Catalyst - Bootstrap Conversations: AI x Retail

About the Programme:

Curious about how AI is being applied in the retail sector to impact consumers like you? Join us for our AI x Retail bootstrap session on 15 Jan 2025 where you can uncover how AI is disrupting the retail landscape from product development to supply-chain systems and marketing, in conversation with experts from across the sector.

About Bootstrap Conversations:

Excited to deep dive into the most pressing issues on AI that practitioners in the industry encounter? Join our bootstrap conversations on AI and trust across healthcare, education and retail sectors. Here, you will get to apply your learnings through attending a panel discussion, followed by a small-group brainstorming session. You will also get the opportunity to cultivate new connections with industry leaders and peers.

About the Moderator and Panellists:

Eugene Pang​

Assistant Director, ​Singapore Institute of Retail Studies​

Eugene professional journey began in retail at Robinsons, an experience that laid a unique foundation for his diverse career path. He transitioned into airtime sales at Mediacorp, where he explored the intersections of media and communications. This initial foray into media was a stepping stone to his subsequent role in destination marketing at Bintan Resorts, where he cultivated a deep passion for promoting travel destinations. Driven by this passion, he joined the Singapore Tourism Board, focusing on industry development and contributing to the growth of the tourism sector.

In 2004, he became part of Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), where he dedicated his efforts to the International & Industry Relations Team and the Hospitality & Tourism Management Section.

Over the years he has enjoyed teaching and gained valuable insights into the tourism and hospitality industries, enriching his understanding and expertise in these dynamic fields.

Alex Chua​

Country Director​, Pixlr Group​

Alex is the Market Leader and Chief Solution Architect of Pixlr Group's business operations in Singapore. Under his leadership, Pixlr Group has established a significant presence in the region, serving a diverse array of clients and partners that include multinational enterprises, local large corporations, educational institutions, training companies, creative agencies, SMEs, and micro-enterprises across Singapore and the Asia Pacific.

Pixlr Group stands at the forefront of the creative technology and visual communications landscape, recognized as a pioneering innovator in AI. The company operates two key product brands—Pixlr and Designs.AI—offering AI-powered creative design tools, generative AI solutions for image creation, and an AI-assisted content creation suite. These tools empower organizations to enhance productivity while fostering creativity and curiosity within their workforce.

With over 20 years of experience in the technology and training sectors, Alex has a rich background that spans various multinational corporations based in the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore. His expertise encompasses B2C, B2B, and B2G markets across diverse industry verticals, including consumer products, e-commerce, technology retail, gaming, public sector initiatives, education, and corporate training.

Joanna Reijgersberg-Siew ​

Founder​, Captain Cranberry​

Joanna Reijgersberg-Siew is the visionary founder of Captain Cranberry, a dynamic e-commerce business specializing in kitchen and lifestyle products, exclusively sold on Amazon.com for the U.S. market. With a robust background spanning 18 years in B2B and B2C international sectors, Joanna has cultivated a diverse portfolio of experience across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, working with multiple Fortune 500 companies.

Before establishing Captain Cranberry, Joanna was the Solutions Area Lead for AI and IoT at Avanade, a prominent Microsoft Business Group associated with Accenture. Her expertise in emerging technologies such as Generative AI (GenAI), Internet of Things (IoT), Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) has positioned her as a leader in innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital landscape.

A recognized authority in her field, Joanna has delivered keynote speeches at Asia's and Europe's largest cloud conferences, including Cloud Expo Asia and the AI Summit. She has also shared her insights at various events organized by EnterpriseSG, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), Accenture, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), focusing on the transformative impact of AI and GenAI in business.

About Catalyst:

In a world increasingly powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), using AI to improve our productivity is no longer enough. AI innovations are transforming the way we learn, buy, and stay well whilst bringing uncharted challenges around trust and individual well-being.

Join us in the first edition of Catalyst jointly organised with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Focusing on the trending topic of responsible AI, get ready to expand your mind, skills and networks through panel conversations, ground-up solutioning and implementation to create real-world impact with like-minded peers.

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