The 10 Most Prominent Business Leaders to Follow in 2021 by Prime View

www.primeview.co | August 2021

The

Business

Leaders

Dr. Katie Lau

EDITOR’S NOTE

The 10 Most Prominent Business Leaders to Follow in 2021. The resilience and determination of employees in today’s time help companies keep their people performing at their best while work processes shift. While everyone was working from home, employees learnt the art of multitasking and balancing work-life and household chores. However, with offices resuming work and employees returning to work, there is an essential need for leadership evolution. Business leaders worldwide are trying to find the best-suited solutions for their companies, people, and ecosystems. Just like our history’s empires, businesses rise and fall as the times change. Likewise, some remain at the top for ages, while others fizzle out within a couple of years. The key to long-term sustained success is through great leadership. A great business leader can motivate others, have a clear vision others can believe in and can lead innovation within an organization. When companies have great leaders taking the reins, investors, consumers, and employees are all going to want to buy in. To be a great Mentor, you also need to be a great leader, and many of the world’s most well-known companies have some seriously smart people at the helm. As the ongoing pandemic continues to make global news headlines, business leaders who want to stay ahead and remain successful are looking for stable footholds in this time of uncertainty. With that in mind, Prime View presents “The 10 Most Successful Business Leaders Revamping the Future”, celebrating leaders who are doing their best to innovate and technologically evolve the industry. Do share your thoughts with us. Prime View Magazine editor@primeview.co

The 10 Most Prominent Business Leaders to Follow in 2021

SONAL K

STEVE R DAVID S

DNYANESH K , JOHNSON J.

SAM K.

RICHARD D.

Alex S. , Jeniffer P.

Visit: https://primeview.co Email: editor@primeview.co

INTERVIEW

Karin Lohitnavy (Founder)

Midas PR Group

Founder

Dr. Katie Clinic

CONTENTS

Covver S tory

Dr Wolf Vierich

Rodrigo Martins

(Chairman)

(CEO and Head of Wealth Planning Strategies)

The Vitala Group

Ripol Alliance Global Wealth Strategies

Christiana Kouppi (Partner)

Vrikis & Kouppi LLC

PROFILES

34 Subhash Dhar (Chairman and CEO)

American Battery Solutions

Cover Story

omen are making their mark in a a different industry. From the world’s pool of fearless beauties with the brain, Prime View Magazine covered one such gem. She is Katie Lau, the founder of Dr. Katie Clinic, providing aesthetic medical services in Hong Kong. Dr. Katie Clinic focuses on treating patients in a holistic approach, not only addressing patients’ concerns – a very common business model in the industry – but providing an ALL-ROUNDED solution to improve patients’ skin health and outlook through non-invasive treatment modalities. In academics, Katie did her graduation from the University of Hong Kong in 2006, then completed 3 years of basic surgical training in 2011. After that, over the last 10 years, she went into private practice specializing in aesthetic medicine. In the year 2017, she started her clinic.

Apart from her academic commitments, Katie was also a competitive swimmer, where she started training back at the age of 8. With luck, she managed to uphold the 100 meters Butterfly Hong Kong Record Holder title for 9 years from the year 1993, attained World Ranking number 16 with the same in that year too, the first swimmer in Hong Kong to have accomplished a World Ranking. The following year, she was part of the 4 x 100 meters Freestyle Relay silver medallist team in the Hiroshima Asian Games 1994.

THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THE INSPIRING JOURNEY While talking about her early days, Katie said, “My childhood path has never led me into daring dreams of becoming a doctor, despite unconditionally feeling passion in my current healthcare mission once I obtained qualifications. I majored science stream in high school, as chemistry and biology subjects contribute a good basic foundation, my family and teachers strongly encouraged me to aim for medical school. Also, both my parents’ families have no precedence in serving this field, they find it meaningful to go for a try. I was not at all aware that decision was such life-changing and exciting to me.” “All Hong Kong practitioners are regulated under the Hong Kong Medical Council; all forms of marketing

promotions are strictly prohibited. I can only rely on word of mouth to build my reputation all along. Some patients from various centers I worked at before the establishment of my clinic, found me again on the Internet. They were happy to share my joy of taking up a new role. Those surprise moments deeply touched and enlightened me, not only because it meant result satisfaction, but also, they showed faith in me”, she further added.

RESOLVING DERMATOLOGICAL PROBLEMS WITH HOLISTIC WELL-BEING Her primary treatment focus is dermatological problems and holistic well-being management. Improve “weaknesses” by appearance and skin health, while elaborate on the unique natural beauty of each and every, together makes a positive impact on their psychological aspects further – these refinements definitely enrich their work, social, and family circles, they gain much more confidence in walking on their lives. Encouragingly, not only do Katie’s patients feel revived, people around them – family, friends, colleagues all witness these “subtle” changes, even spiritually. Out of surprise and curiosity, they initiate to ask her patients’ stories, which turn into her “referrals” quite naturally!! Once her patient, a friend for life!! Loyalty simply grows from outcome efficacy, efficiency, and longevity – meaning to give the optimal with the best products, in the shortest interval, but with the longest-lasting time!

MORE ABOUT AESTHETIC MEDICINE Aesthetic medicine is a distinct medical industry with great variety. It can be perceived as half art half science, different doctors can exhibit diverse approaches, while the service experience of each patient in every clinic is exclusive and individualized. Therefore, it is common for patients to window shop, and try several centers simultaneously. Regardless, Katie offers her best every day, learns continuously to undertake the better, emphasizes the first principle of “no harm”, instead of merely business focus. 10

THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE TOWARDS SUCCESS “Ever since, I very much enjoy working on daily operations, as well as my professional routines – with an aim to help anyone in need. This is my all-time motto no matter where I work. It has always been my great honor to attain recognition, both from patients and society, because these precious rewards remind me to work even harder, to achieve excellence and the better always. I was granted several Global Awards from UK, USA this year. Above all, I was proud to be invited as a speaker for Korea Derma annual meeting in December 2020, my online lecture presented was “Skin Saving Pearls: Combating What’s Under and Above the Mask”, shared by Katie Lau.

A DAY IN LEADING LADY’S LIFE

But all in all, the most important quality is SUPPORT – no matter patients, who might be demoralized from past experiences, be it personal or medical, also to respective peer doctors. She strongly believes in her profession, patient complaints are many a time mutual misunderstanding, misconceptions, discorded styles, resulting in “mismatches”. Without exceptions, she stays neutral to explain facts, provide knowledge, rather than go along with “misinterpretations” and further exacerbate the gaps.

“Discipline is always the key to running a sound business. I take in a chronological life since I decided to train into an elite swimmer at a young age. Up to now, just to share, I wake up at around 8-9 am for some workout before breakfast. I start work at 11 am until 8-9 pm. Afterwards, it is paperwork time, not until I finish can I return home to rest my day at about 12 am. Although it might seem like a monotonous timetable every day, I feel productive acting in such a rhythm. My favorite hobby is coffee brewing and all its mastership, thanks to my inspirer. I wish to run another business after retirement, a mini café so that I can prolong serving in another way”, Katie asserted when asked about her daily routine.

FUTURE OBJECTIVES Katie’s long-term objective is to boost up her field and make known her ups and downs along the journey. Expansion is not her major intention. In the past few years, she has already voiced in seminars, clinical classes, online conferences, and biography articles. Shortly, she is planning to give more in-depth insights, proficiency, real-life stories, up to interesting patient encounters, via YouTube Channel broadcast.

THE SUPPORT SYSTEM “I think I am always a fortunate girl, because, throughout my sports and medical career, I acquire unveiling full back up from my closest family, all-time caring friends, and schoolmates, to my work seniors, counterparts, and later, my team staff. Not without them, I cannot accomplish and be what I am now” Katie proudly shared.

WORD TO THE WISE The world is changing, fast and furious, just like any occupation. Modern civilization cultivates a substantial proportion of women to be entrepreneurs. For Katie, patients open up more willingly to express their inner concerns to her as a female. Both genders possess their own strengths. But ultimately, hard work plays the trick. With the recent ongoing Olympic Games in Tokyo, this traditional concept of “no pain, no gain” impresses every audience beyond question. Only by clenching through serious professional training, can athletes win in their respective sports arenas. In the same way, the industrious effort pays off a successful career.

Bank, initially starting the position in Geneva, Switzerland and then transferred back to Brazil 2013 where I remained until June 2015. After the termination of my relationship with HSBC in 2015, I went back to my Law Firm and in July 2015 I founded our Multi-Family Office – Ripol Alliance Global Wealth Strategies – in Miami where I became the CEO and Head of Wealth Planning.”

Since its inception, Ripol Alliance has been offering a more complete and holistic approach to Wealth Management or sort to say Wealth Planning integrated with the financial side as well as the legal and succession planning to the services developed to clients.

A Glimpse of the Multi-Family Firm

Quoting Marianne Williamson, this is the thought of Rodrigo Alonso Martins, Head of International Taxation and Wealth Planning at Ronaldo Martins & Advogados. Born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1981 but also with Spanish Citizenship, Rodrigo is married and the father of two lovely girls. After high school, he started both Economic Sciences and Law Universities. Before graduation Rodrigo was involved with Tax Practice, initially focusing on Corporate Tax Planning, and afterward developing and directing the Wealth Planning Practice as part of the Tax Planning dedicated to Individual Investors. Further, Rodrigo shared, “I stayed with my Law Firm until February 2011 when I was invited and offered a Latam Wealth Planner position by HSBC Private

RONALDO MARTINS & Advogados offers Corporate Legal Services on a multitude of Practices, but all businesses are driven to the benefit of the clients and their economic performance and efficiency. They also offer the Wealth, Succession, and Tax Planning for Individual Investors clients of the Law Firm integrated to their Multi-Family Office – Ripol Alliance Global Wealth Strategies – where all the Wealth, Succession, and International Tax Planning is centralized and added to the Wealth Management.

The clientele varies from big multinational companies, foreign companies establishing a business in Brazil through advisory, local companies in Brazil seeking assistance in navigating through the most efficient way on the Brazilian legal system, Brazilian Companies desiring to expand their businesses and operation to other countries in special the USA and Private Clients seeking for advisory on wealth, succession, and tax matters both locally in Brazil but also internationally. 15

On asked about the secret behind the client’s unbreakable faith Rodrigo said, “Trust comes from us knowing and speaking the same business language as our clients. In addition to that, we take our time to understand our clients’ needs and concerns to facilitate an indication of the best and most appropriate legal solutions for their cases. Finally, we are always innovating on the digital frameworks bringing to our clients’ ways to not only keep closer contact with our professionals but with relevant information about their cases and works we are developing for them. Therefore, we can create such a close relationship whereby we become natural members of our client’s life and business, adding value always to their interests.”

Hurdles on the Way & The Secret Sauce The biggest challenge is to maintain the corporate values and principles despite any challenges a business may face or faced and never let the level or quality of the professionals and know how to drop from the highest standards we set back in the foundation of our Law Firm. Rodrigo says that learning and developing skills is the biggest secret behind the success and experience at a certain point in time, and being patient as to the eager to achieve success, because if done in a rush, may cause for a professional not to be ready to face the most demanding challenges. Also, by understanding and accepting that the learning and growth curves are continuous, no one should think that once you get to a certain professional stage you are done because if you fall out of these continuous curves, sooner or later, you will fall and fail.

Building a Balanced and Equal Industry According to Rodrigo, that is achieved by “Providing equal chances to all, rewarding based on competence and results – meritocracy – and providing a more humane working relationship with your employees and clients.” At the current moment, a lot of businesses focus on economical results and growth but at a cost which is the quality of the relationships established during the action and the quality of personal life as an owner, director, or of any employee. Therefore, by seeking this more humane side of all the relations, companies can set a higher tone of productivity and commitment of their own team and a stronger and more faithful relationship with its clients. 16

Future Goals Rodrigo Alonso Martins is focusing on providing the clients a new digital experience in legal management with a new Legal Digital Platform. This is just one more of the initiatives focused on the level of services the team provides to clients – the highest available – to facilitate to clients the understanding of the legal matters on the daily management and strategic decisions to help their companies succeed on their goals. They are also further developing their asset management platform on their Multi-Family Office aiming to provide clients even broader access to different financial products and solutions which benefit their personal assets portfolio, possibly their business, and the risk diversification.

Feathers in the Cap • Lawyer Monthly – Legal Awards 2018 – Awarded to Rodrigo Alonso Martins/

A Day in Rodrigo’s Life The routine starts with the early wake-up, checking the first e-mails and messages of the day, then dressing up for work, have breakfast with family, kids go to school, provide breakfast for dog, focus on work directly until lunchtime, take a break to have lunch and check nonwork-related subjects, return to the work routine and focus until around 7:00 pm to focus on family, preparing dog dinner, enjoying some quality time with family, then going to the gym three times a week during the night, get back home, go for a walk with the dog, give a lovely good night for the kids and put them to bed, take the last shower, watch Netflix with wife and then go to sleep.

Favourite Book : Rich Dad Poor Dad

Ripol Alliance Global Wealth Strategies – Business Families Solicitor of the Year USA; • Acquisition International – 2019 Global Excellence Awards - Awarded to Ripol Alliance Global Wealth Strategies – Most Outstanding Multi-Family Office 2019 – Florida, and • US Business News – Legal Elite Awards 2020 – Awarded to Ripol Alliance Global Wealth Strategies – Best in Legal Equity Protection Consulting – Florida.

A Piece of Advice for Female Entrepreneurs Hard work sees no difference between genders. No woman should let be put down or inferior. If their professional goals are their top priority at a certain time of their life or even their entire life, they should face the challenges as humans and forget about the difference in gender. They should focus on their capabilities aiming to excel as much as possible, develop a strong and concrete business plan and a review routine to check on the accomplishments of the business plan, and unite a capable team to support them on the business development. 17

Dr Wolf Vierich The Vitala Group (Chairman) 20

The journey for the Vitala Group of Companies started in 1983 as the brainchild of Dr Wolfgang Vierich, the Founder & Group Chairman. He is equipped with years of experience from his successful career since the year 1967. In his German air force military career in the USA he passed out as the highest ranked “Foreign Outgoing Officer” of any US Military Academy, USA.

Dr Vierich also lectures, speaks, and has published worldwide on subjects covering Law, Management and global tourism industry trends, and project finance. He has worked and consulted on numerous Government programmes and campaigns in Japan and the USA. He was chosen by President Reagan as the Chair of the Commission on the American Outdoors. He was also Chair of the State of Florida Crime Prevention Program and, as a result, he was appointed as a Distinguished Visitor of the City of Miami.

He was legal and economic advisor to six Heads of State, and he led economic nationalization programmes in Tanzania, Iran, Jordan, and Qatar during the 1970s – 1980s. He was also Regional General Manager of the UK Inchcape Group’s Middle East operations, and Holiday Inn International Hotels’ Director of Projects Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

For his global achievements in the international tourism industry, he was Knighted by the German Government in 2010.

A graduate from two West German Hotel Management Schools, his educational curriculum was complemented at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and the University of Austin, Texas, majoring in International Trade Law and Contract Law, obtaining his JD and Ph.D., followed by studies in International Project Management at the European Centre of Management in Brussels, and in Executive Management at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Afterwards, he obtained an MBA from the University of Munich, Germany.

He has been honoured as “CEO of the Year 2021” by CEO Today Magazine, and his Vitala Group of Companies was appointed as the “Most Outstanding Leisure & Tourism Group 2021 UK”.

Persevere! And never give up. - Dr Wolf Vierich

He is a: FELLOW - IH Institute of Hospitality - IM Institute of Management - CIM Chartered Institute of Marketing - TS Tourism Society, UK

VISITING FELLOW: - Bournemouth University, UK, (1990-96)

MEMBER: - WWA World Waterpark Association - RoSPA Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (1988-2004) - IAAPA International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions - MCB Editorial Board, Contemporary Journal of Hospitality Management, MCB University Press - JWA Honorary Member, Japan Waterpark Association - ALAPA Founder & Honorary Member, Asociación Latino Americana de Parques Acuáticos - LATAG Latin American Trade Advisory Group, (1992-1998) - TEA Themed Entertainment Association, USA - ULI International Council, Urban Land Institute, USA - IALEI International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment Industry, USA - Editorial Board, Aquatics International, USA, - World Safety Council, USA, (1993-95) - Russian Association of Joint Ventures, International Consortia & Organisations, (1986-90) - ALES Associate Member, Association of Leisure & Equipment Suppliers, UK - IRETO Board of Experts KNIGHTHOOD: Knight of Gastronomy, Germany LIFE MEMBER: WLRA World Leisure & Recreation Association CHAIRMAN: World Waterpark Association International Advisory Board (1988-2000)

GUARDIAN: Hospitality Action Benevolent Association, UK COUNCIL MEMBER: The Gerson Lehrman Group

ADVISOR: - International Advisor, Asociación Latino Americana de Parques Acuáticos (ALAPA) 1982 - UK Department of Trade & Industry “Opportunity Japan” Campaign, (1990- 1994) 22

“If you don’t buy a ticket, you definitely cannot win the lottery”.

The VITALA Group of Companies The VITALA Group of Companies is now operating in its 38th year and has been active in over 153 countries since its inception. The Group is best known as global Project Finance providers, developers, managers, and consultants to the leisure, tourism, and themed entertainment industry. It provides additional related services for many other industries. They also specialise in global project financing and the formation of financing syndicates covering start-up and ongoing projects, the provision of Private Placement Memorandum and related documentation for project verification, as well as Merger and Acquisition services. The Group’s commercial activities cover investment, consultancy, and management services for all types of industries worldwide. - AIIS, American International Immigration Services - International Advisor, Russian Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, (RAAPA)

COMMISSION CHAIRMAN US President Reagan’s Commission to Report on the American Outdoors (1986-87) Florida State Government’s Tourist Crime Prevention Program, (1992-1995)

INTERNATIONAL PROJECT FINANCE SERVICES OFFERED: • Equity / debt funding • Project start-ups • Partnerships • Project loans • Project Management • Investigation • Private placement memorandum • Feasibility study assignments • Loan syndication 23

• Operational audits • Project acquisitions • Project mergers • Project buy-outs/ buy-ins There are no up-front fees or any other hidden fees for Project Financing. The company only charges a success fee. “Since 1983, The Vitala Group has been raising project finance. We receive numerous applications for all types of project financing and, as we do not act as finance brokers, we recommend the most appropriate source for a project’s evaluation. Project financing is based on the merits and risk aspects of the project rather than on security and corporate considerations. With global development projects completed in over 153 countries since 1983, we specialise in financing projects from inception right through to operation. This includes project finance, acquisitions, mergers, buy-outs, and joint ventures”, Dr Vierich further shared.

Favourite Book “The Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela.

“As you shout in the forest, the echo returns”

“No money, No honey”.

Challenges on the Way & Plans for Reaching the Next Milestones The demand for international project finance over US$ 10.0 million per project was steady in 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic had no measurable effect on that. Dr Wolf Vierich commenced real estate project finance in the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia. All the 10 global offices functioned throughout the Covid-19 crisis, because of the vast number of ongoing international projects we deal with. There have been project delays caused by the various restrictions and quarantine measures imposed globally. This has affected mainly operators but not developers since, in most cases, project development requires some years to complete. “The provision of competent and ethical management is as important to us as our responsibility to achieve financial profit targets for our shareholders and investors. We must operate profitably to meet our ongoing obligations to employees and sponsors alike. To hire, train and motivate the best employees available in the market; to promote them first before engaging outside personnel; to treat staff respectfully and award them fairly and develop our personnel to act as good citizens of the community - remains our constant mission. Preferably to deal with projects which will positively impact communities, with real measurable results. We seek to advance those who endeavour to contribute to our business and society, regardless of their background, origin, religion, race, political beliefs, or aspirations. To provide excellence and to succeed through satisfied customers and clients is to meet our highest goal”, said Dr Vierich while talking about his future plans. 24

Midas PR Group (Founder)

Que: At the outset, please give us a glimpse of yourself. Ans: I’ve always maintained a proactive mindset routed in past experiences in many countries, and the fact that as an expat it's more work to build a company from scratch in Thailand. I have a degree in Social & Political Sciences from the University of Strasbourg, and having worked in Luxembourg, I synergise between theoretical knowledge and approaches with valuable experiences, and together these helped lay a foundation in Thailand. I’ve always understood that in comparison to other business communication strategies, the Return on Investment (ROI) for Public Relations activities were more difficult to communicate/quantify. So in 2007, I had a vision for creating a PR company that delivers measurable results for clients, and this came to life in the form of Midas PR. Que: Briefly describe your company and the products/services you offer. Ans: Midas PR Group is a renowned public relations agency in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, and our strong local connections and international experience make our clients stand out. PR strategies essentially communicate your business model and credibility to the public. I founded Midas PR Group to serve as the expert in the field, and personally I have over 15 years in the industry. Our offering is built on creating bespoke strategies for clients. I lead a team of enthusiastic executives who leave their long-lasting Midas Touch on the brands we support and empower. Que: Going back to your early career decisions, tell us what factors influenced your decision to be an owner? Ans: When I was 3 years old, I spent a lot of time at my mother’s business, and her customers would ask

me, “what do you want to do when you grow up?” My answer was always, “I want to be a boss.” As long as I can remember I always wanted to lead; to take care of people, and take charge in challenging situations. Often a woman who shows drive and wants to get things done is labelled difficult, but I always knew I could show real leadership and passion whilst practising humility and respect for our clients and teams. 4. Who are your clients? How do you ensure the unbreakable faith of your clients? Our clients are global/regional corporates that span from industry, big pharma, solar, e-commerce, NGOs, airlines, luxury products, tech and beauty brands. We work on measurable success/metrics, so clients know what they’re getting. Many comment they love the fact our team is always available; we are the only PR company providing 24/7 crisis comms services– whatever gets the job done; of course there needs to be a balance between after-hours work and urgency. Our team’s proactive, helping our service stand out compared to others. We offer more than our clients planned for, giving them new ideas. We are often told many PR firms are reactive not proactive, only doing things that meet the KPIs in their contract; we do the opposite, giving clients other avenues to exploit and profit from. Que: As your company grew, or re-grew from your pivot, what were the primary challenges? The most significant pivot recently was Covid, and before this we always tried to predict, to be constantly a few steps ahead. We are the only PROI Worldwide and PRCA_SEA partner in Thailand and that gives us the ability to work cross-region and globally. We’ve focused on growing and retaining inhouse skills, and since well before the pandemic, we have been in hybrid mode, working with international partners for 26

“

I will find a way

many years; our teams are savvy with newer platforms, and we create systems for growth, enabling enough leaders in our company to continue to lead our industry. Every company has challenges. For us, it was developing systems that work for our company culture. Que: How did you get where you are today? Ans: My motto is, “I will find a way or make one”, a philosophy that stems from a strong sense that the word ‘impossible’ is banned from our company vocabulary. Hence when I see a challenge, I see it as a way to go, and I get through with perseverance. Making ‘my place’ in Thailand required that I adapted to the culture, being humble enough to understand in order to succeed. And to succeed, you need strong Thai persons who stand next to you – I’m lucky to have a great Thai partner and an exceptional Thai team who can do things I cannot do as a foreigner; to understand one’s limitations, and to find a solution to that. The last thing is positivity, to be more creative, more inventive. Que: What suggestion would you give to companies on how they can contribute to a more balanced, equal industry?

Midas PR Group (Founder) Ans: Midas PR regularly organizes internship/shadowing opportunities for overseas and local students to attract more girls/women into PR. The company requires at least one woman in a position of responsibility on candidate selection, and 70% of senior leadership positions are taken by women. The company follows LGBTQ-friendly policies, providing equal opportunities and access to senior positions to non-binary people, and family-friendly policies. Que: Please take us through the routine of your day. Ans: I like routine, so I wake up, enjoy some alone time, reflect on what I have to do. My day is divided into meetings, business development, client management, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Twice a week I network via hybrid-online. I play an active part in networks, including Bangkok Lionesses, the Inspire business breakfast, and BNI Global Riders Network (once a month between 90 business leaders). 27

Que: Tell us about a favourite book that inspires you. Ans: I enjoy books and read 2-3 books per month; the last one was “Atomic Habits” which teaches you to start small and have faith that the butterfly effect will ensure your actions spread out like ripples. Sometimes when we need to go from A-Z, we must realise we are not superhuman, and so going from A-B is the first step. An example in the book recalls the story recently about the British Tour de France team, which hadn’t won in 100 years. They brought in a new coach who made modest adjustments with equipment and training, which then saw the team in three years going on to win the tour. I’ve always looked at things like this for myself. Even though I have vison, I concentrate on small milestones, and then muster courage as I move forward one step at a time. Our PR teams train in much the same way. Collectively, we strive to improve a little bit for each and every person within our teams, and taken together that’s very powerful.

“

I will make one.

Que: What does the future hold for your company? Kindly share your future goals.

Que: Mention any awards and milestones your company has received.

Ans: We are already well on track and will continue doing what we’re doing, making those small, regular adjustments, and being the most perfect we can be. We’ll continue aiming to be predictive, and one step ahead of the industry. We will continue to function as a true integrative hybrid company – a worker-built company – one with a history of hiring nomads before the term was known, and international/remote contributors before covid and before this was a common thing. If we maintain this vison for ensuing the journey/pursuit of excellence, and attract talent, keep it, nurture it - because a PR firm is only as good as the team - then we will continue to lead the industry.

Ans: ● Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award, PRCA Award 2020 ● The Golden Globe Tigers Awards 2020 for Excellence & Leadership in Branding & Marketing ● Global Business Insight Awards 2019 for the Most Outstanding Public Relations Firm ● Thailand Brand Leadership Award 2018 for the Best PR Company Que: As a source of inspiration for many, what would your advice be for female entrepreneurs planning to enter the business world? 1) be yourself. 2) find a mentor, someone they can talk to and feel they’re in a safe place 3) network with other women who are likeminded, so as to be inspired by other successful women. 4) set any limitations on yourself. 5) If you suffer disappointment, don’t stay down with that disappointment. Always get up if you fall, get back on the saddle. 28

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Christiana Kouppi Vrikis & Kouppi LLC (Partner) 30

n experienced high calibre seasoned lawyer, an eternal optimist, and a cheerful persona, Christiana Kouppi joined Vrikis & Kouppi LLC in 2017. She has over 10 years of experience in top-tier firms in both Australia and Cyprus, acting for a wide range of clients over the years and working with entrepreneurs helping them set up and manage successful businesses, and offering elite guidance in Corporate Finance, Intellectual Property, Property Acquisition, Restructuring to name a few. Christiana ventured out on her legal educational journey at La Trobe in Melbourne Australia and after 5 fantastic years, she combined her two passions and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Finance and Management. She then continued and became a Member of the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners and qualified with the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. Whilst still in Australia, Christiana always enjoyed an active role with the Victorian Women Lawyers Association and contributed articles for their in-house magazine Portia.

“I suppose that growing up and working in Australia and Cyprus has given me a fondness for the outdoors and the beach and I am a firm believer in maintaining a healthy work-life balance while also giving back to the community one is part of and enjoys. Giving back to others is an ethic that I hold dear and have always sought to apply throughout my life and legal career, endeavouring to pass this on to newcomers to our profession, and to encourage them to also do the same”, Christiana further apprised.

STANDING OUT FROM THE CLUTTER Established in 2015, Vrikis & Kouppi LLC (‘the Firm’) today provides legal services to people from Cyprus and across the world. They have two offices, one in Limassol and one in Nicosia and with over 30 years of collective experience, they offer the sharpest legal minds providing confident and incisive legal advice with a real desire to change the legal landscape in Cyprus. Their priority is to provide the highest possible standard of legal service and to maintain the best quality at every point of client and service provider interaction.

From Shakespeare’s Hamlet:

“This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, thou can be false to no man”.

The Firm practices in all fields of Cyprus law, with a strong focus in the areas of: • Company and Commercial Law • Family and Trust Law, Taxation Law • Banking and Finance • Immigration • Mergers and Acquisitions • Litigation • Property Law & Tenancy Matters • Administrative Law • Secretarial services and company incorporations • Employment law “We are happy to assist on any matter and we always make ourselves available to our clients to offer them support and advice where needed. We serve some of the world’s preeminent corporations with a full bureau law service and we are recognised for our industry focus in key sectors” Christiana shared while talking about her clients. “We are committed to demonstrating support to our clients and we understand this intuitively, many firms would tend to believe that focusing on the practice areas seems to make sense, however ultimately, you are offering a service to a client and behind that service is a person. Maintaining personal relationships with our clients is key to us understanding their needs. This personal development is imperative to us and yields the best results possible”, she further added.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AS A LEADER Christiana Kouppi and the Firm share the same challenges as the majority of companies. The present times are in constant flux and the world is in constant change, obviously, COVID has affected everyone to some degree and the evolving needs of the clients keeps Vrikis & Kouppi LLC on their toes, but the team delight in this and have always prided themselves in their ability to respond to change in an instant. The trends that the VK team has recognised recently however have centred around the need for faster turnaround times in all deliverables and more challenging working structures, and seeing this early on they have been at the forefront of developments

that are effectively allowing them to stay ahead to meet the demands of a more complex, faster changing, inter-connected world.

A DAY IN CHRISTIANA KOUPPI’S LIFE Christiana shared, “Every morning before I get out of bed, I map out a plan of my day in my head. In the office, I have a coffee meeting with the teams to discuss their plan and priorities for the day and then begin. After work, my favourite part of my evening is hitting a Zumba class. With a day job that is so much dependent on articulation, I find a great release from dancing, I truly believe it is the language for the soul when a person can just completely switch off the left side brain and engage one’s more creative artistic right side, with also the added benefit of being able to squeeze in a workout! As I spend most of my week on the phone or in meetings or in front of a computer, my personal time is spent away from all that, weekends are for the outdoors, preferably with a nice glass of wine and enjoying anything that doesn’t need a plug!”

FUTURE ROADMAP Vrikis & Kouppi LLC has a determined vision of becoming the leading indigenous law firm in Cyprus by conducting its business in a way that is consistent with their values, where they have something of value to offer, and where their endeavour can make a difference. Here, people are at the core of what they do and they are committed to recruiting, developing, and retaining the most talented professionals, while at the same time offering continued legal education, defending equality, and encouraging enterprise focused activities that will allow them to make a positive difference in the local communities in which they operate.

AWARDS AND MILESTONES Vrikis & Kouppi LLC has been honoured with many awards, like: • Corporate Tax Law Firm of the year in Cyprus 2017 – Corporate International • 2018 Leading Commercial Law adviser of the Year, Cyprus – Acquisition International

A PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS “Feto Forte – Nasaun Forte” “Strong Women, Strong Nation”. When women find a voice and assume leadership roles in the community, the entire community, and by extension the nation, benefits”. Christiana shared. It is certainly challenging for female entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and aspirations and put their dreams onto an action plan as they are faced with so many difficulties however I am a firm believer that if you always work with honesty and passion, whilst having the common sense and aspiration to move forward, you will surely excel.

• 2018 Corporate & Commercial Law Firm of the Year in Cyprus – Acquisition International • Recommended Law Firm 2019 – Corporate Tax Law Firm of the Year in Cyprus - Global Law Experts • Recommended Attorney 2019 George Vrikis - Global Law Experts • Global Excellence Award for Christiana Kouppi – Most Influential Women in Business Transactions Law 2019 – by Acquisition International

C.s Lewis: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”.

• Listed on Legal500

Subhash Dhar

American Battery Solutions (Chairman and CEO) 34

ounded in 2019, led by an experienced business leader with about four decades of accumulated wisdom, Subhash Dhar, American Battery Solutions is engaged in developing, designing, and manufacturing complete Li-Ion battery battery systems for the electrification of vehicles and industrial equipment including stationary storage applications. Since its inception, Mr Dhar has been spearheading the firm as the Chairman & CEO. Under his thoughtful and innovative leadership, the firm has emerged as a prominent leader in manufacturing advanced battery systems. Earlier, he was the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Energy Power Systems from January 2011 to April 2017 and CEO of XALT Energy, a leading manufacturer of Li-Ion batteries from January 2014 to April 2017. Previously, Mr Dhar served as the Chairman & CEO of Envia Systems, a Bay Area company engaged in developing advanced Li-Ion battery technology. Prior to that, he was the founding President of ECD-Ovonic Battery Company during 1982 through 2003, where he developed and commercialized Nickel Metal hydride battery which today’s hybrid electric vehicles on a global basis & which became the backbone of the Prius hybrid cars in the late ’90s. He set up business alliances and manufacturing operations in Japan, China, Europe, and the US. He also served as the President of Ovonic Fuel Cell Company where he developed a novel regenerative low-cost fuel cell.

Mr Dhar has also served as Vice-Chairman of EnerDel and President of its parent Ener1 Inc; CEO of Eletra Hybrid Bus; a company based in Brazil. He also served as the CEO of PlasmaDrive, a company engaged in the development of novel combustion technology. He has also been involved in many aspects of alternative and advanced technology including hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage, and Fuel Cells. Subhash Dhar is a co-inventor of over 40 US patents and has co-authored more than 45 technical papers and delivered dozens of invited keynote addresses at numerous global energy and automotive conferences. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Curtis Instruments for 15 years. He has a master’s in engineering management and Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit and Institute of Technology, India.

God has given us two ears and one mouth, we must listen twice as much as speak. - Subhash Dhar 35

A GLIMPSE OF AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS

FROM THE CEO’S DESK

As a leading industrial and commercial electric vehicle battery manufacturer in the USA, ABS produces high-quality lithium-ion batteries with automotive quality DNA and with the power of experience.

Mr Dhar apprised, “I have always been interested in clean energy, electrification of vehicles and have worked in clean-tech since 1981. My philosophy is to leave this world in better condition than we inherited it from our predecessors which can be achieved through’ science, technology, and human partnerships.”

Their customers are part of the electrification industry primarily in the industrial, commercial, and other related markets including bus and commercial vehicle manufacturers. The team at ABS has collectively, helped launch some of the industry’s most well-known programs with OEM’s like General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, BMW, Daimler-Mercedes, and others. Their mission is to create a cleaner future by leading the transition from fossil fuel based propulsion to electric power trains as well as grid connected energy storage systems. “Building a team from scratch was one of the biggest challenges. We continue to build a world-class team; people are the most critical and valuable assets that we have as a company” shared Subash Dhar while talking about the hurdles of early days. ABS is on its way to becoming a premier energy storage solutions provider. Mr Dhar is working every day with ABS’s highly skilled and talented team members. He looks forward to continuing to build a culture of camaraderie and balancing good work/life for everyone in the company.

The Inspiration behind the Initiation

The “Secret Sauce”

Having the conviction in making the world a better place and working with an extremely talented group of people and staying focused on the mission to improve the quality of life through science and technology. Suggestions to Create a More Balanced and Equal Industry

Define your mission and goals and identify critical paths to achieve them. Develop and nurture teams and provide them with the necessary tools, guidance, and encouragement to help them achieve those goals. Also, being a good listener is important.

FAVOURITE BOOK Churchill Walking with Destiny biography by Andrew Roberts. Churchill inspires with his leadership qualities and how he manages through tough and adverse challenges. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson about science, culture, and how the modern-day science world has evolved.

Gene Krantz NASA “Failure is not an option” 36

FEATHERS IN THE CAP • 30 most influential companies of the year – CIO Bulletin 2020 • Top 10 EV solutions providers – Autotech Outlook • The World's Fastest-Growing Companies in 2021 – American Registry • Several recognitions by industry trade organizations and academic institutions.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, it’s also what it takes t o sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

Don’t take no for an answer, fight every step of the way, treat everyone fairly and encourage team building, education, equality, and fairness. There have been many successful women leaders, and there is a need to continue to cultivate and support that growth. 37