel crisis settle, CEOs in APAC will have to continue to find innovative ways of ensuring growth both during and after regional challenges affect their businesses.

In this week’s top 10, we look at 10 CEOs who have strengthened their business despite economic uncertainties and who are positioning themselves as growth drivers within their respective industries and the broader APAC region.

10. Melanie Perkins

Company: Canva

Revenue: US$4bn

Location: Australia

One of the world’s youngest female CEOs, Melanie established Canva in 2007 after she was inspired to help people in education who were struggling to use creative software required for industry-level work.

When it first officially launched in 2013, Canva reached a US$1bn valuation within its first five years – the company now with a net worth of US$25bn and maintaining a user base of 165 million people.

Melanie’s goal with Canva is to empower everyone with the ability to design anything they want, no matter their language or the hardware they have access to.

9. Choi Soo-yeon

Company: Naver

Revenue: US$7.77bn

Location: Singapore

As CEO of one of South Korea’s largest internet companies, Choi has been overseeing the company’s operations since her appointment in 2022.

After a period of company crises and internal conflicts, Choi made it her goal to turn around the company’s culture of overworking and position Naver as an AI, e-commerce and entertainment-focused institution.

Previously working within Naver’s marketing and public relations division, the company’s board has often praised Choi for her deep understanding of global markets.

8. Frederic DyBuncio

Company: SM Investments

Revenue: US$11bn

Location: Philippines

SM Investments is one of the top five largest conglomerates in all of the Philippines, focusing on major sectors such as retail, banking and property.

 Frederic has been overseeing SM Investments since 2017, serving both as its President and CEO and has been instrumental in the company’s biggest investments and M&A activities, playing a key role in driving growth across all sectors of the country.

Additionally, Frederic is also Chairman of Goldilocks, the largest baked goods company in the Philippines.

7. Richard Allen

Company: Fonterra

Revenue: US$12.95bn

Location: New Zealand

Richard was named CEO in early 2026, but holds more than 10 years of experience with the company – New Zealand’s largest food and drinks business by market capitalisation.

Prior to his position as CEO, Richard led the company’s Farm Source business, worked in China as President of its Foodservice business and founded MyMilk, a Fonterra-backed Milk-sourcing company. 

Richard often highlights the importance of a strong relationship between the business and local farmers and at the start of his tenure, said he would look to improve company finances and the trust with local suppliers.

6. Vanessa Hudson

Company: Qantas

Revenue: US$15.46bn

Location: Australia

Vanessa was first appointed as CEO for Qantas Group in 2023 after more than almost 30 years with the airline company.

Prior to the chief executive role, she across roles spanning finance, sales and distribution and played a key role in the airline’s recovery throughout the global pandemic.

She is also a member of the company’s Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee and the Champions of Change Founding group, an initiative that focuses on gender equality, talent development and women’s representation in leadership.  

5. Ding Lei

Company: NetEase

Revenue: US$16.57

Location: China

Ding has played an important role in the culture of China’s internet industry since he founded NetEase in 1997. Ding revolutionised the market by creating an online portal which allowed anyone in China free access to e-mail and the internet.

Following the success of NetEase, Ding pushed the company into areas, such as e-commerce applications, search engine technology and online community forums.

Since its founding, the company has expanded into online gaming and now stands as one of the world’s largest online gaming firms.

4. Mukesh Ambani

Company: Reliance Industries

Revenue: US$100bn

Location: India

Mukesh is in charge of India’s largest petrochemical firm and also the country’s largest company by market capitalisation and revenue.

For almost three decades, Mukesh has helped lead the company’s diverse portfolio of oil, gas, retail, telecommunications and textiles, positioning it as one of the biggest names across multiple Indian industries.

In addition to his leadership of Reliance Industries, Mukesh is also a member of The Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum and an elected member of the United States National Academy of Engineering.

3. José Muñoz

Company: Hyundai

Revenue: US$120.2bn

Location: South Korea

José is the first non-Korean executive to serve as both President and CEO of the Hyundai Motor Company and is responsible for the firm’s global business as well as the Hyundai and Genesis brands.

Under his leadership, Hyundai has consecutive record results, positioning its parent company Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) as the third largest car manufacturer in the world.

José has helped lead a company-wide revamp of the Hyundai and Genesis brands as well as a massive capacity expansion in the US and globally. Sharing the vision of Executive Chair Euisun Chung, he plans to push the company into smart city technologies, air taxis, and autonomous vehicles to improve the safety and convenience of travel.

2. Chey Tae-won

Company: SK Group

Revenue: US$141bn

Location: South Korea

Chey has worked across multiple leadership roles across his near 30-year career with the SK brand, spanning the energy, chemicals, telecommunications and semiconductor industries.

Under his watch, SK Telecom – SK’s telecommunications segment – has become South Korea’s number one mobile carrier by market share.

Chey often champions the importance of creating social value at conferences at global corporate events, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Chey says this belief is fundamental to SK Group’s goal of making a meaningful impact with customers, shareholders, employees and world governments.

1. Eddie Wu

Company: Alibaba

Revenue: US$137bn

Location: China

Eddie first became CEO in 2023 after several years in multiple leadership roles across Alibaba, including Head of Alibaba Group’s search, advertising and mobile business.

During the company’s inception in 1999, Eddie first served as its Technology Director before his promotion to Chief Technology Officer of Alipay in 2004. 

Eddie’s tenure as a technologist and his belief in the importance of persistence has helped inform both his goals of tech advancement and his drive as an investor in China’s online retail industry.

Known for his skills in counselling and rallying workers, Eddie’s considerate leadership style has earned him the nickname “Wu Ma”, used affectionately by his employees.