How did you get started with The Ortus Club?
I was approached by The Ortus Club to moderate one of their virtual roundtables in 2021 during the COVID lockdown. My experience as a panellist and guest speaker at numerous prominent industry events over the years made it a natural fit. I saw it as a valuable opportunity to enhance my communication and moderation skills in a distinctive setting that promotes collaboration among industry leaders.
What’s your preparation process for moderating our events?
My preparation starts with quick calls with The Ortus team and their event partner to understand the event’s theme. I also review any questionnaires filled out by the participants. Based on this, I pinpoint key discussion topics and align them with the participants’ backgrounds to create a conversation that resonates with their experiences, ensuring I can effectively lead the discussion toward valuable insights.
What do you find most exciting about moderating?
What excites me most is the exchange of ideas and real-life lessons learned—the focus on the journey rather than the finish line. Each session presents a chance to learn, question assumptions, and guide the group, including myself, toward fresh insights and deeper understanding.
Can you share a memorable moment from your moderating experiences?
Aside from the opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues, one particularly memorable moment was the challenge I faced in managing a discussion that went off-topic. I struggled to effectively steer the conversation back on track, especially since the participant in question was a C-level executive from one of Indonesia’s major telecom companies.
How has moderating contributed to your personal and professional growth?
Moderating has sharpened my communication skills and broadened my perspective. It’s helped me become a better listener, taught me how to manage group dynamics, and improved my ability to guide conversations towards productive conclusions.
What type of event do you enjoy moderating the most and why?
I particularly enjoy moderating events that explore emerging trends and innovation, as they often ignite the most forward-thinking and creative discussions. And, of course, I have a preference for evening events over lunch sessions—especially when they serve wine!
What has been your most challenging event to moderate?
One of the most challenging events I’ve moderated was centred around mobile super apps and AI. There was a noticeable misalignment in how participants defined these concepts, which led to some bias in the discussion. For example, what some identified as real-time data streaming was being referred to as AI by others.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of moderating?
I’m passionate about blockchain technology, gardening, exploring new technologies, and participating in social activities.
