Committee & Honorary Advisors
Prakash Rao Appalanaidu
Prakash Rao Appalanaidu (Rao) is the Managing Director of AI Research Cloud Sdn Bhd and President of itSMF Malaysia, where he champions IT Service Management (ITSM) standards and drives alignment with global best practices. With leadership roles at Citibank, Standard Chartered, KPMG, Huawei, Dell, CSC, Malaysia Airlines, and Rosettanet USA, Rao brings extensive expertise in enterprise architecture, middleware, incident management, ERP, and cloud transformation. At Rosettanet, he contributed to next-generation architecture and partner interface processes, while at Dell he advanced service-oriented architecture frameworks. His certifications include ITIL V3, Microsoft Azure Developer, ISO 9001, and WebMethods. Rao holds a Master’s degree from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Passionate about leveraging AI-driven solutions, he is dedicated to advancing ITSM adoption and accelerating organizational digital transformation.
Prof. Dr. Nahlah Elkudssiah Ismail
Professor Dr. Nahlah Elkudssiah Ismail is an accomplished academic and healthcare leader with expertise in clinical pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and internal medicine (respirology). Currently Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at AIMST University, she also serves as Council Member and Bursar of the Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy and a Panel Assessor for the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
With over two decades in academia and healthcare, she has held leadership positions at Universiti Teknologi MARA, MAHSA University, and Lincoln University College Malaysia, where she spearheaded clinical pharmacy programs and founded research groups in biopharmaceutics and inhalational sciences. She has also served as a practicing pharmacist in both hospital and community settings.
Prof. Dr. Nahlah played a vital role in Malaysia’s COVID-19 National Vaccine Administration Programme as consultant, advisor, and frontliner, supporting vaccine cold-chain management and public health delivery.
Her expertise spans pharmaceutics, nanotechnology, clinical pharmacy practice, and healthcare project management. She is widely recognized for her contributions to advancing pharmacy education, healthcare innovation, and public health in Malaysia and beyond.
Desmond Ng
Desmond Ng is a seasoned ICT leader with over 22 years of experience delivering large-scale technology initiatives across the Asia Pacific region. He has held senior roles with leading multinationals, specializing in delivery management, professional services, sales, and product strategy. Recognized by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) as a Technology Expert in ICT, Desmond combines extensive industry expertise with academic research, currently pursuing his PhD at the National University of Malaysia. His leadership is defined by his ability to align technology strategies with business goals, ensuring impactful digital transformation outcomes.
Dr. Nanthakkumar Appathurai
Dr. Nanthakkumar Appathurai is Secretary of itSMF Malaysia and a PeopleCert Ambassador for ITIL4, PRINCE2, and DevOps. With over a decade of experience across IT service management, healthcare leadership, and business operations, he plays a pivotal role in advancing ITSM excellence in Malaysia. As Founder and Lead ITSM Coach at CT Academy, Dr. Nantha has trained professionals in ITIL, PRINCE2, DevOps, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Scrum, and COBIT5, positioning himself as a trusted advisor and thought leader. He also serves as Director at JN Mediclinic and Yenasys, leading strategic innovation and business growth. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from City University of Paris, a Master’s from the University of Business and International Studies, Switzerland, and an Advanced Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering from Nilai University. A certified trainer across multiple domains, Dr. Nantha is passionate about professional development, certification, and fostering collaboration between business and technology.
Manju Thavamoney
Manjelah “Manju” Thavamoney is a respected executive leader and facilitator with more than 40 years of experience across hospitality, telecommunications, banking, finance, and IT. Known for her strategic leadership and mentorship, she has held senior positions driving organizational culture, employee engagement, and sustainability initiatives. A founding member of the Contact Centre Association of Malaysia (CCAM), she has served as Vice President, Honorary Secretary, and Executive Director (2021–2025), where she strengthened membership engagement, conferences, and training programs. Professionally certified in ITIL, PRINCE2, and management practices, Manju is recognized for her expertise in corporate facilitation and industry advocacy. Beyond her professional achievements, she is passionate about continuous learning, travel, yoga, and literature. A devoted mother of three, she embodies collaboration, integrity, and lifelong growth—values that continue to inspire the professional community.
Sivarajah Siwnan
Sivarajah Siwnan is a highly accomplished Technical and Competence Consultant with deep expertise in solution architecture, digital transformation, and operational efficiency across IT, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure. He specializes in translating complex technologies—including 5G, cloud, DevOps, AI, and cybersecurity—into actionable strategies and effective learning pathways. With a strong background in instructional design, project management, and stakeholder engagement, he has designed structured competency frameworks, career progression models, and vendor-certified programs. Additionally, he brings more than a decade of experience in construction project management, safety, and quality assurance, having led high-profile projects such as the Gamuda Hyperscale Data Center. Certified in occupational safety, advanced building systems, and technical software, Sivarajah is recognized for bridging skill gaps and enhancing organizational capability through hands-on technical guidance and strategic consulting.
Jean Yong
Jean Yong is Co-owner and Education Director of MindMagine Asia, where she leads professional learning, coaching, and certification programs to empower individuals and organizations. With more than 20 years of experience in IT Service Management, Project Management, and Digital Transformation, Jean has helped professionals across industries strengthen capabilities and deliver impactful results. Her expertise spans Agile and Lean transformation, DevOps, IT governance, sourcing, and organizational change. At MindMagine, Jean is dedicated to designing accredited, practical, and engaging programs that bridge knowledge with real-world application. She actively contributes to professional communities, believing in the power of collaboration and shared learning. Passionate about preparing people for the future of work, Jean’s mission is to foster growth and transformation through knowledge, ensuring professionals and organizations are equipped to thrive in evolving digital landscapes.
Michiel R. de Boer
Michiel R. de Boer is Co-owner and Consulting Director at MindMagine, with more than 30 years of experience delivering consulting and project management services to global organizations. His career spans leadership and advisory roles across industries including finance, aviation, logistics, telecommunications, government, and healthcare. Michiel is known for translating business objectives into actionable outcomes, combining strategic vision with hands-on execution. He has successfully led organizational change, governance, sourcing, and transformation programs while fostering environments of continuous improvement. His management style emphasizes coaching and teamwork, enabling effective communication across all organizational levels and cultures. Accredited in IT Service Management, Portfolio & Programme Management, Lean IT, Change and Risk Management, Agile, and DevOps, Michiel is passionate about helping organizations achieve sustainable results. Driven by a commitment to growth, he takes pride in inspiring people and enabling businesses to realize their potential.
Rama Rao Sitharaman (Robert R. Rao)
Robert R. Rao is a Social Compliance Consultant, Auditor, and EHS Trainer with over 23 years of experience in occupational safety, health, environment, and human resources management. A graduate of Universiti Malaya and certified Occupational Safety & Health Officer, he specializes in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), ESG reporting, and ethical sustainability practices. Robert is a certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001, and a recognized RBA Labor & Ethics Auditor. He has successfully supported over 80 companies in developing CSR and sustainability programs and delivered training to nearly 200 organizations across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and logistics. His expertise spans compliance with Malaysian labor and EHS laws, international labor standards, risk assessments, and emergency response planning. Known for his hands-on approach, Robert has worked with global brands such as L’Oréal, McDonald’s suppliers, Dell, and Continental Automotive. He is widely respected for guiding organizations in achieving compliance, sustainability, and ethical business practices.
Surind Rau
Surind Rau is an accomplished IT leader with more than 17 years of international experience spanning aerospace, energy, banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, and IT services. Currently Global Head of Process Method & Tools at Airbus, he has led diverse teams across Asia, Europe, and South America, driving IT service management (ITSM), digital transformation, and supply chain optimization. Surind has held senior roles at Sapura Energy, Standard Chartered Bank, BASF, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and DiGi Telecommunications, where he successfully delivered large-scale IT operations, service transitions, and automation initiatives. His expertise covers ITSM, IT asset and operations management, digital supply chain analytics, vendor governance, and cybersecurity. With strong credentials in ITIL, IT Security, and Service Transition, Surind is recognized for building high-performing teams, achieving operational excellence, and enabling business growth through technology-enabled transformation.
Kaustuv De
Kaustuv De is a global IT executive with more than 21 years of experience in IT service management, operations, and transformation. He has held leadership roles at Intel, Standard Chartered, Orange Business Services, TCS, HP, HSBC, and Quint, where he built governance frameworks, drove operational excellence, and enabled enterprise-wide digital transformation.
As Service Management Lead at Intel Corporation, Kaustuv specialized in Service Asset and Configuration Management (SACM) and CMDB governance, aligning with the ServiceNow Common Service Data Model (CSDM). A certified ITIL V3 Expert, he successfully strengthened data quality, governance standards, and compliance across IT and OT assets.
Previously, at Standard Chartered Bank, he led continual service improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean and Agile methodologies to enhance service delivery maturity and strengthen governance, risk, and compliance.
Now a Senior Consultant at MindMagine, Kaustuv is recognized for combining strategic foresight with operational expertise, delivering measurable outcomes in IT transformation, risk management, and change leadership.
Kui Tze Lin
Kui Tze Lin is a passionate coach and consultant specializing in Agile, Lean, and IT service management. He is committed to helping organizations build high-performing teams by fostering the right culture, mindset, and behaviors that drive innovation, productivity, and customer value.
With experience in guiding large-scale transformations at organizations such as Maxis, Digi, and the Philippines Savings Bank, Tze Lin adapts his coaching style to suit diverse audiences, from operational teams to board executives. His ability to simplify complex concepts into relatable analogies has made him an effective communicator and mentor.
Currently a Senior Consultant at MindMagine, Tze Lin has also served as Head of People at Bjak and Senior Agile Coach at GfK Malaysia. He is a certified trainer for ITIL, PRINCE2, Agile, Scrum, DevOps, and SAFe, and holds multiple professional certifications including ITIL 4 Managing Professional, PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner, and EXIN DevOps Professional.
Guided by the belief that “happy employees = happy customers,” Tze Lin champions positive workplace cultures that promote collaboration, growth, and long-term business success.
Sean Low
With over 30 years of professional experience, including two decades in IT service management, Sean Low is a highly accomplished Senior Consultant. He specialises in driving large-scale organisational change and digital transformation initiatives across diverse international sectors. Sean has proven expertise in leading complex consulting programmes, translating strategic needs into effective, practical solutions and fostering sustainable operational improvements.
Holding a Master’s degree in Business with Information Technology and extensive certifications, he excels at architecting and accelerating enterprise reinvention. He achieves this through deep functional knowledge, superior analytical skills, and impactful stakeholder engagement. Rooted in a coaching and teamwork-based approach, Sean consistently delivers enhanced value, efficiency, and resilience for his clients.
Kevin Dutton
Kevin Dutton is a highly experienced ICT professional and Senior Consultant with three decades of broad international experience in managing IT services, training, and end-user support. He has a proven track record of leading international consultancy assignments across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, working with global organisations in a variety of industries.
A certified ITIL 4 Master and accredited trainer, Kevin specialises in several key areas of IT governance and service management. His expertise includes:
- IT Service Management (ITIL): He has designed, transitioned, and implemented multiple ITIL processes for clients in industries such as finance, insurance, and telecommunications.
- IT Governance (COBIT): Kevin has conducted assessments using COBIT for IT organisations.
- Lean IT: He has been involved in Lean IT transformation projects and has conducted workshops to define value stream maps and identify areas for improvement.
- ISO/IEC 20000: He has coached organisations in the implementation of ISO/IEC 20000 and led a project that resulted in a financial institution achieving this certification.
Clients value Kevin's ability to quickly understand their environments and cultures, enabling him to contribute significantly to their ITIL implementations.
Grace Poon
Grace Poon is Marketing Manager at MindMagine Asia, where she drives brand strategy, marketing campaigns, and learning program promotion. Her expertise spans strategy development, campaign management, event organization, and courseware design, ensuring consistent and impactful brand communication. Grace plays a key role in organizing both online and in-person events that foster professional learning and community engagement. With a creative yet strategic approach, she manages diverse responsibilities—from social media campaigns and brochures to website development and training material design. At the heart of her work is a passion for building meaningful connections and supporting MindMagine’s mission of empowering organizations through knowledge and transformation. Her efforts ensure that the right messages reach the right audiences, driving impact and engagement across the region.
Poobalan
Poobalan brings over 21 years of experience in IT operations, service delivery, and project management. With strong expertise in IT infrastructure, particularly Windows and Linux platforms, he has successfully led numerous infrastructure migration projects at both regional and enterprise levels. His experience extends to network setup, troubleshooting, and data center operations, alongside managing software development teams across direct and cross-functional structures. Known for his hands-on approach and ability to manage complex IT environments, Poobalan has consistently delivered projects that align technology initiatives with business needs. His career reflects a balance of technical depth and leadership capability, making him a valuable contributor to the IT service management community.
Sivayoga
Sivayoga is an accomplished ICT leader with nearly 30 years of experience in telecommunications and IT, specializing in large-scale transformation and infrastructure projects across the Asia-Pacific region. Beginning his career as a hands-on engineer, he progressed into senior leadership roles with global organizations including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, and Bank Negara Malaysia. His expertise lies in driving complex technology programs that strengthen business growth and operational resilience.
Holding a Degree in Electronic Engineering and an MBA, Sivayoga combines deep technical knowledge with strategic business insight, enabling him to engage effectively with both technical teams and executive stakeholders. He has successfully led multi-disciplinary teams, managed regional rollouts, and navigated diverse regulatory environments across Asia-Pacific.
Renowned for his excellence in project delivery and stakeholder engagement, Sivayoga has a proven ability to bridge technology with business strategy. Passionate about innovation and transformation, he remains dedicated to building future-ready IT and telecom infrastructures that deliver sustainable value to organizations and their stakeholders.
Thavaseelan (Thava) Mutaya
Thavaseelan (Thava) Mutaya is a senior IT professional with over 30 years of experience in IT service delivery, governance, support, and project management across industries such as finance, manufacturing, construction, software development, and IT consulting. He is highly regarded for his ability to align IT services with organizational objectives through effective communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
Thava’s career achievements include establishing an IT Service and Support Forum that streamlined processes, reduced operational costs, and strengthened customer service excellence across organizations. His expertise in service management principles enables seamless integration of systems and processes across departments and platforms.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the UK, complemented by numerous professional certifications, including PRINCE2 Project Management Practitioner, CISA, CISM, BS7799, ISO Audit, and ITIL Service Operation.
Committed to persistence, adaptability, and excellence, Thava is recognized for building strong IT teams and driving continuous improvement to deliver measurable business value through technology.