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Financial Health CANversations

Learning series for the 2026 Data, AI & Policy APAC Hackathon: Financial Health Frontiers

Financial Health CANversations is a four-part learning series organized as part of the 2026 Data, AI & Policy APAC Hackathon: Financial Health Frontiers, convened by data.org’s Asia Pacific Data and AI Capacity Accelerator (Global Capacity Accelerator Network – CAN) with support from Cognizant, in partnership with the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), NUS FinTech Lab, the Asian Institute of Management, and Nasscom.

Session dates are: August 6, August 20, September 3 (hybrid), and September 17.

The series brings together leaders from industry, academia, and the social sector to explore how data and AI can advance financial health and financial inclusion. While designed to support hackathon participants in developing stronger submissions, the sessions are also open to the wider community of students, researchers, practitioners, and professionals interested in this space.

Speakers

Anand Bansal

Head of Data Transformation

Sun Life Asia

Anand Bansal is a data transformation leader with 16 years of APAC experience in insurance and pharmaceuticals. Currently AVP, Head of Data Transformation at Sun Life Asia, he oversees regional data strategy and governance.

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Satish Chandrafari

Country Head & Managing Director, Cognizant Hong Kong

Cognizant

Satish Chandrafari is the Country Head & Managing Director at Cognizant Hong Kong, where he leads the company’s business and client engagement in the market, working with organizations on strategic and technology transformation.

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Lena Chapple

Head of Commercial Legal – Executive – Australia, New Zealand and Japan

Cognizant

Lena Chapple is Head of Commercial Legal at Cognizant for Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and a member of the region’s Executive Leadership Team.

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Lin Chen

Technical Consultant

data.org

Lin Chen is a technical consultant and owner of New Circle Consulting, helping organizations turn strategy into working digital products.

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Hugo Harris

Head of Cognizant Moment for Asia Pacific and Japan

Cognizant

Hugo Harris is the Head of Cognizant Moment for Asia Pacific and Japan, where he helps large enterprises move from AI experimentation to enterprise-scale operating capability.

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Priyank Hirani

Vice President of Programs

data.org

Priyank Hirani is Vice President of Programs at data.org, where he leads global initiatives that expand the responsible use of data and AI to address society’s most pressing challenges.

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Chockalingam M.

Director of Technology

Nasscom

Chockalingam M. is the Director of Technology at Nasscom, a purpose-driven association that works with industry, government, and academia to position India as a trusted hub for products, talent, and impact.

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Lance Pierce

President and CEO

data.org

Lance Pierce is the President and CEO of data.org. He is a board member, philanthropic advisor, former corporate consultant, and executive with global leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, startups, corporate responsibility programs, and sustainable investing.

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Kamolpun Punpuing, Ph.D.

Section Head of the People Development Strategy and Organization Development Division

National Electronics and Computer Technology Center

Kamolpun Punpuing, Ph.D., is the Section Head of the People Development Strategy and Organization Development Division at the Thailand National Electronics and Computer Technology Center.

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Carla Ramchand

Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand

Cognizant

Carla Ramchand leads over 1,500 technology professionals at Cognizant, driving regional growth through the company’s AI Builder strategy, helping clients move beyond experimentation to bridge the gap between AI investment and measurable business outcomes.

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Carl Rhodes

Professor of Business and Society and Director of the Ultimo Institute

University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Carl Rhodes’ influential research explores the relationship between liberal democracy and contemporary capitalism with a view to reformulating the role of business in society so that prosperity can be shared by all.

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Shivam Shukla

Programs and Capacity Building Lead

data.org

Shivam Shukla is the Lead for Programs and Capacity Building at data.org, where he partners with the Director of Capacity Building to shape and deliver global initiatives aimed at cultivating 1 million purpose-driven data and AI practitioners by 2032.

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Shubhi Vijay

Manager, Product and Marketing

data.org

Shubhi Vijay is Manager, Product and Marketing for data.org where she is responsible for supporting the feature, metadata, and content development for the digital platform.

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Please Note

  • Registration is free.
  • You may register for one or more sessions.
  • The 3 September Cognizant session will be conducted in a hybrid format. Participants interested in attending in person at Cognizant offices (Sydney or Hong Kong) may express their interest below. Due to limited capacity, submitting this form does not guarantee an in-person seat. Selected attendees will receive a separate confirmation closer to the event.