SEATTLE, WA – Mastersfund is pleased to welcome Yasemin Okur to our Advisory Board. Ms. Okur is the  Managing Director at HCP Asia and advises leading private equity and growth capital firms. Her career features senior executive roles at global consumer giants such as Danone, SC Johnson, Yum!, and most recently as President of Mundipharma’s Global Consumer Health division, where she successfully guided the business through its strategic divestment to iNova Pharmaceuticals, a TPG company.

Ms. Okur’s robust knowledge of the APAC market, operational experience, and proven track record in mergers and acquisitions position her well to enhance Mastersfund’s strategic reach and deal-making capabilities across Asia. In this exclusive interview, Yasemin shares insights from her expansive career, her outlook on Asia’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, and her perspectives on the integration of artificial intelligence within regional business practices.

Interview with Yasemin Okur, Mastersfund’s Newest Advisor

We are delighted to welcome you as an Advisor to Mastersfund. Please share a bit about your career with our readers and how you came to be an Advisor to Mastersfund.

Yasemin Okur: I’ve been fortunate to spend over two decades leading global teams and iconic consumer brands across Europe and Asia. My leadership roles at Danone and Yum! Brands gave me deep insight into building and transforming businesses while staying closely connected to the consumer. Most recently, I led Mundipharma’s Global Consumer Health business and oversaw its successful divestment to TPG’s platform company, iNova. It was a journey that deepened my appreciation for value creation, strategic clarity, and operational discipline. 

Advising Mastersfund felt like a natural fit. I admire Anne and Gillian’s mission to back women-led startups and I’m excited to contribute by identifying promising Asia-based businesses that align with Mastersfund’s vision. Equally, I look forward to supporting and mentoring bold founders with the practical, real-world perspective I’ve gained from scaling businesses over the past 25+ years. 

You are living in Singapore. What brought you to Singapore and what delights you most about living in this city? 

Yasemin: I came to Singapore 20 years ago to join my husband. We’re a dual-career couple, and I knew this was a place where we could both continue to grow professionally. What delighted me then, and still does today, is Singapore’s strong commitment to meritocracy, its rich multicultural harmony, and the remarkable efficiency that shapes everyday life. 

Over the years, Singapore has become much more than just a place to live and work — it’s truly become my home. I’ve built a career here, raised a family, and formed deep personal and professional connections. The country’s forward-looking mindset and resilience continue to inspire me, as does the spirit of servant leadership embodied by many of its leaders who focus not just on outcomes, but on the longterm wellbeing of Singapore’s people. A powerful example of this is how Singapore has become a model of healthy longevity, often described as an engineered Blue Zone. Through thoughtful policies, targeted resources, and effective initiatives, the nation has significantly extended life expectancy, which now stands at 85, and improved the quality of life for its citizens. 

iNova Pharmaceuticals recently purchased Mundipharma Global Consumer Healthcare. You led that M&A deal. Tell us a bit about that work. What did it entail to make this a success? 

Yasemin: Like any M&A deal, our objective was twofold: to deliver maximum value to our owners and to ensure the best possible outcome for our people. In the three years leading up to the sale, we focused relentlessly on strengthening the fundamentals of the business—driving both top-line and bottom-line growth ahead of industry benchmarks. At the same time, we invested in our people, ensuring they had clarity, support, and opportunities throughout the transition. These combined efforts positioned us as a strong, scalable asset and helped set the stage for a successful transaction with iNova Pharmaceuticals.  

What are your predictions for 2025 about the startup ecosystem in the region? Are you seeing more startup entrepreneurs launching or moving to Singapore?  

Yasemin: I see 2025 as a year of continued momentum for the region’s startup ecosystem, with Singapore further strengthening its role as a launchpad for ambitious founders. We’re seeing more entrepreneurs choosing Singapore—not just for capital access and pro-business policies, but increasingly for its geopolitical stability, IP protection, strong founder-support networks, and a deepening talent pool, particularly in tech, finance, and AI.  

While the cost of doing business here remains relatively high, many founders see it as a worthwhile investment, especially as regional markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, and India offer scale. Singapore provides growing companies a stable, credible base for fundraising and international expansion. 

From startups to enterprise organizations, we see U.S. companies racing to incorporate the power of AI into their business processes and their products. What are you seeing in APAC?

Yasemin: In APAC, I’m seeing a clear divergence. In markets like Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and parts of Australia, companies are moving quickly to adopt AI—especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, where efficiency, automation, and data-driven decision-making are critical. These economies benefit from strong digital infrastructure, forward-looking government policy, and deeper talent pools with AI, data science, and engineering expertise. Singapore in particular is becoming a regional AI hub, attracting top talent from around the world through targeted visa programs and government-backed research initiatives. 

In contrast, many emerging markets are taking a more cautious, “wait and see” approach. They have interest, but may be challenged by gaps in technical talent, fragmented data environments, or limited access to enabling infrastructure like cloud and compute power.

What one or two interesting facts about you would you like our community to know about? Any fun facts are welcome! 

Yasemin: I was a jazz singer during my university years and remain a passionate ski enthusiast. These days, I’m most proud of being a diligent Pilates student and a lifelong bookworm. I average about a book a week and find reading to be my favorite way to recharge, reflect, and stay endlessly curious. And yes, pickleball is becoming a thing in Singapore, though I haven’t picked up a paddle just yet!