Meet our experts

As GFI APAC’s chief executive, Mirte drives our strategic direction and operational execution across the world’s most populous region.

Working in close partnership with forward-thinking scientists, business leaders, and policy stakeholders, she plays a central role in Asia’s embrace of alternative proteins as a key solution to many of our planet’s most pressing challenges. She also represents GFI at high-profile events, including Singapore International Agri-Food Week, the Southeast Asia Agri-Food Roundtable, and the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP).

She is based in Singapore.

Karolien helps GFI APAC run smoothly and effectively as the Chief of Staff, working closely with the CEO and VP of Strategy to turn big ideas into tangible impact. She keeps cross-functional projects on track, supports team leads in their goals, and strengthens collaboration across departments. Acting as a trusted partner and sounding board, she ensures the organisation is well-prepared to meet challenges and seize opportunities in advancing the alternative protein sector.

Karolien is based in Singapore.

Sam leads strategy work across Asia to set innovative and ambitious targets that expand GFI’s impact and presence. Sam identifies opportunities across the APAC region, and within the global network to position alternative proteins within national priorities, and advance the growth of alternative proteins throughout Asia. Sam has also led GFI’s expansion into new geographies, and works to embed a regionally effective strategic approach to alternative protein resourcing and prioritisation. Sam remains a global champion for alternative proteins within multialteral fora.

Sam is based between Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. He travels and works widely across Asia.

At GFI APAC, Wasamon guides the strategic direction of the Science and Technology team and ensures alignment with GFI’s global SciTech strategy. She supports funding agencies in prioritizing high-impact research and helps channel philanthropic investment to accelerate innovation across Asia-Pacific. Partnering with key scientific and government agencies, she brings alternative proteins into national agendas and convenes cross-border scientific communities. She also kick-started GFI APAC’s talent development initiatives at leading universities and serves as a plant-based meat subject matter expert.

She is based in Bangkok, Thailand

Dean provides scientific and technical expertise for GFI APAC, focusing on cultivated meat. He holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology with a focus on poultry muscle development and a bachelor’s in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience, both from the University of Sydney. Dean has experience working for the Australian Federal Government both as a scientific assessor for food safety regulations and as an international policy analyst focusing on the Asia Pacific region.

Dean lives in Sydney.

Maanasa leads efforts to bolster research, innovation, and scaling of cultivated meat in Asia Pacific. She actively engages with companies, research institutes, universities, governments, and associated agencies to conduct landscape analyses, identify technological whitespaces, provide evidence-based subject matter guidance, and facilitate strategic R&D collaborations across the region. She also represents GFI at scientific conferences and events to contribute technical insights, build awareness of research opportunities, and foster connections to strengthen the scientific ecosystem.

Maanasa is based in Singapore.

Arin leads efforts to expand the scientific workforce and research capacity powering Asia’s alternative protein sector. He partners with governments, universities, and industry to identify skills gaps, design training programmes, and build career pathways that strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem. Arin also develops educational content, webinars, and conferences that connect and de-silo scientific communities, helping focus collective efforts on high-impact research priorities.

He is based in Singapore.

Jennifer is Head of GFI APAC’s Corporate Engagement team, where she sets strategy and drives partnerships with global food companies, startups, and manufacturers to scale alternative proteins across APAC, advising senior leadership up to board and C-suite level. She previously worked as a strategy consultant in Europe and Asia, where she led multi-stakeholder initiatives with Fortune 500s, governments, and financial institutions with a focus on sustainability and agri-food. Jennifer holds an MSc in Corporate Social Responsibility and an MA (Hons) in International Relations.

She is based in Singapore. 

As GFI APAC’s Research Specialist, Divya drives initiatives to accelerate the region’s transition to alternative proteins. She leads efforts to identify high-impact opportunities, strengthen market readiness, and foster collaborations across the ecosystem – working closely with corporates, researchers and other stakeholders. Her work includes advancing research and industry engagement on blended meat as one of the several pathways to expand the adoption of alternative proteins. Divya also represents GFI APAC at regional stakeholder discussions and industry events, contributing insights that help shape the future of sustainable food in Asia.

She is based in India.

Samuel leads the policy department’s regional efforts to accelerate alternative proteins through policy, regulation, and multilateral engagement. He works closely with governments to identify how alternative proteins can support their national objectives—ranging from food security and sustainability to economic growth and innovation.

In his role, Samuel engages with intergovernmental fora and strategic partners to advance regulatory harmonisation, public R&D, trade, and innovation. His work focuses on creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment, unlocking opportunities for sector growth, and future-proofing the region’s food system.

He is based in Singapore.

Carmen leads regional efforts to elevate alternative proteins through policy and multilateral engagement. She works with governments, intergovernmental fora, and strategic partners to advance regulatory harmonisation, public R&D, trade, and innovation. By building coalitions, shaping policy agendas, and amplifying APAC’s voice in GFI’s global initiatives, Carmen contributes to strengthening the resilience and shaping the future of regional and global food systems.

She is based in Australia.

Ankur leads regional efforts to accelerate alternative proteins through public policy and regulatory engagement. He works with governments and partners to align alternative proteins with national objectives, from food security and climate resilience to economic growth and innovation, advancing regulatory readiness and coordination to enable sector growth and future-proof the region’s food system.

He is based in Singapore

Thiru advances alternative protein integration into national policy across Southeast Asia. She leads project management and stakeholder coordination for GFI APAC’s economic opportunity study to strengthen engagement with policymakers. Thirui also shapes regional strategy by developing landscape assessment tools and country-specific engagement guides. As the policy lead for Singapore and Malaysia, she drives programme development aligned with national priorities and cultivates strong relationships across government, civil society, and industry to promote public sector support for alternative proteins.

She is based in Singapore.

Rodrigo leads GFI APAC’s communications work, directly shaping how the world views and interacts with Asia’s fast-growing alternative protein sector. Drawing insights from GFI’s subject matter experts, Rodrigo identifies high-impact opportunities to reach and engage both existing and potential science, policy, and industry stakeholders across communications touchpoints, using audience-centric, locally relevant narratives.

Rodrigo is based in Singapore.

Ryan drives the public conversation around alternative proteins in Asia. As lead author of GFI APAC’s monthly e-newsletter and a regular contributor to global news outlets, he spotlights recent breakthroughs in the science, policy, and business of ‘future foods,’ and illuminates the road ahead. His writing has been published in top newspapers and digital media publications, including Nature, The Straits Times, South China Morning Post, The Nikkei, CNA, Lianhe Zaobao, Trends in Cell Biology, The Business Times, The Bangkok Post, and Nikkei Asia.

He is based in Los Angeles.

Daphne focuses on optimising finance operations for GFI APAC, enabling our team to create greater impact. Previously, as Director of Finance at a leading think tank in Singapore, she led two restructurings, improving efficiency through automation. She was integral in its CRM system and PDPA policy implementation. Daphne’s private sector experience includes standardising accounting frameworks and managing financial operations in Vietnam and Cambodia. She also served as an associate consultant for a non-profit’s strategic review. A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with an MBA, Daphne is a thoughtful, detailed and practical problem-solver.

Daphne is based in Singapore.

Athirah leads the GFI APAC’s People & Culture and Systems functions. She drives initiatives that enhance team experience, support smooth internal operations, and help the team work more effectively together through better tools and processes. Her responsibilities span culture strategy, onboarding, digital workspace management, people development, and continuous improvements across operations-related projects.

She is based in Singapore.

Weilong leads our fundraising efforts by building strong relationships with donors and driving support for GFI APAC’s mission. With over 14 years of experience cultivating strategic partnerships and executing impactful fundraising initiatives, he has helped secure significant funding for causes in education and social services. Weilong’s expertise spans strategic donor engagement, community impact, and innovative fundraising, and he continuously fosters a culture of philanthropy and social responsibility.

Weilong lives in Singapore.