Night of Leaders at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025 honoured distinguished figures from the semiconductor industry with awards across four categories
SINGAPORE - 23 May 2025 - On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEA) 2025 hosted the Night of Leaders, a dinner and awards ceremony that honoured individuals shaping the region’s semiconductor future. Organised by SEMI, the landmark event was held in the evening on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, at The Clifford Pier, and was graced by Guest of Honour Mr Jermaine Loy, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
A Celebration of Excellence and Vision
Held on the opening day of SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025, the Night of Leaders honoured outstanding contributions that have propelled Southeast Asia’s semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystem. From pioneering figures who have shaped the industry’s foundation to emerging leaders poised to chart its future, the evening brought together senior executives, innovators, and changemakers in a celebration of leadership, innovation, and collaboration—critical drivers of the region’s continued ascent in the global semiconductor value chain.
Honouring Excellence Across Four Award Categories
The evening featured four distinguished award categories that recognised leadership, legacy, and future promise in the semiconductor industry:
- SEMI Lifetime Achievement Award
This accolade was presented to an esteemed industry veteran in recognition of extraordinary and sustained service to SEMI and the global semiconductor community. The award honoured decades of dedicated leadership, innovation, and contributions that have significantly shaped the industry’s growth and progress. SEMI Southeast Asia Industry Leader of the Year Award
Nominated by fellow industry leaders, this award is a recognition that celebrates the exceptional contributions of a leader in the semiconductor ecosystem.The recipient of the award is selected based on their long-standing commitment to drive development, innovation, growth and opportunities for the industry throughout the Southeast Asia region.
SEMI Southeast Asia Industry Tribute Award
Presented in conjunction with SEMICON Southeast Asia’s 30th anniversary, award honours distinguished individuals who have made a lasting impact on the region’s semiconductor ecosystem through exemplary leadership and industry contribution.
Nominees must hold senior leadership positions with profit and loss (P&L) responsibility, hailing from organisations that are active SEMI members and part of the semiconductor value stream in Southeast Asia.Award recipients are recognised for demonstrating strong financial acumen and sustained business growth over a minimum of five years. Beyond their immediate roles, award recipients are selected for their unwavering integrity, exceptional leadership, and efforts in mentoring the next generation of semiconductor professionals.
In addition, the award acknowledges individuals who have made meaningful contributions beyond their organisational responsibilities - whether in advancing economic development, nurturing talent, fostering innovation, supporting sustainability, or enriching the social or cultural fabric of the industry and its communities.
SEMI Southeast Asia Emerging Young Leader Award
This award celebrates five outstanding individuals under the age of 40 whose transformative impact has contributed to shaping the future of the semiconductor industry. Recipients are recognised for their innovation, leadership potential, and significant contributions to industry development, growth, and talent cultivation.Nominated by SEMI’s Southeast Asia Workforce & Talent Development Council, this award aims to spotlight rising stars within the region’s semiconductor ecosystem. Awardees are selected based on their demonstrated ability to drive innovation and create new opportunities across the value chain.
The award is now slated to be a key feature of SEMICON Southeast Asia, with honourees formally recognised during the event and invited to deliver an acceptance speech as part of the SEMI University Program.
As SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025 marks a historic 30th year milestone, the Night of Leaders; Dinner and Awards served as a powerful reminder of the talent, vision, and collaboration driving the region’s semiconductor success. With eyes on the future, the semiconductor industry continues to build on a strong legacy, led by those celebrated tonight and inspired by the next generation of leaders.
For the complete list of award recipients, please refer to Annexe A attached.
SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025 takes place from 20-22 May 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore. Register here.
About SEMI
SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.
Contact Information
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Released by The Rainmaker Marketing Group on behalf of SEMI
ANNEXE A
Tech Leader Awards 2025 Winners & Citations
No. | Award Recipients | Award Category |
1 | Mary Puma Executive Advisor, Axcelis Technologies, Inc | SEMI Lifetime Achievement Award |
Ms Mary G Puma is a distinguished leader in the semiconductor industry, currently serving as Executive Advisor at Axcelis Technologies, Inc., where she previously held the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2002 to May 2023, and held the role of Executive Chairperson of the Board from May 2023 to May 2024.
With over four decades of experience in technology, including 25 years in the semiconductor sector, she has been instrumental in advancing semiconductor manufacturing equipment and supply chain innovation. Since December 2022, she has chaired the International Board of Directors of SEMI, a global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro and nano-electronics industries.
Ms Puma also contributes her expertise as a board member of several technology companies, including Ciena Corporation, Allegro MicroSystems, Entegris, and Penguin Solutions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Tufts University and a Master of Science degree in Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. | ||
2 | Mr Chen Kok Sing | SEMI Southeast Asia Industry Leader of the Year Award |
Mr Chen Kok Sing is the Senior Vice President for Global Assembly and Test at Micron Technology, where he oversees the company's assembly and test manufacturing operations globally. Mr Chen’s distinguished career in the semiconductor industry spans over three decades, during which he has amassed extensive expertise in both frontend wafer fabrication and assembly and test operations.
In his previous role as the Singapore Country Manager, Mr Chen anchored Micron’s presence through strategic partnerships and the establishment of the NAND Centre of Excellence, which focuses on developing and manufacturing world-leading 3D NAND technologies. Under his leadership, Micron has successfully operated state-of-the-art wafer fabrication, assembly, and test facilities in Singapore. Micron’s presence has also fostered a thriving local semiconductor ecosystem that significantly contributes to the global semiconductor market. Mr. Chen spearheaded business, operations and workforce transformation initiatives, leading Micron Singapore to become the first semiconductor wafer fabrication facility to be globally recognised by the World Economic Forum as the Industry 4.0 Lighthouse and Sustainability Lighthouse. In 2025, Micron broke ground on Singapore’s first High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) advanced packaging facility, addressing the increasing demand for AI and deepening capabilities of the local ecosystem.
Mr Chen is a strong advocate for talent development. Under his leadership, Micron has nurtured and groomed more than 10,000 fresh graduates over the past 20 years, many of whom have become global leaders in the industry. Micron has also deepened its partnership with local institutes of higher learning, with notable initiatives including the signing of MOUs with all local polytechnics and ITE, as well as organising learning journeys and engagements with schools. Mr Chen’s commitment to community engagement is evident in the record-high volunteering participation rate of 98.5% achieved by the Singapore team members in 2024 through volunteering and donations. He has also led the Singapore team in building a high-trust workplace, earning Micron Singapore the Great Place to Work award for six consecutive years, culminating in the prestigious Legends Award. Based in Singapore, Mr Chen contributes to national initiatives and served on the Future Economy Advisory Panel, Future Economy Council (FEC) and as co-chair of the FEC advanced manufacturing and trade sub-committee.
Mr Chen's unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation not only solidifies Micron's leadership positions but also continually enhances the industry's capabilities, driving forward technological advancements and setting new standards for excellence. | ||
SEMI Southeast Asia Emerging Young Leader Award
| |||
No. | Name | Designation | Organisation |
1 | Chai Siew Fu | Principal Engineer, Development Engineering | Western Digital |
2 | Justin Koo | Senior Engineer, Equipment Engineering | GlobalFoundries |
3 | Lim Yi Hui | Director, Environmental Sustainability & Compliance | Micron Technology |
4 | Sivanandini Selvakone | Business Process Management Engineer | Sandisk |
5 | Tang Chin Wui | Senior Field Process Engineer | Lam Research |
SEMI Southeast Asia Industry Tribute Award
| |||
No. | Name | Designation | Organisation |
1 | Jennifer Yuen | VP, Corporate Communications & Industry Partnerships | ASE |
2 | KC Lau | Group CEO & Executive Director | Inari Amertron Berhad |
3 | George Lee | Executive Vice President, Backend | Infineon Technologies |
4 | Theo Kneepkens | Senior Vice President, Global Operations & Supply Chain | KLA Corporation |
5 | Dato' Bock KL | Senior Vice-President, Global Flash Backend Operations | Sandisk |
6 | Niew Bock Cheng | President | Siltronic Singapore |
7 | Lim Soon | CEO | SSMC |
8 | Dr Goh Inn Swee | General Manager | Vanguard International & VisionPower |
9 | Ricky Sim | Managing Director & CEO | Advantest Singapore |
10 | Brian Tan | Corporate Vice President, Regional President (Southeast Asia) | Applied Materials |
11 | Tan Yew Kong | Senior Vice President and General Manager Singapore Site | GlobalFoundries |
12 | Chong Chan Pin | Executive Vice President & GM, Products & Solutions | Kulicke & Soffa |
13 | Andrew Goh | Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Southeast Asia | Lam Research |
14 | Jennifer Teong | Vice President, Manufacturing & Quality | Silicon Labs |
15 | Chiou Lid Jian | Managing Director | STATS ChipPAC |
16 | Andy Lee | VP – Asia, Sales | Cohu |
17 | Douglas Tan | General Manager | Hermes-Epitek Corporation |
18 | Christopher Han SK | Board Director & VP | Hitachi High-Tech (Singapore) |
19 | Chua Chor Hong | Vice President, Sales | JSR Electronic Materials Singapore |
20 | Dan Lee | GM, Metrology and Inspection | Merck KGaA, Darsmtadt, Germany |
21 | Harith Abdullah | Vice President & General Manager, Assembly & Test | Nexperia Malaysia |
22 | Chuah Choon Bin | Executive Chairman | Pentamaster Corporation Berhad |
23 | Chew Ne Weng | Managing Director & President | QES Group Berhad |
24 | Dr Albert Pang | CEO | SilTerra Malaysia |
25 | Goh Jong Aik | VP, Global Sourcing & Procurement | Soitec Microelectronics Singapore |
26 | CS Tan | Group Vice-President & General Manager | STMicroelectronics |
27 | Hideki Ito | President & MD | Tokyo Electron Singapore |
28 | Johnson Liu | Associate Vice-President | United Microelectronics Corporation |
29 | Dr William John Nelson | President & CEO | UTAC Group |
30 | Steven Siaw | Co-Founder & Executive Vice President | ViTrox Corporation |
