The Soy Excellence Center Asia recently hosted the 2025 Joint Governance Meeting in Singapore, bringing together members of the SEC Global Advisory Panel (GAP), the Asia Food Regional Advisory Council (RAC), and key industry collaborators from across Asia. This annual gathering provides a dynamic platform to align strategy, spark meaningful dialogue, and strengthen SEC’s commitment to relevant, real-world learning and community engagement.

During the meeting, industry collaborators explored how SEC Asia can grow its regional presence while staying responsive to the evolving needs of industry professionals. Discussions focused on enhancing SEC Asia’s educational community, fostering cross-border collaboration, and ensuring that learning outcomes remain practical and impactful.

A highlight was the SEC GAP leadership panel discussion consisting of U.S. Soy Farmers: Mark Read, Illinois Soybean Association & SEC GAP Chair; Reggie Stickland, United Soybean Board; Gail Donkers, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotional Council; and Mike Froebe, Kansas Soybean Commission; who shared perspectives on workforce development, program sustainability, and the power of active alumni networks. They emphasized that SEC Asia’s long-term success relies on maintaining engaged communities, building local partnerships, and creating opportunities for young professionals to step into leadership roles. These insights underscored the program’s role as both a knowledge hub and a trusted connector for the region’s food, feed players as well as the overall soy value chain.

SEC GAP leadership panel discussion

One of SEC Asia’s greatest strengths is its ability to connect people and ideas across borders,” said Sherry Chen, SEC Asia Center Lead. “Our alumni and learning communities are driving innovation, sharing solutions, and supporting each other’s growth long after the learning events end. That’s how we create lasting impact.”

Another standout moment of the GAP delegation was where SEC alumni shared how they’ve applied their learnings to optimize production, and make better business decisions. Among them, Marie Fe Iranzo, an Animal Nutritionist from APC, uses smart farm practices and data to advance the local dairy sector; Shin Yi, Product Development Manager at F&N Global, leverages SEC courses to anticipate new trends in soy foods; and Teo Wan Ling, Principal R&D Specialist at Super Bean International, is turning soy byproducts into value-added snacks to reduce food waste.

 (Left to right) SEC alumni Teo Wan Ling, Principal R&D Specialist at Super Bean International, and Shin Yi, Product Development Manager at F&N Global, speaking during the sharing session.

In 2024 alone, over 1,400 individuals graduated from 24 learning events, and the continuing education community grew to 882 members, with more than 600 actively engaged. With new tracks such as Aquaculture and Soy Food & Beverage launched, and expanded translation efforts underway, SEC Asia continues to make learning more accessible and relevant to the region’s needs.

“What inspires me most is seeing industry professionals on the Regional Advisory Councils from diverse countries and backgrounds come together with a shared purpose — to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and help lead positive change,” said U.S. Soy Farmer, Mark Read, Illinois Soybean Association & SEC GAP Chair. “That collaborative spirit is at the heart of SEC Asia’s success.”

As the region’s soy value chain evolves, SEC Asia remains committed to its Pathfinders. Equipping these community leaders and badge earners with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to lead change, and unlock their potential as the next generation of agribusiness leaders: the Tomorrow Solvers.