Connect with us

Technology

Visa Announces Asia Pacific Leadership Appointments to Scale Value-Added Services and Southeast Asia Growth

Published

on

SINGAPORE, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced two senior leadership appointments in Asia Pacific, reinforcing its focus on scaling Value-Added Services (VAS) and accelerating growth in Southeast Asia. These appointments highlight the depth of leadership talent and reinforce Singapore’s position as a key hub for developing senior regional leaders.

Serene Gay, previously Group Country Manager for Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and SVP, Global Clients and Acquirers, Asia Pacific, has been appointed Head of Value-Added Services for Asia Pacific, taking over from Axel Boye-Moller, now Group Country Manager for the Nordics and Baltics. In this role, she will lead the expansion of Visa’s VAS business, spanning Issuing and Loyalty, Acceptance, and Risk & Security solutions. She will focus on scaling these capabilities and embedding them more deeply into Visa’s core offerings to accelerate client growth, strengthen differentiation, and deliver seamless and secure customer experiences.

Serene brings more than two decades of experience in payments and financial services. She has held senior leadership roles across digital banking, product strategy, marketing and data, and has led businesses for global financial institutions in China and Singapore. She is widely recognised for driving transformation at scale and building strategic partnerships.

Adeline Kim steps into an expanded role as Group Country Manager for Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and SVP, Global Clients & Acquirers for Asia Pacific, ensuring continuity as the business enters its next phase of growth across the cluster. She was previously Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei.

In her new role, Adeline will lead Visa’s business across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, with a focus on deepening client and partner engagement, strengthening regional collaboration, and accelerating innovation to deliver secure and seamless commerce experiences.

Adeline brings a wealth of experience in payments and consumer products, including over 14 years at Visa in senior leadership roles spanning products and solutions, data, risk and country management. She has played a key role in advancing Visa’s business and client relationships across Southeast Asia, with a focus on execution and partnership-led growth.

Stephen Karpin, Regional President, Asia Pacific, Visa, said: “Asia Pacific continues to be one of Visa’s most dynamic regions, and these appointments reflect both our strategic priorities and the depth of leadership talent we have built across the region. Value-Added Services is a key driver of our growth and an increasingly important way we deliver differentiated value to our clients. Serene will play a pivotal role in scaling these capabilities for our clients across Asia Pacific.”

“At the same time, Adeline brings strong market insight and deep client focus and is well-positioned to lead our business across Southeast Asia and our Global Clients & Acquirers relationships. Her leadership ensures continuity as we deepen partnerships and accelerate growth,” he added.

These leadership appointments underscore Visa’s continued investment in talent and its commitment to strengthening capabilities that support clients, partners and the broader payments ecosystem across Asia Pacific.

###

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/visa-announces-asia-pacific-leadership-appointments-to-scale-value-added-services-and-southeast-asia-growth-302791125.html

SOURCE Visa

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Apaluma Announces $5.55 Million Seed Funding to Scale Unified Government Data Platform

Published

on

By

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Apaluma, which transforms fragmented regulatory records into a unified ecosystem, today announced the closing of its $5.55 million seed funding round led by Crosslink Capital and Kickstart, co-led by Haven Ventures and Overwater Ventures, with Orange DAO and NM Vintage Fund as additional pre-seed and seed investors.

Government agencies hold the data that shapes daily life: Permits, regulations, and environmental records are all public records. Most of it sits in PDFs, scanned ledgers, and incompatible databases. It exists, but no one can use it. Apaluma transforms fragmented regulatory records into one connected ecosystem.

The records become searchable, secure, mapped to real-world locations, and governed by each agency’s own rules. The platform is purpose-built for the full regulatory life cycle and serves analysts, scientists, and regulators who need answers in hours, not weeks.

“With Apaluma, every record — from filing to enforcement — lives in one connected system,” said Apaluma founder and CEO Alicia J. Keyes. “That unification expedites permitting, speeds up FOIA requests, streamlines agency operations, and makes the regulatory life cycle of a location coherent and actionable.”

“We invest in founders who understand a problem from the inside,” said Gabby Contro of Crosslink Capital. “Alicia ran economic development for the state of New Mexico. She has sat at the nexus of sustainability and development. That firsthand insight is what convinced us that Apaluma can solve this long-fragmented problem for regulators and businesses.”

For more information, visit www.apaluma.com.

FAQ

What environmental data does Apaluma work with?

Government agencies hold the world’s most critical data sets around air, water, energy, and waste — data that shapes daily life via permits, regulations, environmental records, and public filings.

How does Apaluma unify government environmental data?

Apaluma links every facility, permit, violation, and record by meaning through data ontology, not just by keyword, so queries surface the full regulatory picture of a location.

How does Apaluma handle environmental data digitization?

Apaluma ingests decades of scanned PDFs, classifying and normalizing records into structured intelligence. The platform also connects legacy systems without rip-and-replace, so agency data stays where it lives.

Can Apaluma support a public environmental data project?

In New Mexico, the Apaluma platform ingested every public document the New Mexico Environment Department has ever filed, normalized it, and made the entire archive searchable from a single interface, with cited sources on every answer.

Does Apaluma work with air pollution data, pollution data, and air quality data for government agencies?

The platform connects monitoring feeds and sensor data to decades of permitting context on a single dashboard, unifying siloed state, federal, city, and county records into maps, charts, and dashboards in one place.

Does Apaluma offer water-quality data solutions?

Apaluma is used daily by permit reviewers, compliance officers, and water-quality analysts — all without hallucinated facts or untraceable claims.

For more information:
matthewmurray@cozen.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apaluma-announces-5-55-million-seed-funding-to-scale-unified-government-data-platform-302828065.html

SOURCE Apaluma

Continue Reading

Technology

Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama Launches 2027 Trade Expo Platform to Drive Foreign Investment and Regional Growth

Published

on

By

Four co-located exhibitions will connect global buyers, investors and companies across trade, logistics, energy and technology.

PANAMA CITY, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) has launched its 2027 trade exhibition platform, positioning Panama as a strategic gateway for U.S. and global companies seeking access to Latin America, the Caribbean and the Andean region.

EXPOCOMER, EXPO LOGÍSTICA PANAMÁ, EXPO ELÉCTRICA INTERNACIONAL – PANAMÁ and EXPO TECH will take place April 6-8, 2027, at the Panama Convention Center in Amador. The three-day program is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors, including buyers, exhibitors and trade missions from over 30 countries.

The platform is designed to accelerate cross-border transactions, expand market access for Panamanian and international companies, and support investment and job creation in high-growth sectors

“Panama offers an ideal environment for building high-impact partnerships and developing sustainable solutions for the Latin American market,” said Aurelio Barría Pino, president of CCIAP. “These exhibitions are powerful economic platforms that generate business opportunities, commercial transactions and employment.”

The four events will bring together decision-makers across global commerce, multimodal transportation, supply chains, infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital transformation. The agenda will include business matchmaking, commercial showcases, executive networking and specialized forums focused on innovation and regional competitiveness.

Gustavo Taft, president of CCIAP’s Organizing Committee for Exhibitions and Events, said the initiative formally activates an international sales and promotion platform for Panama. Sustainability and environmentally responsible innovation will be central to the 2027 program.

The launch brought together senior government officials, business leaders, diplomats and representatives of multilateral financial institutions, including the Inter-American Development Bank, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration.

CCIAP also highlighted World of Coffee Panama 2026, scheduled for October 23-25, when the event will be held in Latin America and in a coffee-producing country for the first time.

MEDIA CONTACT: María Eugenia Grimaldo Araúz | megrimaldo@panacamara.org | +507 207-3420, Lorena Espinosa | lespinosa@panacamara.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chamber-of-commerce-industries-and-agriculture-of-panama-launches-2027-trade-expo-platform-to-drive-foreign-investment-and-regional-growth-302828076.html

SOURCE CÁMARA DE COMERCIO DE PANAMÁ

Continue Reading

Technology

VARON Shares Summer Respiratory Wellness Tips and Introduces Seasonal Savings on Oxygen Solutions

Published

on

By

LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Summer is a season for outdoor activities, family gatherings and travel, but rising temperatures, humidity and changing air conditions can create challenges for individuals focused on respiratory wellness. VARON is sharing practical tips to help oxygen users stay prepared, comfortable and confident while enjoying the activities that matter most.

For people who use supplemental oxygen, planning ahead can make summer routines easier. From outdoor walks and family visits to road trips and vacations, choosing the best oxygen concentrator and preparing for changing weather conditions can help support a more active lifestyle.

Understanding Summer Conditions and Breathing Comfort

Hot temperatures can make outdoor activities feel more demanding. Planning activities during cooler parts of the day, taking regular breaks and staying hydrated are simple ways to stay comfortable during warmer months.

Humidity and seasonal air changes can also affect outdoor comfort. Checking local weather conditions, choosing suitable environments and preparing necessary supplies before leaving home can help individuals make informed decisions about daily activities.

For those who travel or spend more time outdoors during summer, portable oxygen concentrators can provide greater flexibility. Lightweight designs, rechargeable batteries and easy-to-use features allow users to maintain their routines while having access to their prescribed oxygen support.

Practical Summer Tips for Oxygen Users

To enjoy a more comfortable summer, oxygen users can consider:

Planning outdoor activities during cooler times of the dayTaking regular rest breaks when neededKeeping indoor spaces cool and well-ventilatedChecking oxygen equipment and battery levels before outingsPreparing backup power options for longer activities or travel

Having reliable equipment ready can provide additional confidence for everyday errands, family visits and seasonal adventures.

VARON Highlights Portable Oxygen Solutions for Active Living

VARON offers a range of portable and home oxygen concentrators designed to support different lifestyles. With lightweight designs, battery options and practical features, VARON oxygen solutions are created for users who want greater flexibility at home and on the go.

A featured summer option is the VARON VP-8G Super Bundle, designed for users who value mobility and extended usage. The all-in-one package includes:

VP-8G Oxygen Concentrator with standard accessoriesOne extra batteryBattery charging dock for separate battery chargingCar charger

The VP-8G Super Bundle helps users stay prepared for daily errands, outdoor activities, travel and seasonal walks with additional power and essential accessories included.

The bundle is available for a limited-time offer.

VARON Summer Sale Offers Seasonal Savings

To help customers prepare for summer respiratory wellness, VARON is offering limited-time savings across its product range:

18% OFF sitewide during the Summer SaleSpecial offers available on selected oxygen concentrators and accessories

Customers can explore VARON’s portable and home oxygen concentrators while taking advantage of seasonal savings designed to make oxygen support more accessible.

Enjoy a More Comfortable Summer

Summer is a time for connection, exploration and meaningful experiences. With thoughtful preparation, healthy routines and reliable oxygen solutions, individuals can continue enjoying outdoor activities, travel and everyday moments with greater confidence.

Check Official VARON Website

About VARON

VARON develops portable and home oxygen concentrators designed to provide convenient respiratory support solutions worldwide. Through practical designs, reliable performance and user-focused technology, VARON helps customers find oxygen solutions that support mobility, comfort and everyday living.

Media Contact:
VARON Oxygen Concentrator
Email: support@varoninc.com 
Website: https://varoninc.com/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varon-shares-summer-respiratory-wellness-tips-and-introduces-seasonal-savings-on-oxygen-solutions-302828081.html

SOURCE VARON

Continue Reading

Trending