SBE Committee: Small Business, Big Connections - How Multinationals Partner with SMEs

Description

Join AMCHAM Thailand’s Small Business & Entrepreneurs (SBE) Committee for an interactive discussion on how multinational corporations (MNCs) and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) collaborate to drive growth and innovation in Thailand.

Hear directly from leaders at global companies who actively engage with SMEs through supply chains, partnerships, and startup ecosystems. Learn what large corporations look for in SME partners, how smaller companies can stand out, and practical strategies to build long-term collaborations.

The session will conclude with a networking mixer, giving attendees the chance to connect with MNC representatives, AMCHAM members, and fellow entrepreneurs in a relaxed and engaging setting.

About the speakers:
James Lange leads Google’s Customer Solutions (GCS) teams for Thailand and Vietnam, focusing on the strategy and execution of Google's advertising business for small and mid-market enterprises. His teams in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City are dedicated to helping thousands of businesses grow domestically and expand internationally.

A 12-year Google veteran, James brings extensive international leadership experience from roles in the United States, Singapore, and now Thailand and Vietnam. As an American expatriate leading Google’s GCS business in two of Southeast Asia's most dynamic markets, James has a deep understanding of regional business trends and the unique challenges and opportunities facing SMBs locally. He is passionate about fostering an entrepreneurial culture and empowering businesses to succeed in the digital landscape.

Though based in Ho Chi Minh City, James travels to Bangkok frequently to support the GCS Thailand team and local business partners.

Jonathan Powell is General Manager and Managing Director, APAC – Jelly Belly Candy Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and brings over 15 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector, specializing in food and beverage for multinational Fortune 500 organizations. His international career spans Haiti, Japan, and Thailand, and he currently leads the new APAC sector at Ferrara Candy Company, driving growth and expansion into Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam, China, and the Philippines.

Chris Aurand, Ph.D., Open Innovation Leader, Thai Union Group PCL. In his role as Open Innovation Leader, Chris is focused on executing Thai Union's open innovation strategy, working collaboratively with internal R&D stakeholders to understand their innovation needs and drive external collaboration. He is responsible for building the long-term strategy SPACE-F, Thailand's first food tech incubator and accelerator. SPACE-F is a partnership between Thai Union, ThaiBev, Mahidol University and The National Innovation Agency of Thailand, established to build Thailand as the Foodtech startup hub. In addition, he is part of Thai Union's Corporate Venture Capital team. 

Philip Bernard is Senior Vice President (SVP) of HDD Assembly & Backend Operations at Western Digital. Philip is responsible for the development of a world-class manufacturing operations in Asia and significant Engineering involvement in Product Development and Sustaining Engineering. Philip's global team includes 16,000 employees with HDD factories located in Thailand and Engineering units in the U.S., Japan, Bangalore and Scotland.