Dr Stephen Choo is an experienced Chair, board member and strategic advisor who has spent more than 25 years building organisations, advising leaders and developing strategic relationships across Australia and Asia.

As Chair of the Advisory Board of The Asia Centre at UWA, Stephen works with fellow Board members and the Centre’s leadership to help shape its strategic direction, strengthen its governance and build connections across business, government, community and Asian diaspora networks in Western Australia and Asia.

Stephen has a longstanding association with UWA. He previously served as Chair of the UWA Ambassadorial Council and as President of the UWA Alumni Network in Singapore, helping to strengthen the University’s alumni and external relationships in Australia and Asia.

His broader governance experience spans public, corporate and community organisations. He currently serves on the ABC Advisory Council and is Vice-President of the Western Australian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, where he also chairs the Youth Committee. He previously served as a Non-Executive Director of global fintech company Geniusto International, including as Chair of its Remuneration Committee.

Stephen’s board experience is complemented by an extensive executive career across Australia and Asia, including senior roles with Korn Ferry and Qualtrics and leadership roles in higher education and technology.

Stephen holds a PhD from UWA and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce by the University. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

I-Lyn Loo is Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority and a senior executive with extensive experience in international trade, industry development, government relations and strategic partnerships. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of government, industry and international markets, leading initiatives that strengthen Western Australia's economic engagement with Asia and support the growth of globally connected industries. Prior to joining WAMIA, she led international trade and export development initiatives for Western Australia's agrifood sector, working closely with industry, government and international partners across the Asia-Pacific region. She has represented Western Australia on international trade and investment missions and has played a key role in advancing the State's agrifood export agenda, including supporting market access and trade development across Southeast Asia and other key international markets.

Born and raised in Malaysia, I-Lyn came to Western Australia as an international student to study at The University of Western Australia. Her personal and professional journey reflects the enduring connections between Western Australia and Asia, providing her with a deep appreciation of the value of cross-cultural understanding, international collaboration and people-to-people links. Drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise, she is passionate about fostering stronger relationships between Western Australia and the region through trade, education, research and community engagement.

As a member of the Executive Committee of the Asia Centre at The University of Western Australia, I-Lyn contributes to the Centre's mission of strengthening connections between Western Australia, Asia and the region's diaspora communities. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her Southeast Asian heritage, UWA alumni experience and executive leadership across industry and government, and is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance Western Australia's engagement with Asia and help develop the next generation of leaders with the capability and confidence to operate across cultures, sectors and borders.

Marshall Allen is an experienced private equity and investment professional with more than three decades of experience across investment banking, private equity, capital markets, and active ownership. He co-founded Perth-based Viburnum Funds in 2007 and helped build it into a significant Australian fund manager with public and private investment strategies. Before Viburnum he worked across major financial centres including the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia with organisations such as ANZ Private Equity, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, and Credit Agricole Lazard Financial Products. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and an MBA from Cornell University.

At Viburnum, Marshall was leading its private sector investment funds. Beyond Viburnum, Marshall has also held governance and university advisory roles, including membership of the UWA Business School Advisory Board and chairing the UWA Centre for Business Data Analytics Advisory Board. University of Western Australia awarded him the Chancellor’s Medal in 2024 for his contributions.

Mazlin has been in the Malaysian corporate scene for the past 42 years, owning and heading 3 public listed companies, and sitting on the boards of several more during his career. A mechanical engineer by training from Brighton University in 1984, he completed his MBA from Cranfield University in 1991. He currently chairs a PLC in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange and sits on the boards of several private companies in Malaysia, Australia and the UK. He is a member of UWA’s Strategic Resources Committee (a senate sub-committee) and member of UWA’s Centre for Muslim States and Societies. Mazlin and his extended family live in Perth and Melbourne for the past 20 years.

ASX Director | Agritech & Resources | Australia–Asia Market Connector

Yaxi Zhan is an experienced ASX-listed director and executive with over 17 years of experience across mining, agritech, and capital markets.

She is the Non-Executive Chair of Wide Open Agriculture Ltd (ASX: WOA) and was the founding Executive Director of Accelerate Resources Ltd (ASX: AX8), leading the company from inception through IPO and beyond.

Yaxi specialises in corporate strategy, market entry, cross-border deals, and investor engagement—driving growth by connecting Australian resources and innovation with Asian capital and markets.

She is known for her ability to bridge Australia and Asia, bringing together capital, supply chains, and strategic partners. With deep networks across China and a strong understanding of cross-cultural business environments, she has successfully facilitated market entry, cross-border transactions, and investor engagement.

One of the few Australian directors who has built and run consumer and infrastructure businesses at CEO/MD level inside China and SE Asia. I bring that operating reality - not just regional exposure - into the boardroom. My background spans CEO of Costa Asia Pacific, MD of NBA/AEG/OPG JV China, and MD of infrastructure fund, alongside active real estate investment in Australia and Malaysia. I hold a GAICD, an MBA from UWA, and BCom in accounting, and currently serve on the board of PlusLife Bone Bank. I am selectively pursuing NED roles where my Asia operating depth and commercial governance experience are genuinely additive - particularly in PE, resources, hospitality, and Asia-facing funds.

Robbie Gaspar is an international engagement and sports diplomacy specialist with almost 25 years of experience building partnerships between Australia and Asia through sport, education, business and government collaboration.

A former professional footballer, Robbie enjoyed a 14-year professional career, including more than 10 years playing across Asia in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. As the first Australian to play professionally in Indonesia, he has spent almost 25 years engaging with the region, developing extensive networks and fostering enduring relationships across government, sport, education and industry.

Today, Robbie is Advisor – Asia at Football West, a Board Member of the Australia Indonesia Institute (AII), President of the Indonesia Institute, and a consultant to FIFPRO Asia/Oceania.

Robbie specialises in developing international partnerships that strengthen people-to-people, business-to-business and government-to-government relationships. His work focuses on using sport as a platform to advance diplomacy, leadership, education and trade, particularly between Australia, Indonesia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Robbie is committed to positioning Western Australia as a regional leader in sports diplomacy and international engagement, creating meaningful partnerships that deliver long-term educational, economic and social outcomes across the Indo-Pacific.

Raj Surendran is an experienced C-suite executive with more than 35 years' experience across finance, operations, business development, strategy and commercial leadership in Australia. He has held senior roles in transport and logistics, mining and energy, including leadership positions with Aurizon, Wesfarmers, BGC Australia and DUET Group. Raj joined Tianqi Lithium's Kwinana operations in 2019 as General Manager Finance, later becoming COO of the newly formed TLEA joint venture in 2021. He was appointed CEO in October 2022 and now leads TLEA's strategic growth and operational performance.